Ambience Cafe

Ambience Cafe in Paraparaumu Beach boasts a prime location along the coastal road, offering diners sweeping views of Kāpiti Island and the sparkling ocean. With outdoor seating bathed in sunlight, it’s an inviting spot on a clear day—perfect for soaking in the laid-back beach vibe.nnOn arrival, the bustling crowd meant a wait in line, which I didn’t mind given its popularity and my first-time curiosity.nnHowever, the excitement soon faded. The slice of cake I ordered was merely passable—inoffensive but unmemorable. The real letdown was the coffee: a single-shot long black that arrived shockingly acidic, to the point of being undrinkable. For a café that seems to pride itself on its atmosphere, the quality of the brew felt like a glaring oversight.nnIt’s puzzling how personal experiences can diverge from glowing online reviews, but honesty matters. Perhaps timing or an off-day played a role, and I’ll cautiously hope for improvement next time.nnOn the bright side, the cafe’s proximity to the beach saved the outing. A serene stroll along the shoreline, just steps away, offered the highlight of the visit—a reminder that even imperfect café trips can be redeemed by Kāpiti’s natural beauty.

Loved the shrimp and scallop keto salad. Big menu, baked goods looked really fresh!

Great food - clean fresh flavours, good size serving and a decent flat white coffee

Absolutely lovely place. The staff were all very friendly and helpful. Extensive menu with lots of sweet treats in the cabinet as well. Drinks were well made and the food was delicious and large portions. The Vienna bread was devine! Only reason I didn't give 5 stars was that the chairs were not super comfortable if there for a long time, however the booth seats had plenty of cushions. Would live to visit again in the future.

Amazing food, beautiful view of Kapiti Island and super friendly staff. Highly recommended.

Directions to Ambience Cafe with public transportation

---