I’m always asked ‘where to eat in Akaroa’, these are my recommendations, the best coffee, the best food, and the best service by local people. The 4 Best Cafes Akaroa! In no particular order.

You might notice that none of these recommendations are on the main streets, these are authentic lovely little eateries that I would honestly recommend you to go to.

Top of the list is NOT a Cafe but the Akaroa Bakery | A La Baguette (right next to a cafe)

There is a reason there is such a cue on a quiet Akaroa street in winter!

Sam is a French Baker – yes, you have read that right, Sam is a baker who is French!!

Making real French croissants and baguettes, pain a chocolate’s and all our favourite delicacies. Right here in French Akaroa!

Akaroa Bakery | A La Baguette is a new premises and a new business, although Sam has lived in Akaroa for years and has baked for other cafe’s, he now has his own bakery.

The Akaroa Bakery is included in my list of Best Cafes Akaroa because it is the yummy food we love from good cafes and well it’s just such yummy food!

Locals are streaming in to support Sam and you need to get there quick the Bakery is open 8am-12pm Wednesday – Sunday and is usually sold out of the most popular treats by 10am, and has sold all his stock by noon.

74 Rue Lavaud, directly opposite The Seventh Generation Tours pick up location, a perfect place to grab a snack before your tour of Akaroa’s amazing French, Māori and British history and inspiring nature projects!

Here is a link to A La Baguette’s Facebook page.

The Crater Cafe for Great Coffee in the Centre of Akaroa

Great coffee in the centre of Akaroa, close to the playground and shops! And great service from a locally based team.

Address 74 Rue Lavaud – just across from The Seventh Generation Tours pick up at 78 Rue Lavaud. The Crater Cafe

It made my list of Best Cafes Akaroa for great coffee in the centre of town.

The Common ‘the New’ Best Cafe Akaroa

Lovingly renovated alongside the historic building next door that hosts the new Captains Quarter Art Gallery, The Good Story bookstore, and The Cake Room, this is a common place to meet and browse.

Set up by descendants of original French settlers (and yes, somehow related to me) from the Comte de Paris (learn more about that on this link).

The Common facebook page for updates and their yummy (and well priced) 2023 menu below.

This really is a great place in Akaroa for a seated lunch. Definitely on the list of Best Cafes Akaroa for food and dogs.

65 Rue Lavaud, Akaroa – very close to the fabulous Akaroa Museum (free and must do Akaroa)

The Common Dogs

Dogs are welcome at The Common and even have a ‘Wall of Fame’, they are even okay inside the cafe if under good control. If you are travelling and miss your dogs this is a good place for some poochie love. For dogs these are also the Best Cafes Akaroa!

Ethel’s Cinema, Cafe and Bar – The Best Pizza in Town, movies and damn good coffee too!

Here is the menu for pizza!

And the regularly updated website for the movies currently playing. This is a lovely boutique cinema, and honestly sometimes you can have the whole cinema to yourself, or you might make friends with the few other people at the showing. But they have up to date modern films and many films that you won’t find playing in the boring big blockbuster places.

Run by a local family, and employing local staff who great you with a smile and are happy to chat, a sunny sheltered patio is a great place to sit if there is a bit of a cold wind on the waterfront.

Here in the Best cafes Akaroa – ranking for movies, pizza, coffee and local owners and staff.

4 Selwyn Avenue, Akaroa – by the school and library (yes free internet).

The Most Authentic Way to get to know Akaroa and Other Things to Do

The Akaroa Nature and History Tours are guided tours run by a seventh generation local (me, Marie), and visit 5 of the most important historic sites in New Zealand as well as inspiring nature conservation projects that will leave you filled with hope for the future.

Contact Marie Today to Book Your Trip!

Other Great Cafes in Akaroa that Could be on the list of Best Cafes Akaroa!

The Corner Cafe, what a great spot to sit in the sun and soak in the vibes at Akaroa Farmers Market on Saturdays 9am-1pm on Saturdays October through to April.

The Brasserie for quiet garden vibes and flea market.

Bully Hayes for seaside charm, right on the waterfront at the Wharf end of town, a reliable restaurant with always a good standard of food.

A huge number of restaurants where you can get a good coffee to suit your needs on the day.