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Restaurant

Lyttelton Coffee Co.

29 London Street, Lyttelton 8082, New Zealand

Recommended by 11 people

Updated

Find Lyttelton Coffee Co.

29 London Street, Lyttelton 8082, New Zealand

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HoursMonday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Thursday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Friday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Lyttelton Coffee Co.

High ceilings, worn timber floors, and a wood fire anchor this unapologetic Lyttelton coffee house perched above the harbour. No trim milk, no decaf, and zero disposable takeaway cups—the house espresso runs strictly on its own terms. Morning vinyl spins from the decks while plates of spicy breakfast beans, sourdough, and crisp bacon roll out from the kitchen. Out back, the sheltered deck opens over the bustling port waters.

  • Uncompromising Coffee Culture: Serves full-bodied in-house roast espresso without syrups, trim milk, or decaf options to highlight the bean.
  • Harbour View Deck: Sheltered outdoor deck overlooks Lyttelton Harbour and working port traffic.
  • Morning Vinyl Sessions: Spins vinyl records on morning rotations amidst local art and heritage timber finishes.
  • Zero-Takeaway-Cup Policy: Requires guests to dine in or bring their own reusable cup, keeping disposable takeaway cups off the counter.
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What's On at Lyttelton Coffee Co.

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Distinctive Port-Town Coffee Culture

Why diners choose Lyttelton Coffee Co. for exceptional roasts, fireside warmth, and portside energy.

  • Uncompromising In-House Coffee Roasting

    The cafe strictly upholds coffee craft standards, serving in-house roasted espresso without syrups, trim milk, or decaf.

    one taste of this latte and I realized why they don’t offer syrups - the roasting is really well done and doesn’t require sweetening.

    Salina Swanson

  • Meticulously Prepared Breakfast Plates

    The kitchen produces made-to-order morning meals, from scratch beans and artisan sourdough to eggs benedict.

    sourdough buttered to perfection and bacon cooked exactly right (soft with a crunch, and zero chewy bits). I especially loved the beans that came with the breakfast; they had a fantastic spicy kick and a deep flavor.

    Sasha Hovinga

  • Fireside Warmth on Coastal Days

    The venue pairs industrial bones with an open fireplace that provides warmth on brisk coastal days.

    This spot is the perfect blend of industrial chic and cozy warmth. The high ceilings and wooden floors give it a great "old" vibe, but the gorgeous fireplace is the real hero - it kept the whole place perfectly toasty on a cold autumn day.

    Sasha Hovinga

  • Inspired by Principled Independence

    Guests feel recharged in a cafe that proudly embraces local character, community spirit, and distinct identity.

    I left feeling refreshed and inspired by their dedication to sustainability and quality.

    Wendy Law

  • Live Vinyl Morning Soundtrack

    Morning cafe service is accompanied by live vinyl sets that create an eclectic, dynamic environment.

    DJ spinning vinyls in the morning.

    Salina Swanson

  • Elevated Working Harbour Outlook

    Sheltered rear deck seating offers panoramic outdoor perspectives of Lyttelton Harbour and working port activity.

    Sat on back deck watching the bustling port

    Paul McGrath

Signature dishes and house-roasted espresso highlights from the menu

  • Eggs Bene

    Every component, poached eggs, sauce, mushrooms, spinnach & bacon was 10/10.

    Malin Hunter

  • Avocado toast

    Their avocado toast is nothing short of amazing—hands down one of the most delicious I’ve had.

    Wendy Law

  • Flat white

    The flat white and the cake were both absolutely delicious.

    Hiro

  • Latte

    Excellent latte, though I think I committed a faux pas by asking about syrups, but I normally need that in the US to taste ok. But one taste of this latte and I realized why they don’t offer syrups - the roasting is really well done and doesn’t require sweetening.

    Salina Swanson

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful policies, live morning soundscapes, and distinct portside atmosphere

  • Uncompromising Coffee Standards

    Lyttelton Coffee Co. enforces a strict coffee purism policy, clearly stating on the register that they do not serve trim milk, decaf coffee, or flavored syrups.

  • Zero Single-Use Takeaway Cup Policy

    In an effort to eliminate waste, the cafe refuses disposable takeaway cups, welcoming patrons to linger inside or bring their own reusable cups for takeaway.

  • Live Morning Vinyl DJ Sets

    Patrons are greeted during morning service with a live DJ spinning vinyl records right inside the bustling cafe.

  • Warming Roaring Fireplace

    A crackling indoor wood fireplace warms the rustic, high-ceilinged dining room on crisp coastal and autumn days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you order decaf, skim milk, or flavoured syrups?

No. The cafe operates under a strict coffee philosophy and does not offer decaf roasts, trim/skim milk, or sweetening syrups. Rich whole milk and alternative plant milks like oat are served instead.

Are disposable takeaway cups available?

The cafe does not provide single-use disposable cups as part of its low-waste philosophy. If you want coffee to go, bring your own reusable cup; otherwise, drinks are served to enjoy inside or out on the deck.

Is there outdoor seating with harbour views?

Yes. The cafe features a sheltered outdoor back deck that provides elevated views over Lyttelton Harbour and the working port waters.

Is there live music or a DJ during the day?

Yes, morning service often features a live DJ playing vinyl records or live music, contributing to the cafe's eclectic and lively bohemian atmosphere.

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