Beach House & Kiosk describes itself as Wellington's cosiest seaside café, set at Island Bay just steps from the sea. The café serves fresh meals and quality hot drinks in a relaxed setting with ocean views, aimed at both locals and visitors after a coastal escape.
The menu leans into New Zealand produce and local suppliers, from Shelly Bay Baker sourdough and bagels to dishes like the Aoraki Salmon Bagel, Cloudy Bay Clam Broth, and a 36-hour slow-cooked Beef Brisket Open Sandwich. Many dishes carry dietary markers for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or dairy-free options, and there's a dedicated kids menu alongside a full list of sides and add-ons.
Beach House & Kiosk also offers venue hire and hosts upcoming events, alongside a 'Green House' section of the business. Bookings are limited — tables of 8 or more can be booked Tuesday to Friday, but no bookings are taken on weekends.
Beach House & Kiosk calls itself Wellington's cosiest seaside café, and its position backs that up — set right on The Esplanade in Island Bay, just steps from the sea, with the kind of ocean views and relaxed atmosphere that make it a natural stop for a coastal escape, whether you're a local regular or a visitor passing through.
The café's food leans on local ingredients and bakers, most visibly through its partnership with Shelly Bay Baker for sourdough and bagels. That relationship shows up across the menu, from the simple Shelly Bay Baker Sourdough Toast with a choice of spread, through to the more elaborate Aoraki Salmon Bagel — smoked salmon whip, lemon ricotta, rocket and fennel, and pickled red onion on a Shelly Bay Baker bagel.
Brunch standouts include the Brioche French Toast, finished with feijoa confit, ginger and lime, an oat and hazelnut crumble, and vanilla mascarpone, and the BHK Roasted Mushrooms, served on Morteza's flatbread with whipped feta, silverbeet, fried onions, and a chilli oil finish. For something heartier, the Cloudy Bay Clam Broth pairs steamed clams with a kaffir lime and coconut broth, butternut pumpkin, and miso garlic sourdough toast, while the Beef Brisket Open Sandwich features 36-hour slow-cooked brisket with aioli, dill pickles and a herb salad. The Crumbed Chicken Breast, finished with a burnt butter kumara espuma and thyme jus, rounds out the more substantial mains.
Many dishes on the menu are marked for dietary needs — vegetarian (V), vegan option (VgO), gluten-free option (GFO), and dairy-free or dairy-free option (DF/DFO) — making it straightforward for guests with specific requirements to find something that works. A full sides menu adds flexibility too, with options like streaky bacon, wilted spinach, duck fat roasted potatoes with aioli, and Scotty's steak and pepper sausages, alongside eggs cooked to preference and a side salad.
Families are catered for with a dedicated kids menu covering the basics — toast with a choice of spread, French toast with seasonal fruit, vanilla ice cream and maple syrup, and a cheese toastie served with fries and tomato sauce.
Beach House & Kiosk keeps its booking policy simple: tables of 8 or more can be booked Tuesday through Friday, but no bookings are taken on weekends at all, so weekend visitors should expect to walk in. Beyond day-to-day service, the café also offers venue hire and maintains a calendar of upcoming events, alongside a separate 'Green House' section of the business.
Beach House & Kiosk is located at 410 The Esplanade, Island Bay, Wellington 6023, open Tuesday to Friday from 8:30am to 3:30pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 8:30am to 5:00pm. The café can be reached by phone or email, and shares updates on events, specials and other news through Facebook, Instagram, and an email newsletter.