Kazu Yakitori & Sake Bar

Hidden within the second floor of the historic Stewarts Building on Courtenay Place is Kazu Yakitori & Sake Bar. A sanctuary from the street-level bedlam below, this faithful slice of Japanese pub culture embodies the spirit and aesthetics of izakaya, quietly proving what many locals already know: some of Wellington's best dining takes place upstairs.

Here, success comes in pairings: precision-grilled yakitori meets a sake selection that runs deep; traditional culinary techniques meet a raw, industrial-style space adorned with Japanese motifs. Exposed ceiling beams string paper lanterns above polished concrete floors, while cement walls display retro Japanese beer posters alongside ornamental fans. The room's focal point is a long counter straddling an open kitchen; at the far end, a blue noren curtain announces the restaurant's specialty in bold white hiragana: yakitori.

A delight for both solo diners and celebratory groups, Kazu exudes that particular energy synonymous with Japanese hospitality: the chorus of greetings upon arrival and warm farewells when you leave. The wooden stools lined along the counter are well-worn, as the best seats in the house should be. Here is where you witness expert chefs craft an array of specialty dishes, from grilled yakitori to hearty donburi bowls, while tables on the opposite wall and spilling onto the balcony accommodate larger parties.

Whatever your perch, you'll soon learn what yakitori is all about. These charcoal-grilled, bite-sized skewers anchor the menu, though tsukune balls, donburi bowls, katsu curry, and seasonal hotpots all pay homage to izakaya tradition. Each dish justifies climbing the flight of stairs, while the sake list, served warm or chilled in measures from taste to bottle, might complicate your descent.

Delivering Japanese pub culture with sincerity and style, Kazu Yakitori & Sake Bar is for anyone yearning for the nation’s famous alleyway yakitori, without so much as a wander outside Wellington's CBD.