Thyme & Fig Cafe/Lunch Bar

75 Walding Street, Palmerston North Central, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand
$$$ Cafe
(79 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Thyme & Fig Cafe/Lunch Bar sits on Walding Street, Palmerston North’s central hub, serving up a casual yet carefully curated cafe experience that fits right into the city’s midday rhythm. It’s the kind of spot locals and travelers alike gravitate toward when they need a reliable coffee fix paired with solid brunch options.

The cafe offers a compact but thoughtfully prepared menu, featuring classics like eggs benedict, French toast, and a hearty big breakfast, alongside lighter choices such as a halloumi stack and gluten-free treats like the coconut lemon slice. Coffee is a clear highlight here, with expertly made flat whites, matcha lattes, and iced beverages keeping the pace lively for both quick stops and relaxed catch-ups.

The atmosphere is quiet but buzzing, with an intimate seating area close to the street. Visitors often find it a cozy refuge during busy lunch hours, though the limited space means it can get quite busy—reservations come in handy, especially for groups. Service tends to be prompt and friendly, reflecting a team that knows the importance of keeping things moving while maintaining warmth.

Thyme & Fig appeals to early risers and midday diners who appreciate well-made comfort food without any fuss. It’s a practical choice for anyone passing through Palmerston North’s central area who wants good coffee and a food experience that feels fresh, homey, and thoughtfully executed—whether fueling up before a road trip or lingering over a plate with friends.

While the seating is a bit tight and close to Walding Street’s thoroughfare, the overall vibe stays relaxed, making it a dependable spot to pause in the heart of the city. The presence of familiar faces behind the counter adds to the approachable, unpretentious character of the place.

Highlights
Great coffee
Great dessert
Great tea selection
Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Solo dining
What they serve
Coffee
Quick bite
Small plates
Best for
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dessert
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Paid street parking
Parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

07:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Tuesday

07:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Wednesday

07:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Thursday

07:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Friday

07:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Saturday

08:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Sunday

Closed

79 Reviews
Pasha Levchenko

30 Dec 2025

Excellent Stop on a Long Trip We discovered this spot during a quick stop on a long journey. We only ordered hot drinks, but the service was exceptionally quick and the person who served us was very nice and professional. We also noticed that the food was coming out very quickly to other tables. I rated the atmosphere four stars only because the seating area is quite close to the road, and the car noise was a bit distracting while dining. Overall, I definitely recommend giving this place a try!

Josephine Lucas De Guzman

29 Dec 2025

Lovely mocha, and their french toast was divine! Went with a group of friends, great that we did had some reservations as it was definitely packed and busy during lunch (breaks)! The atmosphere is cozy, and super comfy. They def should consider having a bigger space to dine! It's a popular place, for sure!

Dale “Dale”

08 Dec 2025

Thyme & Fig – Outstanding Food & Service I had an excellent experience at Thyme & Fig. The staff were genuinely friendly and attentive, creating a relaxed atmosphere that made the whole visit feel easy and enjoyable. The food was spot‑on — fresh, well‑presented, and full of flavour. I ordered the BLT, and it was fantastic: generous, perfectly balanced, and clearly made with care. The sides and sauces were just as good, rounding out a meal that really hit the mark. It’s rare to find a café that nails both service and food so consistently, but Thyme & Fig absolutely does. I’ll definitely be back and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great meal in a welcoming spot.

Harriet Elizabeth

04 Dec 2025

Stopped at this cafe before I continued on my road trip. Cute little place, I bought the poached eggs on toast, it was lovely can't fault it so I then had the blueberry cake with yoghurt after. Also was nice and hit the spot. The two men working seemed nice and friendly so yeah I would recommend this little cafe

Angela Bowater

18 Oct 2025

Visited after searching for recommendations for grea coffee. Reviews were spot on. Beautiful ambiance, lovely staff, coffee was amazing and the muffins were so impressive. Toilets. Highly recommended.

Yuki Yarita

15 Oct 2025

Perfect meal and perfect coffee! I felt the passion from their services. Cabinet food also looked amazing. So I bought a scone for my next breakfast after having a nice French toast today! :D (my husband had Salmon Eggs Bennie, that was also amazing) Definitely my favorite cafe in Palmy after living here for 6 years so far. Thank you for the nice chil morning, see you soon guys :)

Kim

15 Sep 2025

Came across this gorgeous cafe 2 weeks ago, and have visited 4 times in 2 weeks. The staff are friendly, lovely and welcoming. The Matcha Latte is highly recommended - Has to be the BEST I have tried around the country. I have been to so many cafes around, not many cafes make them. The food is amazing, delicious, and is so good! Food is well presented, cabinet food is amazing. Hard to decide on what to get! Highly recommend and deserves more than a 5 star!!

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