Casual
Shelly Bay Baker on Leeds Street
When the call of carbs rings out loudly in Wellington, follow the scent of freshly baked bread down Leeds Street and through the door of Shelly Bay Baker.
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...
La Bella Italia
Down an unassuming side street in industrial Petone, you’ll find La Bella Italia, Lower Hutt’s very own Little Italy.
Bellbird Eatery
Museum and art gallery cafes have really upped their game in recent years, evolving from simple refreshment pit stops to become attractions in their own right.
Jean's
Upper Hutt’s Fergusson Drive may often feel like a long, monotonous road, but thanks to its little boutique shops like Jeans, you can find plenty of life and character...
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.
Small Batch, Ripe Coffee Roasters
This small but mighty Petone-based coffee roaster has well and truly established itself as a trusty local for many Hutt goers.
Cake & Kitchen
Cake & Kitchen is a cafe in Upper Hutt, bringing people together over delicious food and coffee.
Tricky's Sandwich Co
It’s hard to beat a good sandwich – and Tricky’s Sandwich Co is a family-run sandwich joint that have made it their business to be unbeatable.
Baylands Brewery
Based in Petone, Baylands Brewery and Taproom is a relaxed, welcoming space offering up a wide range of fresh beer and tasty food.
Dough Upper Hutt
Come for the art, stay for the coffee and doughnuts at Dough Bakery in Upper Hutt – conveniently located in one of the town's most popular cultural haunts.
House of Good Fortune
Petone’s myriad side streets hold plenty of delightful surprises, and if you’re lucky enough, you might just stumble upon the House of Good Fortune.
Miss Fortune's
Lower Hutt’s industrial precinct isn’t exactly where you’d think to head for a slice of quintessential Wellington hospitality, but at Miss Fortune’s, you’ll find one of the region’s most charismatic little brunch spots.
Kilim Petone
A revered name in Wellington’s Turkish scene, Kilim is synonymous with quality, hearty kebabs done well, with its reputation extending far beyond the Hutt Valley.
Viva Mexico
This is not the place to be ordering chili con carne or hard-shell tacos. At Viva Mexico, you'll be treated to a true taste of Mexican in the Hutt.
Twenty Eight
Named for their address on Cornwall Street, Twenty Eight is a modern, well lit and welcoming Lower Hutt cafe serving up interesting cabinet food, a thoughtfully crafted...
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.
Fig Tree Café
Nestled in the leafy green suburb of Heretaunga, the Fig Tree Cafe has made its home in a converted church.
Cars Inc.
What started out as simply a young boy with a passion has turned into a lifelong project for car enthusiast Paul Boden, and the opening of Cars Inc.
Gerry's Charcoal Chicken
On a small side street in the sleepy suburb of Elderslea, you’ll find what appears to be an unassuming - if not slightly dated - takeaway shop.
Keihei Chicken
A bright, bold splash of yellow on Fergusson Drive, Keihei Chicken brings more than just warmth and colour to this otherwise grey corner of Upper Hutt.
Brewtown Eat & Drink
Widely regarded as Wellington’s premier craft beer destination, Brewtown isn’t just a mecca for beer lovers, but also for those who simply appreciate good food...
Abandoned Taproom Petone
The upcycled furniture, the bike frame fence, and of course, the walls covered ceiling to floor in graffiti (literally, there’s writing on the ceiling).
Montfoort
Montfoort has a simple yet exciting mission: to showcase the very best of sweet Dutch street food.
The Salt and Wood Collective
A self-acclaimed carnivore haven, The Salt and Wood Collective in Waikanae is all about big, bold, meaty meals.
The Lockup
Situated a stone's throw away from the beach at Paraparaumu, The Lockup is the ultimate ocean-side cafe, complete with a large outdoor area and a chilled vibe.
Joe & Joy
Joe & Joy is a husband-wife-run bakery and cafe in the heart of Waikanae village.
Long Beach Tavern
The ultimate community restaurant, Long Beach, is a Waikanae institution.
Bus Stop Cafe
Bus Stop Cafe is a hidden secret, a stone's throw away from Te Horo Beach.
Peoples Coffee Roastery
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...
Willis Lane
Wellington’s city streets are constantly humming with life and energy, but for a playful excursion that breaks the norm, you’ll want to head underground.
KC Café & Takeaway
An unassuming takeaway in the eyes of the casual visitor to Wellington, KC Cafe is so ingrained in the culinary history of the capital that it may as well have heritage status.
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.
The Raumati Social Club
Everything from an early risers' coffee stop to a late-night live music venue.
Passo
You wouldn’t expect to stumble upon an authentic Sicilian restaurant serving up mouthwatering dishes in the heart of Paraparaumu, but Passo is here to challenge your expectations.
Dark Horse
Dark Horse artisan coffee roaster is committed to sustainable practices; its ethos is to Leave Less Hoofprints.
Olde Beach Bakery
Olde Beach Bakery pumps out delicious baked goods in the heart of Paekākāriki for the enjoyment of locals and visitors alike.
Sunday Cantina
A delightful café in Raumati South providing customers with healthy, fresh food in a cheerful environment.
Salty's Diner
A hybrid between a pub and a restaurant, Salty's is an experience not to be missed while visiting the Kāpiti Coast.
Customs
Some of the finest coffee in town since 2010, Wellington's Customs is the flagship café co-owned by Coffee Supreme and their long-time employee, Tim Norriss.
CGR Merchant & Co
Look for an unassuming red door in the heart of Courtenay Place in Wellington and you’ll be whisked away to one of the city’s best cocktail lounges.
Margot
Tucked away in the heart of Newtown in Wellington is the little restaurant, Margot.
Huckle & Co
The perfect summer afternoon doesn’t exis… oh wait, it does, and you’ll find it in Seatoun in Wellington.
August Eatery
August conjures many things in the minds of Wellingtonians: the last throes of a bitingly cold winter, the promise of warmer days ahead, the prospect of the country’s...
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.
Belén
The vision for Wellington bakery Belén was simple: to prove there are no limits to what can be created with plants.
The Oatery
Having built a reputation for feeding Wellingtonians healthy breakfasts on the go, it was only a matter of time before food caravan The Oatery set up a permanent shop.
Next Door
Positioned right next to neighbourhood favourite Margot, Next Door makes up one...
Dragons
A name synonymous with yum cha in Wellington, Dragons is an institution in the capital’s Asian dining scene.
Wilson Barbecue
Wilson Barbecue has a new permanent home after wowing Wellingtonian's with their food truck delights and pop-up stints. Wilson Barbecue is loudly and proudly “all about the meat”, and their brisket, ribs, and pulled pork, all cooked low ‘n slow, enjoy a richly deserved reputation.
Los Banditos
Los Banditos brings Wellington flavoursome Mexican food, a lively atmosphere, exciting drinks and friendly service.
Bottega
Authentic Italian delicatessen Bottega is borne from a desire to bring a taste of home to the neighbourly suburb of Berhampore,
Zelati
From the texture to the rich, bright flavours, their range of sorbet and gelato offerings are impressive on the palate and pleasing to the eye.
Six Barrel Soda
Summer is officially here, and local favourite Six Barrel Soda has opened their Lukes Lane soda factory to the public for a cellar door experience.
Fidel's Café
Fidel's is a Cuba St institution and a go-to for those in search of great food, sharp service and good vibes in the heart of the city.
Heyday
A fun and easy going brewery and bar, with plenty of games (including table tennis!) to keep you entertained.
Parrotdog Bar
A brilliant retro-fit bar that welcomes tradies, business folk, families, children and even dogs.
Queen Sally's Diamond Deli
A Lyall Bay mainstay, Queen Sally's is the amazingly kitsch and eclectic café which services the residents of, and visitors to, this rather lovely Wellington suburb.
Ombra
Ombra goes to show that great food and great service are a winning combination every time.
Staple Espresso
Sleek and simple, Staple Espresso speaks volumes about letting a product do the talking – and in this case it’s the coffee that’s got people chatting
Garage Project
Situated in an old petrol station in the Aro Valley, Garage Project’s vibe is all about producing experimental beers in a perfect, yet unexpected setting.
Havana Bar
Part restaurant, part bar, Havana is an absolute essential in every sense of those two words.
Havana Coffee Works
This cozy, retro café on Tory Street moves through to an open-air, garage-style roastery.
Deluxe Espresso Bar
Open till late in the evening, this has, for years, been a popular coffee spot with young and old, hipsters and working folk – anything goes.
Mystic Kitchen
You have no doubt heard of this café’s laid-back vibes, easy-going staff and damn good food.
Scopa Pizzeria
A great option for pizza or a late night chocolate hit, this little landmark has you covered.
Mr Go's
A happy mix of West meets East, pink meets green, and beer meets bao, Mr Go’s is proof that an eatery needn’t stick to one concrete theme.
