Eat Your Heart Out: Culinary Delights in Wellington's Te Ngākau Civic Precinct

From chunky sandwiches to even chunkier donuts, Dough is your one-stop shop in Te Ngākau for all your carb-fuelled needs. Struggling to take your pick? Go for the burnt lemon cheesecake croissant for a one-of-a-kind treat that won’t let you down.

A cosy restaurant that highlights the best of Wellington’s Asian cuisine, you’re truly spoilt for choice at Asian Kitchen. That’s because they don’t just specialise in one kind of cooking - in fact, you and your party can be treated to dishes from Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and more. For a tried and tested classic, you can’t go past the Hainanese chicken, a light but flavoursome favourite that’s steeped in history.

Few others in Wellington do fusion cuisine as well as Apache. The eclectic sharing menu presents you with a wild party of flavours, across both cold and hot dishes, and you’d do well to order as many different dishes as you can. Definitely order the shaking beef - wok caramelised beef fillets served with blistered bell peppers and garnished with the flavours of lemongrass, lime, and garlic.

A large, versatile pub that’s always filled with laughter and good times, The Green Man Pub also boasts a superb food menu. From burgers and steaks to platters and everything in between, you definitely won’t be leaving hungry. A hidden gem is the braised Wapiti ragu rigatoni, served with pecorino, herb pangritata, and herb oil. What better way to enjoy this premium Fiordland venison?

Tucked away in a discreet little laneway, Tatsushi tends to shy away from the spotlight - but their authentic Japanese fare will leave you raving. Like the finest Japanese restaurants, it’s the disciplined attention to detail that helps Tatsushi stand out. The soup stock, for instance, is made fresh every morning with bonito flakes and kelp. No matter what you’re in the mood for, the assorted sashimi platter is always a good place to start.

This hidden haven is one of Wellington’s most popular craft beer bars (and yes, we know there are plenty of them here). A truly all-occasions, all-weather venue, there’s outdoor seating for those who want to catch the breeze, as well as all sorts of cosy nooks and crannies indoors for when it gets a bit colder. Among a star-studded pizza and burger menu, the fried chicken burger is a top pick. Featuring a Southern fried chicken thigh, ranch and chilli sauce, bacon, pickles and beetroot slaw, it’s the perfect pairing to any drink.

This institution, located on the ground floor adjacent to the City Gallery, has served inspiring breakfast and lunch plates using local ingredients for over twenty years. Their signature kedgeree is a flavourful blend of smoked fish, rice, herbs, eggs, and spices. It's a comforting, hearty dish that has become a beloved favourite among regulars and visitors alike. Access points are limited due to ongoing Te Ngākau Civic Precinct works, and you can no longer enter Civic Square from Victoria Street. However, you can still get there via Harris Street or over the City to Sea Bridge.

A timeless Asian spot that caters to virtually every Wellington demographic, from students looking for a cheap feed to busy city workers after a quick lunch. The expansive, no-nonsense menu will have you sorted, from plenty of Asian classics to salads, fish and chips and other fried snacks. The pho range is hard to beat - go for the spicy beef soup for a real winter warmer.

Head along to Cin Cin for no-frills, delicious Italian eats in a prime location in town. With an extensive sharing menu (who can’t say no to a good antipasto platter?) and a top-notch range of both pizza and pasta, it’s an excellent choice for a large group. For a guilty, cheesy treat, try the quattro formaggi pizza, which packs all the mozzarella, parmesan, provolone and gorgonzola you can handle.

A restaurant based in an art deco boot factory? Why not. WBC (Wholesale Boot Company) is a neat Asian fusion eatery tucked away upstairs on Victoria Street, overlooking the busy fashion stores downstairs. An inventive menu packed with fresh and flavoursome dishes is sure to delight - go for the Goan raw fish curry or the Jimbaran style barbecued fish with sambal matah.