Wellington and the Wairarapa Restaurants

In Wellington, restaurants, cafés, and sports bars spring up overnight like mushrooms. Although you'll never be without the classic meal of steak, fries, and ale, city eateries have also embraced more adventurous fare. Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Malaysian, Mexican, and Italian cuisines are increasingly common. Indigenous food, too, is appearing in restaurants around the city—native plants might be paired with traditional seafood or made into sauces to accompany meat or sweet-potato dishes.

In rural areas outside Wellington, the wine industry has revolutionized local tables, with excellent dining and wine-tasting spots. In the Wairarapa, restaurants are winning a reputation for creative cuisine.

Generally, lunch runs from noon until 2, and most restaurants close for a few hours before opening for dinner around 6. On Monday, many restaurants are shuttered. Dress codes are still really relaxed; jeans would be frowned on only in the top restaurants.

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  • 1. Loretta

    $$$ | Wellington Central

    Adorned with its earthy-chic accents and wide wooden tables, Loretta makes a daily, but effortless transformation from a relaxed brunch spot to a bustling candle-lit restaurant. With their famously daily-evolving menu, brunches typically begin with smoothies and spritzers, waffles, and crumpets, each served with seasonal fruits. Lunch and dinner follow a similar seasonal theme with salads, wood-fired pizzas, savory pies, and hearty servings of seasoned meats to share.

    181 Cuba St., Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
    04-384–2213

    Known For

    • An extensive wine list available by the glass
    • An easy-going atmosphere great for families
    • Daily-changing menu

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
  • 2. Dockside Restaurant & Bar

    $$$$

    A wood-beam roof and oiled floorboards enhance the nautical vibe at this former warehouse on the wharf, and you can get close to the water on the large harborfront deck. Inside or out, it's a lively spot, particularly on Friday nights, and as expected, the menu features a broad range of fresh seafood.

    Jervois Quay, Wellington, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand
    04-499–9900

    Known For

    • Five-course degustation menu (book well in advance)
    • Prime waterfront location
    • Busy weekend nights

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations essential
  • 3. The Botanist

    $$$ | Wellington Central

    Though right at home among the seaside cottages of Lyall Bay, this plant-based haven is anything but traditional. The Botanist offers tasty and innovative takes on traditionally meat-centered meals in a seasonally evolving menu. It opens for brunch and then runs to late-night cocktail hours every day, and the menu is also complemented with appropriately botanical teas, kombuchas, and cocktails.

    219 Onepu Rd., Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
    04-891–0198

    Known For

    • Seaside views
    • 100% plant-based menu
    • Sheltered sunny courtyard
  • 4. The Village Café

    $$

    At this rustic barnlike café with a sunny outdoor courtyard, all the food is made from local ingredients. The cooks even smoke their own salmon and stuff their own sausages. A great start to a day of wine tasting, since the food is hearty enough to keep you going all day.

    6 Kitchener St., Martinborough, Wellington, 5741, New Zealand
    06-306–8814

    Known For

    • Hearty brunches
    • Huge and varied menu
    • Plenty of space

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner
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