Columbus Coffee

About Columbus Coffee

Columbus Coffee is a well-established New Zealand café offering specialty coffee small-batch roasted in its own craft roastery alongside freshly prepared breakfasts and lunches. First founded in 1995 in Auckland's CBD by four coffee aficionados seeking to share global brewing techniques, the café brand has grown nationwide while maintaining a focus on locally crafted café fare.

The kitchen presents a comprehensive range of wholesome morning classics and hearty daytime dishes cooked to order by in-store chefs, accompanied by daily freshly baked cabinet sweets and savouries. Complemented by full espresso beverage selections, house blends, specialty cold drinks, and dedicated children's options, Columbus Coffee provides a comfortable community dining spot for all occasions.

Discover Columbus Coffee: Handcrafted Blends and Fresh Kitchen Fare

Columbus Coffee has played a notable role in shaping New Zealand's modern café culture. The story began in 1995 when four dedicated coffee enthusiasts set out to bring varied international brewing techniques and fresh coffee experiences to local diners. Opening their first café in central Auckland, they set out to share knowledge through tastings and demonstrations at a time when the country was still primarily focused on tea. Over the ensuing decades, Columbus Coffee has developed a reputation for approachable, premium café hospitality.

At the core of the experience is an uncompromising approach to coffee freshness. The brand roasts its signature Columbus Blend in small batches at its own dedicated craft roastery before distributing beans directly to cafés. This hands-on roastery approach ensures every espresso, flat white, and cold pour retains its smooth, distinct character. The chain also celebrates barista craft nationwide through annual barista and latte art competitions, encouraging teams across the country to maintain top brewing standards.

Cooked to Order by Local Chefs

Unlike venues that rely solely on pre-packaged cabinet displays, Columbus Coffee features a dedicated kitchen menu prepared fresh in store by trained chefs. Breakfast regulars can enjoy classic dishes like the Columbus Breakfast, Free Range Eggs on Toast, creamy mushrooms, and eggs benedict, as well as sweeter morning staples like brioche French toast.

The menu also adapts with seasonal updates to highlight inventive flavour pairings. Recent rotating options have included spiced chorizo hash, pumpkin and haloumi bruschetta, chicken katsu lunch bowls, and plum and apple crumble waffles. For lunch, hearty choices such as the Angus beef burger provide a satisfying midday meal.

Cabinet Baking and Cold Drinks

Alongside the hot kitchen offerings, counter cabinets are stocked daily with baked slices, savoury sausage rolls, sandwiches, wraps, and fresh salads. Families visiting with young children are catered for with an accessible kids' menu that offers simple eggy breakfasts, banana and caramel pancakes, and chicken nuggets with chips.

Cold drinks round out the beverage selection, extending beyond iced coffees to include rich Belgian iced chocolate, matcha lattes, blended frappes, fruit smoothies, and specialty milkshakes, alongside traditional hot teas from Tea Total. Whether stopping by for morning tea, catching up over brunch, or taking away freshly roasted beans for home brewing, Columbus Coffee continues to champion balanced, wholesome café dining.

Signature items

• Columbus Blend
• Columbus Breakfast
• Eggs Benedict
• Plum & Apple Crumble Waffles
• Belgian Hot Chocolate
• Chorizo Hash

Menu

Seasonal

• Plum & Apple Crumble Waffles — Warm waffles topped with plum and apple crumble.
• Chicken Katsu Bowl — Seasonal lunch bowl featuring crisp chicken katsu.
• Chorizo Hash — Savoury spiced chorizo and potato hash.
• Pumpkin & Haloumi Bruschetta — Toasted bread topped with roasted pumpkin and grilled haloumi.

Kid’S Menu

• Eggy Breakfast — Child-sized breakfast plate featuring eggs.
• Hungry Tummies Breakfast — Wholesome breakfast plate tailored for kids.
• Banana & Caramel Pancake — Fluffy pancake topped with banana and caramel.
• Chicken Nuggets & Chips — Crispy chicken bites served alongside hot chips.

Kitchen Menu

• Supreme Omelette — Cooked breakfast omelette freshly prepared by kitchen chefs.
• Eggs Benedict — Classic café eggs benedict served with freshly poached eggs.
• Creamy Mushrooms — Hearty savoury mushrooms prepared in a rich creamy sauce.
• Columbus Breakfast — Generous signature cooked breakfast plate.
• Brioche French Toast — Sweet café breakfast featuring thick brioche bread.
• Free Range Eggs on Toast — Eggs cooked to order served atop toasted bread.
• Angus Beef Burger — Substantial daytime burger made with an Angus beef patty.

Cabinet Range

• Sweets — Fresh slices and baked sweet treats prepared daily.
• Savoury — Daily baked sausage rolls and savoury pastries.
• Sandwiches, Wraps & Salads — Freshly assembled café sandwiches, wraps, and salads.
• Local Favourites — Popular café counter staples including filled salmon bagels.

Retail Coffee

• Columbus House Blend Coffee Beans — Retail bags of small-batch roasted house blend coffee beans.

Cold Beverages

• Iced Chocolate — Chilled chocolate milk served over ice.
• Smoothies — Blended fruit smoothies.
• Frappes — Chilled blended frappe beverages.
• Milkshakes — Classic thick and creamy milkshakes.
• Iced Coffees — Chilled espresso poured over milk and ice.
• Iced Matcha — Refreshing chilled matcha beverage served over ice.

Speciality Blends & Warm Drinks

• Columbus Blend — Specialty house coffee blend small batch roasted at their craft roastery.
• Chai Latte — Spiced tea latte infused with steamed milk.
• Matcha — Traditional green tea powder prepared warm with milk.
• Belgian Hot Chocolate — Rich hot chocolate crafted with authentic Belgian chocolate.
• Tea Total Teas — Selection of quality loose leaf teas.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Columbus Coffee roasted?

Columbus Coffee blends are small-batch roasted at the company's own craft roastery in New Zealand.

Does Columbus Coffee have cooked meals or only counter food?

The café features both a full kitchen menu freshly prepared by in-store chefs—including cooked breakfasts and burgers—and a daily cabinet range of fresh baking, sandwiches, and savouries.

Is there a children's menu available?

Yes, the menu includes dedicated kids' options such as an Eggy Breakfast, Hungry Tummies Breakfast, Banana & Caramel Pancakes, and Chicken Nuggets & Chips.

Can I buy coffee beans to brew at home?

Yes, bags of the Columbus House Blend beans are available for purchase to take home.

Does Columbus Coffee offer cold beverage options?

Yes, the beverage menu includes fruit smoothies, frappes, milkshakes, iced coffee, iced matcha, and iced chocolate.

Is there a loyalty rewards programme?

Yes, Columbus Coffee operates the Columbus Rewards programme offering members perks and complimentary beverage benefits.

Tips

• {"body":"Look out for rotating seasonal kitchen dishes, such as specialty waffles, hash skillets, and savoury bruschetta.","title":"Try the Seasonal Specials"}
• {"body":"You can purchase whole or ground bags of the signature Columbus House Blend to brew at home.","title":"Pick Up Coffee for Home"}
• {"body":"Sign up for Columbus Rewards to access member discounts, offers, and free drinks.","title":"Join the Rewards Club"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Offers a dedicated kid's menu with child-friendly breakfast and lunch meals.","dietary":"Kitchen and cabinet offerings include vegetarian, keto, dairy-free, and gluten-free choices; allergy-specific queries should be confirmed with staff."}