Aro Cafe & Aro Coffee

Aro Café is noted as one of the best cafes Wellington has to offer. Just a few minutes drive from the city, we’re a bustling oasis of great food and our own house-roasted coffee, Aro Coffee. We are located in one of the city’s most colourful neighbourhoods, historical Aro Valley.

Nestled at 90 Aro St, Aro Café is open for business 7 days a week, and 4 nights for dinner, almost all year round. At Aro Café, we are renowned for both Aro Coffee as well as being a favourite brunch destination. Our menu has an interesting selection of seasonal brunch and lunch offerings, daily salads and takeaway pies and sandwiches. In the evenings from Wednesday to Saturday we are open for dinner with an Asian flair.

At Aro Café, our philosophy is to serve seasonal, fresh, simple food sourced locally when possible. We use organic milk products and free range poultry. Almost everything is made from scratch and with care. This philosophy is also reflected in our coffee that is hand blended and roasted on site. The blend’s growing reputation draws coffee connoisseurs from far and wide so be quick as table space on the weekend fills up fast!

Menus

Brunch

Fresh, Simple & Light Brunch

Dishes
Bloody Mary or Aro Bellini	14
Toast with homemade spreads	v (gf) 6
Cranberry & brazil muesli with seasonal fruit & zany yoghurt	v 15
Bruschetta with smoked fish, cream cheese, fennel, capers, fresh herbs	(gf) 17
Bruschetta with mixed mushrooms, chilli, garlic & parsley	v (v/gf) 16
Eggs
Poached with toast	v (gf) 12
Scrambled with herbs & toast	v (gf) 13
Sage fried with toast Add: * Roasted field mushrooms w thyme, garlic & chilli spinach, braised lentils or homemade baked beans ** Island Bay black black pudding, Island Bay pork & fennel sausage, smoked salmon, avocado, bacon	v (gf) 13 * 5 each ** 6 each
Dishes
Bacon & egg butty	12.50
Vegan brunch with potato, spinach, baked beans, sausage, mushrooms	vg 20
Chilli scrambled with bacon, rocket & 1 slice of toast	19
Braised lentils, poached eggs, spinach & grilled ciabatta	v (gf) 20
Buttermilk waffles with seasonal fruit, mascarpone & maple Add bacon	v 19 6
French toast with seasonal fruit, marscapone & maple Add bacon	v 19 6
House smoked pastrami hash with fried egg, spring onion, peas & mustard	22
Halloumi with 5-grain toast, poached egg, avocado, walnuts, balsamic vinegar Add bacon	v 19 6
Vegan chickpea burger with beetroot relish, avocado, tomato & chips	vg 20
Pork & beef spaghetti bolognese with parmesan	22
Fish of the day with fennel, pear, celery, walnut salad	24
200g rump steak with baked beans, chips & fried egg	23
Butterhead & mixed leaf salad	v vg 6.5

v – vegetarian, (vg) - vegan available, (gf) - gluten free available

Drinks

Sparkling
Mionetto Prestige Prosecco Xtra Dry, Italy : honey, almond & citrus	9.5/40
Akarua Rosé Brut NV, Central Otago : strawberry & cream	58
Lanvin NV Champagne, France : warm brioche & honey	80
White Wine
Matawhero Rosé, Gisborne : Strawberries, cherries & floral notes	10.5/48
Loveblock GewÜrztraminer, Marlborough : sweet mandarin & blood orange	11.5/52
Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough : fresh, zesty and juicy	10/46
Zephyr Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough : citrus & savoury	46
Saving Grace Riesling, Canterbury : orange citrus & mineral notes	46
Jules Taylor Pinot Gris, Marlborough : pear & stone fruit	10/52
Houghton Margaret River Chardonnay, Australia : toasted cashew & subtle oak	10/44
Red Wine
Pasqua Valpolicella, Italy : wild cherries & red plums	9.5/42
Three Paddles Pinot Noir, Martinborough : sweet fruit & cocoa	52
Rua Pinot Noir, Central Otago : berries, spice & savoury	12/58
Chapel Hill Mclaren Vale Grenache, Australia : raspberries, cherries & soft tannins	58
Pasqua Desire Lush & Zin, Italy : plum, berries & velvet	11/52
Grant Burge “Ink” Shiraz, Barossa : liquorice & berries	10.5/50
Cecchi La Mora Toscana, Italy : cabernet dominant, rich & intense	52
Sweet Wine
Lake Chalice Sweet Beak LH Riesling, Marlborough : citrus & dried fruit	9.5/42
Beer & Cider
Peroni/light beer	9
Panhead APA supercharger	10
Panhead Pale Ale Quickchange XPA	10
Emersons Pilsner	10
Parrot Dog Dead Canary Pale Ale	10
Selection of Garage Project	10
Cider : strawberry & Lime	10
Non-Alcoholic
Hardieboys Fresh Pressed Orange	7
Hardieboys Gingerbeer Dry or Reg	6
Housemade Aro soda : ask your waiter	6
Phoenix Juice selection	5
Coca Cola, Coca Cola no sugar	5
Höpt Soda watermelon, elderberry	6
Sparkling San Pellegrino (750ml)	8

A 15% Surcharge Applies on Public Holiday

Dinner

We close at 10 pm.

Small plates, to start, share, and sides
Grilled ciabatta, olive oil & balsamic	(v) 5
Mixed marinated olives	(V, VG, GF) 8
Spring rolls, sweet vinegar, peanuts	v 10
Pork dumplings, soy sauce, coriander	10
Bruschetta, smoked fish, cream cheese, capers, fennel	(GF available) 17
Zucchini fritters, lemon, parsley, parmesan	(V) 12
Lamb ribs, tahini, pomegranate, pea shoots	(GF) 16
Crispy squid, rocket, lemon and aioli	16
Grilled tiger prawns, fennel garlic butter, bread	17
Main Dishes
Pickled beetroot salad with gorgonzola, radicchio, shallots & walnuts	(VG, GF) 22
Spinach and ricotta tortellini, leek, olives, tomato sauce	(V) 23
Prawn spaghetti, chilli, white wine, parsley, cherry tomatoes, lemon	27
Pan-fried chicken breast with pea polenta, capsicum, roasted grapes & masala jus	27
Roast pork belly, parsnip puree, cavolo nero, pedro ximenez sultanas & pangrattato	28
Fish of the day, fennel, pear & walnut salad, pea puree, prawn oil	27
Grilled sirloin steak with celeriac puree, seasonal veg, parsnip crisps, mustard butter, jus	33
Mushroom risotto with wild rocket	(V) 25
Red chicken curry, aubergine, green beans, capsicum & grilled ciabatta Red vegan curry available	25 23
Sides
Rosemary roast potatoes with garlic	(GF, VG) 9
Chargrilled broccolini with sea salt	(GF, VG available) 9
Mixed leaf salad	(VG, GF) 6
Desserts
Aro affogato	7
Aro affogato with Amaretto	12
Tiramisù	9
Chocolate nemesis cake	(GF) 9
Orange and almond cake	(GF, DF) 9
Deep fried ice cream balls with choc salted caramel and aro coffee sauce	6
Dessert special \| ask your waiter	6