6 Beautiful Cafe Interior Designs in New Zealand

Embark on a delightful journey through the world of cafe interior design in the captivating landscapes of New Zealand. From bustling cities to serene coastal towns, NZ is home to an array of unique and beautiful cafe spaces that seamlessly blend modern aesthetics with the warmth of Kiwi hospitality. Join us as we explore the innovative architectural designs, inviting interiors, and beautiful natural surroundings that make these modern coffee shop designs a haven for coffee lovers and design enthusiasts alike.

Embark on a delightful journey through the world of cafe interior design in the captivating landscapes of New Zealand. From bustling cities to serene coastal towns, NZ is home to an array of unique and beautiful cafe spaces that seamlessly blend modern aesthetics with the warmth of Kiwi hospitality. Join us as we explore the innovative architectural designs, inviting interiors, and beautiful natural surroundings that make these modern coffee shop designs a haven for coffee lovers and design enthusiasts alike.

Embark on a delightful journey through the world of cafe interior design in the captivating landscapes of New Zealand. From bustling cities to serene coastal towns, NZ is home to an array of unique and beautiful cafe spaces that seamlessly blend modern aesthetics with the warmth of Kiwi hospitality. Join us as we explore the innovative architectural designs, inviting interiors, and beautiful natural surroundings that make these modern coffee shop designs a haven for coffee lovers and design enthusiasts alike.

Knoll Ridge Cafe was previously destroyed in a fire but surpassed international competition to claim the title of the world's best-designed coffee shop in 2015. The Knoll Ridge Cafe, perched on Mount Ruapehu, impressed the London-based design website Design Curial among 4,000 global contenders, in part for its cafe frontage design. The Design Curial recognition aims to spotlight outstanding cafes worldwide, showcasing destinations for global travellers. The cafe’s architect, Grant Harris, saw the tragedy as a unique opportunity to create something remarkable, emphasising the harmony between the breathtaking location and architectural design. 

Bubble Interiors were behind the redesign of Excelso Coffee, a Tauranga-based coffee bar. The objective was to achieve a refined and organic aesthetic aligned with the brand's core values of ethical practices and fair trade. The design envisioned by Bubble Interiors sought to capture a simpler and more natural impression, creating a space that exuded the essence of Excelso Coffee's business ethos and can easily inspire coffee shop design ideas for the environmentally focused.

Inspired by its ‘mostly vegan’ ethos and desire to foster a greater sense of communication in the Mornington community, the Kind Cafe interior design offers a deep connection to nature with its abundance of greenery and earthy palette. 

Heather Sulzberger from Kind explains of the coffee shop’s interior design, "One of the first things you notice when you walk into Kind is the abundance of beautiful, thriving foliage. There’s over 100 plants inside the cafe, placed on tables, in pots on the ground, and hanging from the ceiling. And then there are all the plants outside. You may have caught yourself wondering whose job it is to water all this greenery, because damn are they doing a good job."

Te Kaitaka, ‘The Cloak’ is an extraordinary architectural masterpiece located on the corner of two recently renovated streets, one bustling with traffic and the other focused on pedestrians. Its purpose? To provide a versatile space for hosting events, meetings, and showcasing the strategy and potential of the evolving district. Yet, this project aimed higher, aspiring to demonstrate the limitless possibilities of innovative design and sustainable practices. While not a coffee shop yet, it is designed to be easily converted into a cafe once the current purpose is fulfilled — a truly forward-thinking approach to modern coffee shop design.

Fearon Hay Architects took advantage of the building’s generous dimensions to explore sculptural and structural avenues, harmonising a rich tapestry of materials, textures, and forms that symbolise cultural and national values. This architectural marvel proudly showcases New Zealand's commitment to sustainable design, locally sourced materials, and groundbreaking innovation by combining readily available construction techniques with meticulous craftsmanship and identifiable materials.
 

Take your leisure time a step further by exploring Fallow Ridge Retreat, the boutique Waikouaiti accommodation that offers a luxurious yet sustainable getaway.