Cafe Zen Upper Hutt

Inside Cafe Zen Upper Hutt

Cafe Zen Upper Hutt sits tucked inside the Monterey Cinemas building on Queen Street, offering a casual spot for a coffee break or a laid-back lunch in Upper Hutt Central. This cafe naturally draws a mix of local moviegoers, nearby workers, and residents looking for a relaxed place to unwind, either before or after catching a film, or simply to escape the city buzz.

The atmosphere leans on easygoing and approachable, with options to sit indoors or enjoy the covered balcony seating overlooking the shopping centre’s car park. It feels informal yet comfortable, making it a convenient midday stop or a quiet nook for a casual catch-up. On busier days, especially weekends or early evenings when movies are popular, the seating fills up steadily but the service remains friendly and attentive.

Cafe Zen is recognized locally for serving well-made coffee alongside straightforward, satisfying dishes. The menu includes some crowd-pleasers like hearty burgers served with chips, vegan options, and smaller bites such as mini pizzas – ideal for those who want something quick yet tasty. Portions tend to be generous, and the kitchen doesn’t hesitate to make things right if something doesn’t go as expected, which speaks to their customer care.

If you enjoy trying out local takes on classic milkshakes and value fresh, well-prepared food paired with warm, welcoming staff, this spot fits that bill. The cafe hums with a casual vibe and is often chosen for quick lunches or afternoon breaks, though the music might be a bit lively for those seeking complete quiet.

Best for: Casual lunches, coffee meetups, and grabbing a post-movie bite
Who will enjoy it most: Locals wanting a reliable, friendly café setting with versatile food choices, including vegans
Best times to visit: Weekday afternoons for quieter service, or early evenings if combining with a movie visit
Atmosphere: Relaxed and informal with a mix of indoor and sheltered outdoor seating, friendly service, and a bit of background buzz from cinema patrons

Highlights & Local Essentials

Highlights

Great coffee

Great dessert

Great tea selection

Popular for

Breakfast

Lunch

Solo dining

What they serve

Alcohol

Beer

Coffee

Late-night food

Organic dishes

Quick bite

Small plates

Vegan options

Vegetarian options

Wine

Best for

Breakfast

Brunch

Lunch

Dinner

Catering

Dessert

Seating

Accessibility

Wheelchair-accessible car park

Wheelchair-accessible entrance

Wheelchair-accessible seating

Wheelchair-accessible toilet

Parking

Free of charge street parking

Free parking lot

Parking

Local Moments in Photos

Find It on the Map

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

10:00 AM - 09:30 PM

Tuesday

10:00 AM - 09:30 PM

Wednesday

10:00 AM - 09:30 PM

Thursday

10:00 AM - 09:30 PM

Friday

10:00 AM - 09:30 PM

Saturday

10:00 AM - 09:30 PM

Sunday

10:00 AM - 09:30 PM

What Locals & Travelers Say

21 Reviews

Stephen Andrews

29 Dec 2025

Omgoshness, i went there for a little lunch and drink and i was not disappointed I got their chunky monkey milkshake and i have to say its one of the best in all of upper hutt I also got one of their mini pizzas, after little of waiting they did come out and tell me it got burnt, so they are made another one and they gave me both of them which was so nice them but they both tasted great (one a little burnt ) And there was plenty of seats to choose from, some outside aswell and they have this nice planet in the middle of the room which is just lovely And the staff were amazing very friendly

Mathilda Hartzenberg

27 Dec 2025

Me and my friend thought we will try something new. I have not enjoyed such a nice plate of food in a long time. Food was well prepared and so yammy Service was excellent and it was very relaxing. Music was just a bit too load. Thank you

William Hope

08 Dec 2025

This cafe is part of the cinema is accessed from the upper car park by the mall in the city centre. Possibly the best cafe we have found in Upper Hutt. Great coffee and the $24 Zen burger and chips is superb, large portion and all the elements of the burger were very fresh. Friendly staff too. Sit indoors or al fresco, on the covered balcony.

Billy Richardson

28 Nov 2025

The food was delicious with plenty of vegan options. Great friendly service and super quick to serve. Can definitely recommend and I’m sure we’ll be back.

Ella Rose

27 Nov 2025

Super cute cafe part of the Monterey Cinema, food is tasty! Staff very friendly too a lovely cafe to visit even if you arn't planning on watching a movie but it is a bonus of course!!

Selma Jeanette Britz

27 Nov 2025

We had a lovely meal, 10/10! Ahmed, the chicken was cooked to perfection and the presentation brilliant. Well done. The milkshake was delicious a bit runny but great flavor. We will absolutely be back. Love the decor and space.

Debra McCarthy

26 Oct 2025

Went there for lunch on Sunday and the food, service and the background music were awesome. They went the extra mile for me too. There were six of us and we all very much enjoyed our food.

Kylie T

09 Oct 2025

Fantastic service, coffee was great and the zen burger was really good. The music playlist was awesome too! We will be back.

Inside Cafe Zen Upper Hutt

Highlights & Local Essentials

Local Moments in Photos

Find It on the Map

Openings Hours

What Locals & Travelers Say

21 Reviews

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