Kisa

Restaurants key icon.
Restaurants key icon.

Monday4:00 – 10:00 pm.

Tuesday4:00 – 10:00 pm.

Wednesday12:00 – 10:00 pm.

Thursday12:00 – 10:00 pm.

Friday12:00 – 10:30 pm.

Saturday11:30 am – 10:30 pm.

Sunday11:30 am – 10:00 pm.

195 Cuba St, Te Aro, Wellington

021 449 820

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.

Words by John Son & Photography by Anna Briggs

Information not correct? Report an error

Location

195 Cuba St, Te Aro, Wellington

Nearby Places

Ziggurat Fashion Exchange

Close up of shoes and suitcases.
Place Wellington
Fashion key icon.

A Cuba Street vintage shopping treasure trove.

Damascus

Customers in the dining room at Damascus.
Place Wellington
Restaurants key icon.

With a menu that reads like a love letter to Syrian cooking, Damascus, found in the heart of Wellington, is a place where all are warmly invited to delight in the food from...

City Gallery

Exterior of Wellington City Gallery
Place Wellington
Galleries and museum key icon.

The hub for art-life in New Zealand’s capital, City Gallery Wellington is a contemporary art gallery with a dynamic programme of exhibitions and events.

Highwater Eatery

Long narrow restaurant with people dining in rows.
Place Wellington
Restaurants key icon.

This new eatery combines its efforts of sustainability with celebrating the good times - meaning you can eat and drink and have a great time with the knowledge that you're supporting the good guys.

Similar Places

Peoples Coffee Roastery

A man with child sitting on a couch at Peoples Coffee in Wellington, New Zealand.
Place Wellington
Cafes key icon.

Head to Newtown, venture a bit further past the chaotic and colourful Riddiford Street, and you’ll stumble across Peoples Coffee’s roastery HQ café, the...

Cake & Kitchen

A busy cafe in Upper Hutt.
Place Hutt Valley Upper Hutt
Cafes key icon.

A home away from home, this Upper Hutt cafe plays an important role in the community and leads by example when it comes to sustainability.

Völco Egmont Street

Exterior view of Volco's laneway location.
Place Wellington
Cafes key icon.

Völco’s latest outpost is a warm, welcoming addition to Wellington that takes over the former site of the much-loved Egmont Street Deli & Diner.

Bicycle Junction

Close up of a woman on a bike.
Place Wellington
Cafes key icon. Services key icon.

Catching on to the retro cycles trend, the clever people behind Bicycle Junction's new neighbourhood bikery, describe themselves as “Urban Specialists.”