Kia ora! or Hey!
A flat white, please
(straightforward)
NZ's signature coffee
Long black, thanks
(straightforward)
Hot water with espresso on top
On oat, please
(straightforward)
With oat milk
Cheers!
(straightforward)
Thanks (used universally)
New Zealand's gift to the world (they'll fight Australia for the claim). Espresso with silky microfoam, less frothy than a cappuccino.
Hot water first, espresso over the top. Preserves the crema. Not an Americano.
A double espresso.
Chocolate and espresso with steamed milk. A Kiwi favourite.
Latte with trim (low-fat) milk. Very commonly ordered.
New Zealand claims to have invented the flat white (Wellington, 1989) — a claim hotly contested by Australia.
Coffee culture in NZ rivals Australia's for quality but is more relaxed and less competitive.
Alternative milks are completely standard. Oat, soy, almond, and coconut are available at virtually every cafe.
The 'long black' is NOT an Americano — the espresso goes on top of the water, preserving the crema.
Cafes close earlier than in Europe — 3-4pm is common. Early morning coffee culture is strong.
New Zealand's coffee quality per capita might be the highest in the world. Even small-town cafes serve excellent espresso.
Not expected or traditional. Appreciated but never required.
NZ$5.00-6.50 ($3.00-4.00) for standard coffee
Did you know? New Zealand's coffee culture is so refined that Starbucks has only a minimal presence — Kiwis overwhelmingly prefer independent cafes.