Travelling along those long, stretching North Canterbury roads often calls for copious caffeination stops. Fortunately there are a number of brew options to be discovered en route. Whether you need a full coffee and brunch situation, or a fleeting snack – these spots are sure to refuel the tank and sustain your journey ahead.
From a funky little base in Woodend, Three Llamas Gourmet Coffee provides quality, gourmet coffee sourced from a little corner of Northern Peru. A close relationship with their growers and a passion for quality ensure the end product is nothing but the best. The coffee shop is open six days a week and produce a full range of specialty organic coffee and sell coffee brewing equipment and a range of other organic ingredients from Northern Peru.
Aptly dubbed the North Canterbury caffeine mecca, this roastery café is run by Deb and Ian Riach – who boast over 20 years of coffee experience between them. With a retro industrial fitout, the space is open seven days a week, with a constant and intoxicating scent of freshly roasted coffee filling the air. But alongside their famous brews are a bunch of delicious snack options for every appetite from giant toasties and an exclusive bagel range to keto-friendly sweet treats, fresh salads and an artistic avocado toast.
Local to a fault, owners Elisa and Karl are some of the most generous café owner’s you’ll meet. As well as reliable and brilliant coffee, there’s a menu with something for every taste preference from wholesome baked goods, to a quinoa, broccoli and jalapeno bake and the farmhouse brekkie with free range eggs and local sausages. If you need something a little stronger in your cup, they’re also licensed, so sipping on a locally produced wine or brew with your lunch is welcomed and encouraged.
Located in the residential Silverstream subdivision, the team at Urban Revival are keeping homeowners caffeinated with Three Llamas Gourmet Coffee, locally roasted in Amberley. Open seven days a week, you can rely on a freshly baked muffin or scone situation to enjoy with your morning brew. Complete with a cosy fire place, it’s the perfect spot to take a moment to yourself. Open Friday evening’s for dinner, they are always looking for ways to embrace the community and have hosted Pink Ribbon breakfasts, quiz nights and their latest a ‘Meet the Neighbours Night’.
This rustic and historic café space in Waikuku was once an old pottery shop, and now serves locals and travellers with a whole heap of gourmet food and drink offerings. Open from 8.30am, five days a week (closed Monday/Tuesday) the coffee machine pumps out locally roasted Ris’tretto Espresso. Alongside an extensive cabinet with all matter of snacks, the breakfast and all day menu is hard to look passed. From jam donut porridge to smokey beans, a design-your-own toastie for the kids and even a banana cinnamon roll smoothie. One thing is for sure – you won’t leave hungry.
