Best Cafes in Thames, NZ: 9 Local Favourites
The best cafe in Thames is Cafe Melbourne, a licensed brunch spot in the Depot at 715 Pollen Street. For an early coffee go to Belle & Bean, for value and a courtyard try Chequers Cafe, and if you are driving the coast, stop at the Waiomu Beach Cafe.
Below are nine cafes worth your time, with addresses and opening hours from each business's own listing, checked in October 2026. Hours change with the seasons, so call ahead if you are cutting it fine.
Thames cafes at a glance
| # | Cafe | Where | Hours | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cafe Melbourne | 715 Pollen Street (in the Depot, Grahamstown) | Mon to Thu 8am to 4pm, Fri 8am to 5pm, Sat and Sun 9am to 4pm | Brunch, groups, a licensed lunch |
| 2 | Belle & Bean | 202B Mary Street | Mon to Sat 6:30am to 3pm, Sun 7:30am to 3pm | Early coffee, comfort food |
| 3 | Chequers Cafe | Central Thames | Open 7 days, 7am to 3pm | Courtyard dining, good-value plates |
| 4 | Grahamstown Coffee Shack | Grahamstown, northern Pollen Street | Mon to Sat 7am to 3pm | Pies, gluten-free options, a quick coffee |
| 5 | The Bakehouse Cafe | Central Thames | Open 7 days, 5am to 5pm | Pies, early starts, road-trip stops |
| 6 | Food for Thought | Central Thames | Mon to Fri 6am to 3:30pm, Sat 6am to 2pm, closed Sun | Pies, sandwiches, takeaway lunch |
| 7 | Sugar Cafe | Central Thames | Tue to Fri 8am to 2pm, Sat 9am to 1pm | Dog owners, gluten-free baking |
| 8 | The Wharf Coffee House & Bar | Shortland Wharf, southern end of town | Open 9am to 8pm | Water views, coffee that turns into dinner |
| 9 | Waiomu Beach Cafe | 622 Thames Coast Road, Waiomu (about 15 minutes north) | Winter 7am to 5pm, summer 6am to 6pm | Beach breakfasts, a coast-road stop |
How we picked
- Cafes currently listed by the Thames Business Association or the regional tourism listing.
- Hours and contact details taken from each cafe's own listing, not from review sites.
- A spread of styles: brunch, bakery, takeaway, waterfront and coastal.
- One honest drawback each, so you can plan around it.
1. Cafe Melbourne
Cafe Melbourne is the best all-round cafe in Thames: a licensed brunch spot in the restored Depot building at the Grahamstown end of Pollen Street.
- Where: 715 Pollen Street (in the Depot, Grahamstown)
- Hours: Mon to Thu 8am to 4pm, Fri 8am to 5pm, Sat and Sun 9am to 4pm
- Seasonal menus from breakfast through lunch, in-house baking and Allpress coffee.
- Fully licensed, so it works for a long lunch with a glass of wine.
- Phone 07 868 3159.
Best for: Brunch, groups, a licensed lunch. Watch out: It is the busiest cafe in town at weekend brunch, so expect a short wait.
2. Belle & Bean
Belle & Bean is the best pick for an early, unfussy coffee: it opens at 6:30am six days a week, just off Pollen Street.
- Where: 202B Mary Street
- Hours: Mon to Sat 6:30am to 3pm, Sun 7:30am to 3pm
- Cosy room, home-style food and a relaxed, friendly welcome.
- Open seven days, including Sunday from 7:30am.
- On Mary Street, a short walk from the Thames Information Centre.
Best for: Early coffee, comfort food. Watch out: Closes at 3pm, so it is not an option for a late lunch.
3. Chequers Cafe
Chequers Cafe is the local favourite for value, with generous portions and a courtyard out the back.
- Where: Central Thames
- Hours: Open 7 days, 7am to 3pm
- Known for good portion sizes and value for money.
- Courtyard seating at the back, a good choice on a sunny day.
- Phone 07 868 3292.
Best for: Courtyard dining, good-value plates. Watch out: Simple, classic cafe food rather than a fancy brunch menu.
4. Grahamstown Coffee Shack
The Grahamstown Coffee Shack is the pick in the historic Grahamstown quarter for pies made on site and a quiet private courtyard.
- Where: Grahamstown, northern Pollen Street
- Hours: Mon to Sat 7am to 3pm
- Says it is the only cafe in New Zealand serving Higher Ground coffee.
- Pies baked on site and a big range of gluten-free options.
- Handy for the Saturday Thames Market nearby. Phone 07 868 8991.
Best for: Pies, gluten-free options, a quick coffee. Watch out: Closed on Sundays.
5. The Bakehouse Cafe
The Bakehouse Cafe is the place for a pie before a big day out: open from 5am every day of the week.
- Where: Central Thames
- Hours: Open 7 days, 5am to 5pm
- Won a gold award at the 2015 pie competition for its mince and gravy pie.
- Earliest opening of any cafe in town, seven days.
- Phone 07 868 3288.
Best for: Pies, early starts, road-trip stops. Watch out: More bakery than sit-down brunch.
6. Food for Thought
Food for Thought is a fast, reliable stop for an award-winning pie or a freshly made sandwich.
- Where: Central Thames
- Hours: Mon to Fri 6am to 3:30pm, Sat 6am to 2pm, closed Sun
- Eighteen different pies, plus sandwiches made daily and good coffee.
- Also does takeaways and catering.
- Phone 07 868 6065.
Best for: Pies, sandwiches, takeaway lunch. Watch out: Closed on Sundays.
7. Sugar Cafe
Sugar Cafe is the dog-friendly choice, with indoor and outdoor tables and fresh cabinet baking.
- Where: Central Thames
- Hours: Tue to Fri 8am to 2pm, Sat 9am to 1pm
- Dog friendly, with outdoor seating.
- Fresh baked cabinet food and gluten-free options.
Best for: Dog owners, gluten-free baking. Watch out: Short hours: closed Sunday and Monday, and shuts early in the afternoon.
8. The Wharf Coffee House & Bar
The Wharf Coffee House & Bar is the cafe with a view: on historic Shortland Wharf, looking over the water.
- Where: Shortland Wharf, southern end of town
- Hours: Open 9am to 8pm
- Coffee and food with views across the water.
- Open into the evening, with fish and chips on offer.
- Close to the start of the Thames Coastal Walkway. Phone 07 868 6528.
Best for: Water views, coffee that turns into dinner. Watch out: A short drive or walk from the Pollen Street cafes.
9. Waiomu Beach Cafe
The Waiomu Beach Cafe is the best cafe outside town: a coastal favourite opposite the beach in Waiomu Bay.
- Where: 622 Thames Coast Road, Waiomu (about 15 minutes north)
- Hours: Winter 7am to 5pm, summer 6am to 6pm
- Breakfast, lunch, coffee and drinks, with outdoor seating.
- Good for groups and kids.
- Pair it with the Waiomu Kauri Grove walk nearby.
Best for: Beach breakfasts, a coast-road stop. Watch out: You need a car, and it gets busy on summer weekends.
How to choose a cafe in Thames
- Weekend brunch: Cafe Melbourne, but arrive early.
- Coffee before 7am: the Bakehouse Cafe (from 5am), Food for Thought (from 6am) or Belle & Bean (from 6:30am).
- Sunny courtyard: Chequers Cafe or the Grahamstown Coffee Shack.
- With a dog: Sugar Cafe.
- A view: The Wharf Coffee House & Bar in town, or the Waiomu Beach Cafe up the coast.
For restaurants, pubs and takeaways, see our guide to where to eat and drink in Thames. Pair your coffee with our things to do in Thames or a weekend in Thames, and browse more local businesses in the Thames directory.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cafe in Thames?
Cafe Melbourne at 715 Pollen Street is the best all-round cafe in Thames for brunch and coffee. Belle & Bean is best for an early coffee, Chequers Cafe for value, and the Waiomu Beach Cafe is the pick outside town.
Where is the Grahamstown cafe in Thames?
The Grahamstown Coffee Shack is in the historic Grahamstown quarter at the northern end of Pollen Street, open Monday to Saturday 7am to 3pm. Cafe Melbourne is also in Grahamstown, in the Depot at 715 Pollen Street.
Is there a Courtyard Cafe in Thames?
The Courtyard Cafe and Delicatessen is in Paeroa, at 74 Normanby Road, not in Thames. In Thames, Chequers Cafe has a courtyard out the back and the Grahamstown Coffee Shack has a private courtyard.
Which Thames cafes are open on Sunday?
Cafe Melbourne, Belle & Bean, Chequers Cafe, the Bakehouse Cafe and the Waiomu Beach Cafe are listed as open on Sundays. The Grahamstown Coffee Shack, Food for Thought and Sugar Cafe are closed on Sundays.
Where can you get sushi in Thames?
Midami Sushi serves Japanese food to eat in or take away, Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm and Saturday 9am to 2pm. See our eat and drink guide for more.