J & M Fastfoods

Crowned by a giant Coca-Cola bottle that's become a Courtenay Place landmark, J&M Fastfoods has been satisfying Wellington's lunch crowds and night owls for nearly two decades. Unpretentious and adored, this is where the city finds what it needs, exactly when it needs it most: generous portions of Kiwi-style Chinese takeaways, plus fried chicken and chicken salt chips that have achieved cult status.

Jenny Eir and her family took over in 2006, arriving as refugees from Cambodia. With English as their second language, they worked to establish themselves, and in doing so, became synonymous with Wellington’s CBD. Their restaurant is now a place where office workers, tradies, students, and stumbling clubbers all converge for the same thing: honest, satisfying food that doesn't break the bank.

The fit-out hasn't changed much since those early days, which is part of J&M’s enduring appeal. Vintage signage glows against white walls, and red plastic chairs cluster around simple tables, while that iconic Coke bottle presides over it all outside. Eye-catching, slightly retro and proudly worn, the aesthetic might be described as accidentally vintage, but there's nothing accidental about the steady stream of regulars who know exactly what they're after.

The sweet and sour pork has its devotees, while smorgasbord meals achieve a serious value-to-taste ratio. Made-to-order specialties elevate the menu without compromising the J&M philosophy (fill your belly without emptying your wallet): their chicken fried rice tossed in a scorching wok with marinated soy sauce for that essential wok hei is one example, the fish burger with its whole hand-battered fillet stacked with fresh salad another.

The best meals are often served at the humblest tables, and what J&M lacks in glamour, it delivers in history and flavour. This is an institution that's fed practically everyone in Wellington at least once, and in a city that's seen constant change, it remains beloved and woven into Wellington's DNA.