Essence Cafe & Bar Palmerston North

In the heart of Palmerston North, Essence Cafe and Bar invites diners to settle in for an all-day affair.

From the first coffee to the final spoon of dessert, the kitchen leans into comfort and craft, stitching together familiar favourites and global accents with an easy confidence.

Breakfast sets a generous tone: eggs benedict with saffron hollandaise on ciabatta, or a big breakfast rallying Manuka-smoked bacon, sautéed mushrooms and potato cake. Come midday, small plates nudge the appetite along - mussels with house-made focaccia, fritti di verdure with aioli, paprika-kissed calamari, or the irresistible garlic bread made from house-baked ciabatta.

Mains carry the same straightforward satisfaction. Slow-cooked pork belly arrives with crackling and gravy, braised lamb shank rests over mash and seasonal vegetables, and sweet and sour pork offers a bright interlude with salad. Those craving a bowlful can enjoy pumpkin risotto or a chicken and olive riff, while burger traditionalists will find a brioche bun stacked with the classics.

Essence keeps things welcoming for families and mindful of dietary needs, making it an easy choice for gatherings of every kind. Book a table, bring an appetite, and let Palmerston North’s Essence show its true character!