Food · Wellington · New Zealand
What to eat in Wellington
The dishes, drinks and food experiences that define Wellington, and where locals actually eat them.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: russellstreet, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
Start with Flat white, Craft beer and Martinborough Pinot Noir. Each August the city's food festival brings set menus, events and a famous burger competition to restaurants across the region; book popular events early. Café kitchens often close by mid-afternoon; plan lunch accordingly.
Key facts
- Signature dish
- Flat white
- Vegetarian-friendly picks
- 4
- Tipping
- Tipping is not expected; prices include tax and service.
- Food experiences
- 4
9 foods to try
Drink · Vegetarian
1.Flat white
Wellington claims a share in the invention of the flat white, espresso with velvety steamed milk and thin microfoam, and takes coffee seriously, with many roasters and independent cafés.
Where: Independent cafés across Te Aro, Cuba Street and the CBD, many roasting their own beans.
Drink · Vegetarian
2.Craft beer
The city has a dense concentration of small breweries and taprooms making hazy IPAs, sours and experimental beers; Garage Project in the Aro Valley is the best known.
Where: Brewery taprooms and specialist beer bars around Te Aro and the Aro Valley.
Drink · Vegetarian
3.Martinborough Pinot Noir
The Wairarapa town of Martinborough, about an hour over the hill, is known for structured, cool-climate Pinot Noir and aromatic whites.
Where: Wine bars and restaurant lists in the city, or cellar doors in Martinborough.
Street food
4.Fish and chips
Battered fish such as tarakihi, gurnard or blue cod with thick-cut chips, wrapped in paper and eaten by the sea.
Where: Takeaway shops near Oriental Bay, Lyall Bay and Petone, eaten on the beach or waterfront.
Dish
5.Pāua fritter
Minced pāua (New Zealand abalone) bound with egg and fried into a dark, rich fritter, often served in a bun or with salad.
Where: Seafood shops and some cafés and fish-and-chip shops, particularly on the south coast.
Dish
6.Green-lipped mussels
Large New Zealand mussels steamed with white wine, garlic and herbs or served in a creamy chowder.
Where: Seafood restaurants on the waterfront and in Te Aro.
Dish
7.Crayfish (Kōura)
New Zealand rock lobster, caught along the rugged Wairarapa and Kaikōura coasts, grilled with garlic butter or served cold.
Where: Upscale seafood restaurants in the city and roadside sellers on the Cape Palliser coast in season.
Dish
8.Gourmet burgers
Wellington takes burgers seriously, and every August the Wellington On a Plate festival's burger competition has restaurants across the city creating one-off burgers matched with craft beer.
Where: Burger bars and gastropubs around Cuba Street and Courtenay Place, especially during August.
Dessert · Vegetarian
9.Pavlova
Crisp-shelled, soft-centred meringue topped with whipped cream and fruit such as kiwifruit, passionfruit and berries.
Where: Café cabinets and restaurant dessert menus, especially in summer and at Christmas.
Food experiences
Wellington On a Plate
Each August the city's food festival brings set menus, events and a famous burger competition to restaurants across the region; book popular events early.
Brewery crawl
Walk between taprooms in Te Aro and the Aro Valley to compare hazy IPAs, sours and barrel-aged beers from local brewers.
Sunday Harbourside Market
Start Sunday with coffee and breakfast from the food trucks beside Te Papa, then pick up fruit for a waterfront picnic.
Café breakfast
Brunch is a Wellington institution: think eggs on sourdough, corn fritters and excellent coffee in small cafés around Cuba Street and the CBD.
Quick bites and street food
- Fish and chips — Takeaway shops near Oriental Bay, Lyall Bay and Petone, eaten on the beach or waterfront.
Vegetarian options
Of the 9 foods in this guide, 4 are usually vegetarian: Flat white, Craft beer, Martinborough Pinot Noir and Pavlova. Check preparation with staff, as stocks and fats vary.
Eating out: tips and etiquette
- Café kitchens often close by mid-afternoon; plan lunch accordingly.
- Book dinner at popular restaurants a few days ahead, especially Thursday to Saturday.
- Tap water is free and usually brought to the table without asking.
- Many restaurants list vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options clearly on menus.
- During Wellington On a Plate in August, the most popular restaurants and events book out.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected; prices include tax and service. Rounding up or leaving about 10% for excellent service in restaurants is appreciated but optional.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Kia ora | Hello / thank you (Māori) |
| Ka kite anō | See you again (Māori) |
| Sweet as | Great / no problem |
| Togs | Swimsuit |
| Tramping | Hiking |
Questions travellers ask
+What food is Wellington famous for?
Flat white, Craft beer, Martinborough Pinot Noir and Fish and chips. Wellington claims a share in the invention of the flat white, espresso with velvety steamed milk and thin microfoam, and takes coffee seriously, with many roasters and independent cafés.
+Is Wellington good for vegetarians?
Several local staples are meat-free, including Flat white, Craft beer and Martinborough Pinot Noir.
+Do you tip in restaurants in Wellington?
Tipping is not expected; prices include tax and service. Rounding up or leaving about 10% for excellent service in restaurants is appreciated but optional.