Behind the Machine: Our AllPress Coffee

At 103, coffee has always been a big part of what we do. From the first takeaway of the morning to slower weekend catch ups around the table, a good coffee is often at the centre of someone’s day — and that’s why we’ve always loved working with AllPress Espresso.

AllPress began in Auckland in the late 1980s, founded by New Zealander Michael Allpress after being inspired by the growing café culture he saw while travelling through Seattle. What started as a small coffee cart in Victoria Park quickly grew into one of New Zealand’s most recognised specialty coffee brands, now served in cafés across New Zealand, Australia, the UK, Japan, and Singapore.

One of the things AllPress became known for early on was its focus on consistency and flavour. Their roasting style creates a smooth, balanced coffee that’s approachable, reliable, and easy to come back to — which is one of the reasons we love serving it here at 103.

For us, coffee is about more than what’s in the cup. It’s part of the atmosphere around the store. The early morning takeaway rush, long brunch catch ups, regulars stopping in for their usual order, and quieter afternoons settling in with coffee and something sweet. We wanted a coffee that felt warm, familiar, and genuinely enjoyable to drink every day, and AllPress has always felt like the right fit.

We also love the connection AllPress has to independent cafés and local coffee culture. Even though the brand has grown internationally, it still feels closely tied to the kind of relaxed café experience we value here in New Zealand.

At 103, we’ve always wanted the café to feel welcoming and comfortable rather than rushed. Somewhere people can slow down for a while, enjoy good food, and settle into the atmosphere. The coffee plays a big part in creating that feeling, and for us, AllPress has become part of the rhythm of the store itself.