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Graze Wine Bar
Wellington’s central city eateries are revered across the country, and for good reason.
Huckle & Co
The perfect summer afternoon doesn’t exis… oh wait, it does, and you’ll find it in Seatoun in Wellington.
August Eatery
August conjures many things in the minds of Wellingtonians: the last throes of a bitingly cold winter, the promise of warmer days ahead, the prospect of the country’s...
Kisa
Middle Eastern dining revolves around sharing - of food, conversation, and good times.
Mabel's
When it comes to evoking a sense of identity through spatial design, few restaurants in the capital do it better than Mabel’s.
Belén
The vision for Wellington bakery Belén was simple: to prove there are no limits to what can be created with plants.
Fred's
Wellington loves a little food bar and a small but punchy Cuba Street shop simply named Fred's might just be the hottest place in town to grab a sandwich.
The Oatery
Having built a reputation for feeding Wellingtonians healthy breakfasts on the go, it was only a matter of time before food caravan The Oatery set up a permanent shop.
Myrtle
Offering a local taste of New York chic, Myrtle is the spinoff bakery everybody wanted from one of Wellington’s most revered suburban eateries.
Monkfish
A cosy refillery and off-licence that’s strictly about good vibes, Monkfish is your Vivian Street stop for your beer, wine, and spirits needs.
Next Door
Newtown has added yet another string to its bow with the opening of Matt Hawkes’ new bar.
Vic Books Kelburn
Vic Books flagship on Kelburn Parade is Wellington’s top destination for your next book. They serve delicious hot Coffee Supreme coffee too making it a dream for any bibliophile.
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Dragons
A name synonymous with yum cha in Wellington, Dragons is an institution in the capital’s Asian dining scene.
Amok
Seamlessly blending the nostalgic with the new, the local with the exotic, Amok’s out to show that going out to a restaurant can, and should, be fun.
Duck Island Wellington
It was only a matter of time before Hamilton’s Duck Island ice cream came knocking on Wellington’s door.
Fortune Favours
A giant wooden hand reaches out from the side of the building, beckoning passersby with a simple proposition: Fortune Favours the brave.
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Wilson Barbecue
Wilson Barbecue has a new permanent home after wowing Wellingtonian's with their food truck delights and pop-up stints. Wilson Barbecue is loudly and proudly “all about the meat”, and their brisket, ribs, and pulled pork, all cooked low ‘n slow, enjoy a richly deserved reputation.
Soul Shack
Ask any Wellingtonian where to get the best fried chicken and chances are they’ll point you in Soul Shack’s direction.
Mason
A sign above the jet black entrance at Mason invites you to come as you are, and it's a tempting proposal.
Los Banditos
Los Banditos brings Wellington flavoursome Mexican food, a lively atmosphere, exciting drinks and friendly service.
Bottega
Authentic Italian delicatessen Bottega is borne from a desire to bring a taste of home to the neighbourly suburb of Berhampore,
Mockingbird
Mockingbird serves the capital’s plant-based and open minded omnivorous population with beautiful vegan ‘junk food’.
Zelati
From the texture to the rich, bright flavours, their range of sorbet and gelato offerings are impressive on the palate and pleasing to the eye.
Six Barrel Soda Co.
Summer is officially here, and local favourite Six Barrel Soda Co. has opened their Lukes Lane soda factory to the public for a cellar door experience.
Fidel's Café
Fidel's is a Cuba St institution and a go-to for those in search of great food, sharp service and good vibes in the heart of the city.
Puffin
Welcome to Puffin, a “wine bar with a focus on organic and minimal intervention wines”.
Rogue Burger
Touting itself as the “cheekiest little burger bar” in the capital, Rogue takes burgers back to basics—and does it extremely well.
Ripe Coffee - Origin
If you’re looking for a comfortable space in which to enjoy great coffee amongst the buzz of community then Origin is the spot for you.
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Elements
The tagline and ethos at Elements say it all, ‘Real food, everyday’, and this popular Wellington café is a destination for good reason.
Highwater Eatery
This new eatery combines its efforts of sustainability with celebrating the good times - meaning you can eat and drink and have a great time with the knowledge that you're supporting the good guys.
Taste of Home
This place has a cult following simply due to word of mouth - proof that the flavours here are something Wellingtonians just can’t get enough of.
Grace Patisserie
Welcome to a considered space to drink your coffee and tea with mind-blowingly beautiful sweet eats,. Grace Patisserie will tick all your boxes.
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Swimsuit
Community is definitely the feel you get here too - expect to see people reading books, catching up on university goss, and all with impeccable coffee in hand.
The Ascot
Hotdogs and wine might seem like an unlikely combination, but at The Ascot, no one’s going to judge you holding a glass of wine in one hand and a saucy dog in the other.
El Culo Del Mundo
El Culo del Mundo is a laid-back bar and eatery that is reminiscent of those traveller-favourite hole-in-the-wall restaurants throughout Latin America.
Peoples Coffee - Lukes Lane
Peoples offer a range of artisan toasts again featuring Esthers range, or pick up something sweet, and the coffee can be trusted to be impeccable.
Qilin Tea House
Qilin Tea House certainly feels a magical place to be if you’re a tea lover.
Betsy
In a suburb that seems like it’s perpetually on holiday, easy-going modern deli Betsy feels right at home in Island Bay.
Heyday
A fun and easy going brewery and bar, with plenty of games (including table tennis!) to keep you entertained.
Charley Noble
A favourite spot for nearby business people, don't be surprised to see Charley Noble buzzing with guests even early in the week right through from breakfast till dinnertime.
Parrotdog Bar
A brilliant retro-fit bar that welcomes tradies, business folk, families, children and even dogs.
Queen Sally's Diamond Deli
A Lyall Bay mainstay, Queen Sally's is the amazingly kitsch and eclectic café which services the residents of, and visitors to, this rather lovely Wellington suburb.
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Maranui Café
A café housed in a heritage surf lifesaving building that once had a close call with a fiery fate
Frank's Newtown
Frank’s Newtown is a little replica of its sibling café on The Terrace and has found itself to be a quickly loved part of Newtown culture.
Ombra
Ombra goes to show that great food and great service are a winning combination every time.
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Press Hall
Press Hall is proof there’s a new age of food court style eateries in town.
Goldmine Co.
If a visit to Goldmine has you feeling like you’ve stumbled into a place fueled on caffeine that feels both solid and full of cheeky vibes, then you’re absolutely spot on.
Staple Espresso
Sleek and simple, Staple Espresso speaks volumes about letting a product do the talking – and in this case it’s the coffee that’s got people chatting
LUCKY
Keeping things simple, LUCKY takes its vibes from the West Coast skate scene, where doing your own thing comes with a hint of rebellion.
Chook Wagon
Moore Wilson’s Chook Wagon has you covered for spontaneous picnics or a desultory dinner at home.
Egmont Street Eatery
Leeds Street may be leading Wellington's hidden heritage revival, but brick-lined Egmont might be in line to carve a niche for itself, if this elegant eatery is anything to go by.
Hanging Ditch
Hanging Ditch, for those who are yet to visit, is Leeds’ Street best little slice of stealth.
Havana Bar
Part restaurant, part bar, Havana is an absolute essential in every sense of those two words.
The Third Eye
Tuatara's 'temple of taste' gives one of New Zealand's largest craft brewers a claw-hold in the city of beer.
Commonsense Wellington City
For all things organic, Commonsense Organics is the place to visit – and luckily for Wellingtonians there are four stores to choose from.
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Comes and Goes
Comes and Goes is a brilliant addition to the Wellington café scene, bringing an explosion of edible flowers and culinary masterpieces that Wellingtonians are welcoming with open arms.
L'affare
Twice the size of any regular coffee bar, L’affare’s status as a Wellington institution can be attested to by the cacophony of people inside on any given day.
Leeds Street Bakery
Wouldn’t it be grand if there was somewhere you could consistently find fresh baked brioche or rye toast for breakfast in the morning?
Havana Coffee Works
This cozy, retro café on Tory Street moves through to an open-air, garage-style roastery.
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Little Beer Quarter
With 12 craft beers on tap and over 100 bottles of beer from New Zealand and around the globe this inner-city pub truly is a gem.
Cicio Cacio
You might try Cicio Cacio before a gig next door but the food in itself is worth a quick 10-minute bus trip or Uber from the city.
The Ramen Shop
Rain, gale or shine the Ramen Shop serves up well-priced feeds for travellers and locals in need.
Wellington Chocolate Factory
A dangerously delicious spot for your hot chocolate and sweet treat fix.
Empire Cinema & Eatery
Empire is fitting for a cinema that pre-dated ‘talkies’ when it played its first reel in 1925, but as far as movie theatres go, this one is more for those who’d pick pinot over popcorn.
Ortega Fish Shack
A favourite amongst Wellingtonians, Ortega Fish Shack is a must go-to seafood restaurant within the city.
Garage Project
Situated in an old petrol station in the Aro Valley, Garage Project’s vibe is all about producing experimental beers in a perfect, yet unexpected setting.
Olive
Olive provides attentive service, luxurious ambiance, perfectly poached eggs and a top cup of black coffee.
V1 Vegan Store
A place with surprises on every shelf, from jerky and milks, to a fridge full of ready-to-eat meals.
Rogue & Vagabond
A great spot for meeting friends, socialising or just watching the Wellington crowd do their thing.
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Crumpet
Crumpet on Manners Street is a quaint café / bar and quite possibly Wellington’s best kept secret.
Shepherd Restaurant
A modern dining experience that pays tribute to values of sustainability, quality and comfort.
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Field & Green
At Field & Green the menu changes weekly, breakfast is served all day, and specials come in two varieties - feast or frugal.
Sweet Mother's Kitchen
An old school, eclectic and slightly ramshackle American-style diner.
Hawthorn Lounge
The service at Hawthorn Lounge is impeccable, in the sense that they're attentive without being overbearing. It's novel enough to make you realise that most places have forgotten the hospitable out of hospitality.
Baker Gramercy
It’s the kind of simplistically stylish bakery you’d expect to find on a New York avenue or down a European side street.
Gipsy Kitchen
You have no doubt heard of this café’s laid-back vibes, easy-going staff and damn good food.
Viva Mexico Newtown
Tired of cooking what Mexicans didn’t eat, Antonio Gonzales started Viva Mexico.
Machete
Not offering your average New Zealand café options, Machete specialise instead in tacos and coffee ...
The Library
Hidden behind an unassuming ground floor entrance, The Library is another well-known establishment that overlooks the go-go crowd of Courtenay Place.
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Bicycle Junction
Catching on to the retro cycles trend, the clever people behind Bicycle Junction's new neighbourhood bikery, describe themselves as “Urban Specialists”.
Pickle and Pie
After many a lunchtime spent hankering for just a ‘good old sandwich’, Tim Tracey and Mia Freeman decided to take matters into their own hands.
Meow
Live music, slam poetry readings, stand-up comedy and a thumping happy hour make Meow a versatile venue.
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Located in the lively neighbourhood of Te Aro, they serve what they do best, delicious bagels accompanied with classic Havana coffee.
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Black Coffee
A coffee shop, music shop and art gallery all in one, Black Coffee has quickly cemented itself as one of the favourite Newtown hangouts.
Mr Go's
A happy mix of West meets East, pink meets green, and beer meets bao, Mr Go’s is proof that an eatery needn’t stick to one concrete theme.
Moore Wilson's Tory Street
If you’re into food there’s no doubt you’ll be into Moore Wilson's.
Deluxe Espresso Bar
Open till late in the evening, this has for years been a popular coffee spot with young and old, hipsters and working folk – anything goes.
Scopa Pizzeria
A great option for pizza or a late night chocolate hit, this little landmark has you covered.
Tomboy
A small boutique café, cakery and catering business with the feel of a country cottage kitchen.
Seashore Cabaret
This café definitely takes out the title for best view of the city.
Rich Coffee Roasters
Although the relative new guys on the block, Rich Coffee Roasters are by no means amateurs.
Customs by Coffee Supreme
Customs is a bustling spot, and with good reason! It’s also well-positioned to take full advantage of Wellington’s erratic morning sunshine.
Hillside Kitchen & Cellar
Without any conventional marketing, Hillside’s profile has been built by partnering with great local producers like Six Barrel Soda, Fig & Fog, Two Sisters wine, and Noble Estate Olive Oil.
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