If you are already wowed by Wellington’s eating and drinking scene, then the promise that you can also take some of the goods that you’ve been consuming home with you should come as tip top news.

Wellington food and beverage makers are a creative and hardworking bunch of crafters who don’t settle for anything but the best. Don’t go thinking that gives them a pretentious air though, Wellington goods makers are nothing but humble, honourable and legends in their craft. 

In true Wellington fashion, nothing is too far afield when it comes to buying goods - in fact some of the city’s favourite goods makers share laneways right in the centre city, meaning you can simply meander the streets and happen across some of the country’s best artisan goods. A bean-to-bar chocolate factory sits metres from Wellington’s own peanut butter makers, and the sweet cakes and bread you find at your local café have most likely come from food makers who reside just a stone’s throw away.

Pick up a jar of something pickled, a package of something grainy and grab a cake to-go and suddenly you’ve got an Instagram worthy Wellington lunch at home in your dining room - when you go to give thanks, simply look up on your way home, chances are you will be passing one of the local goods makers on your way from A to B.

The People Behind the Places: Meet the Food & Drink Heroes of Kāpiti Coast

A woman holding dutch pancakes in front of a white caravan.
While Kāpiti Coast might be more commonly associated with a holiday destination where the classic fish n’ chips on the beach scenario is a fit-for-purpose culinary experience, scratch the surface, and you’ll find the region brimming with food and drink locations that will have you toss away the thought of eating off paper.

Shelly Bay Baker on Leeds Street

Man with tattooed arm holding a loaf of sourdough bread in brown paper bag
Place Wellington
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When the call of carbs rings out loudly in Wellington, follow the scent of freshly baked bread down Leeds Street and through the door of Shelly Bay Baker.

La Bella Italia

The exterior of La Bella Italia on a sunny day.
Place Hutt Valley
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Down an unassuming side street in industrial Petone, you’ll find La Bella Italia, Lower Hutt’s very own Little Italy.

Forage Merchants of Wellington

Interior of an artisan food shop with chilli oil on shelves, retro lampshades and antique chairs and table
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
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With a range that includes food and drink, health and beauty, art, music and so much more, Forage Merchants celebrates the very best of what the greater Wellington region has to offer.

Jean's

The blue and gold outside of Jeans in Upper Hutt.
Place Hutt Valley Upper Hutt
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Upper Hutt’s Fergusson Drive may often feel like a long, monotonous road, but thanks to its little boutique shops like Jeans, you can find plenty of life and character...

Hendrix Lifestyle Store

A woman working behind a white counter in a beautifully decorate store.
Place Kāpiti Coast
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Located just minutes from the beach at Waikanae, Hendrix Home & Lifestyle Store is a one-stop shop for all your seaside living needs.

Penray Gardens

A fruit and vegetable display inside a large barn.
Place Kāpiti Coast
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Penray Gardens is a pick-your-own paradise located in Ōtaki on the Kāpiti Coast.

Dough

A hand putting a burger on a plate on to a blue table.
Place Wellington
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It may trace its roots to Upper Hutt, but Dough has certainly made a name for itself among bread lovers in Wellington’s city centre.

Monkfish

Strongwater fridge filled with chilled drinks at Monkfish.
Place Wellington
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A cosy refillery and off-licence that’s strictly about good vibes, Monkfish is your Vivian Street stop for your beer, wine, and spirits needs.

Flavours in Jars: Talking 'feel good food' with Esther Lewis

Jar of pickle against a blue wall.
Esther’s food production kitchen and her “flavours in jars” grew from requests from customers across Wellington.

Bottega

New Italian deli food shop Bottega.
Place Wellington
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Authentic Italian delicatessen Bottega is borne from a desire to bring a taste of home to the neighbourly suburb of Berhampore,

Six Barrel Soda

Blue and pink soda bottles.
Place Wellington
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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.

Coffee Supreme Midland Park

Customer reads a journal at Coffee Supreme Midland Park, Wellington.
Place Wellington
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Midland Park marks new beginnings for Coffee Supreme.

Commonsense Kilbirnie

A woman at work in the aisles.
Place Wellington
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A boutique and thoughtful shopping experience.

Baker Gramercy

Two bakers working in the empty bakery in the dark morning.
Place Wellington
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It’s the kind of simplistically stylish bakery you’d expect to find on a New York avenue or down a European side street.

Wellington Chocolate Factory

A man picking out chocolate.
Place Wellington
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A dangerously delicious spot for your hot chocolate and sweet treat fix.

Commonsense Wellington City

Crates of fresh produce.
Place Wellington
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For all things organic, Commonsense Organics is the place to visit – and luckily for Wellingtonians there are four stores to choose from.

Moore Wilson's Tory Street

Fresh fruit and vegetables.
Place Wellington Editor's Pick
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If you’re into food there’s no doubt you’ll be into Moore Wilson's.

Garage Project

Coloured framed art on wall.
Place Wellington
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Situated in an old petrol station in the Aro Valley, Garage Project’s vibe is all about producing experimental beers in a perfect, yet unexpected setting.

ParrotDog Brewery & Nice. Takeaway

Woman filling rigger with beer and takeaway bar section of Parrotdog in Wellington
Place Wellington
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Exuding 70’s retro vibes, ParrotDog’s cellar door (‘Nice.