Maranui Café

On the top floor of Lyall Bay’s Maranui Surf Life Saving Club, Maranui Café is a quintessential Wellington experience. The red and white building is a beacon on the beach, having stood in the spot since 1911. While the café isn’t quite as old (it opened in 2003), it has established itself as a firm local favourite and a “must-do” for visitors to the city.

With sweeping views across the popular surf beach below, a roomy deck outside, and funky retro decor indoors, there’s no such thing as a bad seat at Maranui. Head in on a weekend and you might have to wait for one of your own. But as the steady line of hungry customers down the stairs will assure you, it’s worth the wait.

Like the colourful furniture and old-school art, Maranui’s menu is fittingly retro. Owners Bronwyn Kelly and Katie Richardson serve up healthy, wholesome, and hearty food. Tasty salads, melt-in-the-mouth baking, and some of the best fries in town. The milkshakes are famous in Wellington and almost a meal in themselves. Served in the shaker, they’re super thick and super delicious.

They’ve got brunch and lunch classics and plenty of dietary-friendly options. Scrambled tofu is one of their signature dishes. If you’re looking to fuel a big day on the beach or cruising around the city, the Big Bay Breakfast is likely to tick the box.

“Coolest spot in town’’, says a sign above one table. After a meal or a coffee here, you’ll be nodding in agreement.