Wellington, New Zealand — Food and Dining
Restaurants in Wellington, New Zealand
Restaurants
Expensive
LoganBrown
Located in a renovated 1920s banking chamber, this fine-dining restaurant is hailed as the best in the capital. The restaurant itself might be impressive (high ceiling, majestic columns), but it is most definitely the food that is the star of the show here. Admittedly not cheap, but the menu is both exotic and mouth-watering.
192 Cuba Street
Tel: (04) 801 5114.
Website: www.loganbrown.co.nz
Shed5Restaurant
Originally built in 1888 as a woolstore, Shed 5 is one of the oldest remaining wharf stores in Lambton Harbour. A stunning waterfront location with an emphasis on good food (fresh seafood, fish, New Zealand lamb, venison and poultry dishes) and a selection of both New Zealand and international wines have ensured its success.
Queen's Wharf
Tel: (04) 499 9069.
Website: www.shed5.co.nz
Moderate
KosmosGreekTaverna
A slice of authentic Greek food and atmosphere in a typical taverna setting, complete with warm welcome and live entertainment most nights. In summer, you can eat alfresco in the courtyard. Closed on Mondays. Take-away menu available.
13 Pirie Street
Tel: (04) 801 8806.
Website: www.kosmosgreektaverna.co.nz
Martin Bosley's Yacht Club Restaurant
The waterfront restaurant affords great panoramic views of Wellington and the harbor. The menu focuses on fresh produce and seafood, with a strong regional wine list.
103 Oriental Parade
Tel: (04) 920 8302.
Website: www.martin-bosley.com
Tug Boat on the Bay
Wellington's only floating restaurant, the Tug Boat on the Bay boasts great views of the harbor. The focus here is very much on New Zealand seafood, as you would expect. Bookings advised.
Freyberg Lagoon, Oriental Parade, Oriental Bay
Tel: (04) 384 8884.
Website: www.tugboatonthebay.co.nz
Cheap
CafféL'Affare
This place serves the best coffee in town. Period. Food includes all-day breakfast (choose from raisin toast, toasted bagels, porridge and berries, fresh fruit salads, eggs any way you like etc) and toasted panini, seafood chowder and tasty salads for lunch. The cakes too are superb. Grab yourself a paper, sit down, relax and enjoy.
27 College Street
Tel: (04) 385 9748.
Website: www.laffare.co.nz
Nightlife
Bohemian Cuba Street is a good spot for drinking with laid-back and funky bars while the action centers on Courtenay Place for late-night bars and clubs. The free listings papers Capital Times (www.captimes.co.nz) and City Voice are a good place to turn for up-to-date information on nightlife in Wellington. You can hear gig guides for the best live music on Radio Active 89 FM.
Bars
Courtenay Arms
Beer aficionados should head for the Courtenay Arms, a pub with good English and Irish beers, as well as pool tables, dart boards, open fire, big sports screen and gaming lounge.
26 Allen Street
Tel: (04) 385 6908.
Jet Bar
With its two separate bar areas, Jet Bar can offer everyone a fun, relaxing or crazy night, depending on your mood, and is the hip locale dujour where the trendy crowd goes to be seen.
36 Courtenay Place
Tel: (04) 803 3324.
Website: www.jetbar.co.nz
Malthouse
Beer lovers should head to Malthouse. This bar serves great beer from around the world and a good selection of Kiwi brews.
48 Courtenay Place
Tel: (04) 802 5484.
Website: www.themalthouse.co.nz
Clubs
Courtenay Establishment
This is one of Wellington's most popular nightclubs, with constantly changing entertainment and great food.
Corner of Blair Street and Courtenay Place
Tel: (04) 382 8654.
Website: www.theestablishment.co.nz
The Fringe Bar
The Fringe Bar is a popular comedy club, with improv every Wednesday night.
191 Cuba Street
Tel: (04) 801 5007.
Website: www.thefringebar.org
Live Music
Blue Note
In the Cuba Street district, the Blue Note is the place to check out for R&B, reggae and funk (and the odd karaoke night too).
191-195 Cuba Street
Tel: (04) 801 5007.
Bodega
Bodega has loud music and beer on tap and is popular with students.
101 Ghuznee Street
Tel: (04) 384 8212.
Website: www.bodega.co.nz
Molly Malones
As well as being the biggest and busiest Irish pub in town, Molly Malones has bands most nights.
Taranaki Street and Courtenay Place
Tel: (04) 384 2896.
Website: www.mollymalones.co.nz
