Table at Monks Coffee and Eatery

About Table at Monks Coffee and Eatery

Table at Monks Café and Eatery is a boutique central Christchurch café located at the corner of Madras and Armagh Streets, just steps away from the Margaret Mahy Playground. Established in 2016, the café offers a peaceful, light-filled escape designed around mindful simplicity, featuring warm timber finishes, living green walls, custom tilework, and a tranquil courtyard garden framed by geraniums and ivy.

The kitchen crafts an inventive all-day brunch menu alongside house-made cabinet treats, celebrating fresh ingredients with extensive gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan accommodations. Paired with double-shot specialty espresso from Wellington's Supreme Coffee and an adventurous drinks list of specialty matcha, artisan teas, and house smoothies, Table at Monks delivers thoughtful hospitality in a relaxing urban setting.

Table at Monks: Mindful Mornings and Creative All-Day Brunch in Central Christchurch

Perched on the corner of Madras and Armagh Streets, Table at Monks Café and Eatery has welcomed locals and inner-city wanderers into its bright, plant-draped sanctuary since 2016. Located only a few strides from Christchurch's bustling Margaret Mahy Playground, the café was created to provide something deeper than a standard pitstop for caffeine. It was intentionally built to embody the calm, unhurried rhythm suggested by its name—inviting guests to pause, savor, and unwind amidst warm timber paneling, intricate tile accents, and vibrant living green walls.

Outside, a private courtyard garden bordered with climbing ivy and flowering geraniums offers a sheltered retreat from the urban hum. Inside, soft ambient soundtracks replace loud commercial playlists, creating an easygoing atmosphere equally suited for family outings, quiet morning catch-ups, or remote travelers discovering the city.

Thoughtful All-Day Brunch and Creative Flavors

The kitchen operates under an honest philosophy: real food, prepared with care, and served with genuine heart. The extensive brunch menu caters comfortably to classic appetites while highlighting playful, international influences. Morning staples such as the Monks Classic Breakfast and eggs benedict share the spotlight with inventive plates like the fragrant Ottoman Eggs, a hearty Pork Belly Omelette, and savory Surf & Turf Fettuccine al Ragu.

Sweet-toothed diners frequently gravitate toward the buttermilk lemon waffles, served fresh with a bright lemon ricotta cream that has garnered a devoted local following. For lighter or on-the-go moments, the kitchen prepares loaded artisan bagels, while the counter cabinet displays baked goods such as rich cheese scones, gluten-free brownies, and moist banana chia walnut loaves.

Serious Coffee Craft and Colorful Sips

Coffee at Table at Monks is treated with standard-setting dedication. Every single coffee beverage is brewed using a standard double shot of premium beans sourced from Wellington's renowned Supreme Coffee roastery. Alongside classic flat whites and long blacks, the café features a wide range of specialty milk alternatives including oat, soy, almond, and coconut.

The beverage program extends well beyond espresso. Patrons will find an inventive lineup of chilled and specialty drinks, ranging from Biscoff cold foam lattes and double vanilla cold brew to colorful iced matches layered with ube, guava, lychee, or toasted black sesame. Together with whole-fruit smoothies and nourishing warm teas, Table at Monks delivers a restorative neighborhood dining experience that feels both grounded and modern.

Signature items

• Buttermilk Lemon Waffle
• Ottoman Eggs
• Surf & Turf Fettuccine al Ragu
• Pork Belly Omelette
• Biscoff Cold Foam Latte
• Supreme Coffee Double Shots

Menu

Teas

• English Breakfast — Classic black tea blend; pot for one or two
• Earl Grey Blue Flower — Aromatic black tea infused with bergamot and blue cornflowers
• Sencha Organic — Traditional organic Japanese green tea
• Tokyo Lime — Fragrant green tea with citrus lime notes
• Red Vanilla Raspberry — Naturally caffeine-free rooibos tea with raspberry and vanilla
• Berrylicious — Tangy mixed fruit tea infusion
• Lemon Sorbet — Bright and refreshing lemon fruit infusion

Kids Menu

• Mini Brekkie — Child-sized breakfast plate for ages 12 and under
• Mini Waffle — Child-sized waffle plate for ages 12 and under
• Nuggets & Chips — Crispy chicken nuggets served with chips
• Fish Bites & Chips — Bite-sized fish fillets served with chips
• Kids Fluffy — Frothed warm milk drink for children

Hot Drinks

• Short Black — Double shot espresso using Wellington Supreme coffee beans
• Short Macchiato — Espresso stained with a dash of frothed milk
• Americano — Double espresso lengthened with hot water
• Long Macchiato — Double espresso topped with steamed milk
• Piccolo — Ristretto shot topped with warm silky milk
• Flat White — Double-shot espresso with steamed microfoam milk
• Cappuccino — Espresso with foamed milk and chocolate dusting
• Latte — Smooth espresso with steamed milk
• Mochaccino — Espresso blended with rich chocolate and steamed milk
• Belgian Chocolate — Rich hot Belgian chocolate
• Chai Latte — Spiced chai blend steamed with milk
• Hot Blackcurrant — Warm soothing blackcurrant drink
• Lemon Ginger Honey — Warming blend of fresh lemon, ginger, and honey
• Hot Matcha Latte — Finely ground green tea steamed with silky milk
• Hot Taro Latte — Warm specialty sweet taro drink
• Hot Black Sesame Latte — Nutty, toasted black sesame steamed with milk

Brunch Menu

• Monks Classic Breakfast — Classic cooked breakfast with gluten-free option available
• Monks Veggie Breakfast — Vegetarian cooked breakfast, vegan on request
• Ottoman Eggs — Vegetarian spiced and seasoned egg specialty
• Avo on Grain — Avocado served on grain toast; vegetarian, with dairy-free and gluten-free options
• Maple & Cacao Granola — House granola blend; vegan, dairy-free option
• Eggs with Toast — Eggs prepared to order served with toast; gluten-free and dairy-free options
• Egg Benedict — Classic Benedict with poached eggs and hollandaise; gluten-free option
• Pork Belly Omelette — Savory omelette with tender pork belly; gluten-free, dairy-free option
• Buttermilk Lemon Waffle — Fresh buttermilk waffle served with lemon ricotta cream; vegetarian
• Double Cheesemonger — Cheesy specialty burger or sandwich main
• Surf & Turf Fettuccine al Ragu — Rich ragu pasta combining seafood and meat elements
• Goodness Bowl — Nourishing wholesome bowl; vegan
• Grilled Steak Sandwich — Hearty grilled steak sandwich on artisan bread

Cabinet Food

• Cheese Scone — Freshly baked savoury cheese scone
• House made Brownie — Decadent house-baked chocolate brownie; gluten-free
• Banana Chia Walnut Loaf — Baked sweet loaf; gluten-free, dairy-free

Small Plates

• Toasted Bagel - Jam & Cream Cheese — Toasted plain or multigrain bagel with jam and cream cheese; vegetarian, GFO
• Toasted Bagel - Pesto & Cream Cheese — Toasted plain or multigrain bagel with pesto and cream cheese; vegetarian, GFO
• Toasted Bagel - Salmon & Avocado — Salmon, avocado, cream cheese, capers, pickled red onion, and gherkin; GFO
• Toasted Bagel - Bacon & Egg — Bacon, fried egg, aioli, Swiss cheese, and onion jam; GFO
• Toasted Bagel - Avocado & Halloumi — Avocado, halloumi, pesto, and seasonal greens; vegetarian, GFO
• Cauliflower Bites — Crispy seasoned cauliflower bites
• Bowl of Fries — Crispy potato fries

Sides & Extras

• Hot Smoked Salmon — Hot smoked salmon add-on
• Bacon — Side of bacon
• Spinach — Side of spinach
• Halloumi — Side of grilled halloumi
• Free Range Egg — Extra free-range egg
• Hollandaise — House hollandaise sauce

Cold Drinks & Smoothies

• Classic Smoothie — Berries, banana, yogurt, honey, and cow's milk
• Green Smoothie — Spinach, mango, banana, and coconut milk
• Healthy Smoothie — Blueberry, banana, date, peanut butter, and almond milk
• Iced Americano — Chilled espresso over water and ice
• Iced Latte — Espresso and cold milk poured over ice
• Iced Coffee / Mocha / Chocolate — Chilled beverage served cold over ice
• Iced Chai Latte — Spiced chai poured over cold milk and ice
• Double Vanilla Cold Brew — Smooth cold brew coffee infused with double vanilla
• Biscoff Cold Foam Latte — Iced latte topped with decadent Biscoff cold foam
• Earl Grey Matcha — Layered specialty matcha and Earl Grey fusion
• Guava Matcha — Specialty matcha drink infused with sweet guava
• Lychee Matcha — Refreshing matcha combined with tropical lychee
• Black Sesame Matcha — Artisan matcha layered with toasted black sesame
• Ube Matcha — Specialty matcha crafted with purple yam ube
• Fruit Fizz Series — Effervescent fruit soda drink; dairy-free
• Phoenix Organic Juice Range — Bottled organic juice selection
• Juice by the Glass — Choice of orange or blackcurrant juice
• Coca-Cola / Coke Zero — Classic soft drinks
• Lemon Lime Bitters / Ginger Beer — Traditional bottled café soda favorites
• Sparkling Water — Chilled sparkling mineral water
• Yuzu Drink Soda — Crisp citrus Japanese yuzu sparkling soda

Frequently asked questions

Where is Table at Monks located in Christchurch?

The café is situated at 282 Madras Street on the corner of Madras and Armagh Streets in Christchurch Central City, just a short stroll from the Margaret Mahy Playground.

What coffee beans does the café use?

All coffee drinks are prepared with a double shot using premium beans roasted by Wellington's Supreme Coffee.

Does Table at Monks cater to dietary restrictions?

Yes, the menu clearly marks dishes that are gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan, with options to modify several dishes upon request.

Are children welcome, and is there a kids' menu?

Yes, the light-filled café welcomes families and features a dedicated kids' menu for children aged 12 and under, including mini breakfasts, waffles, nuggets, and fish bites.

What time does the kitchen close?

The kitchen closes daily at 2:00 PM, while the café remains open until 2:30 PM on Mondays and public holidays, and until 3:00 PM Tuesday through Sunday.

Is Table at Monks open on public holidays?

Yes, the café is open on most public holidays from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM.

Tips

• {"body":"The café operates until mid-afternoon, but hot kitchen orders wrap up promptly at 2:00 PM daily.","title":"Time your meal before the kitchen closes"}
• {"body":"The buttermilk waffle served with fresh lemon ricotta cream is one of the kitchen's most beloved sweet specialties.","title":"Try the lemon ricotta waffles"}
• {"body":"Beyond classic espresso, try one of their distinctive cold foam or flavored matcha creations like ube, guava, or black sesame.","title":"Explore the specialty matcha lineup"}
• {"body":"Step through to the peaceful outdoor courtyard bordered by ivy and geraniums for a quiet, relaxing spot on sunny mornings.","title":"Enjoy the courtyard garden"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Family-friendly setting located near the Margaret Mahy Playground with a dedicated kids' menu.","dietary":"Offers extensive gluten-free (GF/GFO), dairy-free (DF/DFO), vegetarian, and vegan choices.","parking":"Street parking available nearby in the central city area."}