Little Green Olive

A compact but beautiful café hatch perched on Mana Esplanade in Porirua, Little Green Olive offers superb views along with a range of filling snacks and coffee with a conscience.

One look at the refurbished shipping container and the café’s identity leaps out at you from the classy, olive-green colour scheme. The entire container sits atop a spacious wooden deck, boasting a series of cosy tables and a wraparound bench on one side. 

The earthy colours are simple and subtle, a nod to Little Green Olive’s focus on sustainability. Packaging and waste are kept to a strict minimum—make sure you bring your reusable cup. Ingredients and suppliers are limited to those found locally.

Owner Shari Wagemans says the concept for Little Green Olive was born out of her passion for “good coffee and good food,” which is clearly reflected in the menu. Healthy options abound, there's a focus on plant-based food, and dishes are laden with fresh fruit and vegetables and real, unprocessed ingredients. 

The organic sourdough bacon toasties are a top pick, as are Shari’s famous scones. In between, you’ll find chia pots and overnight bircher with housemade nut butters, pea protein-based curried 'chicken,' KFC (Korean Fried Cauliflower), pulled jackfruit, generous buddha bowls and plenty more.

It’s an eclectic range of offerings, but one that centres around wholefoods and plant-based options while “respecting some Kiwi favourites.” With excellent coffee and food on one side and sprawling views of the harbour on the other, Little Green Olive is truly a place where you can stop and take a moment to recharge.