Vegan
Western
Take-out
Bakery
Catering
Breakfast

Vegan cafe offering breakfast with cabinet items plus shakes, coffee, and desserts. Makes custom cakes. Can make custom cakes. Became all-vegan in 2017. Previously located at 134 Willis St. Open Wed-Thu 10:30am-3:00pm, Fri-Sun 9:30am-4:00pm. Closed Mon-Tue. Kitchen closes at 3pm or sometimes earlier unexpectedly. 2 for 1 cabinet items during last hour.


Venue map for Sweet Release
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131 Reviews

First Review by Guspops

mriceguy

Points +10

Non Veg
07 May 2019

For odd couples alike

I’ve been to Sweet Release many times over the last few years and so I thought I’d better spread the word and not just keep this place to myself! Not that it’s much of a secret; Sweet Release has been a mainstay of Willis Street for years now, growing from strength to strength and the organisers behind monthly Wellington market, The Vegan Vault.

I’m dairy-free and my partner is vegetarian. It’s so hard to find a place that makes treats without dairy. It also helps that these treats are frickin’ delicious. Oh, that sweet, sweet marshmallow fluff. The peanut butter brownies, Hershey's chocolate pie and lemon meringue are just a few of our favourites. Since going dairy-free I thought I’d have to give up thickshakes for good. No longer!

I'm not a big vege eater myself but they've just started putting out frozen savoury pies which you can take home and cook for tea. The chilli cheese pie was superb. No dairy! No meat!

We’ve been to a few of the baking classes and learned some valuable tips and recipes for baking vegan at home. Of course, it’s never as easy as it looks! For my 30th birthday, Sweet Release made one of their signature triple chocolate cakes. It was soooo good, so moist and demolished in seconds.

The crew are always super friendly and helpful. The menu often changes and new treats are added constantly which always keeps things fresh. Reducing waste is important to me and the team offer a 50c discount if you bring in your own coffee cup or container. Top tip: keep an eye out for the weekly specials where they bring something fun to the table.

So that’s Sweet Release. Whether you’re vegan or just an odd couple like my partner and me, you’re bound to find something you love.

Pros: sweet, creative, fun

RebeccaBlowes

Points +367

Vegan
26 Apr 2019

A firm fave for lunch

Boutique vegan cafe with a great selection of cakes and sweet treats. Can’t go past the BLAT bagel! The “bacon” is their special recipe - crispy and served in a generous proportion in their own freshly baked bagels. Which, incidentally, are the best bagels I’ve had outside NYC. Friendly service!

Pros: One of the few (only?) all vegan cafes in WGN, Great service, Good price

millerfly13

Points +119

Vegan
24 Apr 2019

Tasty Basics

Cute and cosy little cafe with tasty food and the the (i think it's Hershey) chocolate pie with coconut whipped cream is so decadent.

Pros: Everything is vegan so no worries, Decent prices, Yummy food

Reenie123

Points +75

Vegetarian
22 Apr 2019

Cute cafe

We got there at closing time and ordered the peanut butter brownie which was really good (very rich) and the vegan sausage roll

Pros: All vegan!

Amy.Lee

Points +19

Vegetarian
25 Mar 2019

Delicious nachos and veg-cheese

Definitely a place to try out in Wellington. The food is so comforting, taste great and the cheese is addicting.

GeorgiaWarne

Points +32

Vegan
20 Mar 2019

amazing treats and meals a++++

The best place to get a sweet fix if you’re vegan in Wellington! they have amazing vegan treats that are normally Gf too, honestly so delicious. The Hershey’s slice and cinnabun’s are too die for. meal wise the nachos are amazing, best vegan cheese I’ve tried 😍

smanuel

Points +96

Vegan
28 Feb 2019

Decadent!

The servings are huge and VERY rich. Bring a to-go container.

Pros: Prepare to share!, Coffee cake will not disappoint!, Before they closed, buy one, get one for free!

Cons: Most things were gone 30 mins before closing.

Resa90

Points +26

Vegan
22 Feb 2019

Nice little cafe

Nice little cafe, tasty cakes, friendly staff. As we were in Wellington only for 2 days, we tried a few things and can really recommend the brownies. The drinks came with straws out of steel. I have never had a thickshake before but I guess it owes it's name. It was too much for me so I asked the staff to put it in a takeaway cup what they did. Next time I would bring my own cup to skip the plastic cup or at least skip the plastic straw.

Davesw

Points +3378

Vegan
16 Feb 2019

Lunch, brunch & dessert!

Excellent nachos and bagel sandwiches, dessert selection is huge!

Pros: Lots of desserts, Interesting bagel sandwiches

tengarine

Points +292

Vegan
27 Jan 2019

Cute cafe with a great story

Everything here looked yummy. I got the salmon salad which was surprisingly amazing. Between 3-4pm they have 2 for 1 treats

LesMins.Blog

Points +44

Vegan
19 Jan 2019

Awesome bagels

We went for breakfast at Sweet Release and had two bagels (one "salmon" and cashew cream cheese, one scramble "eggs", "bacon" and spinach) and two long black coffee for 35$. All was sooooo good. The salmon one reminds me my old times as a pescatarian while the other one (more as a sandwich) was really tasty and full of flavour (the bacon mmmmmm). The coffee is also good but unfortunately no deca. We need to go back for pastries (because we were full after the bagels) from 3pm to 4pm to take advantage of the 2 for the price of 1 discount.

Pros: All is vegan and soooo good

Cons: A bit expensive for the portion, But worth every dollars

Stephaneen

Points +1247

Vegan
21 Dec 2018

Best Bagel

We tried two different bagel sandwiches and they were both delicious. BEST BAGEL WE'VE EVER HAD! Wish we had more time in Wellington to come back here

Pros: Great bagels , Lots of dessert options, Location

alefleaf

Points +55

Vegan
20 Dec 2018

Sweet Jesus

I had incorrectly assumed that this place was just a bakery. As it turns out, they do lots of other things as well. The nachos and the Mac and cheese are the best I’ve ever had, and I can’t wait to come back next time I’m in Wellington

Pros: Everything

Cons: It’s not open 24 hours

DuncanMacbethLead

Points +1223

Vegan
09 Dec 2018

Awesome food

So far I’ve only had the Mac n cheese, Cinnabun, and peanut butter brownie. But my god, they’ve all been incredible!

Pros: Great selection , Regular specials, Two for one deals

ayay666

Points +26

Vegan
16 Nov 2018

Divine!!!

Absolutely divine treats and wonderful service! Had several things from the pantry and were amazed by how delicious all of them were. On top of that: amazing gluten-free goodies as well and great coffee!

Vikki

Points +556

Vegan
10 Nov 2018

Would recommend

We had the Breakfast Bagel and the Nachos. Both were yummy, but the nachos were definitely the favourite.
The bagels consistency was slightly off, and the facon had a burnt taste over a smokey flavour.

It was similar to Mister Nice Guys in Melbourne, Australia

Pros: Entirely vegan, Kind and attentive staff, Delicious menu

EricaMT

Points +90

Vegan
06 Nov 2018

A Must in Wellington

Seriously, if you are in Wellington or going to go for a visit sometime, put this place at the top of your list. Everything is amazing! We loved our food so much, we had to go back the next day before our flight. The cinnamon roll is legit, and I'm American so I know a thing or two about cinnamon rolls... The Hershey's pie slice was divine, and the cooked big breakfast was so good with a bagel! I'd give more stars if I could.

Pros: Delicious food, Cute and cozy space, Friendly staff

garethdavies514

Points +202

Vegan
05 Nov 2018

Great lunch and cakes

Enjoyed a great lunch here on a work trip. Took a number of cakes back to Auckland with me. Recommended!

Pros: Lunch, Cakes

Sushinina

Points +2541

Vegan
04 Oct 2018

Heaven

This place is a vegan dream. I’m traveling a lot and never found a comparable vegan bakery (ok except for tart in Auckland maybe), but sweet release is just amazing. I went there like every day when I was in Welly.

lyneke

Points +65

Vegetarian
20 Sep 2018

Sweet and delicious

Delicious cakes and sweet things. Didn't try any savouries. Had wanted a juice based smoothie which they don't serve, but the choc mousse cake w 'cream' made up for it.

Pros: Friendly, yummie sweets

Cons: No juice-based smoothie, toilet needs a good scrub

BrendanBrown

Points +220

Vegan
11 Sep 2018

A Wellington must.

A lovely weekend cafe with amazing food. It is a very short walk from Cuba St and well worth it. I had it recommended to me by staff in 'The Body Shop' and I love them for it. The Chick'n Cheese Bagel is one of the best things that I have eaten.

Pros: Fully vegan, Quick and friendly sevice, Accessible

Cons: I don't live in that city

MadelineJ

Points +32

Vegan
23 Aug 2018

A hit or miss

The full sized cake I had for my leaving party was delicious however the cabinet food I have got has been so so. Decided to go back and got a cheese scone to take away. Had to throw it out because it just tasted like baking soda.

juliepepper

Points +125

Vegan
12 Aug 2018

I want mooore

I had a snickers muffin and it was just amazing ! I can’t stop thinking about my next visit there ! They also give you $1 if you bring your own lunch box. I highly recommend this place. I would even say it’s a place you have to visit when you’re in Wellington.

Pros: Nice story behind, DELICIOUS, Many options

amygalloway

Points +24

Vegan
11 Aug 2018

Amazing!!!

I literally can’t rate this place highly enough! Incredible food, lovely people, fun vibe. I absolutely love it there!!

Pros: All vegan , They make everything themselves , So tasty

rrruby

Points +125

Vegan
01 Jul 2018

Best bagels and brownie out

Sweet Release is my favourite lunch spot in Wellington, great selection of sweet treats and amazing bagels! They're not afraid to experiment with food and occasionally offer great cooking classes and events.

Pros: All vegan , Marshmallow fluff on hot drinks, Deliverers through Delivereasy app

Cons: Limited seating, Not the cheapest option, Not healthy enough to eat every day

LucasYarid

Points +414

Vegan
05 Jun 2018

Lovely place, staff and food

This is a cute place with an inspiring story behind. You can read it all painted in the wall.

There is a big selection of vegan treats, I even brought a non-vegetarian friend who also loved it.

Staff is great too.

Pros: Cute place, Delicious treats , Lovely staff

ChelseaMarshall

Points +54

Vegan
10 May 2018

Came in for the Aioli, left with a smile.

SRC&T have the best vegan Aioli! Such a cute place with massive serving sizes, friendly staff and delicious food! They experiment with a bunch of new recipes and veganise traditionally omnivorous meals which is so cool as it destigmatises veganism! Love! Love! Love!

Pros: Best Aioli ever, Delicious and creative food, Friendly staff and atmosphere




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