Not being able to find a list myself, I’ve decided to start creating one myself. Over the next few months I will trial and rate cafes around Wellington’s CBD rating them on:
- Quality of Coffee
- Wireless Availability (Both supplied and access to Wellington’s free wifi – cbdfree)
- Power Plugs for charging
- Any other features that set that cafe apart.
Victoria Street Cafe (98 Victoria Street, Wellington)
A new addition to this growing list is Victoria Street Cafe! Had an epic breakfast, and a beer! Had already had a coffee, so can’t comment on the coffee – but it’s a very popular spot so I am sure it’s great! They don’t have their own wifi, but with Wellington City Council over the road, the CBDFREE wifi was very strong here and had no issues for the hour I was using it.
There is only one power plug, under the bench seats, so if it’s pretty busy you’ll be out of luck.
Not much street-parking nearby, but Lombard Car Park is over the road and uses the new Parkmobile iPhone app!
Parade Cafe/The Tugboat (165 Oriental Parade)
One of my favourite cafes to work from in Welly CBD. The big draw card for me is the parking. I am usually in town with my car, driving between jobs. Having a massive free parking lot outside is a huge bonus. Anywhere close to the CBD you’d be looking at $4/hr and the pain of buying tickets.
Great food, great coffee (I can vouch from previous visits – as a Iced Mocha was hardly the best test as was this visits choice of beverage).
The front of the boat has one power plug on the wall, and if you’ve got a long charger, it can reach the three tables around it. Every time I’ve been here I’ve managed to get a table close enough to hook in.
Free wifi is provided from the cafe, so no flakey issues as with CBDFREE. Only 60mins a day, which is a bit restricting, but very rarely am I here longer than that.
Only down side is if you go on a very rough day, and you get sea sick easily, you may feel a little uneasy. I don’t have an issue, but it was mega windy (normal by Wellington standards) and there was a tiny bit of sway – after all you are on an old tug boat.
Astoria Cafe (159 Lambton Quay)
Image Credit: Localist.co.nz
Quite a nice outlook for a CBD cafe, but that’s not why you’re here.
Astoria only has one power plug available for the whole cafe. It’s right underneath one table, so unless you’re seated there you’re out of luck.
No wireless internet is provided, but if you’re sitting outside (brrrr) or near the windows you can access cbdfree.
Lots of paid parking spots around this cafe make it OK for access if you’re driving in.
Coffee was great!
Feel free to write a comment below, and help me create a list for all other laptop warriors in Wellington.