Barista has been a fixture of Palmerston North since the 1990s, when it helped shape the city’s emerging café culture. It first traded as Barista, The Espresso Bar, was reimagined with a fresh look in 2009, and sits in the heart of George Street’s arts and theatre district. The room is hard to forget: a former owner spent more than a decade painting a mural by hand across its soaring concrete walls, filling them with scenes inspired by the creative energy of the surrounding precinct. Since 2023 it has been run by a local family who were longtime fans before they took over, and their children can sometimes be spotted lending a hand around the café.
By day it is a bustling espresso spot, pouring L’affare coffee and t Leaf T teas alongside signature drinks such as a dirty chai, turmeric latte and mushroom latte, plus smoothies that include a feijoa blend. Brunch covers the classics with care: eggs benedict, its hollandaise made in house, offered with bacon, smoked salmon or portobello mushroom, brioche French toast topped with maple caramelised banana and berry compote, granola made on site with coconut yoghurt, and a big breakfast with kransky sausage and hash brown. The vegetarian breakfast bowl pairs halloumi with avocado and wilted spinach, while a vegan scramble of turmeric tofu and a keto benedict served on a portobello cater to other diets.
The cabinet draws plenty of the daytime crowd, stocked with cakes, slices, lasagne, chicken filo and vegetarian tarts prepared in house every day, with the cheesecake and carrot cake the best known of the lot. The kitchen relies on local free range eggs, fresh vegetables and Breadworks bread wherever it can. Beyond breakfast, an all day list brings oven toasted pita with hummus and basil pesto, a wellness bowl of wild rice, black beans, roasted pumpkin and coconut bacon, a karaage chicken burger with kecap manis and honey sriracha slaw, and an onion bhaji burger with halloumi and mango chutney. Gluten free, vegan and vegetarian choices are marked throughout, and anything on the menu can be taken away.
When evening comes, Barista turns into a relaxed European style bistro, and being only a few minutes on foot from Palmerston North’s theatres makes it a handy choice for dinner ahead of a performance or dessert once the curtain falls. The seasonal dinner menu might include Korean fried cauliflower with aioli and kecap manis, warm olives with feta and honey, an eye fillet wrapped in bacon, served with mash, portobello mushrooms and Café de Paris butter, or twice cooked pork belly with pumpkin purée and apple cider jus, with antipasto and vegetarian platters for grazing. Sweet endings run to sticky date pudding, affogato with Frangelico and a creamy crème brûlée that arrives with a dulce de leche cookie sandwich and sorbet. The bar is fully licensed and welcomes BYO wine, with Wellington beers from Garage Project and Parrotdog, Mount Brewing ciders and cocktails such as a chocolate espresso martini.
Address: 59 George Street, Palmerston North Central, Palmerston North 4410
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Barista Menu
Option tags, such as Vegan Option (VGO), mean the dish can be made that way on request: ask for that version when you order.
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Brunch
Toast and Spreads
Multigrain, brioche or white toast with lemon curd, Marmite, raspberry jam, pesto or cream cheese.
House Made Granola
Nuts, seeds, oats, berry compote and coconut yoghurt.
Free Range Eggs Your Way
Poached, fried or scrambled with white toast.
Brioche French Toast
Served with berry compote and maple caramelised banana.
Eggs Benedict
Poached eggs on english muffin topped with house-made hollandaise. Add bacon, smoked salmon with spinach, or portobello mushroom with spinach.
Keto Eggs Benedict
Served on a portobello mushroom with bacon, spinach, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce.
Barista Big Breakfast
Bacon, kransky sausage, hash brown, roasted tomatoes, field mushrooms and poached eggs on white toast.
Vegetarian Breakfast Bowl
Halloumi, avocado, wilted spinach, roasted tomatoes, seeds, free range poached eggs and multigrain bread.
Vegan Scramble
Turmeric scramble tofu with cherry tomatoes, spinach, vegan pesto and seeds served on multigrain bread.
Extras
Halloumi
Black pudding
Bacon
Kransky sausage
Avocado (seasonal)
Spinach
Eggs
Field mushroom
Roasted tomatoes
Hash browns
Hollandaise or sauces
Shoestring Fries
Served with aioli and tomato sauce. Vegan aioli available
All-day
Oven Toasted Pita
With hummus and basil pesto. Vegan option available
Barista Garlic Bread
French bread stick with roasted garlic butter, mozzarella and herbs.
Soup of the Day
Served with toasted white bread and butter.
Salt and Pepper Prawns
Beef Salad
Marinated beef salad with greens, cherry tomatoes, blue cheese, walnuts and pear, with a honey dressing.
Mediterranean Fish Salad
Pan fried fish on pearl couscous with halloumi, cherry tomatoes, grilled capsicum, avocado, seeds and a pesto dressing.
Greek Goodness
Garlic pita bread topped with mesclun salad, cherry tomatoes, feta, parsley, mint, and hummus with a lemon yoghurt dressing topped with chilli flakes.
Nourish Salad
Salad greens with feta, cherry tomatoes, toasted seeds, mint, hummus, roasted capsicum and carrot, finished with a pomegranate dressing.
Wellness Bowl
Wild rice, black beans, roasted pumpkin, roasted corn, cashews, coconut bacon, vegan pesto mayo.
Scotch Fillet
Scotch beef fillet cooked to your liking, served on crispy potatoes, bacon, spinach, red wine jus, and béarnaise sauce.
BBQ Chicken Linguine
Chicken breast pieces in a spice rub tossed through with bacon, sun-dried tomatoes and spinach in a cream reduction.
Chicken Burger
Karaage chicken with kecap manis, sweet chilli, honey sriracha slaw, and cheese in a brioche bun with fries.
Onion Bhaji Burger
With halloumi, cheddar, honey sriracha slaw and mango chutney in a brioche bun with fries.
Beef Lasagne
Accompanied with a side salad. Add fries for $6
Chicken Filo
Accompanied with a side salad. Add fries for $6
Vegetarian Tart
Accompanied with a side salad. Add fries for $6
Shoestring Fries
Served with aioli and tomato sauce. Vegan aioli available
Share Platter
Antipasto Platter
Marinated beef, BBQ chicken pieces, smoked salmon, olives, brie, hummus, pesto and pita bread.
Vegetarian Platter
Korean cauliflower with kecap manis, quinoa falafel, pesto green beans, brie, pesto, hummus and pita bread.
Entrée
Oven Toasted Pita
With hummus and basil pesto. Vegan option available
Barista Garlic Bread
French bread stick with roasted garlic butter, mozzarella and herbs.
Soup of the Day
Served with toasted white bread and butter.
Salt and Pepper Prawns
Warm Olives
Served with feta and honey.
KFC Cauliflower
Korean fried cauliflower with aioli, sweet chilli, kecap manis and sesame seeds. Vegan option available
Karaage Chicken
Karaage chicken with kecap manis, pickled red onion, sweet chilli, aioli and sesame seeds.
Share
Antipasto Platter
Marinated beef, BBQ chicken pieces, smoked salmon, olives, brie, hummus, pesto and pita bread.
Vegetarian Platter
Korean cauliflower with kecap manis, quinoa falafel, pesto green beans, brie, pesto, hummus and pita bread.
Side Dishes
Roasted Potatoes
With kiwi onion dip.
Green Salad
Tossed through with a balsamic dressing.
Seasonal Steamed Vegetables
Combined with a lemon thyme butter.
Shoestring Fries
Served with aioli and tomato sauce. Vegan aioli available
Mains
Beef Salad
Marinated beef with salad greens, cherry tomatoes, blue cheese, walnuts and pear, with a honey dressing.
Greek Goodness
Garlic pita bread topped with mesclun salad, cherry tomatoes, feta, parsley, mint, and hummus with a lemon yoghurt dressing topped with chilli flakes.
Mediterranean Fish Salad
Pan fried fish on pearl couscous with halloumi, cherry tomatoes, grilled capsicum, avocado, seeds and a pesto dressing.
Nourish Salad
Salad greens with feta, cherry tomatoes, toasted seeds, mint, hummus, roasted capsicum and carrot, finished with a pomegranate dressing.
Wellness Bowl
Wild rice, black beans, roasted pumpkin, roasted corn, cashews, coconut bacon, vegan pesto mayo.
BBQ Chicken Linguine
Chicken breast pieces in a spice rub, tossed through with bacon, sun-dried tomatoes and spinach in a cream reduction.
Scotch Fillet
Scotch beef fillet cooked to your liking, served with crispy potatoes, bacon, spinach, red wine jus, and a béarnaise sauce.
Eye Fillet
Wrapped in bacon, with mashed potato, portobello mushrooms, Café de Paris butter and jus. Allow time for this to be cooked to your liking.
Pork Belly
Twice cooked with pumpkin puree, soy chilli green beans and an apple cider jus.
Burgers
Chicken Burger
Karaage chicken with kecap manis, sweet chilli, honey sriracha slaw, and cheese in a brioche bun with fries.
Onion Bhaji Burger
With halloumi, cheddar, honey sriracha slaw and mango chutney in a brioche bun with fries.
Desserts
Crème Brûlée
Served with Dulce de Leche cookie sandwich and sorbet.
Sticky Date Pudding
Served with caramel sauce, runny cream, and a vanilla bean ice-cream.
Tiramisu
Italian style with sponge fingers, coffee, shaved chocolate, mascarpone and cream.
The Works Sundae
Vanilla ice-cream with marshmallows, pink wafers, topped with whipped cream. Your choice of chocolate, caramel or berry sauce.
Affogato
A shot of hot espresso and Frangelico over ice-cream with house-made biscotti.
Port
Sandeman
Founders Reserve Port
Brown Brothers
Australian Tawny Port
Kids Brunch
Mini meals for mini humans (under 12 only). Till 5pm
Tiny Granola Bowl
Creamy coconut yoghurt, nuts, seeds, oats, & a side of berry compote.
Kids Benny
Toasted muffin topped with crispy bacon, a poached egg, & hollandaise sauce.
Mini French Brioche Toast
Fluffy brioche toast with crispy bacon & maple syrup.
Bacon & Scrambled Eggs
Toasted bread topped with scrambled eggs & crispy bacon.
Toast with Spread
Toasted bread with a choice of Marmite or raspberry jam and butter.
Kids Anytime
Mini meals for mini humans (under 12 only)
Chicken Tenders & Fries
Crispy chicken tenders with fries & tomato sauce.
Fish Bites & Fries
Crispy fish bites served with fries & tomato sauce.
KFC Cauliflower
Korean fried cauliflower served with aioli, sweet chili, kecap manis, & sesame seeds.
BBQ Chicken Linguine
Chicken breast pieces in a spice rub, tossed with bacon, sundried tomatoes, & spinach in a cream reduction.
Little Fries
A small serving of golden fries with tomato sauce & aioli.
Kids Drinks
Mini meals for mini humans (under 12 only)
Juice
Choose from apple or orange.
Milk Drink
Chocolate, chai, or plain milk.
Picky Smoothie
Tropical or Berry.
Hot Chocolate
Topped with fluffy marshmallows & served with a chocolate fish.
Fluffy
Topped with marshmallows, a chocolate fish, & sprinkles.
Kids Sweet Treat
Mini meals for mini humans (under 12 only)
Ice-Cream Spider
Ice-cream topped with your choice of soda.
Ice Cream Sundae
Vanilla Ice cream topped with Chocolate, Berry, or Caramel sauce, marshmallows, & delicious toppings.
Hot
Flat White
Classic
Cappuccino
Classic
Latte
Classic
Sweet Chai
Classic
Spicy Chai
Classic
Hot Chocolate
Classic
Mocha
Piccolo
Fluffy
Americano
Espresso-based
Short Black
Espresso-based
Long Black
Espresso-based
Ristretto
Espresso-based
Short Macchiato
Espresso-based
Long Macchiato
Espresso-based
Signature Drinks
Dirty Chai
Matcha Latte
Turmeric Latte
Mushroom Latte
Vienna
Irish Coffee
Hot Lemon, Ginger & Honey
Cold
Juice
Orange, Apple, Pineapple, Cranberry
Picky Berry
Smoothie
Picky Tropical
Smoothie
Homegrown Feijoa
Smoothie
Soda
Coca-Cola, Coke Zero, Sprite
Karma Drinks
Lemmy Lemonade, Gingerella
Ice-cream Spider
Ice-cream topped with your choice of soda
Fever-Tree Premium Mixers
Indian Tonic, Mediterranean Tonic, Premium Soda, Lime & Yuzu, Ginger Beer, Ginger Ale
House-Made Lemon, Lime & Bitters
Antipodes Sparkling
Premium Water
Anew Alkaline Water
Premium Water
Iced
Iced Chocolate
Iced Coffee
Iced Chai
Iced Mocha
Iced Matcha Latte
Iced Latte
Iced Matcha Latte (without cream & ice-cream)
Iced Americano
Iced Teas
Iced Lemon, Iced Peach
Drink Extras
Alternative Milk
Syrup Shots
Extra Shot
Decaf
Bowl or tall glass
Runny Cream or Jug of Milk
Black Tea
English Breakfast
Bold, full-bodied with malty notes.
Irish Breakfast
Strong & rich, hearty flavour.
Earl Grey Excelsior
Bergamot, yunnan, ceylon, & keemun.
Earl Grey Blue Flower
Bergamot with blue cornflower petals.
Gorgeous Grey
Classic with Bergamot & citrus.
Chai
Spicy blend with cinnamon, ginger & cardamom.
Darjeeling Margaret’s Hope
Light with muscatel notes.
Green Tea
Sencha
Fresh & grassy.
Sakura Rose
Floral cherry bloom & rose.
Tokyo Lime
Lime & citrus infused.
Fruit Tea
Berrylicious
Mixed berries, tart & sweet.
Turkish Apple
Crisp, refreshing apple.
Rooibos
Red Original Organic
Caffeine Free. Sweet & earthy.
Vanilla Red
Caffeine Free. Creamy vanilla flavour.
Herbal Tea
Kawakawa Fire
Bold & earthy with spicy notes.
Peppermint
Cool & minty.
Cinnamon Apple Chamomile
Sweet apple & cardamom.
Chamomile
Sweet & floral.
Blooming Flower Tea
Jasmine Princess
Hand-tied jasmine blossom.
Jasmine Dragon Pearls
Hand-rolled green tea pearls with jasmine.
Beer
Corona
Mexico. Light, crisp with a hint of citrus.
Peroni
Italy. Crisp, malt sweetness, subtle hop bitterness.
Garage Project BEER
Wellington. Pilsner malt, Saaz hops, & Czech yeast.
Parrotdog Sundog Pilsner
Wellington. Passionfruit & white wine notes. Crisp & bright.
Parrotdog Birdseye Hazy IPA
Wellington. A citrusy, stone fruit IPA with a silky texture.
Lakeman 5 O’Clock Somewhere Hazy IPA
Taupō. IPA with a sweet citrus taste.
Parrotdog Bitterbitch IPA
Wellington. Bold citrus, piney aromas, robust bitterness.
Cider
Mount Brewing Co. Dark N Stormy
Mount Maunganui. A cider with apples, ginger, molasses & spices.
Mount Brewing Co. Strawberry & Lime
Mount Maunganui. Fruity cider, strawberry sweetness, lime zest.
Cocktails
Mimosa
Bubbles & orange juice.
Aperol Spritz
Aperol, Prosecco & soda water.
Limoncello Spritz
Limoncello, Prosecco & soda water.
Pimm’s
Pimm’s No.1, Fever-Tree ginger ale & fresh fruit.
Moscow Mule
Vodka, lime juice & ginger beer.
Chocolate Espresso Martini
Chocolate vodka, coffee liqueur & espresso.
Spiced Rum Mojito
Mint, lime, Black Collar spiced rum & soda water.
Rosebud
Vanilla vodka, passionfruit syrup, pineapple & cranberry juice.
Sangria
Hawkes Bay Brewing Sangria
Red wine & fruit juices.
Hawkes Bay Brewing Peach Bomb
White wine, peach purée, citrus fruits.
Red
Black Cottage Pinot Noir
Central Otago. Smooth with dark cherry, plum, & earthy undertones.
Porters Kererū Pinot Noir
Martinborough. Complex with red berries, oak, & spice. Balanced acidity.
Tail Spin Shiraz
Langhorne Creek. Bold with dark fruit, black pepper, & spice. Ideal with red meats.
St Hallett Faith Shiraz
Barossa Valley. Blackberry, plum, & chocolate flavours. Full-bodied with a smooth finish.
None Too Fancy Merlot
Hawkes Bay. Fruity with plum, blackberry, & subtle oak. Soft tannins.
Sparkling Wine
Lindauer NZ Fraise
Gisborne. Sweet with vibrant strawberry flavours.
Veuve du Vernay Brut
France. Crisp acidity with delicate fruit notes.
Louis Perdrier Brut
France. Apple, pear, & citrus flavours.
Montelvini Prosecco
Italy. Light, fruity with green apple & pear.
Moët & Chandon Brut Champagne
France. Citrus, apple, & gooseberry notes.
White
Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough. Passionfruit, gooseberry, & citrus. Crisp acidity, ideal with seafood.
Man O’ War Sauvignon Blanc
Waiheke Island. Crisp with lime, grapefruit, & herbal notes. Smooth finish, perfect with seafood.
Church Road Gwen Pinot Gris
Hawkes Bay. Floral, vibrant fruit, with a touch of spice. Perfect with seafood or chicken.
Mount Brown Pinot Gris
Marlborough. Fresh with pear, apple, & subtle spice. Crisp & balanced.
Tony Bish Fat & Sassy Chardonnay
Hawkes Bay. Full-bodied with ripe peach, tropical fruit, & buttery oak.
Kumeū River Village Chardonnay
Auckland. Refined with citrus, melon, & toasty oak. Ideal with seafood or salads.
Rosé
Clearview Estate Black Reef Blush
Hawkes Bay. Red berries, watermelon, & floral notes. Crisp & refreshing.
Jules Taylor The Jules Rosé
Marlborough. Dry, crisp with strawberry, cherry, & citrus flavours.
Vodka
Absolut Vanilla
Smooth with a hint of vanilla. Pair with Fever-Tree Ginger Ale or Tonic Water.
Black Collar Chocolate Vodka
Rich chocolate flavours. Pair with Fever-Tree Soda Water or Ginger Ale.
42 Below
New Zealand vodka with a clean finish. Pair with Fever-Tree Tonic Water or Lime & Yuzu Soda Water.
Gin
The Botanist Dry Gin
Floral, herbaceous with 22 hand-foraged botanicals. Pair with Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic or Ginger Ale.
Lighthouse Gin
A refreshing & vibrant gin with bright citrus notes, subtle herbs, and a smooth finish. Pair with Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic or Ginger Ale.
Scapegrace Black
Bold gin with tropical & citrus notes. Pair with Fever-Tree Premium Ginger Ale or Lime & Yuzu Soda.
Brandy
Hennessy VS Cognac
Smooth with oak, vanilla, & caramel. Pair with Fever-Tree Ginger Ale or Soda Water.
Rum
Bacardi
Light, crisp with tropical fruit notes. Pair with Fever-Tree Premium Soda Water or Fever-Tree Ginger Ale.
Black Collar Spiced Rum
Rich, spiced with caramel & vanilla. Pair with Fever-Tree Ginger Ale or Premium Soda Water.
Whiskey
Jameson Irish Whiskey
Smooth, mellow with vanilla, honey, & subtle spice. Pair with Fever-Tree Ginger Ale or Soda Water.
Glenfiddich 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch
Light, fruity with pear, oak, & honey. Pair with Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic or Premium Soda Water.
Bourbon
Buffalo Trace Bourbon
Rich, balanced with caramel, vanilla, & oak. Perfect neat. Pair with Fever-Tree Ginger Ale or Premium Soda Water.
Woodford Reserve Bourbon
Full-bodied with dried fruit, vanilla, & spice. Pair with Fever-Tree Ginger Beer or Mediterranean Tonic.
Tequila
Espolon Blanco
Crisp, smooth with citrus & pepper notes. Mix with Fever-Tree Soda Water, lime juice, or orange juice.
Patrón Silver
Delicate, smooth with citrus & agave sweetness. Mix with Fever-Tree Ginger Ale.
Olmeca Altos Blanco
Smooth with vibrant citrus & pepper notes. Mix with lime juice, orange juice, or Fever-Tree Ginger Ale.
Liqueurs
Kahlua
Rich coffee & vanilla flavours. Mix with Coke or Ginger Ale.
Baileys
Creamy, with Irish whiskey & rich cream. Pair with Fever-Tree Ginger Ale or Cola.
Frangelico
Hazelnut with sweet, nutty notes. Pair with Fever-Tree Soda Water or Mediterranean Tonic.
Galliano
Herbal, with vanilla, herbs, & spices. Pair with Fever-Tree Ginger Ale or Lemonade.
Malibu
Tropical coconut-flavoured rum liqueur. Pair with Fever-Tree Ginger Ale or Soda Water.
Light & Zero Drinks
Garage Project Fugazi (2.2%)
Wellington. Low-alcohol, crisp malt flavour, slight hop bitterness.
Behemoth Non-Alcoholic Hazy IPA (0.5%)
Auckland. Tropical fruit flavours, light bitterness.
Zeffer 0% Alcohol Passionfruit Cider (0%)
Hawke’s Bay. Tropical passionfruit, sweet & tart.
Elta Ego Non-Alcoholic Drinks (0%)
Auckland. Raspberry & Yuzu G&T – Fizzy & zesty. Strawberry Daiquiri – Sweet & fruity. Pina Colada – Creamy & tropical.
Plus Minus Prosecco (0%)
Australia. A refreshing, alternative to traditional prosecco. Perfect for those who want the bubbly experience minus the alcohol.
Mocktails
Cucumber Breeze
Cucumber, lemon, lime, mint, soda.
Floral Fizz
Lychee, elderflower, lemon, soda.
Crimson Chill
Cranberry, strawberry, mint, lime, soda.
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+ Log your visitHow prices compare
Against typical prices in Palmerston North
- Chicken burger Typical in Palmerston North: $23.45 $28.00
- Eggs benedict Typical in Palmerston North: $22.00 $23.00
- Flat white Typical in Palmerston North: $5.85 $5.70
- Hot chocolate Typical in Palmerston North: $5.80 $5.70
- Long black Typical in Palmerston North: $4.85 $5.20
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