Courtyard

Shelly Bay Baker on Leeds Street

Man with tattooed arm holding a loaf of sourdough bread in brown paper bag
Place Wellington
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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.

Bellbird Eatery

Scrambled egg and mushrooms on toast.
Place Hutt Valley
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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.

Tartines French Cafe

Fresh tuna salad and aperol spritz on an outdoor French style table
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
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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.

Baylands Brewery

Interior of taproom at Baylands Brewery in Lower Hutt
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
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Based in Petone, Baylands Brewery and Taproom is a relaxed, welcoming space offering up a wide range of fresh beer and tasty food.

Miss Fortune's

Coffee machine and bags of coffee on a colourful counter in Miss Fortune's cafe
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
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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.

Fig Tree Café

A large cafe space with a green painted wall.
Place Hutt Valley
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Nestled in the leafy green suburb of Heretaunga, the Fig Tree Cafe has made its home in a converted church.

Hive Café

A close up of berries on waffles on a plate.
Place Hutt Valley
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Established in 2016, Hive is intended as a cafe for everyone.

Brewtown Eat & Drink

Full of people eating and drinking at Brewtown.
Place Hutt Valley
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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...

The Salt and Wood Collective

Loaded fries and other plates of food on an outdoor table.
Place Kāpiti Coast
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A self-acclaimed carnivore haven, The Salt and Wood Collective in Waikanae is all about big, bold, meaty meals.

The Lockup

The outdoor seating are at the Lock Up in Kapiti.
Place Kāpiti Coast
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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

A large glass cabinet at the counter of Joe and Joy cafe.
Place Kāpiti Coast
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Joe & Joy is a husband-wife-run bakery and cafe in the heart of Waikanae village.

Long Beach Tavern

Graffiti art on an exterior wall.
Place Kāpiti Coast
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The ultimate community restaurant, Long Beach, is a Waikanae institution.

Bus Stop Cafe

A vintage living room sitting next to large windows.
Place Kāpiti Coast
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Bus Stop Cafe is a hidden secret, a stone's throw away from Te Horo Beach.

The Raumati Social Club

The exterior of Raumati Social Club.
Place Kāpiti Coast Paraparaumu
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Everything from an early risers' coffee stop to a late-night live music venue.

Passo

A colourful mural on the wall inside Passo.
Place Kāpiti Coast Paraparaumu
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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

Customers chatting at tables outside the cafe.
Place Kāpiti Coast Paraparaumu
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Dark Horse artisan coffee roaster is committed to sustainable practices; its ethos is to Leave Less Hoofprints.

Sunday Cantina

A close up of a falafel bowl on a white table.
Place Kāpiti Coast Paraparaumu
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A delightful café in Raumati South providing customers with healthy, fresh food in a cheerful environment.

Salty's Diner

A close up of a burger on a table.
Place Kāpiti Coast Paraparaumu Editor's Pick
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A hybrid between a pub and a restaurant, Salty's is an experience not to be missed while visiting the Kāpiti Coast.

BambuchiSan

A colourful tiger cartoon painted on to a white brick wall inside Bambuchisan Wellington.
Place Wellington
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You’re in good hands at Hataitai’s very own neo-Japanese paradise.

August Eatery

The red and glass exterior of August Eatery.
Place Wellington
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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...

Wilson Barbecue

Customer at Wilson Barbecue enjoying the food.
Place Wellington
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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.

Puffin

Shelves of wine with a takeaway sign.
Place Wellington Editor's Pick
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Welcome to Puffin, a “wine bar with a focus on organic and minimal intervention wines”.

Heyday

Outdoor courtyard at Heyday, Wellington.
Place Wellington
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A fun and easy going brewery and bar, with plenty of games (including table tennis!) to keep you entertained.

Golding's Free Dive Bar

People hanging out at the bar.
Place Wellington
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The ideal no-nonsense neighbourhood bar.

Little Beer Quarter

Yellow exterior of Little Beer Quarter.
Place Wellington
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With 12 craft beers on tap and over 100 bottles of beer from New Zealand and around the globe this inner-city pub truly is a gem.

Meow

The outside the bar.
Place Wellington
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Live music, slam poetry readings, stand-up comedy and a thumping happy hour make Meow a versatile venue.

Olive

Interior wooden tables and chairs.
Place Wellington
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Olive provides attentive service, luxurious ambiance, perfectly poached eggs and a top cup of black coffee.

Rogue & Vagabond

People in the bar.
Place Wellington
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A great spot for meeting friends, socialising or just watching the Wellington crowd do their thing.

Pickle and Pie

Close up of pickles.
Place Wellington
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After many a lunchtime spent hankering for just a ‘good old sandwich’, Tim Tracey and Mia Freeman decided to take matters into their own hands.