Guidebook for Wellington
Drinks & Nightlife
Great selection of local craft beers, small but well-curated wine list, quirky decor, delightful staff, and high chances of spotting a cute dog. The little porch is perfect for a pint on a sunny day (or a rainy day, it's got a roof and a heater). The place is pretty quiet in the afternoons, so it makes a great remote office or location for a business meeting.
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Golding's Free Dive
Great selection of local craft beers, small but well-curated wine list, quirky decor, delightful staff, and high chances of spotting a cute dog. The little porch is perfect for a pint on a sunny day (or a rainy day, it's got a roof and a heater). The place is pretty quiet in the afternoons, so it makes a great remote office or location for a business meeting.
Delightful brewpub and coffee roastery. Big selection of craft beers and delicious food. Great for dinner (try the fried chicken!), but don't overlook their brunch fare - the shakshuka and crumpets are fabulous.
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HUSK
62 Ghuznee StDelightful brewpub and coffee roastery. Big selection of craft beers and delicious food. Great for dinner (try the fried chicken!), but don't overlook their brunch fare - the shakshuka and crumpets are fabulous.
One of the first beer bars in Wellington, tucked away down some stairs in what used to be the jail cells of the old police building. Amazing tap and bottled beer selection, plus an off-licence for takeaways. Friendly staff can help anyone find their perfect beer. Great pies if you're feeling peckish. Live music on Saturday nights and b-movies on Sundays. The perfect hideaway on cold rainy days.
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Hashigo Zake
25 Taranaki StOne of the first beer bars in Wellington, tucked away down some stairs in what used to be the jail cells of the old police building. Amazing tap and bottled beer selection, plus an off-licence for takeaways. Friendly staff can help anyone find their perfect beer. Great pies if you're feeling peckish. Live music on Saturday nights and b-movies on Sundays. The perfect hideaway on cold rainy days.
Dog-friendly beer bar just off Glover Park. Good selection of beers. Good bar fare if you're hungry - pizzas, sandwiches, and curly fries (with cheese and gravy!). Cheap tacos on Tuesdays and wings on Wednesdays, and free live music throughout the week. Great on a sunny afternoon when you can take your beer and food into the park and enjoy on a beanbag. Dog friendly!
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The Rogue & Vagabond
18 Garrett StDog-friendly beer bar just off Glover Park. Good selection of beers. Good bar fare if you're hungry - pizzas, sandwiches, and curly fries (with cheese and gravy!). Cheap tacos on Tuesdays and wings on Wednesdays, and free live music throughout the week. Great on a sunny afternoon when you can take your beer and food into the park and enjoy on a beanbag. Dog friendly!
Cosy pub with a huge selection of beer and great food. Great for a beer before or after heading across the alley to the Capital Markets for food. Usually quiet in the afternoons, so a great place to bring a laptop and get some work done.
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Little Beer Quarter
6 Edward StCosy pub with a huge selection of beer and great food. Great for a beer before or after heading across the alley to the Capital Markets for food. Usually quiet in the afternoons, so a great place to bring a laptop and get some work done.
Good local music venue with a wide variety of local and international acts.
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San Fran
171 Cuba StGood local music venue with a wide variety of local and international acts.
Food Scene
Beautiful local, seasonal food in a laid back environment. Friendly staff, spectacular beer and wine selection, and delicious ever-changing menu of food.
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Shepherd
5 Eva StBeautiful local, seasonal food in a laid back environment. Friendly staff, spectacular beer and wine selection, and delicious ever-changing menu of food.
Seasonal 'European comfort food' restaurant with a menu that changes weekly. Everything they make is beautiful, but don't miss their cheese souffle if it's on the menu when you're here. Save room for the homemade ice cream and sorbet for dessert.
Field & Green
262 Wakefield StSeasonal 'European comfort food' restaurant with a menu that changes weekly. Everything they make is beautiful, but don't miss their cheese souffle if it's on the menu when you're here. Save room for the homemade ice cream and sorbet for dessert.
Great cafe nestled in the City Gallery. Perfect for breakfast or brunch while exploring along the waterfront. The sage fried eggs are one of the best breakfasts in Wellington. The lunch specials change weekly, but the pasta is always delicious.
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Nikau Cafe
101 Wakefield StGreat cafe nestled in the City Gallery. Perfect for breakfast or brunch while exploring along the waterfront. The sage fried eggs are one of the best breakfasts in Wellington. The lunch specials change weekly, but the pasta is always delicious.
Indoor street market full of food stalls featuring food from all over the world. New vendors come and go all the time, but it's always a great option for big groups with picky eaters - order whatever you want, then all sit together.
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Capital Market
151 Willis StIndoor street market full of food stalls featuring food from all over the world. New vendors come and go all the time, but it's always a great option for big groups with picky eaters - order whatever you want, then all sit together.
One of the best restaurants in Wellington. A bit spendy, but worth it for that special occasion. Laid back rustic decor, amazing food, and lovely service. Specialises in seafood, but also serves a mean steak. The tagliatelle with garlic prawns is Jess's go-to, and whatever fish is on special will be delicious.
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Ortega
16 Majoribanks StOne of the best restaurants in Wellington. A bit spendy, but worth it for that special occasion. Laid back rustic decor, amazing food, and lovely service. Specialises in seafood, but also serves a mean steak. The tagliatelle with garlic prawns is Jess's go-to, and whatever fish is on special will be delicious.
Great bakery and coffee shop just outside the front door. Perfect for fresh bread in the morning, or a quick coffee and breakfast before heading out for the day. The salted caramel cookies are amazing.
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Leeds Street Bakery
14 Leeds StGreat bakery and coffee shop just outside the front door. Perfect for fresh bread in the morning, or a quick coffee and breakfast before heading out for the day. The salted caramel cookies are amazing.
Great little BYO restaurant on Cuba Street. Chilli oil dumplings are their speciality, and if you have a big group, definitely get the potato tower.
Ram's Restaurant
171 Cuba StGreat little BYO restaurant on Cuba Street. Chilli oil dumplings are their speciality, and if you have a big group, definitely get the potato tower.
Some of the best Malaysian in Wellington - great for takeaway on a lazy night, or stick around and dine in.
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Little Penang
179 Victoria StSome of the best Malaysian in Wellington - great for takeaway on a lazy night, or stick around and dine in.
Best Mexican food in Wellington, tucked away down the Left Bank of Cuba Street. Queso, margaritas, enchiladas, tacos, burritos, and more. Anything with their homemade salsa verde is a winner. Also great breakfast/brunch options. Sadly closed Mondays.
13 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Viva Mexico
161 Riddiford StreetBest Mexican food in Wellington, tucked away down the Left Bank of Cuba Street. Queso, margaritas, enchiladas, tacos, burritos, and more. Anything with their homemade salsa verde is a winner. Also great breakfast/brunch options. Sadly closed Mondays.
Amazing Vietnamese street food disguised as a fish and chip shop. Get the pho on a rainy day.
Fisherman's Plate Seafood
12 Bond StAmazing Vietnamese street food disguised as a fish and chip shop. Get the pho on a rainy day.
Saturday night market of food trucks and snacks from around the world. Great for grabbing a bite before heading out for the evening. Most of the same vendors are also in the Left Bank of Cuba Street on Friday nights.
Wellington Saturday Night Market
Cuba StreetSaturday night market of food trucks and snacks from around the world. Great for grabbing a bite before heading out for the evening. Most of the same vendors are also in the Left Bank of Cuba Street on Friday nights.
Best takeaways in town - tiny little shop featuring amazing, gigantic hand pulled noodles and delicious five-spice fried chicken. Daily specials are also worth trying. They close at 8 PM though, so get in quick.
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TASTE OF HOME
128 Vivian StBest takeaways in town - tiny little shop featuring amazing, gigantic hand pulled noodles and delicious five-spice fried chicken. Daily specials are also worth trying. They close at 8 PM though, so get in quick.
Fantastic Latin American food (and bonus points for being an ethical, sustainable, and living wage employer), good cocktails and beer, and open late. Try the fried grasshoppers! The tortilla chips (with salsa or guac) are quite possibly the best you'll ever eat.
7 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
El Culo Del Mundo
2 Roxburgh StFantastic Latin American food (and bonus points for being an ethical, sustainable, and living wage employer), good cocktails and beer, and open late. Try the fried grasshoppers! The tortilla chips (with salsa or guac) are quite possibly the best you'll ever eat.
Soul Shack
120 Victoria StBest fried chicken in town. Try the level 4 spice at your own risk!
Lashings
31 Dixon StAmazing brownies and other sweet treats, plus excellent cheese rolls and cheese scones.
If you want an unforgettable meal, this is the place. Features traditional Māori cooking methods and ingredients.
HIAKAI
40 Wallace StIf you want an unforgettable meal, this is the place. Features traditional Māori cooking methods and ingredients.
Arts & Culture
Contemporary art gallery. Mostly free, with an occasional paid exhibit. First Thursday of every month is late night at the gallery, with live music, food, talks, and other special events. Koha entry.
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City Gallery Wellington
Contemporary art gallery. Mostly free, with an occasional paid exhibit. First Thursday of every month is late night at the gallery, with live music, food, talks, and other special events. Koha entry.
New Zealand's national museum - art, culture, history, everything. Mostly free with some paid exhibits. Great for kids and families, but fun for adults too.
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Te Papa Tongarewa
New Zealand's national museum - art, culture, history, everything. Mostly free with some paid exhibits. Great for kids and families, but fun for adults too.
Wellington's best theatre (in my humble opinion). Three spaces inside the venue, so there are usually a few shows on each night. Ranges from comedy to drama to improv to experimental - something for everyone. The bar downstairs is also delightful for a drink before or after the show.
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BATS Theatre
1 Kent TerraceWellington's best theatre (in my humble opinion). Three spaces inside the venue, so there are usually a few shows on each night. Ranges from comedy to drama to improv to experimental - something for everyone. The bar downstairs is also delightful for a drink before or after the show.
Cool little museum of Wellington history, culture, and geography.
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Wellingtonmuseet
3 Jervois QuayCool little museum of Wellington history, culture, and geography.
The home of queer, feminist, and avant-garde performance in Wellington - drag kings and queens, poetry, naked folks reading, burlesque cabarets - you name it, it's at the Fringe. Bonus stage karaoke after the show on Friday nights. Shows are affordable (up to $25 or so) and many are free or have sliding scales.
The Fringe Bar
26-32 Allen StThe home of queer, feminist, and avant-garde performance in Wellington - drag kings and queens, poetry, naked folks reading, burlesque cabarets - you name it, it's at the Fringe. Bonus stage karaoke after the show on Friday nights. Shows are affordable (up to $25 or so) and many are free or have sliding scales.
Cosy little cinema with a mix of indie, arthouse, and Hollywood films. Soft couches instead of seats, so great for a date.
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Light House Cuba
29 Wigan StCosy little cinema with a mix of indie, arthouse, and Hollywood films. Soft couches instead of seats, so great for a date.
Parks & Nature
Beautiful gardens near downtown Wellington. Everything from manicured rose gardens to wild forests. Take the cable car to the top, bring a picnic, and wander down for a peaceful, beautiful afternoon (good strategy for avoiding walking up the steepest of the hills). There's also a playground for the kids.
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Wellington Botaniska Trädgård
101 Glenmore StBeautiful gardens near downtown Wellington. Everything from manicured rose gardens to wild forests. Take the cable car to the top, bring a picnic, and wander down for a peaceful, beautiful afternoon (good strategy for avoiding walking up the steepest of the hills). There's also a playground for the kids.
Green space running through the middle of Wellington. Perfect for a hike or jog. Head uphill to find gorgeous views of the harbour and cityscape.
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Town Belt
Green space running through the middle of Wellington. Perfect for a hike or jog. Head uphill to find gorgeous views of the harbour and cityscape.
Meandering trail up to the top of Mt Victoria for beautiful views of the city.
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Mount Victoria Utsiktspunkt
Lookout RoadMeandering trail up to the top of Mt Victoria for beautiful views of the city.
Beautiful beach and hiking trail along the rugged South Coast. Head around the shore to Sinclair Head, home of a bachelor fur seal colony from May - October to get up close and personal with some local wildlife (not too close though!).
2-3 hours round trip, depending on your speed and time spent seal-watching. Accessible by bus from the city, or a short drive. https://www.newzealand.com/int/feature/red-rocks-reserve/
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Red Rocks - Pariwhero
Beautiful beach and hiking trail along the rugged South Coast. Head around the shore to Sinclair Head, home of a bachelor fur seal colony from May - October to get up close and personal with some local wildlife (not too close though!).
2-3 hours round trip, depending on your speed and time spent seal-watching. Accessible by bus from the city, or a short drive. https://www.newzealand.com/int/feature/red-rocks-reserve/
Protected nature/bird reserve just outside of town. Features a predator fence and thriving native bird populations. Peaceful walking trails and a great cafe by the lake. They also offer night tours - your best shot at seeing a kiwi in the wild.
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ZEALANDIA Ecosanctuary
53 Waiapu RoadProtected nature/bird reserve just outside of town. Features a predator fence and thriving native bird populations. Peaceful walking trails and a great cafe by the lake. They also offer night tours - your best shot at seeing a kiwi in the wild.
Closest beach (walking distance) to the city. Lively in summer time, with ice cream available nearby and a playground for the kids. Walk a little further along the waterfront for a larger beach if it's too crowded. Swim out to the platform if you don't mind cold water!
Freyberg Beach Play Area
162 Oriental ParadeClosest beach (walking distance) to the city. Lively in summer time, with ice cream available nearby and a playground for the kids. Walk a little further along the waterfront for a larger beach if it's too crowded. Swim out to the platform if you don't mind cold water!
Essentials
The 'fancy' grocery store in town - amazing cheese selection, huge bottle shop, and fresh produce.
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Moore Wilson's
College StreetThe 'fancy' grocery store in town - amazing cheese selection, huge bottle shop, and fresh produce.
New World Wellington City
279 Wakefield StBig grocery store for all your staples.
The smaller city version of the New World grocery store - handy if you're coming from that side of town.
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New World Willis Street Metro
70 Willis StThe smaller city version of the New World grocery store - handy if you're coming from that side of town.
Best local dairy in the neighbourhood - friendly staff and open late for all your spontaneous food and household needs.
Montys Cuba Foodmarket
140 Cuba StBest local dairy in the neighbourhood - friendly staff and open late for all your spontaneous food and household needs.
The other good dairy in the neighbourhood - handy for topping up your snapper and picking up snacks en route to the bus.
City Stop Manners St
107 Manners StThe other good dairy in the neighbourhood - handy for topping up your snapper and picking up snacks en route to the bus.
Getting Around
Bus stop where virtually every bus in the city will stop (Arty Bees if train station/northbound, Burger King if airport/southbound). There's almost always someone waiting or wanting to get off, so you usually don't need to remember to press the button to stop.
Manners Street at Cuba Street (near 79) station
Bus stop where virtually every bus in the city will stop (Arty Bees if train station/northbound, Burger King if airport/southbound). There's almost always someone waiting or wanting to get off, so you usually don't need to remember to press the button to stop.
If you need a car for day trips, check out Mevo - electric cars that can be hired and returned anywhere in the city (including the airport). Petrol, insurance, cleaning all included - only pay for the length of your journey.
Mevo New Zealand Limited
216A Manners StIf you need a car for day trips, check out Mevo - electric cars that can be hired and returned anywhere in the city (including the airport). Petrol, insurance, cleaning all included - only pay for the length of your journey.
Shopping
Saturday morning market in a car park near the waterfront - arts, crafts, and other handmade goodies.
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Wellington Underground Market
102 Oriental ParadeSaturday morning market in a car park near the waterfront - arts, crafts, and other handmade goodies.