Bella's Cafe Down Under (Bella's Coffee and Ice Cream) is a vibrant cafe located on Centennial Avenue in the heart of Alexandra, Central Otago. Operated by Daniel and Bobby Thomas-Smith alongside their French Bulldog, Bourbon (the unofficial Chief Morale Officer), the cafe centers its hospitality on manaakitanga—warmth, care, generosity, and genuine community connection.
From early morning kick-offs through afternoon catch-ups, Bella's serves an extensive all-day menu featuring house-baked treats, savoury and sweet crêpes, gourmet burgers and hot dogs, fresh salads, and cabinet staples. The kitchen is particularly acclaimed for its freshly baked date and cheese scones, paired alongside specialty Gravity coffee, boutique Dilmah teas, real fruit smoothies, and a wide selection of premium Kapiti ice cream.
Centennial Avenue is home to one of Central Otago's most welcoming morning rituals. Framed by blossoming cherry trees outside, Bella’s Cafe Down Under (also known to locals as Bella’s Coffee and Ice Cream) greets visitors starting at 6:00 AM every day of the week. Whether you are an early-rising worker, a weekend cyclist, or a traveler discovering the beauty of Alexandra, Bella's offers an inviting setting centered around honest, generous food.
At the helm of Bella's are Daniel and Bobby Thomas-Smith, who bring decades of diverse international experience to this corner of New Zealand. Daniel’s background spans over 25 years across tourism, aviation, and hospitality throughout New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. Complementing that leadership, Bobby spent more than a decade on the front lines of Chicago’s competitive restaurant landscape, cultivating an eye for detail, warmth, and attentive table service.
Despite their cosmopolitan backgrounds, their hospitality philosophy is grounded firmly in manaakitanga—the Māori concept of extending kindness, generosity, and genuine care to every guest who walks through the door. Keeping an eye on operations is Bourbon Thomas-Smith, the resident French Bulldog and self-appointed Chief Morale Officer, who ensures smiles and good vibes throughout the dining room.
The kitchen takes pride in crafting generous meals from fresh, quality ingredients. Morning regulars swear by the freshly baked scones—especially the savoury cheese scone and sweet date varieties that come hot out of the oven. For an unforgettable brunch, the Famous Scone Breakfast stacks poached eggs, bacon, breakfast sausage, and grilled tomatoes directly on top of a signature warm cheese scone, while the Famous Scone Trap reinvents the classic Kiwi mouse trap with vibrant savoury toppings.
Beyond traditional breakfast fare, Bella’s showcases an extensive crêpe selection. Savoury varieties range from the egg and ham Complete Crêpe to the inventive Cheese Roll Crêpe—a clever South Island homage packed with feta, tasty cheese, brie, oregano, and mustard. Sweet tooths can tuck into folded crêpes smothered in dulce de leche, Nutella and banana, or caramelised apples with mascarpone, walnuts, maple syrup, and vanilla bean ice cream.
Heartier appetites are treated to authentic touches inspired by Bobby's Chicago roots, such as authentic Chicago-style hot dogs loaded with relish and peppers on sesame rolls, Chilean-style dogs on pretzel sticks, and free-range grilled chicken burgers on Turkish bread with seasoned fries.
Coffee lovers benefit from baristas pulling premium Gravity espresso from the crack of dawn, whether you are after a velvety flat white, a long macchiato, or house specialities like dirty chai, matcha, and golden turmeric lattes. On warmer Central Otago afternoons, the chilled drinks counter draws crowds with custom smoothies, real milkshakes in retro flavours, and iced espresso concoctions.
To round off any visit, Bella’s scoops premium Kapiti ice cream, offering iconic New Zealand flavours such as Black Doris Plum, Feijoa & Pear sorbet, Marlborough Salted Caramel, and classic Hokey Pokey. It is this balance of hearty baking, international flair, and sincere neighbourhood hospitality that makes Bella's Cafe Down Under an essential stop in Central Otago.