A view of Titahi Bay in Porirua on a sunny day.

Discover the best places to eat, drink, shop and explore in Porirua with our guide.

12 Hours Porirua

A flatlay of food and coffee at Local Authority cafe.

Your guide to the best things to do in Porirua

Tunapo Escape

A black and glass B&B on top a hill with the ocean in the background.
Place Porirua
Accommodation key icon.

Located just 35 minutes from central Wellington, atop the picturesque Paekākāriki Hill, Tunapo Escape is a tiny house getaway that provides an escape in every sense of the word.

IndoKiwi Dhaba

A hand holding deep fried Indian food on a plate.
Place Porirua
Restaurants key icon.

If there’s anything better than an Indian restaurant, it’s one with an Indian grocery conveniently attached to it.

The Cake Café Plimmerton

A staff member holding a large cake on a cake platter.
Place Porirua
Cafes key icon.

Baked goods and beaches are two of the best things about Wellington, and you can find both in close proximity in a cosy corner of Plimmerton.

Supply Room

A close up of a giant, tall burger on a table.
Place Porirua
Restaurants key icon.

Is there an eatery in Porirua with a view better than the one at Supply Room? You’d be hard pressed to find one.

Panikeke

The colourful interior of Panikeke in Porirua.
Place Porirua
Fashion key icon.

Bringing a vibrant splash of Pacific colour to Porirua, Panikeke is a lively little gift shop that aims to highlight and celebrate the local Pasifika community.

Sushil's Musclechef

Hands holding a burger on a plate.
Place Porirua
Restaurants key icon.

A former top-six contestant on Masterchef New Zealand and a self-confessed fitness aficionado, there’s no doubt Sushil Ravikumar knows his stuff when it comes to...

Karehana Bay Beach

Looking across the sand covered bay where there are tree covered hills next to the beach.
Place Porirua

Tucked away in a small nook on the north-western end of Plimmerton, Karehana Bay is often overlooked by visitors to Porirua.

Little City Kombucha

A kombucha brewery worker putting a bottle into a crate.
Place Porirua
Bars key icon.

For a brand that’s all about minimising its impact on the environment, Little City Kombucha is certainly making a splash from its very own slice of Porirua.

Abandoned Brewery

The interior of the Abandoned Brewery with graffiti covered walls.
Place Porirua
Bars key icon. Restaurants key icon.

Rising from the ashes of - literally - an abandoned brewery in Lower Hutt, Abandoned Brewery is doing its part to put Porirua on the map as a top beer lover’s destination.

Enjoy Store

Colourful homewares and furniture on display on shelves inside Enjoy Store Porirua.
Place Porirua

Enjoy Store in Plimmerton, Porirua, is a curation of thoughtfully selected homewares and children’s clothing, all chosen to bring joy to our everyday lives.

The Beer Engine

The front exterior of the blue Beer Engine building.
Place Porirua
Bars key icon.

Titahi Bay is turning out to be a thriving, buzzing corner of Porirua, and The Beer Engine might just be one of the venues to keep powering it forward.

The Karaage Kid

Fried chicken salad with a mayonnaise drizzle in take away containers.
Place Porirua
Restaurants key icon.

A plucky little outfit that packs plenty of punch, The Karaage Kid - brought to you by the team behind Dirty Burger - is out to serve a hearty dose of Asian fusion goodness...

6 Best Porirua Walks and Where to Treat Yourself Afterwards

Pukerua Bay in Porirua.
Explore the great outdoors (and hospitality) with these walks in the Porirua region.

The Regal Shortbread Co.

A person holding a china cup and saucer with a smore's hot chocolate.
Place Porirua
Cafes key icon.

The Regal Shortbread Co. is a micro-bakery in Whitby specialising in decadent, high-end shortbread - six decadent flavours to be exact.

Louis by Louis Sergeant

Exterior of the Louis by Louis Sergeant food truck in Porirua.
Place Porirua
Cafes key icon.

A household name in Wellington for as long as anyone can remember, the Louis Sergeant brand continues to make its presence felt across the region.

Te Ara Piko Walkway

Someone cycling on the boardwalk part of Te Ara Piko Walkway, Porirua.
Place Porirua
Stay and explore key icon.

The Te Ara Piko pathway offers one of the best long walks in the Porirua region, taking you along the entire northern side of the Pāuatahanui Inlet across diverse and stunning terrain.

Little Green Olive

Little Green Olive exterior.
Place Porirua
Cafes key icon.

A compact but beautiful coffee spot perched on Mana Esplanade in Porirua, Little Green Olive offers superb views along with a range of filling snacks and coffee with a conscience.

Bites, Beers and Beaches: The Porirua Edition

A view of Pukerua Bay in Porirua at sunset.
Nothing beats a cold brew and a good feed after a hot summer's day at the beach.

Blue Bell Club

Pasifika artwork and items on shelves at Blue Bell Club, Porirua.
Place Porirua
Fashion key icon.

Venture out to Porirua’s harbourside and it won’t be long before you’re drawn in by the colours of the Blue Bell Club, a vibrant splash of Pasifika right on the water’s edge.

Get Fixed Bicycle Café

Interior of bike shop at Get Fixed Bicycle Cafe, Porirua.
Place Porirua
Cafes key icon. Services key icon.

An incredibly family-friendly spot with harbourside views, there are few better places in Porirua to while away an hour or two. Get on your bike, and find out for yourself what makes Get Fixed so special.

Aloha Friday

Exterior of Aloha Friday, Porirua.
Place Porirua
Cafes key icon.

A homely little spot where the locals come to kōrero, Aloha Friday perfectly epitomises the character of Tītahi Bay—fitting, then, that it's right on the beach’s doorstep.

t bay café

Man holding a plate of hotcakes with berries from t bay cafe, Porirua.
Place Porirua
Cafes key icon.

Starting out as a project to bring a much-needed eatery to Porirua’s Titahi Bay, t bay café now serves as a cornerstone of the local community, bringing its residents and visitors together.

Pāuatahanui Wildlife Reserve

Wild grass.
Place Porirua
Stay and explore key icon.

Originally developed as a sanctuary for birds and other creatures populating the area, the Pāuatahanui Wildlife Reserve doubles as a quiet retreat for humans as well.

Nish Café

View of coffee machine and menu on the wall.
Place Porirua
Cafes key icon.

A small, modest spot in the heart of the Whitby shopping precinct, Nish Café may look unassuming but it packs a whole lot of heart.

Greedy and Co.

Customer at Greedy and Co. caravan.
Place Porirua
Cafes key icon.

More often than not, keeping it simple has the most impact. In introducing a caffeine culture to Pukerua Bay, this is exactly what Greedy and Co.

Tuk Tuk Thai Kitchen

Dining area at Tuk Tuk Thai.
Place Porirua
Restaurants key icon.

Aside from serving excellent food, Tuk Tuk Thai Kitchen has one clear goal: to make customers feel like they’re in Thailand, without having to leave Porirua.

Topor Bistro

Exterior sign at Topor.
Place Porirua
Restaurants key icon.

Those clued up on Polish cuisine will feel right at home at Topor Bistro, with a menu featuring the classics: dig in to pierogi, bigos, and golabki.

Moore Wilson's Porirua

Moana mural behind lady at the fish counter.
Place Porirua
Goods key icon.

An institution and a household name in Wellington, not many people know that Moore Wilson’s is also a stalwart of Porirua’s grocery scene.

Pukerua Bay

View of the bay with hills behind.
Place Porirua
Stay and explore key icon.

Looking for a beachside walk that’s not like the others? Hidden gem Pukerua Bay is exactly what you’re after.

The Big Salami

Red car in a cafe
Place Porirua
Cafes key icon.

The Big Salami is where locals come to get super tasty pizza, coffee on the go and sweet slices like you remember from your childhood days.

Perfect Porirua Pairings - A Guide to the Sights and Attractions of Porirua

Two customers ordering beers at Abandoned Brewery.
Good things come in pairs, including the sights and attractions of Porirua.

Plimmerton Fish Supply

Woman eating fish and chips.
Place Porirua

Every happy neighbourhood needs a good fish and chip spot to hang out at, and for lucky Plimmerton locals that exists in the form of Plimmerton Fish Supply.

Escarpment Track

Woman looks out at the view.
Place Porirua
Stay and explore key icon.

Escarpment Walk is a beautiful coastal trail that boasts stunning views of the Kāpiti Coast nearly all the way through.

Reds Hairdressing

Woman using colour dye in bowls.
Place Porirua
Services key icon.

This salon has been on the receiving end of many local and national awards, and is something of a community hub.

Backyard Café

Wooden tables and hanging pot plants.
Place Porirua
Cafes key icon.

Backyard Café in Porirua knows that plant shopping isn’t complete without a coffee and scone on the side.

The Local Legends Behind Porirua’s Best Food and Drinks

A woman smiling to camera inside the door at The Regal Shortbread Co.
The Porirua food scene is awash with local artisan makers and innovators putting their neighbourhood on the map.

Te Rauparaha Arena

Arena with a Maori sculpture out the front.
Place Porirua
Stay and explore key icon.

Te Rauparaha Arena is the place to come when you feel like moving your body.

The Little Goat

A souvlaki in a cardboard container in the hands of a customer.
Place Porirua
Restaurants key icon.

Once a travelling food truck, The Little Goat is now set firmly in its little spot, serving delicious fare based on Mediterranean recipes.

Café Kaizen

Cafe patrons enjoying a meal and coloured stained glass window behind.
Place Porirua
Cafes key icon.

Café Kaizen is the kind of well-oiled machine that you can tell has been a locals' favourite hangout for a long time.

Local Authority

Glass exterior with gold and black signage.
Place Porirua
Cafes key icon.

Less about enforcing rules and more about creating a chill place to enjoy good coffee and food, Local Authority is a pocket-sized coffee spot that packs a punch.

Samoa's Finest

Exterior of Samoa's Finest.
Place Porirua
Restaurants key icon.

If you’ve called Samoa home at some point in your life then this place is undoubtedly going to stir up all kinds of nostalgia.

Light House Cinema Pauatahanui

The interior of the foyer of the Lighthouse Cinemas Pauatahanui.
Place Porirua
Theatre and performance key icon.

Light House Cinema Pauatahanui is the only independent movie spot for some miles around.

Pātaka Art + Museum

White gallery with art on the walls.
Place Porirua
Galleries and museum key icon.

Pātaka Art + Museum is a true gem in the crown that is the valuable resource of Porirua art and history.

Adrenalin Forest Wellington

Person walking on rope.
Place Porirua
Stay and explore key icon.

If you’re a seeker of thrills, you’ll likely have a lot of fun at the aptly named Adrenalin Forest in Porirua.

Battle Hill Farm Forest Park

Red sheds and rolling hills.
Place Porirua
Stay and explore key icon.

About 500 hectares make up the rolling hills of the Forest Park and a range of walking tracks take you through fields and along stream beds.

Whitireia Park

Place Porirua
Stay and explore key icon.

Take a breather from the city and recentre yourself in this picturesque spot that has million-dollar views in every direction.

Rangituhi Colonial Knob

The view from the top of Rangituhi.
Place Porirua
Stay and explore key icon.

If you feel like working up a sweat, and gyms have never been your thing, then set your sights on a big old stroll up Rangituhi.