Combining my love for coffee and research, I’ve explored the bustling cafe scene of Auckland’s Central Business District (CBD) to uncover patterns in customer behaviour. Using Google’s popularity data from 22 cafes, I’ve ranked the busiest days and hours, offering valuable insights for both cafe owners and coffee enthusiasts.

Weekday warriors: The busiest days

As expected, weekdays dominate the cafe scene in Auckland’s CBD. Thursday emerges as the most popular day, with an average rank of 2.7 (where 1 is the busiest). This confirms that the workweek rhythm significantly drives coffee consumption patterns in the area.

Following closely, Friday ranks second with an average of 3.2, while Wednesday comes in third at 3.5. Tuesdays and Mondays round out the workweek, ranking fourth and fifth respectively. Surprisingly, Saturday, despite being sixth, still sees significant activity in some cafes, particularly those in shopping areas or tourist hotspots.

Figure 1: Auckland CBD cafe ranked the busiest day and the busiest time of the busiest day

Source: Google, JLL Research

The mid-morning rush: Peak hours

When examining the busiest hours on the most popular days, a clear trend emerges. The period from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. consistently ranks as the busiest across most cafes. Specifically:

• 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. : This hour is the peak time for most cafes, with an average rank of 2.7.
• 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. : Close behind, this hour ranks 3.6 on average, suggesting a strong mid-morning rush.
• 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. : The lunch hour follows at 3.0, showing that many patrons combine their coffee run with their midday meal.

Early birds vs. Afternoon sippers

While the mid-morning period dominates, it’s worth noting the differences between early morning and afternoon patterns:

• Early mornings (6 a.m. – 8 a.m.): Moderate activity is observed, likely from commuters grabbing their first coffee of the day.
• Late afternoons (3 p.m. – 5 p.m.): There’s a gradual decline in busyness, though some cafes maintain steady traffic for after-work meetups or late lunches.

Location matters

Cafes in prime CBD locations, such as those near major office buildings or transport hubs, tend to experience consistent busy periods throughout the day. For instance, cafes at Commercial Bay and around Britomart show peak traffic from morning to early afternoon.

Implications for property and business

While the data helps coffee enthusiasts determine the best time to get a coffee, it also offers valuable insights for property and business owners in the CBD. Understanding peak times can guide decisions regarding:

• Lease negotiations for cafe spaces
• Staffing levels and shift planning
• Menu design to cater to time-specific crowds (e.g., grab-and-go items for the morning rush)
• Marketing strategies to boost slower periods

For those looking to invest in or open a cafe in Auckland’s CBD, the most promising locations are those attracting the Thursday and Friday crowds, with strong mid-morning to early afternoon traffic.

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