Vegan
Western
Take-out
Bakery
Catering
Breakfast
Vegan cafe offering breakfast with cabinet items plus shakes, coffee, and desserts. Makes custom cakes. Can make custom cakes. Became all-vegan in 2017. Previously located at 134 Willis St. Open Wed-Thu 10:30am-3:00pm, Fri-Sun 9:30am-4:00pm. Closed Mon-Tue. Kitchen closes at 3pm or sometimes earlier unexpectedly. 2 for 1 cabinet items during last hour.
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99 Manners St, Wellington, New Zealand
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- Outdoor seating
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 20 Feb 2024 by christy1993
Update business info
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135 Reviews
First Review by Guspops
Rosie108
Points +199
Gluten free banana cake - Edit
I had a really exceptionally good gluten free cake! Always good to find a vegan cafe. The notice board is good to find other vegan happenings too.
Read moreGuest
MarlissaSchouten
Points +146
Sweet! - Edit
Cinnamon bun was amaaaazing. Marshmellowfluff on coffee great. Carrotcake was great, but the frosting had a little too much sugar
Read morePros: Loads of options, Great vegan cakes!
Cons: Little bit too much sugar in the carrotcake
Guest
Mike.C
Points +72
Sweet Release Cake and Treats - Edit
Menu is fully vegan. Friendly staff.
Read moreThe coffee and sandwiches were okay, but the banoffee pie was great.
Would be nice if there were more seating.
Guest
LisaVeganTriathlete
Points +59
Delicious cakes - Edit
This is a must-eat for any vegan with a sweet tooth. I come here every time I'm in Wellington and their cake selection never disappoints. They also do breakfast bagels (vegan BLT etc) all extremely good value for money. Caters very well for nut and gluten free, too.
Read moreGuest
mriceguy
Points +10
For odd couples alike - Edit
I’ve been to Sweet Release many times over the last few years and so I thought I’d better spread the word and not just keep this place to myself! Not that it’s much of a secret; Sweet Release has been a mainstay of Willis Street for years now, growing from strength to strength and the organisers behind monthly Wellington market, The Vegan Vault.
Read moreI’m dairy-free and my partner is vegetarian. It’s so hard to find a place that makes treats without dairy. It also helps that these treats are frickin’ delicious. Oh, that sweet, sweet marshmallow fluff. The peanut butter brownies, Hershey's chocolate pie and lemon meringue are just a few of our favourites. Since going dairy-free I thought I’d have to give up thickshakes for good. No longer!
I'm not a big vege eater myself but they've just started putting out frozen savoury pies which you can take home and cook for tea. The chilli cheese pie was superb. No dairy! No meat!
We’ve been to a few of the baking classes and learned some valuable tips and recipes for baking vegan at home. Of course, it’s never as easy as it looks! For my 30th birthday, Sweet Release made one of their signature triple chocolate cakes. It was soooo good, so moist and demolished in seconds.
The crew are always super friendly and helpful. The menu often changes and new treats are added constantly which always keeps things fresh. Reducing waste is important to me and the team offer a 50c discount if you bring in your own coffee cup or container. Top tip: keep an eye out for the weekly specials where they bring something fun to the table.
So that’s Sweet Release. Whether you’re vegan or just an odd couple like my partner and me, you’re bound to find something you love.
Pros: sweet, creative, fun
Guest
RebeccaBlowes
Points +367
A firm fave for lunch - Edit
Boutique vegan cafe with a great selection of cakes and sweet treats. Can’t go past the BLAT bagel! The “bacon” is their special recipe - crispy and served in a generous proportion in their own freshly baked bagels. Which, incidentally, are the best bagels I’ve had outside NYC. Friendly service!
Read morePros: One of the few (only?) all vegan cafes in WGN, Great service, Good price
Guest
millerfly13
Points +119
Tasty Basics - Edit
Cute and cosy little cafe with tasty food and the the (i think it's Hershey) chocolate pie with coconut whipped cream is so decadent.
Read morePros: Everything is vegan so no worries, Decent prices, Yummy food
Guest
Reenie123
Points +75
Cute cafe - Edit
We got there at closing time and ordered the peanut butter brownie which was really good (very rich) and the vegan sausage roll
Read morePros: All vegan!
Guest
Amy.Lee
Points +19
Delicious nachos and veg-cheese - Edit
Definitely a place to try out in Wellington. The food is so comforting, taste great and the cheese is addicting.
Read moreGuest
GeorgiaWarne
Points +32
amazing treats and meals a++++ - Edit
The best place to get a sweet fix if you’re vegan in Wellington! they have amazing vegan treats that are normally Gf too, honestly so delicious. The Hershey’s slice and cinnabun’s are too die for. meal wise the nachos are amazing, best vegan cheese I’ve tried 😍
Read moreGuest
smanuel
Points +96
Decadent! - Edit
The servings are huge and VERY rich. Bring a to-go container.
Read morePros: Prepare to share!, Coffee cake will not disappoint!, Before they closed, buy one, get one for free!
Cons: Most things were gone 30 mins before closing.
Guest
Resa90
Points +26
Nice little cafe - Edit
Nice little cafe, tasty cakes, friendly staff. As we were in Wellington only for 2 days, we tried a few things and can really recommend the brownies. The drinks came with straws out of steel. I have never had a thickshake before but I guess it owes it's name. It was too much for me so I asked the staff to put it in a takeaway cup what they did. Next time I would bring my own cup to skip the plastic cup or at least skip the plastic straw.
Read moreGuest
Davesw
Points +3855
Lunch, brunch & dessert! - Edit
Excellent nachos and bagel sandwiches, dessert selection is huge!
Read morePros: Lots of desserts, Interesting bagel sandwiches
Guest
tengarine
Points +292
Cute cafe with a great story - Edit
Everything here looked yummy. I got the salmon salad which was surprisingly amazing. Between 3-4pm they have 2 for 1 treats
Read moreGuest
LesMins.Blog
Points +44
Awesome bagels - Edit
We went for breakfast at Sweet Release and had two bagels (one "salmon" and cashew cream cheese, one scramble "eggs", "bacon" and spinach) and two long black coffee for 35$. All was sooooo good. The salmon one reminds me my old times as a pescatarian while the other one (more as a sandwich) was really tasty and full of flavour (the bacon mmmmmm). The coffee is also good but unfortunately no deca. We need to go back for pastries (because we were full after the bagels) from 3pm to 4pm to take advantage of the 2 for the price of 1 discount.
Read morePros: All is vegan and soooo good
Cons: A bit expensive for the portion, But worth every dollars
Guest
Stephaneen
Points +1247
Best Bagel - Edit
We tried two different bagel sandwiches and they were both delicious. BEST BAGEL WE'VE EVER HAD! Wish we had more time in Wellington to come back here
Read morePros: Great bagels , Lots of dessert options, Location
Guest
alefleaf
Points +55
Sweet Jesus - Edit
I had incorrectly assumed that this place was just a bakery. As it turns out, they do lots of other things as well. The nachos and the Mac and cheese are the best I’ve ever had, and I can’t wait to come back next time I’m in Wellington
Read morePros: Everything
Cons: It’s not open 24 hours
Guest
DuncanMacbethLead
Points +1240
Awesome food - Edit
So far I’ve only had the Mac n cheese, Cinnabun, and peanut butter brownie. But my god, they’ve all been incredible!
Read morePros: Great selection , Regular specials, Two for one deals
Guest
ayay666
Points +26
Divine!!! - Edit
Absolutely divine treats and wonderful service! Had several things from the pantry and were amazed by how delicious all of them were. On top of that: amazing gluten-free goodies as well and great coffee!
Read moreGuest
Vikki
Points +556
Would recommend - Edit
We had the Breakfast Bagel and the Nachos. Both were yummy, but the nachos were definitely the favourite.
Read moreThe bagels consistency was slightly off, and the facon had a burnt taste over a smokey flavour.
It was similar to Mister Nice Guys in Melbourne, Australia
Pros: Entirely vegan, Kind and attentive staff, Delicious menu
Guest
EricaMT
Points +90
A Must in Wellington - Edit
Seriously, if you are in Wellington or going to go for a visit sometime, put this place at the top of your list. Everything is amazing! We loved our food so much, we had to go back the next day before our flight. The cinnamon roll is legit, and I'm American so I know a thing or two about cinnamon rolls... The Hershey's pie slice was divine, and the cooked big breakfast was so good with a bagel! I'd give more stars if I could.
Read morePros: Delicious food, Cute and cozy space, Friendly staff
Guest
garethdavies514
Points +202
Great lunch and cakes - Edit
Enjoyed a great lunch here on a work trip. Took a number of cakes back to Auckland with me. Recommended!
Read morePros: Lunch, Cakes
Guest
Sushinina
Points +2541
Heaven - Edit
This place is a vegan dream. I’m traveling a lot and never found a comparable vegan bakery (ok except for tart in Auckland maybe), but sweet release is just amazing. I went there like every day when I was in Welly.
Read moreGuest
lyneke
Points +73
Sweet and delicious - Edit
Delicious cakes and sweet things. Didn't try any savouries. Had wanted a juice based smoothie which they don't serve, but the choc mousse cake w 'cream' made up for it.
Read morePros: Friendly, yummie sweets
Cons: No juice-based smoothie, toilet needs a good scrub
Guest
BrendanBrown
Points +220
A Wellington must. - Edit
A lovely weekend cafe with amazing food. It is a very short walk from Cuba St and well worth it. I had it recommended to me by staff in 'The Body Shop' and I love them for it. The Chick'n Cheese Bagel is one of the best things that I have eaten.
Read morePros: Fully vegan, Quick and friendly sevice, Accessible
Cons: I don't live in that city
Guest
MadelineJ
Points +32
A hit or miss - Edit
The full sized cake I had for my leaving party was delicious however the cabinet food I have got has been so so. Decided to go back and got a cheese scone to take away. Had to throw it out because it just tasted like baking soda.
Read moreGuest
juliepepper
Points +144
I want mooore - Edit
I had a snickers muffin and it was just amazing ! I can’t stop thinking about my next visit there ! They also give you $1 if you bring your own lunch box. I highly recommend this place. I would even say it’s a place you have to visit when you’re in Wellington.
Read morePros: Nice story behind, DELICIOUS, Many options
Guest
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