Kisa

Middle Eastern dining revolves around sharing - of food, conversation, and good times. Kisa, located on one of Wellington's most beloved corners of Cuba Street, encapsulates this in the form of sumptuous mezze plates with a Kiwi twist.

The brainchild of Dean White (of Mr Go’s, Ombra, and LTD. fame), Kisa effortlessly brings the sights, aromas and textures of the Middle East to Cuba Street. The spacious 90-seater restaurant is brushed from ceiling to floor in the earthy tones of Lebanon, Turkey and beyond. Polished wooden tables gleam amongst the tiled walls and floors, with comfy, padded seating stretching along the length of the walls. Diners can choose from a range of bar seats, smaller tables and intimate booths, adding to a dynamic sense of mingling throughout the space. 

The Josper Mangal, or charcoal barbecue (the only one of its kind in New Zealand) takes centre stage in the restaurant, producing the delectable delights that have made Kisa a household name in the capital. The menu features an array of mezze and large plates, with plenty of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. The hummus is always a favourite (mopped up, of course, with the house pita) and you can feast on nearly anything from the land or sea - from grilled octopus and cured market fish to duck pastrima, spiced wild goat mince lahmacun, and Imam Biyaldi (stuffed eggplant). It goes without saying that the kebab is a must-have (choose from lamb, wild tahr, and flank steak),and the dessert menu is short but definitely sweet.

Kisa is all about championing the best of New Zealand produce through exploring Middle Eastern flavours. With a menu that encourages sharing among friends, there’s no better way to celebrate the melding of two fine cultures.