Lola Stays — Restaurant in Wellington

A hidden gem I finally stopped for–And I’m so glad I did! I must have walked past this café a hundred times, always meaning to stop but never quite making it inside—until one sunny Sunday morning in March when we finally did. And wow, I wish I had done it sooner! The place was buzzing, as if everyone in town had the same idea, but it was easy to see why. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the menu was packed with so many tempting options. I decided on Lola’s Granola and a flat white with coconut milk, while my partner went for the bacon and eggs. The granola was absolutely incredible—a house-made blend of toasted oats, seeds, nuts, vanilla, cinnamon, maple syrup, and dried fruits, served with Greek yogurt or milk. The real star? The poached pear, which added the perfect touch of sweetness and elegance. Every bite was a delight. My flat white was just as good—smooth, rich, and beautifully made. My partner’s bacon and eggs hit all the right notes, with golden, crispy bacon (perhaps a tad less fat would have made it even better) and perfectly velvety scrambled eggs. A touch of seasoning and a well-toasted slice of bread brought everything together...The staff are super friendly and on top of things—they got our order out fast, even though they were really busy! For the quality of the food, the prices are surprisingly reasonable, making this place a total win in my book. Now that I’ve finally stopped by, I can confidently say it’s one of my new favorite spots. Highly...

If I was to play a game of Never Have I Ever I would start it with … Never have I ever had such lovely service and such good food in a cafe until I tried Lola Stays. We knew we’d found our people when there was a “Dog Policy” notice in the window and 2 beautifully behaved dogs and their owners inside. That sounds like the owners were beautifully behaved too, and I’m happy to go with that. We were greeted by a smiley, happy lady at the counter and the barista also turned to smile at us. As a general rule of thumb I don’t like people, but the tiny space where my cold, cold heart lives was warming. We ordered drinks and then went back to order breakfast. Where I’m that awkward person that plays around with the menu, instead of being met with a withering sneer, I got an “oooo, good choice. That’ll be really nice” and I felt like an achiever. The Favourite Husband always has an extra egg, usually bringing the total to 3. He was in a borderline state of ecstasy when his big breakkie came with 4. #lifegoals and all. I’d added the black pudding to my avocado and halloumi and it was sensational. I think from the menu it’s made locally; don’t ever let them relocate. As we were getting up to go another server immediately appeared to simply say “you guys have a really lovely day.” And it seemed so sincere and genuine that I swear my cold cold heart was on fire. I will never eat breakfast anywhere else when I visit Wellington. I need to borrow...

Lola Stays, situated on Oriental Parade in Wellington, is a delightful café that promises a unique and pleasant experience. With its big windows facing the street, the café is bathed in natural light, enhancing the pleasant decor. Funky wallpapers, including playful flamingo designs, and wire lampshades hanging from above show a commitment to creating a distinctive and inviting atmosphere.

One of the standout features of Lola Stays is its dog-friendly nature. The miniature portraits of dogs lined up behind the counter, in place of the typical "unwelcome trespassers" images, make it clear that this café warmly welcomes canine companions.

During my visit, I enjoyed a croissant and a long black, while my companion tried a friand. Both were delightful, and the cooked food served at nearby tables looked equally appetizing.

The café changed ownership in May 2023. While I can't speak to its previous reviews, I can confidently recommend Lola Stays under its current management. It's a great spot to relax and enjoy good food in a charming and...