Mabel's

When it comes to evoking a sense of identity through spatial design, few restaurants in the capital do it better than Mabel’s.

Mabel’s is an eatery with a story to share. One that’s told eloquently in a chat with the effervescent co-owner, Marlar, or through a wander around the beautiful space. The ‘Burmese eat and drink shop’ is named after Marlar’s grandmother, a trailblazer herself in Wellington's hospitality scene during the 70s. Mabel’s Anglo-Burmese heritage is celebrated throughout the Tory Street spot literally embedded in every fibre of the space.

Soft green, yellow, and brown tones set against brick facades are a nod to the colonial era buildings found in Yangon, Myanmar. The centrepiece of the restaurant - in both a physical and symbolic sense - is the majestic longyi curtain, woven together from sarongs from Mabel’s late son, Michael. In addition to being a conversation starter and a natural partition between the bar and restaurant, the curtain adds another layer to Mabel’s story.

Marlar, along with husband Ian and their friend Dan (owners of the popular Crumpet), started Mabel’s to put Burmese cuisine on the map in Wellington. The city couldn’t have asked for a better trio to take on this task. Locals and visitors alike can relish in authentic Burmese dishes, a popular pick being the exquisite la phet thoke, a salad made from fermented tea leaves that delivers an incomparably earthy, umami taste. Another dish that has piqued Wellingtonians’ interest is the tohu, a chickpea flour-based ‘tofu’ with a nutty, custardy taste.

Sharing stories, celebrating one’s roots, and indulging in homely food with family and friends is what Mabel’s is all about. Come along to Mabel’s to tuck into a story like no other.