13 Of The Best Cafes In Hamilton
Hamilton’s cafe scene is growing with plenty of great coffee, local produce, and quirky spots. Whether you are on vacay, just passing through, or are a local needing to refresh your current cafe roster, here's where to make your brunching and caffeinating almost too easy.
- 해밀턴의 카페들은 많은 훌륭한 커피, 지역 농산물과 기발한 장소들로 성장하고 있다. 여러분이 휴가 중이든, 그냥 지나치든, 혹은 여러분의 현재 카페 명단을 새로 고쳐야 하는 지역 주민이든, 이곳의 브런치와 카페인으로 아주 쉽게 채울 수 있는 곳이 있다.
These are the best cafes in Hamilton.
- 아래에 소개된 카페들은 해밀턴에서 가장 좋은 카페이다.
Cream Eatery
Garden Place, Hamilton
Cream Eatery is founded by the duo who originally brought us fried chicken eatery, Winner Winner. You’re in expert hands as you indulge in the cafe’s delectable dishes, sweet treats, and exceptionally poured coffee. The fit-out is as beautiful as the meals with floor-to-ceiling windows, terrazzo tiles, and curved features throughout. Start your day with a breakfast roti topped with bacon, apple kasundi and a fried egg, or dig into the good bowl with slow-cooked portobello steaks and butterbean mash. No visit is complete without a picture-worthy treat. Think pinky brownie, lolly cake, chewy cookies, and their famed cinnamon buns.
Grey Street Kitchen
Grey Street, Hamilton
Grey Street Kitchen is serious about coffee. The cafe is home to Dove Chen—a two-time New Zealand barista champ who has also represented the country at the world championships. It’s no wonder the cafe pours—and roasts—some of the best coffee in Hamilton. Grey Street Kitchen also serve up fresh and innovative dishes that will have you coming back time and time again. Choose from the likes of beautifully presented avo toast, creamy coconut mushrooms, brioche French toast, or Korean fried chicken on waffles. The baked cabinet goods are also hard to surpass with cheesy scones and mouth-watering cakes.
Hayes Common
Jellicoe Drive, Hamilton
Cafe by day and more restaurant-y by night, Hayes Common is one of Hamilton’s best eateries. The friendly neighbourhood local is famed for its delicious food served alongside coffees, teas, smoothies, or even a brunch cocktail if you’re that way inclined. The ever-changing menu is dictated by the seasons with locally sourced produce and free-range meats and eggs. The baked pancake is a constant on their menu with seasonal toppings… hello citrus curd, raspberry compote, mascarpone, and meringue. Pro tip: the founders of Hayes Common are also behind Ruakura’s Weave Eatery. Check out this spot Monday to Friday and enjoy tasty, fresh fare.
FRANK
Tristram Street, Hamilton
To put it frankly, Frank is one of the best cafes in Hamilton. Located on the ground floor of the Parkhaven building, Frank is a gem with a homely yet corporate vibe. Polished concrete floors and exposed beams are complemented by velvet booths, climbing greenery, and wooden Paris-esque seats. Honest and wholesome food is the name of the game here with locally sourced, free-range ingredients. Order from the seasonal menu or check out the cabinet filled with raw cakes and nourishing salads. Have yours with a superfood smoothie or warm up with a coffee from Raglan Roast.
Everyday Eatery
Brymer Road, Hamilton
Hamilton’s newest cafe is located in none other than the Hamilton Zoo. Everyday Eatery is accessible whether you’re visiting the zoo or not and the menu puts a delicious twist on brunch favourites. Dig into French toast topped with poached pear and vanilla mascarpone, or find comfort in the smoked ham hock with crispy pork belly. Wash down with Hamilton’s favourite Rocket Coffee or a Fine & Dandy tea. We love the little touches of this cafe with your order number being represented by an animal figurine—too cute!
The Kirk Cafe
Te Aroha Street, Hamilton
The Kirk Cafe is a neighbourhood favourite… and it’s easy to see why. Here you’ll find contemporary fusion dishes presented like works of art. The chicken waffles are a small mountain stacked high with Malaysian fried chicken, poached eggs, hollandaise, daikon remoulade, house pickles, and the all-important kewpie mayo. Dietary requirements are also catered to with gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan options. Littlies are treated to a dedicated children’s menu—complete with fluffies served with chocolate fish and French toast topped with fairy floss.
Sentinel Cafe
Victoria Street & Hood Street, Hamilton
A father-daughter duo are the masterminds behind one of Hamilton’s best cafes, Sentinel Cafe. The space perfects the balance of homely and modern with a delicious menu to boot. The seasonal dishes are elegantly plated with corned beef hash, chipotle beans on toast, Spanish omelette, and a Wagyu smashed beef burger. Corporate catch-ups are catered for in style with the cafe being home to four purpose-built meeting rooms. The cafe has also spread its wings and opened Sentinel Outpost in Union Square. The slick space is ideal for coffee meetings with a cabinet of deliciousness and expertly brewed Grey Roasting Co coffee.
The River Kitchen
Victoria Street, Hamilton
Always friendly, always delicious. The River Kitchen is a welcoming haven with its cosy setting featuring exposed brick, plush booth seating, and pops of greenery. Better yet, they’ve got outdoor seating where dogs are very much welcome. The inner-city cafe has you sorted with brekkie, lunch, coffee, catering, and functions… is there anything they can’t do? Their baked goods are mouth-wateringly delicious. In particular, their brioche buns have earned a well-deserved cult following. The young (and the young at heart) will be delighted by their s’mores hot chocolate.
Scotts Epicurean
Victoria Street, Hamilton
This local treasure is warm and welcoming and, most importantly, serves up some seriously tasty food. The brick walls and modern fit-out give a relaxed vibe and make for a great spot to hang out in with friends. Scotts Epicurean makes choosing difficult with a seasonal brunch menu as well as an array of delectable cakes and Allpress coffee. Visit over lunch and order Scotts’ famously addictive spaghetti. The must-try dish showcases chilli, garlic, parmesan, and your choice of protein. Pair with a glass of vino and make it a long lunch to savour.
Punnet Eatery
Newell Road, Tamahere
Jump in the car and venture further afield to Punnet Eatery in Tamahere. The family-run business is a hot spot for visitors to the Waikato and a gem among locals. The eatery specialises in rustic, wholesome and simple food. Ease into the day with vanilla and blueberry waffles or chilli scrambled eggs. If it’s lunch you’re after, there’s a smoked salmon and broccolini salad or a vege-friendly burger loaded with halloumi and falafel. Visit over the summer months and you’ll even be able to pick fresh berries from the adjoining Strawberry Farm.
Cafe Kopi
Riverbank Lane, Hamilton
Need an inner-city caffeine hit? Look no further than Cafe Kopi in Riverbank Lane. At the helm is Dave Tourelle, an ex-carpenter with an impressive beard, great chat, and a passion for brewing Hamilton’s best coffee. The modern, industrial fit-out keeps things swish with concrete walls and exposed beams complementing striking floor-to-ceiling windows and warm timber panels. Enjoy a cup of locally roasted Rocket Coffee alongside comforting, seasonal dishes such as rhubarb and apple oats, red lentil dhal, and osso bucco risotto. Yes, please.
Camarosa
Davison Road, Newstead
Another destination favourite. Newstead’s Camarosa is an all-day eatery that uses local produce to showcase the delectable flavours of the Waikato. You can eat your way around the clock with dedicated breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus. We can’t go pass their brunch dishes with banoffee waffles, berry buckwheat hotcakes, and a brekkie bruschetta topped with halloumi, avo, tomato, and a poached egg. There’s a drink for every occasion with Flight Coffee, Harney & Sons teas, and breakfast cocktails including mimosa, Aperol spritz, and a signature Lady Camarosa with strawberries, citrus, and gin. Load em up!
Mavis & Co
Grey Street & Horsham Downs Road, Hamilton
Mavis & Co's humble beginnings saw the family business evolving from a stall at the local farmers’ market into two of Hamilton’s best cafes. That’s right, the iconic Hamilton destination includes a flagship cafe in Hamilton East and an all-day restaurant and bar in Rototuna North. Both eateries keep their origins at their core, serving sweet treats and pastries “just like Grandma used to make”. Dine into the evening at Rototuna with harissa-glazed chicken, seafood linguine, and a crowd-favourite Mavis fried chicken. Alternatively, treat your loved one to a memorable high tea at the Hamilton East cafe.
Work off that breakfast of champions with one of the best hikes around Hamilton.
Image credit: FRANK Cafe, Grey Street Kitchen, Frank Cafe, The Kirk Cafe, The River Kitchen, Punnet Eatery, Camarosa.
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