Guide To Wellington Restaurants

A quick guide to the dining areas of Wellington

Wellington is a city that’s big on dining out. It’s claimed the city has more cafes per head than New York City which is hard to argue once you explore the culinary scene. Coffee, good food and craft beer are taken very seriously in these parts, as demonstrated with the abundance and diversity of restaurants, cafes and bars dotted throughout the city.

From harborside dining on the Waterfront and Oriental Bay, to the nightlife hotspots of Cuba Street and Courtenay Place, to the retail district of Lambton Quay and Willis Streets, Wellington can rightly be recognsied as the premier dining destination in New Zealand.

Oriental Bay

With a beachfront location close to Te Papa Musuem and the heart of the city, the golden stretch of Oriental Bay is often referred to as ‘Millionaire’s Row’. The area features some of the most exclusive restaurants in Wellington with prime views of the harbour. 

Waterfront

The Wellington Waterfront area is lined with restaurants and bars, many with outdoor dining areas to fully appreciate the setting. The numerous al fresco dining restaurants, means it's especially popular during the warmer months with Queen’s Wharf the heart of the Waterfront area.

Established restaurants like Dockside, The Fox Glove and Mac’s Brew Bar also double up as popular bars. Shed 5 is one the city’s top seafood restaurants with large glass windows showcasing the harbour views and serving tasty dishes that include whole roasted snapper with mussels, cockles and buttery chipotle salsa.

Courtenay Place

Along with Cuba Street, Courtenay Place forms the central hub of entertainment, bars and restaurants in the city. The full range of dining and cuisine choices are here, from quick bar bites to fine dining establishments all located in a compact area. 

Cuba Street

Cuba Street is a bohemium mix of retro shops, boutique fashion shops and diverse choice of dining spots. There’s plenty of quirky cafes bustling from breakfast onwards, fast food joints, and some stand out fine dining restaurants. If you’re not sure what you’re after, you’ll soon find it with a walk down the city’s most famous street.