Report Abuse

Went here almost every day on my visit

4 Posted on 01 / 03 / 2012

I adored this place, and went here every day during my stay in Wellington. The vegan breakfast and nachos are delicious, and the desserts are great as well. The ambiance of the cafe just suits Wellington, and there's food for not only vegans, but also vegetarians and omnivores. My husband had the vegetarian breakfast and he loved it, and it even managed to fill him up (no small feat). The prices aren't amazing, but they are pretty standard, and the fare is just really great and reliable. My only complaint is that the staff is your typically bored hipsters, who are MUCH better than in my home city (Perth), but can sometimes be a bit slow in the service department (because it's cool to look bored at work or chat with your friends, don't you know?!). That aside, everything else about my experience here was excellent. Not only was the food delicious - though certainly unpretentious - I liked that you can choose to sit in a cosy corner or at the counter and watch people on the street. Great for meeting friends for a chat, as well as sitting down to eat by yourself and people-watching.

Pros: Range of vegan options, Affordable, though not cheap, Ambiance
Cons: Service may be sub-par, Vegan desserts not always available

Report Abuse

My go to place

4 Posted on 09 / 07 / 2011

I love this place. I'm fortunate to live just around the corner. The vegan nachos are to die for. It's the vegan mayo that makes them (which they use on a lot of other things too). The tofu gangster burger is the other thing I get from the kitchen. Ordering from the kitchen can take some time, but the portions are huge. The small nachos is plenty for two people and the large about 4. The food that's ready is really great too. The Vegan Turkish Sammie is delicious, as are tofu bunz. They usually have a good selection of deserts include vegan chocolate cake. Great selection of drinks from smoothies, to juices, to shakes and of course coffee.
If can be quite loud and difficult to have a conversation and some of the seats are awkward (people standing over you waiting online or very narrow booth seats) but the food more then makes up for it.

Pros: Great food, Good location, Good service
Cons: Noisy, Selection not always great

Report Abuse

Like a Christchurch C4

4 Posted on 06 / 01 / 2011

It was my first time in Wellington and finding this cafe made my whole day. The vegan hash stack was huge and so good and fresh! Really two thumbs up I will recommend this place to all my friends since it is not only a vegan cafe! the atmosphere is great too!

Report Abuse

Wellington vegan-friendly insitution

4 Posted on 01 / 24 / 2011

I've been going to Midnight for about 5 years now for the atmosphere and the veg*an-friendly food. They make awesome vegan nachos with homemade beans, hummus, mayo/sour cream - but it takes at least 2 people to finish even the small size! The vegan chocolate cake is always huge and delicious (again, big enough for 2) and I just noticed vegan milkshakes on the menu - however, the two times I've ordered one, I've agonized over whether they remembered to use soy as it tastes so dairy-like! Only menu item I haven't enjoyed: the chunky vege chips, which were oily and undercooked when I ordered them. Also, I wish they would veganise their pancakes - look so good, and such an easy item to veg up!

Pros: Great grungey atmosphere, Big range of vegan eats, Fun staff
Cons: Potential food hygiene issues

Report Abuse

Super cool place, don't miss the vegan hot coco

4 Posted on 11 / 16 / 2009

We were a bit hesitant at first, but the tofu burger is of legend so we asked if we could get a low fat version w/o the oils/vegan mayos, etc. They said "we've got a whole kitchen full of food we'll make you what ever you like" and we did! High marks too for the vegan soy hot chocolate!

Pros: accommodating, hot coco

Report Abuse

Great Place

4 Posted on 06 / 14 / 2009

This has long been a Wellington institution and I admit it is one of my favourite places to go for breakfast, lunch, morning and afternoon tea and late night out munchies.

The atmosphere is interesting but relaxed, the staff are really friendly and there is usually a great selection of vegan food on the counter and on the menu.

The food can range from delicious to plain depending on when you go and what's on offer. Vegan nachos can be exciting and bursting with ingredients one day and plain old beans with a bit of hummus the next. It seems to depend on who's cooking and what ingredients are around. It is also the same with the counter food. There may be three choices of vegan cake and a couple of vegan biscuit options (cookies) or there may be just vegan chocolate cake. I generally prefer the other cakes to the chocolate and find the biscuits (cookies) a little dry. But I have high standards for my baking. I would always recommend the tofu burger (vegan pesto and aioli) and the vegan hash stack. And the nachos and scrambled tofu on a good day.

This is my favourite Wellington cafe. And it's right opposite Slowboat Records. Handy! :-)

Pros: Great selection of vegan food, Really friendly helpful staff, Great atmosphere
Cons: Can be variable, The music can sometimes be too loud

Report Abuse

Midnight

4 Posted on 02 / 12 / 2009

It was getting close to midnight when I arrived in Wellington, luckily Midnight Espresso was open. I had a slice of vegan pizza then some cake and a coffee to top it off. Quite a happening little spot that caters nicely for vegans in the late hours. Although the kitchen doesn't stay open as long as the cafe, you can still get a coffee and slice of cake to burn the midnight oil with. Ok enough of the 'midnight' stuff.

Pros: Open late, vegan pizza
Cons: not 100% veg

Report Abuse

Good, solid, affordable food

4 Posted on 01 / 06 / 2008

I liked this place. Nothing spectacular, but some nice offerings, and a good selection. Cake was good, and prices are fair. I would actually rate this a 3.5, but will give it a 4 instead of a 3 to be charitable.

Pros: Prices, value, cakes

Report Abuse

YES

4 Posted on 09 / 28 / 2007

My hang out on off from age nine

Suggest:
Long black cofee with scrambled tofu for brekky

And the Vegan Calezone

Pros: food, coffee, STAFF!!!

Report Abuse

Awesome Cake

4 Posted on 08 / 30 / 2007

Midnight Espresso has really yum vegan cake and other sweet things. They have a range of vegan savoury options too. I am a fan of the tofu sandwiches. Music is loud sometimes and seats limited. But you can always get your food to go and sit on a bench in the sun on cuba street. Friendly, understanding staff.

Pros: Mmm cake, Gluten Free options, Friendly staff
Cons: Seating, EFTPOS machine in a funny place

Report Abuse

Rad Cafe

4 Posted on 06 / 13 / 2007

Good selection of vegan food and cakes/sweets if you get there before they all get snapped up. Can get very busy so sometimes find it hard to get a table.

Pros: good selection, great food
Cons: busy, staff abit slow