Shirley Community Cafe (also known as MacFarlanes on the Park Cafe) is a volunteer-run neighbourhood cafe operating out of the Shirley Community Trust Neighbourhood Centre in Christchurch. Situated directly adjacent to MacFarlane Park and the KidsFirst Kindergarten, the cafe provides a welcoming, inclusive gathering place where local residents can meet, connect, and enjoy quality barista coffee and home-baked treats.
Run with heart by volunteers, the cafe keeps prices remarkably low and accessible to everyone in the local community. Every dollar spent at the counter goes directly back into supporting the neighbourhood through the grassroots initiatives, programmes, and events hosted by the Shirley Community Trust. Operating on Friday mornings during school term time, it offers a relaxed community atmosphere with no bookings required.
Nestled beside MacFarlane Park on Acheson Avenue, MacFarlanes on the Park Cafe (also known locally as Shirley Community Cafe) is a testament to the power of grassroots community connection. Operating from the Shirley Community Trust Neighbourhood Centre, this Friday-morning gathering spot has become a cherished ritual for locals looking for warm hospitality, familiar faces, and a genuinely good brew.
Run entirely by dedicated local volunteers, the cafe was created with a clear community focus: to offer a friendly, accessible space where anyone can drop by and feel at home. Whether catching up with friends, connecting with neighbours, or simply taking a peaceful pause by the park, visitors find a warm welcome and an unpretentious setting.
Because the cafe is operated as an initiative of the Shirley Community Trust—established in 1999 to foster local resilience and connection—all proceeds from the cafe flow straight back into supporting vital local programmes. Enjoying your morning cup of coffee directly assists community initiatives, local family activities, and neighbourhood development across Shirley.
One of the cafe's most celebrated features is its remarkable value. While commercial cafes across town often charge steep prices for daily caffeine, MacFarlanes serves proper barista-prepared drinks and a countertop display of fresh cakes and sweet slices at deeply affordable prices. Regulars frequently praise the quality of the barista coffees, making it one of Christchurch's best-kept neighbourhood secrets for a mid-morning treat.
MacFarlanes on the Park runs every Friday morning between 9:30am and 12:00 noon during school term time. There is no need to make a booking—visitors simply drop in, order at the counter, and take a seat inside the centre or enjoy the parkside surroundings. Situated next to the KidsFirst Kindergarten and right on the fringe of expansive green parkland, it offers an easy, community-focused start to the weekend for all ages.