Dragons
Monday11:00 am – 2:30 pm, 5:00 – 10:00 pm.
Tuesday11:00 am – 2:30 pm, 5:00 – 10:00 pm.
Wednesday11:00 am – 2:30 pm, 5:00 – 10:00 pm.
Thursday11:00 am – 2:30 pm, 5:00 – 10:00 pm.
Friday11:00 am – 2:30 pm, 5:00 – 10:00 pm.
Saturday10:30 am – 2:30 pm, 5:00 – 10:00 pm.
Sunday10:30 am – 2:30 pm, 5:00 – 9:30 pm.
A name synonymous with yum cha in Wellington, Dragons is an institution in the capital’s Asian dining scene.
Few others match Dragons in terms of sheer presence and popularity. With a strong focus on bringing families - especially across generations - together through food, the place is abuzz most days of the week. It’s the weekends in particular when Dragons shines in all its glory though, as families from all walks of life pack the restaurant out for a hearty yum cha.
And there are few better places in town for a food-based gathering. The cavernous space seats 200, with speedy, efficient service keeping groups flowing through the doors. From the golden dragon ornament at the entrance through to the quirky artwork, culminating in a giant mural plastered across the rear wall, Dragons offers a bold proposition: that it's possible to stay true to your roots while having a bit of fun.
It's an approach reflected in its menu, which in true Chinese fashion, is as extensive as it is tantalising. You’ll find all the yum cha staples here - the pork and shrimp dim sum and barbecue pork buns are among the perennial favourites. The black truffle and prawn dumplings, a Dragons specialty, are another crowd-pleaser, fusing Chinese and Kiwi flavours.
Come for dinner and you’re treated to a whole other dining experience, detailed page after page in the glossy menu. Signature dishes include the five-spiced slow-cooked duck with sweet soy sauce and a homemade casserole filled with homemade fish patties, vermicelli and Chinese cabbage.
With its diverse menu, handy central city location, and invariable service with a smile, Dragons is an ideal spot for both Chinese aficionados and those newer to the cuisine.
Words by John Son & Photography by Anna Briggs
Information not correct? Report an error
Location
25 Tory Street, Te Aro
Nearby Places
twenty-seven names
Unique to Wellington’s offering of New Zealand boutique designer fashion is twenty-seven names, with the first store of designers Rachel Easting and Anjali Stewart open on Vivian Street.
Six Barrel Soda
Summer is officially here, and local favourite Six Barrel Soda has opened their Lukes Lane soda factory to the public for a cellar door experience.
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.
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.
Similar Places
Tricky's Sandwich Co
It’s hard to beat a good sandwich – and Tricky’s Sandwich Co is a family-run sandwich joint that have made it their business to be unbeatable.
Penray Gardens
Penray Gardens is a pick-your-own paradise located in Ōtaki on the Kāpiti Coast.
Willis Lane
Wellington’s city streets are constantly humming with life and energy, but for a playful excursion that breaks the norm, you’ll want to head underground.