Cafe Culture

Most people seem to recognise Oz and NZ as having a real Cafe Culture. My other half ran a cafe in Dunedin over 15 years ago and said having a good coffee was essential. As was a bit of home baking, a good basic savoury menu and to be welcoming to the masses. I'm pretty sure the child staple of a "Babycino" came from Oz/ NZ although here it is known as a more grown up "Fluffy". In all my trips to NZ and indeed travelling around over the last 3 months I'd say nearly all of the cafe experiences I have had have been very positive. The Kiwi's take their coffee very seriously and this really is home of the "long black" and the "flat white". No a flat white is not a latte. Its shorter with 2 shots of coffee (1 if you are American!) then a good dash of hot milk. Its not too large and you should get the full taste of the coffee not a milky coffee. Combine this with some seriously amazing home baking - fresh muffins, scones, slices and biscuits, some with great names (chinese chews, afghans, lolly cake, lamingtons, mouse traps etc etc) you have a lovely experience. No wonder "morning tea" is such an established event.

In addition in nearly all the cafes I have sampled (in the name of good market research....) you'll get free water, kids toys & books, magazines and newspapers and good old fashioned quality Kiwi service at a fair price

If you want to sample a flat white or a long black and you are based in North London I suggest you head down to a great little cafe called "Tina we Salute You" on King Henry's Walk, N1. Failing that get your backside on a plane down under.