Habits Vietnamese

Located at 238 Queen Street in the heart of Auckland CBD, Habits Vietnamese is a fresh take on the classic walk-up café. Serving Vietnamese favourites including Banh Mi, summer rolls and Vietnamese drinks, the new eatery needed a space that was clean, professional and highly functional, while remaining conscious of a tight renovation budget.

When owner Keven Nguyen engaged Total Fitouts Auckland Central, the brief was not about completely rebuilding the existing café. Instead, the focus was on making smart, considered improvements that would transform an existing coffee bar into a fresh new home for Habits Vietnamese.

Working within the existing structure, Total Fitouts Auckland Central delivered a lean commercial hospitality fitout that prioritised efficiency, practicality and brand presentation. By retaining elements that were already working, introducing cost-effective finishes and carefully reconfiguring the available space, the team created a polished new environment without unnecessary construction costs.

The result is a functional walk-up Vietnamese café that makes the most of its compact footprint, combining practical food service infrastructure with a fresh new identity that stands out along busy Queen Street.

From Existing Coffee Bar to Habits Vietnamese

Before the fitout, the site was occupied by an existing coffee bar and café. While the space provided a solid foundation for the new business, it required a series of targeted changes to bring it in line with Keven’s vision for Habits Vietnamese.

Rather than undertaking a full-scale renovation, the project centred around a strategic refresh and rebrand. This approach allowed the existing structure to be retained wherever possible, helping keep the project within budget while still creating a noticeably different customer-facing environment.

The works included demolishing the existing rear cabinetry, removing the old chandelier and taking down the previous exterior signage. Inside, the existing wooden slat wall was shifted to reconfigure the available space and improve the functionality of the café.

Walls were refreshed using a three-coat Dulux cream and white paint system, instantly brightening the interior and providing a clean backdrop for the new Habits branding. Plumbing connections were also completed for a new sink bench, while new signage established the café’s updated identity from the street.

Every element was considered in terms of what the business genuinely needed, rather than adding unnecessary complexity or expense.

A Fitout Designed Around a Walk-Up Café

One of the defining characteristics of Habits Vietnamese is its walk-up format. With no customer seating required, the space needed to prioritise food preparation, service and customer interaction rather than dining areas.

This created an opportunity to focus the fitout around operational efficiency.

The compact footprint meant every part of the layout needed to work hard. Stock catering equipment and stainless steel benches were selected in place of expensive bespoke joinery, providing the functionality required for a busy food service environment while keeping expenditure under control.

The result is a streamlined café layout that supports the preparation and service of Habits’ Vietnamese offering without overcrowding the space.

For a walk-up business, the customer journey is simple: approach the café, see the branding, place an order and receive their food and drinks efficiently. The fitout supports this process through practical space planning and a clear, uncluttered environment.

It is a great example of how commercial design does not need to be complicated to be effective. In a small hospitality space, considered planning and the right materials can have a much greater impact than unnecessary customisation.

Smart Choices Keep the Project on Budget

Budget was an important consideration throughout the Habits Vietnamese renovation. The goal was to achieve a professional, refreshed appearance without investing in major structural changes or high-cost finishes.

This called for a practical approach to material selection and construction.

Rather than replacing the existing flooring, Total Fitouts Auckland Central retained it as part of the finished space. This avoided unnecessary demolition and installation costs while allowing the budget to be directed towards elements that would have the greatest visual and functional impact.

Similarly, stock stainless steel benches were selected instead of bespoke custom joinery. Stainless steel is a natural fit for a commercial hospitality environment, offering a durable and practical work surface while providing the clean, professional appearance required for food preparation.

The existing structure therefore became an important part of the design strategy. Instead of treating every existing element as something that needed to be removed, the team assessed what could be retained, what needed to change and where investment would create the greatest value.

This approach helped deliver a fitout that was economical without feeling unfinished.

A Fresh, Clean Interior

The interior aesthetic for Habits Vietnamese is deliberately clean and understated.

A fresh cream and white paint system brightens the space and creates a neutral foundation for the café’s branding and equipment. The three-coat Dulux system gives the interior a crisp, professional finish, helping the compact space feel fresh and well presented.

The existing wooden slat wall was also relocated as part of the internal reconfiguration. This allowed the team to make better use of the available footprint while retaining an existing character element within the space.

Combined with the retained flooring and practical stainless steel benches, the finished interior strikes the right balance between polished and purposeful.

Rather than relying on expensive finishes to make an impression, the design demonstrates how thoughtful construction decisions can elevate a space while keeping the overall project commercially viable.

Habits Vietnamese Signage Creates Street Presence

For any hospitality business located along a busy CBD street, visibility is essential.

The new Habits Vietnamese signage plays an important role in establishing the business’s identity and creating a clear presence on Queen Street.

Total Fitouts Auckland Central installed a modular LED-illuminated logo sign featuring the Habits name on the front elevation. The illuminated signage gives the new café an immediate visual identity and helps the business stand out within its busy urban surroundings.

The signage is simple, contemporary and aligned with the clean aesthetic of the interior, creating a strong connection between the physical space and the Habits brand.

A Nod to Vietnamese Character

While the fitout has a clean and contemporary aesthetic, the space also retains a personal element from the client’s existing branding and identity.

One of the standout character pieces is the client’s existing round plate sign, featuring a Water Buffalo wearing a traditional Vietnamese Non La hat. Rather than replacing this piece as part of the rebrand, the sign was reinstalled within the new café.

This small detail adds personality and cultural character to the space, creating a visual connection to the Vietnamese identity behind the Habits brand.

It is also representative of the overall approach taken throughout the project: retain what has value, refresh what needs improvement and make smart decisions about where to invest.

Making a Small Footprint Work Hard

Small hospitality spaces can present some of the biggest design and construction challenges.

With limited room for food preparation, equipment, storage and service, there is very little margin for inefficient planning. At Habits Vietnamese, the absence of customer seating allowed the available footprint to be dedicated almost entirely to the operational requirements of the business.

Total Fitouts Auckland Central worked within the existing footprint to create an efficient layout using practical, readily available catering equipment and stock stainless steel benches.

This approach helped avoid the additional cost and lead time associated with fully bespoke solutions while ensuring the finished café remained functional for day-to-day operations.

The result demonstrates that a successful hospitality fitout is not necessarily about how much space you have. It is about how effectively that space is planned and how well every element supports the way the business operates.

The Finished Habits Vietnamese Experience

The completed Habits Vietnamese fitout has transformed an existing Auckland CBD coffee bar into a fresh, functional walk-up Vietnamese café.

For owner Keven Nguyen, the new space provides a practical environment for serving Habits’ menu of Banh Mi, summer rolls and Vietnamese drinks, while presenting a stronger and more cohesive brand to customers along Queen Street.

From the retained flooring and practical stainless steel work benches through to the fresh paintwork, reconfigured interior and illuminated exterior signage, every decision was made with the needs of the business in mind.

The result is a compact hospitality space that feels clean, professional and ready for service, demonstrating what can be achieved when thoughtful design and practical construction come together.

Habits Vietnamese is proof that a successful commercial hospitality fitout does not need to start from scratch. With the right approach, an existing space can be transformed through targeted improvements, smart material choices and efficient planning.

Looking for a Commercial Shopfitting Partner in Auckland?

Whether you’re opening a new café, refreshing an existing hospitality venue or transforming a retail or commercial space, choosing the right shopfitting partner can make all the difference.

Total Fitouts Auckland Central works with Auckland businesses to deliver commercial fitouts that balance design, functionality, budget and the practical requirements of running a business. From initial planning and construction through to completion, our experienced team can help bring your commercial vision to life.

If you’re planning a hospitality, retail, office, medical, fitness or wellness fitout in Auckland, talk to the team at Total Fitouts Auckland Central today.

Ready to transform your Auckland commercial space? Get in touch with Total Fitouts Auckland Central to discuss your project and discover how we can bring your vision to life.