Lola Stays
cafe — Mount Victoria · Wellington
About Lola Stays
Lola Stays is a relaxed neighbourhood eatery in Wellington offering fresh eats, delicious coffee, and welcoming hospitality. Situated with coastal seaside views along Oriental Parade, it has become a go-to gathering place for locals and visitors looking for an all-day breakfast, leisurely brunch, or casual cabinet bite.
The kitchen crafts a comprehensive menu spanning elevated morning staples, hearty brunch plates, wholesome salads, and a dedicated kids' selection. From sweet creations like vanilla cream porridge and loaded waffles to savoury classics such as huevos rancheros, eggs benedict, and steak sandwiches, dishes are prepared with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and dietary inclusivity. Paired with a full barista coffee offering, cold-pressed juices, blended frappes, and smoothies, Lola Stays provides a warm, laid-back setting to start your morning or unwind through the afternoon.
Lola Stays: All-Day Dining and Coastal Cafe Culture in Wellington
Lola Stays brings a warm, lively neighbourhood energy to Wellington's daytime dining scene. Conceived as an approachable eatery where patrons can linger over a flat white or drop by for a hearty mid-morning feast, the cafe celebrates generous cooking, welcoming hospitality, and fresh flavours across breakfast and brunch.
Whether dropping by after a waterfront stroll or planning an easy weekend catch-up, diners are greeted by an upbeat atmosphere, cabinet treats, and a comprehensive kitchen menu designed around diverse morning cravings.
Generous Plates and Vibrant Flavours
The kitchen takes breakfast seriously, serving hot dishes from 7am through to mid-afternoon. Traditionalists gravitate towards staples like Lola’s Big Breakfast—a laden plate featuring free-range eggs, bacon, gluten-free rosti, sausages, mushrooms, and tomato kasundi—or the house-made granola served with Greek yoghurt and poached pear.
Those looking for lively, spiced plates can explore dishes like the Huevos Rancheros, built on a toasted flour tortilla layered with chilli beans, melted cheese, jalapeño salsa, avocado, coriander, and hot sauce. Sweet tooths are well catered for with thick-cut French toast adorned with banana, bacon, crème fraîche, cookie crumble, and salted caramel, alongside fluffy waffles finished with mascarpone, berries, and pistachio crumble.
Hearty Brunching and Refreshing Drinks
As morning shifts into afternoon, the brunch menu delivers substantial meals and globally influenced comfort dishes. Highlights include Mama’s Thai Beef Salad—featuring marinated sirloin, crispy kumara, noodles, and crushed peanuts in a bright Thai dressing—and the Open Steak Sandwich, laden with garlic toast, chimichurri, and house pickles. Seafood lovers can opt for a toasted salmon bagel or crispy battered fish and chips served with tartare sauce.
To accompany the food, Lola Stays pours a complete espresso lineup alongside blended iced mochas, fruit smoothies, and nutrient-rich, freshly pressed juices such as the beetroot-ginger Beets blend and the spirulina-infused Green elixir. Combined with a dedicated kids' selection featuring pancakes and toasties, Lola Stays remains a reliable, feel-good destination for any dining group.
Signature items
- Huevos Rancheros
- Mama’s Thai Beef Salad
- Lola’s Big Breakfast
- French Toast
- Chicken Karaage
- Open Steak Sandwich
Menu
Kids
- Egg on Toast — Kid-friendly portion of egg served on toast.
- Mini Pancakes w Bacon & Banana — Mini stack of pancakes served with bacon and sliced banana.
- Nuggets & Fries — Crispy chicken nuggets served with a side of fries.
- Cheesy Bread — Toasted bread topped with melted cheese.
- Fairy Bread — Classic buttered bread topped with sprinkles.
Brunch
- Bao Buns — Sticky pork or fried chicken with sweet chilli mayo, served with slaw and fries.
- Chicken Burger — Sriracha honey crispy chicken on brioche with bacon, cheese, and slaw, served with fries.
- Open Steak Sandwich — 160g marinated sirloin on garlic toast with salad, gherkin, cherry tomatoes, fried onions, chimichurri, and crispy kumara.
- Salmon Bagel — Smoked salmon, chive cream cheese, popped capers, and pesto, served with fries and pickled salad.
- Fish & Chips — Crispy battered fish of the day served with salad, fries, and tartare sauce.
- Chicken Karaage — Soy-marinated crispy chicken with garlic rice, sweet karaage sauce, fried egg, and pickled salad.
- Vegan Brunch — Tofu, spinach, tomato, gluten-free rosti, mushrooms, avocado, and gluten-free toast with chilli beans.
- Mama’s Thai Beef Salad — Marinated sirloin, seasonal salad, cucumber, slaw, crispy noodles, peanuts, crispy kumara, and Thai dressing.
- Smoked Salmon Salad — Seasonal salad with togarashi spiced salmon, avocado, edamame, tomato, seaweed chips, and wasabi mayo.
- Black Pudding — Served with bacon, spinach, rosti, mango chutney, fried egg, and mustard sauce.
- Lambs Fry — Grilled lamb liver on rosti with bacon, fried onions, and creamy sherry mushrooms.
Snacks
- Fries & Aioli — Crispy fries served with aioli.
- Bacon & Egg Buttie — Warm sandwich filled with bacon and egg.
- Ham & Cheese Toastie — Toasted sandwich filled with ham and melted cheese.
- Toast & Spread — Toasted artisan bread served with choice of spread.
Breakfast
- Creamy Porridge — Vanilla cream oats with pistachio crumble, coconut sugar, berry compote, and milk.
- Lola’s Granola — House-made with oats, seeds, nuts, dried fruit, compote, poached pear, Greek yoghurt, and milk.
- Eggs on Toast — Free-range eggs served on sourdough or grain toast.
- Eggs Benedict — Poached eggs on sourdough with gluten-free rosti and hollandaise, with choice of bacon, salmon, or spinach.
- Bruschetta — Halloumi, poached eggs, and tomato on sourdough with basil pesto.
- Avocado on Toast — Halloumi, tomato, and avocado on grain toast with dukkah, chilli jam, basil oil, and balsamic glaze.
- Mushrooms on Toast — Garlic and thyme mushrooms on sourdough with spinach, parmesan cheese, and truffle oil.
- Lola’s Big Breakfast — Eggs, bacon, gluten-free rosti, sausages, tomato, mushrooms, and toast with tomato kasundi.
- Lola’s Vege Breakfast — Eggs, halloumi, tomato, rosti, mushrooms, avocado, and toast with chilli jam.
- Huevos Rancheros — Toasted flour tortilla with chilli beans, cheese, jalapeño salsa, fried eggs, avocado, sour cream, coriander, and hot sauce.
- French Toast — Served with bacon, banana, crème fraîche, berry puree, cookie crumble, and salted caramel.
- Waffles — Waffles served with bacon, banana, blueberry, mascarpone, pistachio crumble, and honey butter.
Hot Drinks
- Espresso Coffee — Short black, long black, or americano.
- Flat White — Espresso balanced with steamed milk and fine microfoam.
- Latte — Espresso with steamed milk and a light foam cap.
- Cappuccino — Rich espresso topped with velvety foam and dusted cocoa.
- Mocha — Espresso combined with rich hot chocolate and steamed milk.
- Hot Chocolate — Rich and creamy hot chocolate.
- Chai Latte — Spiced or sweet chai blended with steamed milk.
- Dirty Chai — Chai latte spiked with an espresso shot.
- Lemon Honey Ginger — Warm soothing infusion of lemon, honey, and ginger.
- Tea Selection — English Breakfast, Earl Grey, or selected herbal teas.
Cold Drinks
- Iced Coffee — Iced long black, americano, or iced latte.
- Blended Iced Drinks — Blended iced coffee, iced mocha, or iced chocolate.
- Smoothies — Fruit smoothies available in banana, berry, mango, passionfruit, or tropical.
- Freshly Squeezed Juices — House blends including Beets, Detox, Green, and Immune.
- Juices & Soft Drinks — Apple, cranberry, orange, or tomato juice, plus bottled kombucha, sparkling water, ginger beer, and sodas.
Frequently asked questions
- What hours does Lola Stays operate?
- Lola Stays is open Monday through Sunday from 7:00am until 4:00pm, with hot breakfast and brunch served until 2:30pm.
- Do I need to make a booking to visit?
- Bookings are recommended and must be made at least 24 hours in advance. All reservations are subject to email confirmation.
- Are there gluten-free and dairy-free options available?
- Yes, the menu clearly identifies gluten-free (GF), gluten-free option (GFO), dairy-free (DF), and dairy-free option (DFO) items, including house-made gluten-free rosti and gluten-free toast.
- Is there a children's menu?
- Yes, Lola Stays offers a dedicated kids' menu featuring mini pancakes with bacon and banana, egg on toast, nuggets and fries, cheesy bread, and fairy bread.
- Does Lola Stays offer freshly squeezed juices?
- Yes, four signature fresh juice blends are made on site: Beets, Detox, Green, and Immune, alongside standard fruit juices and smoothies.
- Can I get takeaway cabinet food?
- Yes, in addition to the made-to-order kitchen menu, cabinet food and drinks are available for counter service.
Tips
- {"body":"Table bookings must be made at least 24 hours ahead and await email confirmation; plan ahead for weekend group gatherings.","title":"Book 24 Hours Early"}
- {"body":"The full breakfast and brunch kitchen menu runs from 7:00am until 2:30pm daily, so arrive before mid-afternoon for hot meals.","title":"Watch Kitchen Cut-Off Times"}
- {"body":"A full range of alternative milks (oat, almond, soy, coconut) and flavoured syrups can be tailored to your coffee order.","title":"Customize Your Morning Brew"}
Good to know
- {"family":"Dedicated kids' menu with child-friendly items including pancakes, toasties, nuggets, and fairy bread.","dietary":"Extensive vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options available across both breakfast and brunch menus."}