Love pink fangs, colourful flowers, smooth coffee, PVC and banana and walnut loaf? It’s time to make Fifi’s your new coffee shop.
I’m a big fan of Fiona Hewitt, owner of Fifi’s, Wellington. You might know this gal-about-town from her days working at Deluxe back in the day. Ever since I’ve known Fiona she’s spoken about wanting to open up her own place. And when you meet her, you’ll see why. She’s a woman who defies boxes, with her Winehouse eyeliner (she has a tattoo of the artist on her back), messy blonde locks and warm soft voice that makes you want to take her out immediately.
‘Fi’ as her friends call her (amongst which are my own photographer, Ashley Church/Dinosaurtoast, Gina Kiel and Xoe Hall) has opened her new space on Marion Street as an extension of her personality. This coffee shop is more than a cafe; it already feels like an institution, partly because that is how many would describe Fiona. Known around the city, Fiona’s Fifi’s fits right in as if it has always been there. It’s eclectic, bubbly and homely lounge is full of unexpected surprises. A mural from Xoe and Gina of lizards adorns the wall opposite you as you enter; little tubs of plants sit on the counter and a photographic exhibition from Dinosaurtoast adorns the walls.
Fifi’s is the kind of space you can sit in all day long with a good book and a long black, and never feel awkward or like you’d be taking up space. The menu offers comfort food, with a twist: gluten free cheese puffs (an alternative to scones), sourdough sandwiches, bursting with fillings, and banana and walnut loaf. Fifi’s is also launching a simple egg menu this weekend for those who want their protein!
Personally, I feel like walking into Fifi’s is like visiting a cool friends flat. With its exposed brick wall an quirky vibes, it definitely has a whiff of Central Perk. I also love that I feel like everyone knows me there!
Make sure you go and support Fifi’s. It is exciting to see new owner-operated places which genuinely have heart and soul like Fifi’s open. While there are many strong contenders for cafe extraordinaire in Wellington, sometimes it can be fun to take a walk on the wild side…
15 Marion St, Te Aro, Wellington 6011. Open from 7-4pm weekdays and 9-4 weekends.
Photos by Hannah Jensen Aka Styleshrimp.
www.styleshrimp.com