Nelson Café Offers $3.50 Flat White Amid Rising Coffee Prices

With coffee prices skyrocketing and talks of $10 cups circulating, one café in Nelson is standing out with a surprisingly affordable $3.50 flat white.

Raglan Roast Tāhunanui gained attention when a LinkedIn user shared his unique experience there. Unlike the usual $5+ coffee stops, this place offered something different.

“Before I even got to the counter, the barista was already taking my order over the top of the person in front of me,” the post read.

Efficiency Meets Great Value
While waiting, the barista was described as effortlessly juggling orders and payments with a queue stretching out the door. By the time the customer reached the counter, his coffee was ready.

“No small talk. No fluff. Just pure efficiency

,” he noted. But the real shock came when he tapped his card—just $3.50 for a flat white.

Some customers have called it “the best and cheapest coffee in New Zealand.”

Price Hikes on the Horizon
As coffee prices climb globally, Flight Coffee managing director Richard Corney warns that the industry is entering uncharted territory.

“Things are about to get scary,” Corney wrote on Flight Coffee’s website, hinting at inevitable price hikes.

Mojo Coffee’s Wellington boss echoed the sentiment, revealing that their prices are expected to rise by 10 to 30 cents per cup soon. Although they had resisted increases throughout 2024, the pressure is mounting.

What’s Driving the Price Surge?
Factors such as soaring global coffee prices and a weakening New Zealand dollar are forcing cafés to absorb additional costs.

“For the foreseeable future, prices will stay much higher than we’d like,” said Mojo Coffee’s general manager Capellino. “But eventually, they’ll come down. When? That’s hard to say.”

Have You Found Cheaper Coffee?
If you know of any hidden gems serving affordable coffee, we’d love to hear about them!

For now, Nelson’s Raglan Roast Tāhunanui proves that good coffee doesn’t have to break the bank—at least not yet.