A pioneer of Manawatū’s coffee scene, Ebony has been roasting in Manawatū since the 1990s and is still going strong. Their espresso bar and retail space is light, spacious and always buzzing with regulars.

Try any of their extensive range of espresso blends or experiment with a small microlot of specialty single origin coffee best suited to black coffee drinkers. Ebony also stocks some sweets from local fudge and choccy shop, Munchkin’s, so you can indulge more than just your caffeine addiction!

@ebonycoffeeroasters

If you are curious about the science of coffee, Arrosta is the place to go. Born from a garage in 2005, founders Simon and Kirsty sought to bring quality and accessible specialty coffee to the people! With a ‘fresh is best’ policy and a commitment to sustainability, you can rest assured your cup of coffee here is “good” in every sense of the word.

Arrosta operates out of three sites in Palmerston North these days – each of them providing a cool urban-industrial feel, and a humming atmosphere. More than anything, they love to share their love of coffee. Grab them for a chat about what makes each cup different or book a cupping experience for even more coffee knowledge! 

@arrostacoffeeroastingco

This small family-owned roastery is bold in both brand-positioning and flavour. Redline is tucked away in Roslyn but easy to find once you know where to look, and they have the loyal following of locals who never miss their Redline Coffee fix.

Their blends are strong but smooth, designed for people who like their coffee with a kick. Their vibe is relaxed and unpretentious, with a customer-first approach and wide-open doors for any passer-by. 

@redline_coffee

Mouthwater, the baby of Andrew Feldon – a multi award-winning barista with a penchant for Dad jokes - is all about getting people drinking great coffee. Operating from three quirky coffee carts in Palmerston North – Tremaine Ave, Main Street, and Kelvin Grove Road – Mouthwater has a very loyal and fast-growing following.

Living up to their tagline: “Bringing people together with coffee”, you’ll be hard pressed to find a local around here who doesn’t frequent the caffeinated red carts for their daily fix. 

@mouthwatercoffee

With roots in Nelson but a loyal following in Palmerston North, Sublime is a colourful and creative spot that draws in students, workers and weekend wanderers alike. The décor is playful, and the music is upbeat, making it a lively stop on your travels. Their baristas know how to pour some of the best latte art in town, and the beans are roasted with a focus on sustainability and fairness.

Linger over a cup or two and soak in the good vibes of this inner-city destination! 

@sublimecoffeeroasters

While not a roastery, this friendly spot has excellent coffee at the forefront and a small cult following of those who’re "in the know”. Barista Ray is a true artist and coffee connoisseur who loves to treat customers with something a bit special. Give him the reigns if you’re feeling adventurous and he’ll create the perfect cup of java to suit your needs and mood!

Coffee HQ is a bright but cosy spot close to Massey University, and is a popular place to park up, dive into some emails and enjoy a hot brew. 

@coffeehq_palmy

Take your journey to the comfort of your own home with Wild Side or La’vita coffee. While there’s nowhere to order a cappuccino, their beans are roasted locally for freshness you can count on and can be delivered straight to your door. Wild Side coffee live up to their name, with their adventurous blends which burst with flavour in your cup! Simply order your beans or grounds online, ready for the perfect weekend brew. 

La’Vita focuses on 100% fair trade organic coffee, just as it should be. Built on word-of-mouth and powered by volunteers, La’vita is a thriving coffee roasting hub. Pick your beans up from their storefront on Rangitīkei Street (Wednesday nights only) or order them online for fast delivery! 

@wildside lavita.co.nz

Cafés across Manawatū proudly serve beans from the local roasters listed above, so keep an eye out for signage that tells you what’s in your cup!

Cafes serving up local brews include Elm Cafe, LOCAL – Licensed Cafe & Eatery, Thyme & Fig, Freddie Clere, Āpiti Tavern & Eatery, Two Locals and many more!