Dubbed the “Coolest Little Capital”, Wellington is at the center of New Zealand’s creative scene. That creative energy combined with its geographic location make for a uniquely awesome little city doing great things with food. Wellingtonians love Wellington – and I get it, I love it too!
Wellington has a reputation for being the craft beer capital. It’s more than just beer they’re passionate about though. Whether you’re into food, coffee, nature, or design, this city has you covered. There’s no shortage of places to keep you full, happy, and entertained.
While relatively small in size, downtown Wellington is quite compact. This makes it an easy place to walk around. If you leave the central downtown area though, you’ll find it’s quite hilly. Walking up those hills is exhausting, but the views are pretty incredible.
So, if you’re looking for places to eat in this awesome city, here’s the ultimate Glutton’s Guide to Wellington, New Zealand!
Table of Contents
Places to Eat
1Basque
With a cute rooftop overlooking Courtnay Place, this little tapas spot worth stopping in for a drink or a snack (we really liked the flatbread & dips).
2Best Ugly Bagels
Montreal style bagels served open-faced with awesome topping combos. Can’t go wrong with King Salmon or J.C, but if you’re into marmite, try the Swiss Melt with Marmite.
3Carrello Pizza Gelato Coffee
Hot day in Wellington? Stop in to Carello for a scoop of tasty gelato and take a stroll along the waterfront. It’s the perfect warm weather treat!
4Fidel’s Cafe
When Cuban coffee and New Zealand hospitality combine, you get Fidel’s. This landmark spot gets busy, particularly during brunch
5HUSK
Husk is part coffee roastery and part brewery. Expect upgraded pub food with really good breakfast too.
6Little Penang
This Malaysian spot is always busy! Which isn’t surprising – Tasty food and affordable prices keep people coming back.
7Logan Brown Restaurant
Logan Brown is THE place to go for fine dining in Wellington. They showcase the best of New Zealand ingredients and execute dishes perfectly.
8Mr Go’s
Awesome Asian inspired small plates like baos & dumplings. Great for dinner, but expect a wait. The host will give you a little map of nearby bars so you can grab a drink while you wait.
9Neo Cafe & Eatery
Casual cafe offering all day brunch, baked goods, and fresh salads. They make good coffee and really good food.
10Pizza Pomodoro
The place to go for proper pizza! Rather than coming here, go to Golding’s Free Dive across the way – you can order pizza at the bar and they’ll bring it over to you!
11Prefab
Popular spot for breakfast and brunch. They also have freshly baked breads and pastries, plus coffee roasted on-site.
12Saigon Van Grill Bar
Some of the best Vietnamese food in Wellington. The crispy spring rolls, Wakanui Beef Rolls, and Pho were all delicious!
13The Bresolin
Every Monday they do $10 burgers from 5pm. They’re delicious and so are the sides. Hit them up on a Monday to satiate your burger craving.
Places to Drink
1Black Dog Brewery Co
The brewery is downstairs and there’s a bar upstairs. They make good beer and there’s an overall chill vibe.
2Crumpet
Awesome little cocktail bar with great bartenders. Tell them what you like and they’ll come up with something different and delicious.
3Fortune Favours Beer
Great brewery with two floors and a small outdoor seating area. Their menu is heavily focused on meats & cheeses, plus hot dogs too.
4Garage Project Tap Room 91 Aro
Cool little tap room with really great beer and friendly service. They make one of my favorite beers in NZ – a cereal milk stout!
5Golding’s Free Dive
The BEST bar in Wellington! Funky decor, good beer/wine, and you can get pizza from Pizza Pomodoro.
6Hashigo Zake
A self-proclaimed “cult beer bar” located in a basement. Check their website for events like live music and cult movie nights.
7Heyday Beer Co
Awesome brewery with a fun (insta-worthy) aesthetic, plus boardgames, ping pong, and cornhole. Pro tip: They have wifi and lots of power outlets.
8Laundry
While it gets its name from the laundromat looking exterior, the interior is filled with funky decor and candlelight. They regularly have DJs and live music too.
9Little Beer Quarter
A great spot to hang out and try local beers. Bonus: They have some sort of deal or event going on most evenings, so check their website for info.
10The Rogue & Vagabond
Chill vibe, craft beer, and live music. Solid selection of burgers, sandwiches, and pizza too. Plus, if it’s nice out they’ll lay bean bags out on the lawn area.
Places for Coffee
1Havana Coffee Works Ltd
Charming little coffee shop and roastery with a strong set of values. They make good, strong coffee and offer fresh baked goods.
2Lamason Brew Bar
They’re coffee enthusiasts using quality beans and a variety of brewing techniques. If you’re serious about coffee, this is your spot.
Markets
1Wellington Night Market
Happens every Friday and Saturday night, featuring shopping, food vendors, and performances.
Friday: 5-11pm at Left Bank, Cuba St.
Saturday: 5-11pm at the corner of Cuba and Manners St.
