The Wild Walnut

32 Ross Place, Lawrence 9532, New Zealand
+64 3 485 9529
$$$ Cafe , Coffee store
(134 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

The Wild Walnut: A Charming Café Experience in Lawrence

Nestled at 32 Ross Place in the heart of Lawrence, The Wild Walnut is a delightful café that embodies the spirit of true New Zealand hospitality. As you step inside, you're welcomed by a character-filled space accentuated by green plants and a warm atmosphere that feels like a second home. With the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air and the inviting sight of a cozy seating arrangement, this café invites you to linger a little longer.

The menu showcases a range of delectable offerings, but it's clear that the highlights are the made-from-scratch options prepared with love and care. Customers rave about the iconic BLT, hailed by one couple as “hands down the best sandwich we have ever had” during their travels. Accompanied by a cup of heavenly coffee that sends your taste buds on a joyful ride, this café makes breakfast or lunch feel like a truly special occasion.

Beyond just food, The Wild Walnut tells a story through its unique decor. Each item has its own narrative, from the lovingly hand-crafted benches to the antique piano that hangs as a quirky centerpiece. For those who love to dine in environments rich with character, this café is an absolute treasure. Stasha-lee Beukes, a returning customer, affirms this sentiment: “The kind of place you would always come back to.”

The hospitality of the owners only adds to the delightful experience. Guests like Daisy Kindersley Mckenzie have been greeted with warmth, showcasing a genuine commitment to customer satisfaction. Daisy's anecdote about arriving 15 minutes before closing time captures the café's laid-back, welcoming spirit - “we close when we fancy!” The sincerity and friendliness of the staff contribute to making every visit memorable.

Comfort food is at the forefront here, with the café’s homemade bread used for everything from toasties to pastries. Carol Carr highlights how The Wild Walnut can handle large gatherings with ease, impressing her group with beautifully presented meals and exceptional service during a festive occasion.

If you're looking for a café that offers not just delightful food, but an entire experience filled with warmth and personality, The Wild Walnut is a standout choice in Lawrence. So whether you’re a local or just passing through, make sure to treat yourself to this charming café. You might just find that it becomes your new favorite spot.

Service options
Outdoor seating
Takeaway
Dine-in
Delivery
Highlights
Great coffee
Great dessert
Great tea selection
Popular for
Lunch
Solo dining
Good for working on laptop
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Coffee
Prepared foods
Quick bite
Vegetarian options
Dining options
Brunch
Lunch
Catering
Dessert
Seating
Amenities
Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Crowd
Groups
Tourists
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs
Kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

11:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Tuesday

Closed

Wednesday

Closed

Thursday

Closed

Friday

11:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Sunday

11:00 AM - 04:00 PM

134 Reviews
Missy Kesseler

02 Oct 2025

What a wonderful establishment. My boyfriend and I are over from Melbourne and stopped at this cute cafe because we liked the character it had, I’m so glad we did. As two hospitality workers we can be pretty fussy yet both of us agreed that the BLT was hands down the best sandwhich we have ever had, the coffee was bloody delicious too! Kudos to the owners for having such a great presence, wonderful staff and food that we would come back for over and over. You would definitely give a few Melbourne cafes a run for their money!

Daisy Kindersley Mckenzie

02 Oct 2025

Breath of fresh air arriving here 15 mins before close! Greeted by such a lovely host who said ‘we close when we fancy!’ Had a cheese toasty and slice of pecan pie while reading a teddy bear book

Stasha-lee Beukes

30 Sep 2025

Such a treasure of a place The owners are very hands on and knowledgeable about local flora. Home made bread used for toasties. Every item in the Cafe has a unique story behind it, from the pink spotted plant handed down from a school boy, to the hand made bench, to the repurposed piano hung on the wall. The kind of place you would always come back to. Excellent affordable prices too! Absolute gem

Carol Carr

27 Aug 2025

The Wild Walnut cafe provided dinner, breakfast & lunch for our group of 19 at Easter. The food was all home made including the bread & pastries and included an amazing range of delicious dishes. The owners were extremely hospitable & thoughtful, and the tables and buffet were beautifully presented. The cafe has lots of atmosphere & has a sunny courtyard outside. They also made the best coffee in town.

Ro Kawewe

25 Aug 2025

Very friendly staff :) very comforting atmosphere! Lovely filled with green plants! Feels very home like

Mervyn McGonigal

27 Jul 2025

Lovely cafe for meals, coffee or a beer. We stopped for coffee mid afternoon. Friendly staff, good coffee and nice selection of foods. We wandered through Lawrence, looking at all the history. Very unexpected, but nice.

Glen Brown

23 Jul 2025

Our first time staying in Lawrence, and what a gem of a place this is. Friendly welcoming owners, great coffee and all the food is freshly made here. Very reasonable price. So good we came for lunch again today.

Vicky Holt

10 Jul 2025

Great food. The BLT's were huge, the toasted sandwiches on homemade bread were scrumptious and the chips perfect - crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside and piping hot. The tea made with tea leaves not tea bags and the coffee was superb too. Lovely people and service

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