Paris for the Weekend
cafe — Kaiapoi · Kaiapoi
About Paris for the Weekend
Paris for the Weekend is a licensed cafe in the former Kaiapoi railway station, specialising in traditional baking, high teas and all-day brunches, located directly across from New World, Kaiapoi. The cafe is a mix of old world charm, warm friendly service and a hint of Paris, serving alcohol, teas, coffees and cold drinks alongside home baked food in a historic building.
Teas and the ever-popular High Teas are served on fine bone china from yesteryear, while breakfasts, crepes, croissants, lunches, savouries, cakes and scones round out the all-day menu. Gluten free, dairy free, keto, vegetarian and vegan options are available throughout.
Outdoor dining, wifi access, heating and cooling for all seasons, ample car parking within a few metres of the cafe, and wheelchair access make it an easy stop for a range of visitors. The historic building is also available for hire, seating up to 49 people in the main cafe and up to 30 in the 'Ladies Waiting Room' space, suited to birthdays, breakfast meetings and work functions.
Paris for the Weekend: A French Cafe in Kaiapoi's Historic Railway Station
Housed in the former Kaiapoi railway station, directly across from New World Kaiapoi, Paris for the Weekend is a licensed cafe built around traditional baking, high teas and all-day brunches. The setting blends old world charm with warm, friendly service and a hint of Paris, all within a genuinely historic building just 20 minutes north of Christchurch.
High Tea, Done Properly
High tea is central to what Paris for the Weekend is known for, served using fine bone china from yesteryear. The Queen's High Tea is the most popular option, with five savoury items, four sweet treats, a scone with jam and cream, and tea or coffee, while the French High Tea and Petite High Tea offer lighter versions of the same experience. A Kid's High Tea, recommended for children under eight, brings chips and chicken nuggets to the table on a tiered plate with fairy bread and a chocolate duck. High teas aren't available between 11am and 1:45pm, and reservations are required.
All-Day Brunch and Baking
Beyond high tea, the all-day menu runs from 8am to 3:30pm with dishes like Parisienne Eggs, a Farmhouse Breakfast, and waffles with banana, mango puree and maple syrup. Riverside Fish 'n Chips and a rotating Soup of the Day round out the more substantial options, alongside home baked cakes, scones and savouries from the cabinet. Gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, vegan and keto adaptations are available across the menu, with surcharges possibly applying.
Coffee, Tea and More
The cafe pours coffee made with locally roasted Zephyr beans, alongside a wide tea selection from Harney & Sons and T2 - including a house "Paris" blend reminiscent of Earl Grey with vanilla and caramel notes. Smoothies, milkshakes and a full range of iced beverages are also on offer, and loose tea packs from the range are available to purchase and take home.
A Space for Events
Beyond day-to-day dining, the historic building is available for hire, seating up to 49 people in the main cafe and up to 30 in the separate 'Ladies Waiting Room' space. It suits birthdays, breakfast meetings, and work or private functions, with no booking fee but a minimum spend per person.
Visiting Paris for the Weekend
Paris for the Weekend is open seven days a week from 8am to 4pm, closed on public holidays, at 57 Charles Street, Kaiapoi. The cafe offers wheelchair access, wifi, outdoor dining, and ample car parking close by.
Signature items
- Queen's High Tea
- Farmhouse Breakfast
- Parisienne Eggs
- Riverside Fish 'n Chips
- French High Tea
- Waffles
Menu
Sides
- Streaky Bacon — Add-on side
- Salmon — Add-on side
- Spinach — Add-on side
- Mushrooms — Add-on side
- Hash Browns — Two pieces
- Scoop of Salad — Add-on side
- Fries & Tomato Sauce — Add-on side
Drinks
- Coffee Range — Locally roasted Zephyr beans - short black, long black, americano, macchiato, flat white, cappuccino, latte, mocha and more
- Chai & Matcha Latte — Spiced or vanilla chai, or matcha latte
- Hot Chocolate — Classic hot chocolate
- Tea Selection — Harney & Sons and T2 range including English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Cinnamon, Lemon & Ginger, house Paris blend, Peach, Peppermint, Fruity Green, French Earl Grey and Passion Plum
- Smoothies — Dairy-based banana, mango or mixed berry; dairy-free mango, pineapple and coconut
- Milkshakes — Chocolate, strawberry, lime, hazelnut, vanilla, caramel or banana
- Iced Beverages — Iced chocolate, iced mocha, iced latte, iced americano, iced chai, iced coffee and iced matcha
High Tea Menu
- Queen's High Tea — Five savoury items, four sweet treats, a scone with jam and cream, and tea or coffee (24 hours notice essential)
- French High Tea — A sandwich, two savoury items, a large scone with jam and cream, two sweet treats, and tea or coffee
- Petite High Tea — Two sandwiches, a large scone with jam and cream, two sweet treats, and tea or coffee
- Kid's High Tea — Chips and chicken nuggets on a tiered plate with fairy bread and a chocolate duck, recommended for under 8s
All Day Menu (8am-3:30pm)
- Poached Eggs on Toast — Two free range eggs on toasted ciabatta; add bacon, salmon or hash brown
- Paris Porridge — See the specials board for today's flavour
- Parisienne Eggs — Two poached free range eggs on toasted ciabatta with baby spinach, mushrooms, hash browns and hollandaise
- Eggs Benedict — Two poached free range eggs on toasted ciabatta with bacon, spinach and hollandaise; swap for smoked salmon
- Farmhouse Breakfast — Two poached free range eggs on toasted ciabatta with streaky bacon, hash browns, mushrooms, baked beans and baby spinach
- Waffles — Hot waffles with streaky bacon, fresh banana, mango puree, maple syrup and whipped cream
- Soup of the Day — Today's flavour on the specials board, served with ciabatta
- Bacon Butty — Rye bread, streaky bacon, aioli and salsa
- Riverside Fish 'n Chips — Battered fish with chips, salad, lemon slice and house made tartare sauce
- Fries — Served with aioli and tomato sauce, vegan option available
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Paris for the Weekend located?
- At 57 Charles Street, Kaiapoi, directly across from New World Kaiapoi.
- What are the opening hours?
- Monday to Sunday, 8:00am to 4:00pm, closed on public holidays.
- Do I need to book for high tea?
- Yes, reservations are required for all high tea bookings, and the Queen's High Tea needs 24 hours notice.
- Is high tea available all day?
- High teas are unavailable between 11:00am and 1:45pm.
- Does the cafe cater for dietary requirements?
- Yes, gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, vegan and keto options are available; surcharges may apply.
- Is the cafe accessible?
- Yes, wheelchair access is available along with plenty of nearby parking.
- Can I hire the venue for an event?
- Yes, the historic building is available for hire, seating up to 49 people, with no booking fee but a minimum spend per person.
Tips
- {"body":"Reservations are required, and the Queen's High Tea needs 24 hours notice.","title":"Book ahead for high tea"}
- {"body":"High teas aren't served between 11am and 1:45pm.","title":"Avoid the high tea gap"}
- {"body":"GF, DF, vegan, vegetarian and keto adaptations are available for most dishes.","title":"Ask about dietary swaps"}
- {"body":"The historic building can be hired, seating up to 49 people.","title":"Consider it for a function"}
Good to know
- {"wifi":"Wifi access available","family":"Kid's High Tea available, recommended for children under 8","dietary":"Gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, vegan and keto options available, surcharges may apply","parking":"Ample car parking within a few metres of the cafe","accessibility":"Wheelchair access available"}