Top 10 Best Cafés in Gisborne
- Jun 9
- 4 min read
There are two ways to find a great café in Gisborne.
You can search online, read reviews and compare ratings.
Or you can simply watch where the locals go.
In a city that takes both coffee and breakfast surprisingly seriously, the best cafés are rarely empty. They're the places where baristas know customers by name, where surfers arrive still carrying sand on their feet, and where visitors often discover their favourite meal of the trip.
Whether you're chasing exceptional coffee, a relaxed beach atmosphere, healthy wholefoods or a seriously good breakfast, Gisborne has a café to suit.
In no particular order, here are our picks for the ten best cafés in Gisborne.
Flagship Eatery
Located near the city centre, Flagship has become one of Gisborne's most respected café destinations.
The menu changes with the seasons and places a strong emphasis on local ingredients, homemade food and fresh flavours. Vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options are treated as genuine menu items rather than afterthoughts.
Expect beautifully presented brunch dishes, excellent coffee and an atmosphere that somehow feels both relaxed and polished at the same time.
Locals often bring out-of-town visitors here when they want to show off Gisborne's food scene.
Why visit: One of the city's most consistently impressive brunch experiences.
Zest Café
Few cafés have served as many breakfasts to Gisborne locals as Zest.
Located on Peel Street, it's known for generous portions, reliable coffee and a menu that covers everything from healthy options through to substantial cooked breakfasts. It consistently ranks among Gisborne's most popular cafés with visitors and locals alike.
There is nothing overly complicated about Zest.
It simply does café food exceptionally well.
Why visit: A dependable crowd favourite for breakfast and brunch.
Verve Café & Bar
For many locals, Verve has become part of their daily routine.
Its central location makes it one of the best places in Gisborne to grab a coffee and watch the city move around you. Breakfast, lunch and cabinet food are all strong, while the outdoor seating is particularly popular on sunny Gisborne mornings.
Why visit: Great location, good coffee and classic café atmosphere.
Zephyr Wainui
If Gisborne's surf culture had an official café, this might be it.
Located at Wainui Beach, Zephyr has built a loyal following with its wholefood-focused menu, smoothie bowls, vegetarian dishes and excellent coffee. Visitors regularly discover it after a morning beach walk and end up staying far longer than planned.
The atmosphere feels distinctly Wainui: relaxed, healthy and unhurried.
Why visit: The perfect post-surf breakfast stop.
Mr Clifton's
Some cafés focus equally on food and coffee.
Mr Clifton's focuses on coffee.
Founded by the team behind Far East Coffee Co, this specialist coffee bar has earned a reputation for producing some of the best coffee in Gisborne. The philosophy is simple: do one thing and do it exceptionally well.
If you appreciate carefully roasted beans and expertly prepared espresso, this is essential.
Why visit: Among the finest specialty coffee in Gisborne.
Raglan Roast Gizzy
Raglan Roast attracts an eclectic mix of students, surfers, tradies and coffee enthusiasts.
The coffee is consistently good, the atmosphere is relaxed and the prices remain refreshingly reasonable. It has become one of those places that feels woven into everyday Gisborne life.
Why visit: Great coffee without the fuss.
Curbside Kitchen
Tucked away in Whataupoko, Curbside Kitchen has developed a reputation as one of Gisborne's quieter success stories.
Locals appreciate the welcoming atmosphere, consistently good coffee and fresh café fare. It's the sort of place visitors often discover accidentally and then return to several times during their stay.
Why visit: A genuine neighbourhood favourite.
PBC Café
Some mornings require more than avocado on toast.
PBC has built a strong reputation for generous breakfasts, substantial lunches and coffee strong enough to start almost any day. It remains particularly popular with workers looking for a proper meal rather than a light snack.
Why visit: Big breakfasts and generous servings.
Waikanae Beach Café
Few cafés in Gisborne enjoy a better setting than Waikanae Beach Café.
Located beside the beach, this local favourite combines coffee, breakfast and sea views in one package. It is especially popular with walkers, cyclists and families enjoying the beachfront.
A coffee somehow tastes better when waves are visible from your table.
Why visit: One of the city's best beachside café experiences.
The Bean Genie
The Bean Genie doesn't attract the same visitor attention as some of Gisborne's larger cafés, but locals know exactly why it deserves inclusion.
Friendly service, excellent coffee and a welcoming atmosphere have helped build a loyal following. Sometimes the best cafés are the ones that feel most personal.
Why visit: Small, friendly and highly regarded by regulars.
Honourable Mentions
Several other cafés could easily have made this list, including:
8888 Cafe
Forty10 Café
Exhibit Cafe
Ormond Road Cafe & Takeaways
The best thing about Gisborne's café scene is its variety.
You can drink specialty coffee roasted locally, enjoy brunch beside the beach, settle into a healthy wholefood café after a surf, or order a classic Kiwi breakfast that will keep you full until dinner.
For a city of Gisborne's size, the café culture is remarkably strong.
The difficult part isn't finding a good café.
It's deciding which one to visit first.
