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
Hawthorn Lounge

The service at Hawthorn Lounge is impeccable, in the sense that they're attentive without being overbearing. It's novel enough to make you realise that most places have forgotten the hospitable out of hospitality.
Havana Bar

Part restaurant, part bar, Havana is an absolute essential in every sense of those two words.
Ortega Fish Shack

A favourite amongst Wellingtonians, Ortega Fish Shack is a must go-to seafood restaurant within the city.
Tomboy

A small boutique café, cakery and catering business with the feel of a country cottage kitchen.
Similar Places
Squirrel

Nestled near the corner of popular Blair Street, Squirrel offers a warm and inviting haven complemented by a menu that showcases the best of Wellington’s producers and suppliers.
Crumpet

Crumpet on Manners Street is a quaint café / bar and quite possibly Wellington’s best kept secret.