Los Banditos
Monday5:00 – 9:00 pm.
Tuesday5:00 – 9:00 pm.
Wednesday5:00 – 9:00 pm.
Thursday5:00 – 9:00 pm.
Friday5:00 – 10:00 pm.
Saturday5:00 – 10:00 pm.
Sunday5:00 – 9:00 pm.
Sometimes you walk into a place and just know: this is gonna be a good time. The lively atmosphere and flavoursome food is balanced with a comprehensive drinks list, attentive and friendly service, and (a true sign of all great eateries) plenty of water at the table. Los Banditos manages to do all this and more, bursting onto the Wellington restaurant scene in May 2019 with an impressive repertoire of fresh ingredients, high end cocktails and uber-Instagrammable sharing dishes - including that already famous flaming queso.
Frida watches from one wall and a Mexican flag proudly adorns another, with traditional papel picado strung throughout creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Grab a stool at the bar or get comfy in one of the booths, large groups and intimate dinners-for-two are equally well catered for and the oversized tables provide plenty of elbow room. You can expect fast service that doesn’t compromise on quality, and enough choice to keep everyone including vegan and vegetarian diners well fed and happy.
Pushing the boundaries and experimenting with colour and flavour, everything is hand made by the talented chefs right there in the kitchen. Salsas, pickles, syrups, sauces, even the maraschino cherries are carefully crafted on site and the tequila is infused by hand. Each tortilla is individually pressed for unparalleled freshness, and every table features a line up of bespoke Los Banditos hot sauce ranging from mild to very hot.
Los Banditos is open late too, making it the perfect venue no matter the occasion. Whether you’re in need of an afternoon nibble, dinner catch up with friends or a margarita and some of the best Sangria in town, book your table or arrive early to nab a seat in the sun and soak it all in.
Words by Zack Holmes & Photography by Anna Briggs
Information not correct? Report an error
Location
19 Blair Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Nearby Places
The Library
Hidden behind an unassuming ground floor entrance, The Library is another well-known establishment that overlooks the go-go crowd of Courtenay Place.
LUCKY
Keeping things simple, LUCKY takes its vibes from the West Coast skate scene, where doing your own thing comes with a hint of rebellion.
Glou Glou
Located inside Wellington’s iconic Exchange Building on Allen Street, Glou Glou is an upmarket casual cafe that is ultra sleek yet laid-back enough to warrant a daily...
Kowtow
Kowtow inspires shoppers to think a little more before handing over their credit card.
Similar Places
Trade School Kitchen
Described as the ‘living room of the Naenae community’, Trade School Kitchen is a not-for-profit community based cafe doing what it can to give back to its people.
Swimsuit
Community is definitely the feel you get here too - expect to see people reading books, catching up on university goss, and all with impeccable coffee in hand.
Tartines French Cafe
Tartines offers a small slice of French culinary delight, with handmade tarts, pastries, fresh bread and classic dishes that will have you mistaking Lower Hutt for Lyon.
Bus Stop Café
The Bus Stop Cafe is a hidden secret a stone's throw away from Te Horo Beach.