It’s a well-known fact that Invercargill has always had a good baking game—scones of all kinds are pretty much a staple—and southern sushi aka cheese rolls just go with everything. But if you haven’t delved into the city’s thriving cafe scene lately, prepare for major FOMO. There are some phenomenal eateries quietly going about their excellent business in these parts. So get schooled up with this list of Invercargill’s best cafes right now.
The Batch Cafe
Spey Street
Judging by the steady stream of locals vying for a table and the sold-out stickers on the menu, is one popular spot. The menu changes seasonally and is full of interesting dishes that champion Southland’s abundant produce with plenty of surprising elements thrown in. If you’re just hankering for a quick snack, then snaffle one of the legendary cheese and bacon scones or go full sugar with the cinnamon brioche before they’re all gone.
Black Shag Boutique Cafe
Dee Street
Bringing the cool factor to Dee Street, the is where breakfast magic happens somewhere between the banana bread French Toast and The Shag brekkie with all the trimmings. The owners lovingly grow much of the produce and garnishes in their own backyard, so you know it’s fresh. You can hook yourself up to a virtual coffee IV line with the in-house Mint Roastery and kick back in the chilled-out lounge space upstairs.
Toasted
Don Street
If ever there was a bagel mecca, Invercargill's is it. With over 24 pre-designed filling options including breakfast and dessert combos, no bagel is left unturned. Sink your teeth into such creations as the ‘Holy Guacamole’ featuring Indonesian chicken and guac, or go vege with the ‘Unbeetable’ halloumi, beetroot relish and spinach. Just to up the tasty stakes even further, there are Malaysian-inspired ‘street rolls’ and Patagonia ice cream to round things out.
Brew'd
Don Street
Housed on the ground floor of the sparkling new Langlands Hotel, channels a bit of a Sex in the City vibe with its chic interiors and glass surrounds. So, it stands to reason that you’d quaff a cheeky glass of prosecco and people watch over your Belgian waffles or eggs bene. With freshly ground beans sourced from the local Mint Roastery, it’s a good way to start your southern exploration in style.
The Grille Cafe
Tay Street
Where retro Kiwiana and motoring memorabilia meet, is a fun step back to more stylish decades, when Formica tables were first chic and everyone had a landline. Keeping things local with an interesting spread of dishes offering new takes on old classics, the Rakuira salmon Caesar salad, pork and puha or kumara gnocchi with lamb ragu are a few standouts. The perfect pit stop... pun intended.
Flourbro
Dee Street
Tiny artisan bakehouse creates a cruel addiction. To get a hit of their astoundingly good sourdough breads you need to wait until Thursday and Friday each week, when the doors fly open to supply the throngs of eager devotees wanting their fix. Not content with just one variety, the talented bread-meisters behind this little business have created wonders such as jalapeno and cheddar sourdough and the absolute delight that is the chocolate sourdough. Follow the heady, bready aroma to join the cult.
Seriously Good Chocolate Company
Spey Street
A bold claim that is 100% backed up by the cacao-induced frenzy you’ll find yourself in as soon as you step through the doors of the super-friendly Invercargill institution . Zero in on the huge selection of hand-made choccies filling the cabinets, which take inspiration from iconic Kiwi produce such as the ‘bluff oyster’ and central Otago wines. It’s not all about chocolate here though, the cafe serves an array of treats, savoury snacks and coffee, (our money’s on the epic lamingtons) plus you can pick up some of the many condiments such as pinot noir pepper, to add a little MasterChef to your cooking.
Fat Bastard Pies
Tay Street
Pie fanatics have been known to fly to Invercargill just to sample one of these succulent masterpieces. With just the right amount of buttery pastry to abundant filling, there’s a cult following for every flavour; but the seafood chowder, farmhouse chicken and lamb and kumara particularly deserve celebrity status. A pie subscription will keep at your door on the regular, with delivery of your fave flavours anywhere in NZ, as often as you like.
Banh Mi
Esk Street
Not necessarily where you’d expect to discover a phenomenal Vietnamese street food eatery, but this little city is full of pleasant surprises. Housed in the shiny new Invercargill Central precinct, serves up delicious renditions of its namesake, ranging from the traditional 5-spiced pork shoulder variety through to slightly more Kiwi combos featuring lamb or steak. Each comes on freshly baked baguettes with house-made pate as a base. The portions are large, so bring an appetite.
Meccaspresso
Tay Street
Full-throttle motorbike memorabilia pretty much nails the theme at , which is a sister cafe and museum to the Grille Cafe and Transport World. Serving up Southland goodness in the form of country ham and eggs and salmon hash, this cafe is a good pick for consistently tasty, hearty food with plenty of flavour and legendary local hospitality added to the mix.
Altered
Leven Street
For teetotallers, straight-edge devotees or the sober-curious, is a new kind of drinking destination that serves and sells distilled non-alcoholic ‘spirits’ from around the globe. Drop by the groovy industrial space to sample some of proprietor Kelly’s cocktail creations, from ‘Wassail’ hot mulled ‘cider’ through to a classic G & T. While the wares are sans alcohol, there are plenty of endorphin-boosting amino acids and other goodies to hit you with a healthy party buzz.
Groove Espresso
Kelvin Street
A petite atelier of coffee nestled on the edge of Queen’s Park, slings excellent caffeine, smoothies and snacks until mid-afternoon from their little red brick cafe. Swing by for cabinet takeouts to take on a park picnic or just your daily dose of coffee. The three cheese and garlic scones are a definite game-changer.
Industry Cafe
Arena Ave
Any cafe that has a dedicated sweet brioche day is a winner in our book, and at , Fridays are when the magic happens. But there’s more where that came from. Each week a different gourmet burger guest stars on the menu and plant-based foodies can zero in on epic offerings such as the beetroot and halloumi fritters or the vegan big brekkie. It may be in an industrial estate, but good things await those who venture here.
Auction House
Don Street
The huge menu selection and awesome outdoor seating area offer clues as to why this place is packed day and night. Set in the modern commercial precinct block, the pumps with people chowing down on one of the many fancy brunch choices, including a delicious take on the humble mince on toast. The counter food offers up a variety of dietary delights, including solid keto and GF options, interesting salads, plus enough sweets and slices to keep the most die-hard sugar hounds happy.
The Pantry
Grace Street
If you’re into nourishing soul food and paying it forward, then say namaste to on your next trip to Invers. The clever people running this cafe/sustainable food store/community space have created a haven for meaningful gatherings, tasty wholesome food and supporting those who need a little help. Karmic level-up guaranteed.
Beachhouse Restaurant, Riverton
Rocks Highway
Everything you imagine an excellent beachside eatery to be; spectacular ocean views, coastal décor and an abundance of fresh seafood on the menu. Just 30 minutes from central Invercargill, is a charming little seaside town that’s really coming into its own. The Beach House celebrates its epic location with on-point dishes such as clam linguine, seafood chowder and Tarakihi burger, and has plenty of well-executed non-fishy options too. Perfect for a leisurely weekend brunch paired with a drink on the deck.
Jacob's River Bakehouse
Palmerston Street
Another Riverton gem, set in the old post office building on the main street, organic bakery and cafe exudes so much goodness, you’ll feel virtuous for just having stepped over the threshold. All the health kudos is backed up by amazingly fresh and tasty food, like the pan-fried blue cod with summer salad and hemp hearts and buckwheat pancakes with coconut yoghurt and local honey. You can grab a loaf of their freshly baked hemp bread and other varieties to munch on the road too.
Crib
Palmerston Street
A slice of true Kiwiana in the heart of Riverton, is a mid-century dream with the added bonus of good tucker. There’s no discernible theme to the food itself, but plenty of internationally-inspired dishes such as cajun fish tacos, souvlaki and the intriguingly named cowboy beans, plus a solid section of counter treats to fuel your travels.
Ziffs
Dunns Road
A 10-minute drive from central Invercargill, is a bit of a destination eatery in these parts, so much so, they have their own courtesy coach. The Otatara-based cafe and bar has a homey feel and the hearty but incredibly tasty meals reflect a love of simple food done well, keeping it real with huge portions of menu faves such as crispy chicken salad and the pea, pie and pud. Pair a visit with a wander around nearby Sandy Point for a chilled day of Invers exploration.
Now you're fuelled, check out every scenic spot you need to see in Southland.
Image credit: top and main image The Batch Cafe, Black Shag Boutique Cafe, Toasted, Brew'd, The Grille/ Sarah Bramhall, Flourbro, Seriously Good Chocolate Company, Fat Bastard Pies, Banh Mi/ Sarah Bramhall, Meccaspresso, Altered, Industry Cafe, Auction House, Riverton Beachhouse, The Crib/ Sarah Bramhall.