Restaurants in Wellington
Wellington has more restaurants, bars and cafés per head than New York. The city has established a well-deserved reputation as the culinary capital of the country, so dining out here is a must. Try the locally grown lamb, ostrich, venison and seafood (green mussels) if you get the opportunity.
The restaurants below have been grouped into three different pricing categories:
Expensive (over NZ$100)
Moderate (NZ$30 to NZ$100)
Cheap (under NZ$30)
These prices are for a three-course meal for one, including tax and tip but not drinks.
Expensive
Hippopotamus
Cuisine: International and FrenchThe award-winning Hippopotamus embodies fine dining at its best. Blending old-world charm, French-influenced dishes, and fine New Zealand and European wines, the restaurant makes for a glamorous evening out. The venue is a part of the Museum Art Hotel, and offers breathtaking views of the Wellington harbour.
Address: , 90 Cable Street, Wellington,Telephone: +64 4 802 8935.
Website: http://www.hippopotamus.co.nz
Logan Brown
Cuisine: Contemporary New ZealandLocated in a renovated 1920s banking chamber, this fine-dining restaurant has been 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. With a focus on organic, fair trade and responsibly sourced food, options range from smoked eel and crab for starters to beetroot lasagne and spiced duck for mains. Delicious.
Address: , 192 Cuba Street, Wellington,Telephone: +64 4 801 5114.
Website: http://www.loganbrown.co.nz
Shed 5 Restaurant
Cuisine: SeafoodOriginally 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, New Zealand lamb, venison and poultry dishes) and a selection of both New Zealand and international wines has ensured the restaurant's success. Apart from its impressive wine cellar, Shed 5 also offers cigars.
Address: , Queen's Wharf, Wellington,Telephone: +64 4 499 9069.
Website: http://www.shed5.co.nz
Moderate
Boulcott Street Bistro
Cuisine: French BistroThis popular bistro has been serving customers for over 20 years. Set in a charming 19th century heritage cottage, the restaurant is headed up by chef and TV personality Rex Morgan, who delivers classic and innovative dishes with panache. Try the calamari or linguine, grilled pork chop, braised lamb shank and for dessert, finish off with sublime profiteroles or elderflower yoghurt panna cotta.
Address: , 99 Boulcott Street, Wellington,Telephone: +64 4 499 4199.
Website: http://www.boulcottstreetbistro.co.nz
Matterhorn
Cuisine: Contemporary New ZealandDescribing itself as a "treasured local haunt", this retro restaurant has been serving up wonderful food since the 1960s. An innovative, iconic menu delivered in kitch surroundings means there is plenty to surprise: sample, for instance, kingfish cured in gin botanicals, sesame cream, rhubarb, unripe tomato and salted cucumber, new potatoes cooked in toasted hay, or red deer fillet served with cocoa, smoked beetroot, dried fig, almond cream and raspberry.
Address: , 106 Cuba Street, Wellington,Telephone: +64 4 384 3359.
Website: http://www.matterhorn.co.nz
Ortega Fish Shack and Bar
Cuisine: SeafoodSpecialising in fresh local seafood, Ortega Fish Shack and Bar is a casual venue that embodies the spirit of a beachside bungalow –fishing paraphernalia rate highly on the list of decorative elements here. Some of the innovative treats on the menu include snapper, tomato and chickpea ragout, cavolor nero and scampi emulsion; and soft-shelled crab, roasted pork belly, sweet tamarind, peanut slaw and coconut dressing.
Address: , 16 Majoribank Street, Wellington,Telephone: +64 4 382 9559.
Website: http://ortega.co.nz
Cheap
Caffé L'Affare
Cuisine: BrunchThis 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 are also superb. Grab the paper, sit down, relax and enjoy.
Address: , 27 College Street, Wellington,Telephone: +64 4 385 9748.
Website: http://www.laffare.co.nz
Monsoon Poon
Cuisine: Southeast AsianThis vibrant Southeast Asian restaurant serves a fab array of food from Vietnam, China, Thailand, India, Indonesia and Malaysia. There is also a lovely bar area offering wines, spirits and cocktails.
Address: , 12 Blair Street, Wellington,Telephone: +64 4 803 3555.
Website: http://www.monsoonpoon.co.nz
The Flying Burrito Brothers
Cuisine: MexicanDiscover spicy, generously portioned dishes in this great Mexican cantina where staples such as chillies, epazote, chocolate, tomatoes, cilantro, and avocados paired up with locally produced meats and vegetables provide tasty but affordable dining options.
Address: , Corner of Cuba Street and Vivien Street, Wellington,Telephone: +64 4 385 8811.
Website: http://www.flyingburritobrothers.co.nz
