Culture

Ground floor of Otago Museum (across road from Central Library) 419 Great King Street. (4/5)

Prices: Flat White: $3.60 (or $4.10 for large), Long Black: $3.10, Mocha: $4.10
 
Atmosphere: Busy and family orientated. There were lots of children running around us screaming and it was a bit dark inside.
 
Service: Friendly and quick.
 
Location: Close to campus – right across the road from the Central Library and perfectly situated between the Link and Uni Book Shop.
 
Food: Delicious! I had a basil pesto and pumpkin muffin with chunks of cream cheese inside and my friend shared her caramel slice which, to revert to cliché, “melted in my mouth”. Loved the muffin and will defs be hitting up the Museum Cafe for another one soon!
 
Overall: Yum! One of the best cafes you’ll find this close to campus. Walking in you’re likely to find a varied clientele with a mix of young mums (we counted four breastfeeding at neighbouring tables), Med kids and an array of elderly folk and eclectic students.
 

The coffee and food are by far the best features of the café, however it misses out on five stars due to its murky decor. The space is vast which highlights the array of empty tables (although in terms of customer numbers the place was buzzing). My friend and I thought that the lack of music was a contributor to the dark ambience and that perhaps with a bit more light the Museum Cafe could have climbed its way to five stars.
 
 
I recommend bringing your mum here – she’ll love it! Buy a few of the savouries and split them between two of you. Also avoid sitting by the sliding door entrance in winter.
 
 
Overall, a great cafe to which I will be frequently returning. If you’re studying at Central and crave a coffee, this is the place to go