Eggs Benedict
NZ$ 24
The house twist — milk loaf, potato mille-feuille and sriracha hollandaise. Guests also order it with bacon or beef.
Akin Café
235 High Street, Ōtautahi · Brew room & eatery
Slow mornings, good coffee,
nowhere else to be.
A Japanese-Scandi brew room in the foyer of QB Studios — Allpress espresso and filter, a short seasonal brunch board, and cabinet food to take with you. Walk-ins only.
4.6★226 Google reviews
5.6KInstagram followers
$20–30Typical spend
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High Street, Ōtautahi✦Allpress Coffee✦Einspänner✦Walk-ins Only✦Seasonal Brunch✦Japandi Room✦High Street, Ōtautahi✦Allpress Coffee✦Einspänner✦Walk-ins Only✦Seasonal Brunch✦Japandi Room✦
4.6★Google · 226 reviews
Our Story
A clean-cut café at the high end of High Street
Akin was Sung and Jenny Park’s first café built from scratch — after Lux Espresso and Doubles — in the foyer of QB Studios at 235 High Street. Designers and architects made the room; Allpress keeps the city ticking.
Johnstone Callaghan Architects clad the offset counter in textured Japanese ceramic tiles and American Red Oak, then dropped oversized Hotaru rice paper pendants from the double-height ceiling. The 70-square-metre room won a 2024 NZIA Local Award for hospitality — “an exercise in offering more with less.”
The menu stays short on purpose: eggs Benedict with a twist, shiitake mushroom congee when the season allows, cabinet food for the weekday rush, and the einspänner they introduced to Christchurch — hot espresso under cool whipped cream. Weekdays are for workers from the studios upstairs; weekends slow into brunch.
“The food and coffee is outstanding. The bacon eggs Benedict was a must try, the sriracha hollandaise was perfect — and they are dog friendly.”
— James Ashwin, Google
Allpress coffeeEspresso, filter and einspänner
Japandi roomOak, ceramic tile, Hotaru lanterns
Walk-ins onlyWeekdays 7–3 · weekends 8–3
Dogs welcomeFour-legged friends at the table
The Menu
From the brew room
A short seasonal board plus grab-and-go cabinet food. Prices in NZ$ from guest reports; the kitchen changes with what is available.
Photos are from Google Maps, TripAdvisor, Neat Places and @akin.chch. Congee, noodles and cabinet items rotate. Walk-ins only — no bookings.
The room
How guests come to Akin
Weekday workers from the studios upstairs, weekend brunchers, and anyone who wants Allpress without a reservation.
Weekend brunch
Walk-ins · 8am–3pm
- Short seasonal board — bene, pancakes, congee when it is on
- Hotaru lanterns over the communal oak tables
- Dogs welcome inside and out
- Cabinet food goes early — arrive before the rush
No bookings. The room packs tight, which is how the NZIA jury liked it.
Brew room for the city
7am–3pm · laptop friendly
- Allpress espresso and filter for QB Studios and High Street
- Grab-and-go cabinet for the office upstairs
- Communal tables and smaller two-tops
- Free wifi — a Neat Places digital-nomad pick
People typically stay 30 minutes to 2.5 hours.
Gallery
Moments at Akin
Oak, ceramic tile, paper lanterns, and the plates that come off the short board.
Guests
What people say
4.6★ from 226 Google reviews · 5.6K on Instagram · typically $20–30 a person.
★★★★★
“Akin Cafe was packed on a cold, wet Sunday morning and I can see why — the food and coffee is outstanding. The bacon eggs Benedict was a must try, the sriracha hollandaise was perfect. They are dog friendly.”
— James Ashwin, Google★★★★★
“The best coffee I've had in Christchurch. The menu is simple, refined and delicious. We came back the very next morning for a takeaway coffee on our morning walk.”
— Meoghan Craig, Google★★★★★
“The BEST pancakes I've ever had — crispy outside, soft fluffy inner, plus an incredible citrus curd. Get in early for their cabinet food as it goes very fast.”
— Foodie Mama NZ, Google★★★★★
“One of the cosiest cafes in the city. Really nice matcha latte — strong matcha flavour, not too sweet, cinnamon on top. The chilli cheese scone was beautiful toasted with butter.”
— Amelia B, Google★★★★★
“STUNNING. A local favourite for takeaway. The spicy lentils were packed with flavour, the bread thick and soft, and the coffee never bitter.”
— Monique S, Google★★★★★
“I'm so happy I came across this gem. Please keep promoting unsweetened ceremonial matcha — the way matcha should be. Amazing breakfast as well.”
— Melody, GoogleFind us
Visit High Street
In the foyer of QB Studios at the high end of High Street — a 70-square-metre brew room for weekday workers and weekend brunchers. Walk-ins only.
Address
235 High Street Christchurch Central City Christchurch 8011 New Zealand
Hours
| Monday – Friday | 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
| Saturday – Sunday | 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
Hours from Google and the @akin.chch bio (August 2026). Walk-ins only. Holiday hours are posted on Instagram and Facebook.