So tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.   

Katie: I’ve been in hospitality for around six years now. What drew me into the industry was honestly the people—how easy it is to make connections and build friendships through what we do. It’s such a fun, high-energy industry.

Gabby: I’ve been in hospitality industry for about four years. I started out because I really wanted to have a connection with people. I wanted to learn more about myself, and—let’s be honest—get access to some really good coffee. It’s the kind of job that brings great conversations and keeps things interesting.

What do you love most about your role?

Katie: Honestly, it’s listening to my team. I love hearing their thoughts, helping them feel good about what they do, and creating an environment where they want to show up every day.

Gabby: For me, it’s the connection with people—serving someone a delicious coffee and knowing it might be the best part of their day. That kind of moment never gets old.

Have you seen any trends lately in the café world?

Katie: Iced lattes are absolutely everywhere right now—especially with syrup shots. People are getting super creative with their orders, which we love. Like coffee is so personal to each person now. And that’s what we’re here to do. We’re here to make everybody super happy.

Gabby: A trend I’ve seen recently would be the rise of plant-based milks. I think when I first started, people were using them as an alternative to dairy, but I think people are starting to choose to have them more frequently now. Whether it’s a taste thing or a sustainability thing, they’re probably about 50-50.

 

Can you tell us a bit about the space and its significance in the community?  

Katie: The view is a big part of why people come here—it’s the only café in Petone where you can sit literally on the beach with a coffee. The building’s over 100 years old and used to be an actual cabaret, so it holds a lot of history and energy.

Gabby: We’ve had people tell us they used to dance here when they were younger. There are old photos throughout the stairwell. The décor, the pinball machines, the quirky details—it all adds to the vibe.

What can someone expect when they visit Seashore Cabaret?

Katie: Big smiles, loud energy, and amazing food and drinks. It’s a super welcoming space, and the whole team brings the energy every day.

Gabby: There’s this creative, high-energy atmosphere, and a focus on quality. We use Good Fortune Beans and The Alternative milks—which our customers love. It’s all about consistency and great service.

What’s your go-to drink on the menu?

Katie: Iced soy vanilla latte—hands down. I probably drink three a day.

Gabby: I’m loving our new strawberry matcha. It tastes like a summer afternoon in a cup.

 

What do you think makes Seashore Cabaret stand out in the Wellington café scene?  

Gabby: We prioritise quality—our baristas are well trained, and we’re not afraid to remake a coffee if it doesn’t meet our standards. We support local, and we’ve got this balance of great coffee, community, and location that’s hard to beat.

Katie: It’s the combination of being beachfront, having such a rich history, and offering a menu and vibe that genuinely reflects our team.

 

Why did you choose to partner with The Alternative Dairy Co.?  

Gabby: We’ve tried a lot of plant-based milks, and The Alternative just performs better—especially the soy and coconut. It steams smoothly, and the flavour’s really natural. Plus, switching to The Alternative means no more curdled soy!

Katie: We actually did taste tests with our regulars and the feedback was clear—they preferred The Alternative. It’s easy to work with and delivers on flavour.

If you could sit down for a coffee with anyone in history, who would it be and why? 

Katie: Freddie Mercury. No question. He’s my soulmate in another life. I think we could all learn something from how he embraced life with so much joy and creativity.

Gabby: Rosalind Franklin. She played a huge role in discovering the structure of DNA but never got the credit she deserved. I’d love to sit with her and hear her side of the story.

Whether you’re stopping by for a doughnut, a pinball game, or one of Katie’s famous iced soy vanilla lattes—Seashore Cabaret is the kind of place that sticks with you. 

If you’re in Petone, take a seat, soak up the view, and stay fussy.