Review Caffe Mode - Wellington

James Mielke

Provided there are no cigarette smokers camped outside in the outdoor tables of this lovely café (which can quickly overwhelm the senses inside), this is the nicest place in Kelburn to sit and have a flat white or whatever caffeinated beverage you choose. There is a languid, wood-furnished feel to this place that’s relaxing and comfortable, and the service is very friendly. They have the requisite sandwiches and salads on offer, but this would not be where I come for a lunch. Their strength is in satisfying your drink needs. A breakfast muffin shared by my wife and I was very tasty, though, so this is a great pitstop on our morning walk.

William Ericsson Eulatth Vidal

One of those places you'd definitely go back. Love the atmosphere. I usually get a hot drink and the last time I went also got a gluten free brownie. The staff are quite young but really welcoming and friendly; they always have a nice smile on their faces. I've tried their Flat White and Chai Latte - always nice flavour and foamy/rich texture, really nice. I don't like it when my drink is a bit cold though. Also, I've been unlucky so far 'cause my drink orders always take long to get. I've been there only on Saturdays, so I dont know what happens during the week. They have a nice gluten free brownie, totally recommended ...Overall, yes, give it a try. I'm sure you'll like it and will go back

indah nuria Savitri

Cute caffe in Kelburn area! Love their coffee .. flat white, cappucino, long black, latte, machiato and hot chocolate. Coffee is from Havana. Their brunch is also lovely. I tried the eggs benedict, florentine, on toast.. as well as the muchroom bruschetta and the scones. Not to forget fresh muffins and subs. For lunch, you can try the cheese burger, fried chicken burger, caesar salad and soup. Not many choices but love them all. The cafe is not that big but cute. It has many art works you can also buy. It might be a bit tricky for those using wheelchairs as we also have some steps. The staff is very friendly as well and I love the ambience. Happy to go back here again.

Emily Lucas

Really fell in love with this place over the weekend. Such a relaxed welcoming atmosphere, non-pretentious vibe, friendly happy staff, good coffee and brunch was excellent. Ordered the Ratatouille with sourdough and the Kedgeree. Both were spot on and not much wait time considering how busy it was. Really nice window seat for groups with a leafy green outlook. Already looking forward to my next visit!

Impi Bibi

I love this place 😭 Lovely and cozy atmosphere, great food and nice coffee. Just the way a cafe should be. In an era of minimalist, clinical cafes - this place feels like a home. The only downside is it isn’t open late!

Christian Tuhakaraina

Cozy and inviting spot that serves delicious (Havana Coffee Works Ltd) coffee and light bites. The girls were friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere is perfect for a quick pick-me up or a relaxing brekie. If you're in the area, it's definitely worth checking out our Local.

Glen Small

NIIIICE, cosy, intimate space. Lovely, warm staff. Sometimes filled with brassy Kelburn matrons, wielding yoga mats. Beware. Never tried the food. I don't care for food. It's a distraction from living and vert overrated.

kieran trainor

best oat cappuccino i have ever had — cabinet food is a delicious must too!! atmosphere is always vibey. such a lovely first te whanganui-a-tara local after moving from tāmaki makaurau !!

Fiona Balfour

Great little cafe, super friendly staff! Only complaint is that the music is very repetitive, seems to be the same songs playing everytime I come in.

Claudio Torbinio

I visited this lovely little cafe on a daily basis while staying in Kelburn Castle. I welcomed warmly and have a problem with my request but unfortunately very unfortunate. He watches me treat them with others with the same cheerful patience and the clientele is varied. The food is excellent and the coffee superb. The best little coffee I've ever found.

Alan Weaver

Down from Auckland for the day and stopped in a coffee and a bite, fantastic thanks girls, recommended to anyone visiting the area.

Dan Milward

New review: Glad it’s reopened. This was my regular back in the day. The food is really good and the coffee is really good. The music was average as though it’s teenage pop for the staff as opposed to the customers (now the Prefab cafe playlist or Seashore Cabaret have good music), the actual staff are nice and friendly… … exxxxxxxxcept the old micro managery / ownery dude that stands around talking at his staff getting inbetween them and us customers. Hopefully he levels up, gets out of the way and let’s the team work it’s magic. On that basis the atmosphere gets three not five stars. Will revisit in a couple of weeks. Old owners: Caffe Mode tickles my fancy. It’s my favourite local. Great peeps. Really good coffee (Havana). RIP old cafe mode - really enjoyed the banter and miss you guys :)

Bert Garrett-Tuck

I've had to update my review Things have changed dramatically at Mode over the last five years. Best coffee in Kelburn by far - not anymore. IDK if the baristas are trained properly. In the least the coffee is very inconsistent. Great food - not anymore. The menu has shrunk considerably. The quality of food (ingredients) as well as the preparation has gone downhill. Suffice it to say I won't eat here anymore. For a quick coffee and scone it's an OK cafe but there are better options in Kelburn.

Nicola Hawes

Cool and cosy vibe, Caffe Mode has been around for years with different owners and is a Kelburn institution. Hang out with the locals and enjoy their light cafe fare and a great coffee. And while in Kelburn, for a unique shopping experience pop along to the zebra crossing for womenswear, brogues, jeans, tweed and classic with a twist attire at NicolaHawes.com. Enjoy your day.

Grant Edlin

This is a lovely local privately-owned cafe. Exactly what you might be looking for, for a bit of New Zealand authenticity. In the lovely Kelburn Village it's amongst the green western belt of Wellington. Not far from Zealandia and a perfect place to stop on your walk up the valley.

Ryan Gallant

We had a French toast with berry compote, and the eggs Benny. Both were fantastic, and I plan to come back to try out some more of the menu shortly. Some of the best bacon I've had in Wellington so far as well.

Antony Gent

Food was outstanding � Coffee and tea.great. listen to your enquiries. Great service, friendly staff. Lovely atmosphere.��

Jonathan Broadhurst

The best coffee I've had on North Island. The bacon and mushroom croissants are pretty good too.

Hannah Small

Great deal on the tea & scone combo, and a lovely little place to eat. The girl that served me was clearly new but still very helpful :)

Dani Fuenzalida

Thank you so much for everything! Was the best panini I had ever! Really! I'm not just saying that... Amazing idea with the roast veggies, and thanks to Annie for offering change the cheese for avocado!!! Not even in Chile or living in Melbourne I had something like this! Thanks!

Mark Blandford-Baker

Great service with smiles, and fab food!

Aimee Pond

The food is delicious and the tea is beautiful :D I would come here everyday if I could

Barry Fairbanks

You guys are amazing, that is all x

Bert GT

Fantastic coffee, great service. Pricey but really good food.

Awilkes134

Cute cafe, nice views of scenery if you are near a window. Hot drinks are adequately priced but everything else is a bit pricey. Paid $7 for an iced chocolate that was exactly the same size as the one my friend paid $4.50 for. Was quite small so not sure if I was ripped off or my friend got upsized.

Luke Thomson

Ok so been twice now, first time with my partner and daughter, being a glutard and mootard my partner was disappointed the opposition did not have GF pancakes, so Mode was given the opportunity to impress And they did in spades, great coffee great food GF French toast and bacon was superb by all accounts, my ‘Big Mode Breaky’ was delicious, even though the monolith obligatory grilled tomatoes were present till the dishes were removed. Second time round a creature of habit thought Big Mode was a safe bet, but it was better, no tomatoes... yay and mushrooms in a seperate bowl so as not to soggify the toast - which was sublime, crisp crust and perfect colour Great staff as usual 5+ stars Caffe Mode!

Mark Denize

Awesome coffee went to late to find anything paleo but all they had was sides anyway. So I would be back for the coffee but perhaps not for the menu

Mana Katsukawa Otimi

Visiting Wellington for the week and found this Cute little cafe in Kelburn. Very lovely staff that welcome you with a big smile. Came here with my nearly two year old child and I don't think it's a ideal to bring a toddler with a pram because the cafe is so small but we still managed. Got my little boy a small hot chocolate and myself a mocha. I asked for more chocolate powder and they said certainly which was nice ,THE COUS COUS SALAD IS A MUST TRY ! I loved it it was probably one of the best salads I have ever had. Going to try and recreate it at home , the eggs on toast is really good especially when poached. The bread is a bit too hard for my liking but overall fantastic.

Damon

I was really looking forward to their decent strong coffee since being away from Wellington over a year... But now returning there's new staff that are very unwelcoming. I was standing there waiting to be acknowledged and it felt like I was inconveniencing the guy that was serving me... A smile and friendly service would go along way.

Duncan Galletly

A long established part of the kelburn cafe scene. I've followed its coffee (Revive) and breakfast over a decade of owners and, although there have been grumblings periodically, the basic quality has always been there. This is a busy cafe serving reasonably good food and reasonably good coffee. Its not the latest super cool little number and its doesn't have the barista balletics of Hangar or Memphis, but it serves a reasonably discerning and well heeled neighbourhood very well. The staff are friendly and the counter food is basic but OK. The Kelburn cafe lies over the road from Mode and, although folk disagree as to the relative merits, I'd suggest trying both before you listen to anyone. Both have their merits and Kelburn is lucky to have them.

Lauren Douglas

Brunch at Caffe Mode was one of the best brunches I've had in Wellington. My mum, friend and I all had the smashed avocado with poached egg on pumpkin toast. The eggs were perfectly runny and avocado beautifully ripe and seasoned. I would happily pay more than the required $16 to eat it again. The cafe itself is very small and seating can be cramped but mid morning there is lovely sunshine throughout.

Karin

We stumbled across Caffe Mode in Kelburn (Wellington, New Zealand) about ten years ago, and since then have been back every time we've gone to Wellington. Twice, on some visits! Their creamy garlic mushrooms are sooooooooo good. It is also fun to get to, at it is at the top of a hill and you can get there on the Wellington Cable Car.

Amy J

Great coffee and good scones

Catherine

Consistently good coffee, service and selection of traditional kiwi style cafe food (panini, filled croissant, eggs, slices... ). Lovely old fashioned ambience with little round tables and white table cloths. If the food was a little more original it'd easily get 5 stars from me... But for the people who like what they know it's perfect.

Kiwi American

My neighborhood cafe serves the best flat white, breakfast and panini sandwiches in the area. Wait, actually, it's one of the ONLY places that serves this stuff in my neighborhood. Caffe Mode is still pretty good though. On weekends, my Kiwi and I like to read the newspaper leftover from other patrons while we sip our way into a woozy, caffeinated high. For the value, it's a great place to park your booty (bum) and soak in the Kelburn Village ambiance.