Seashore Cabaret

Cafes key icon.
Cafes key icon.

Monday7:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Tuesday7:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Wednesday7:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Thursday7:00 am – 9:00 pm.

Friday7:00 am – 9:00 pm.

Saturday7:00 am – 9:00 pm.

Sunday7:00 am – 9:00 pm.

160 The Esplanade, Petone, Lower Hutt

04 566 6274

Across the harbour and overlooking the city is Seashore Cabaret, a café housed in the Petone Rowing Club building that most definitely takes the title for best view of the city. The café’s name comes from the space’s history – it once was a dance hall.

Seashore Cabaret is a cacophony of colour, sound and energy. The café is decked out with colourful tiled ceilings, vintage-style signage, industrial-style lighting and furniture, and booths that look like rugged seaside bach walls. But best of all, the space is packed out with old-school pinball machines. As if the harbour and city views weren’t enough…

On the food front, there’s a solid breakfast menu that caters to all dietary requirements, an impressive lineup of fresh cabinet food from the in-house bakery, and come 11 am, there’s everything from fish tacos to burgers and more. The café opens late into the evening Thursday through Sunday, and has firmly cemented itself as the favourite spot for local craft beers, cocktails, and stunning sunsets on this side of the city. There’s also a lineup of homemade sodas and milkshakes. 

Seashore Cabaret still runs their crazy popular Thursday night 2-4-1 burger deal, a happy hour on Friday, and 2-4-1 desserts on Sunday evenings. On weekends, the well-loved downstairs kiosk provides gelato, takeaway coffees and freshly made carnival doughnuts to people enjoying the Esplanade.

A café that certainly doesn’t do anything by halves, Seashore Cabaret is good fun and high octane. It’s constantly teeming with people, so do expect to wait for a table – though the staff are attentive and good at keeping things moving. Seashore Cabaret is a Wellington institution.

Words by Johnny Gibson & Photography by Anna Briggs

Information not correct? Report an error

Location

160 The Esplanade, Petone, Lower Hutt

Nearby Places

Comes & Goes

Coffee brewing equipment on the counter at Comes & Goes café in Petone.
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
Cafes key icon.

This café offers a captivating fusion of Asian and Kiwi delights, an explosion of edible flowers and culinary masterpieces that Wellingtonians are welcoming with open arms.

The Dutch Shop

Someone slicing a wheel of Dutch cheese in specialty food store
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
Goods key icon.

The Dutch Shop is a perennial favourite among Petone locals and visitors alike - particularly those with a penchant for cheese.

House of Good Fortune

Barista making coffee behind cafe counter and cabinet
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
Cafes key icon.

Petone’s myriad side streets hold plenty of delightful surprises, and if you’re lucky enough, you might just stumble upon House of Good Fortune.

The Chocolate Story

Exterior shop view of The Chocolate Story.
Place Hutt Valley

Every shop has a story to tell.

Similar Places

House of Good Fortune

Barista making coffee behind cafe counter and cabinet
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
Cafes key icon.

Petone’s myriad side streets hold plenty of delightful surprises, and if you’re lucky enough, you might just stumble upon House of Good Fortune.

Tricky's Sandwich Co.

Sandwich and coffee takeaway order
Place Hutt Valley Upper Hutt
Cafes key icon.

It’s hard to beat a good sandwich – Tricky’s Sandwich Co. is a family-run sandwich joint that has made it their business to be unbeatable.

Bellbird Eatery

A glass counter inside a cafe.
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
Cafes key icon.

Bringing its own flair to a famed building with its relaxed glam feel, Bellbird Eatery is a fine example of a museum cafe in the Hutt.

Gerry's Charcoal Chicken

A covered area with retro brick and green coloured seating.
Place Hutt Valley Upper Hutt
Restaurants key icon.

A revered Upper Hutt institution that has been serving delicious spit-roasted chicken to the community for decades.