Where to Eat in Wellington
A small city that eats out more than most, with great coffee and craft beer.
Wellington has one of the highest numbers of cafes and restaurants per person in New Zealand, and dining out is a big part of local life. The best restaurants focus on New Zealand produce and seafood, from Marlborough salmon and Bluff oysters in season to lamb and venison. Every August, the Wellington on a Plate festival fills restaurants with special menus and burger competitions.
Coffee is ordered as a flat white or long black, and many cafes roast their own beans. For beer, Te Aro has the densest cluster of taprooms and craft beer bars in the country. Out in the Wairarapa, Martinborough wineries pair their pinot noir with long lunches.
Fine Dining and Special Occasions
Wellington's most celebrated tables.
A long-running fine dining room set in a 1920s banking chamber on Cuba Street.
Chef Monique Fiso's tasting menus built on Maori ingredients and cooking methods.
A warm, nautical-themed seafood restaurant known for its fish of the day.
Cafes and Casual Favorites
Brunch, comfort food and late nights on Courtenay Place.
A big, lively room in the historic Huddart Parker building, cooking over a wood-fired grill and rotisserie.
A Cuba Street institution for breakfast, lunch and baking.
A long-running Courtenay Place spot for gumbo, po' boys and key lime pie.
Craft Beer
Taprooms and beer bars in the capital of New Zealand craft brewing.
Experimental and core beers from the brewery that started in a former petrol station.
A small, well-curated beer bar in a lane off Cuba Street, with pizza from next door.
A brewpub with its own beers and a long list of guest taps.
Martinborough and the Wairarapa
Long lunches among the vines.
Tastings of pinot noir and sauvignon blanc at one of the region's established estates.
Shared platters and lunches at a family winery on the edge of the village.
Restaurants change hours, menus and ownership often — check with the restaurant before you go. Listings are editorial picks, not paid placements.
Want help planning Wellington?
Tell us when you are coming and what you enjoy. A travel specialist will put together hotel, activity and travel options for you — free, with no obligation.
Get free trip quotes »Wellington Dining — FAQ
What is a flat white?
An espresso with steamed milk and a thin layer of microfoam, smaller and stronger than a latte. It is the standard coffee order in New Zealand.
When is Wellington on a Plate?
Usually in August, for about two and a half weeks, with festival menus, events and the Burger Wellington competition.
Do I need to book restaurants in Wellington?
For fine dining and Friday or Saturday dinners, yes. Cafes and most casual spots take walk-ins.