Perhaps it’s the sniff of political power in the wind making everyone hungry, but mention a visit to the capital and a mention of some must visit cafe or restaurant in Wellington is never far off a local’s lips. There are a great range of places to try and sample that it can be hard to select a place to dine at. However with so many places often placed in the business district, it’s nice to move away from that a little and enjoy a more salubrious vista of the Harbour, boats and a more relaxed surrounding down on the waterfront.
There are several places you can enjoy a good dinner, with some great local wines or beer. While it’s not primarily a wine area, the capital borrows from some popular Marlborough and other New Zealand vineyards to provide an excellent wine list. It’s the beers that really make the bars in the area stand out however. There have been many micro breweries spring up over recent years in the area, and these supply your local bars and restaurants, where the brew is matched with seasonal produce and both casual and formal dining fare.
Here’s some ideas to get you started:
Chicago Sports Cafe – Offers the a sun drenched balcony where you can enjoy a great lunch, dinner or weekend brunch
Circa Cafe and Bar – Catering to both large groups and smaller gatherings, with a well-priced menu, close to the theatre
Dockside Restaurant & Bar – Offers a largely seafood-based menu with a focus on the best of New Zealand cuisine
Latitude 41 Cafe and Bar – Provides spectacular waterfront views from their outdoor tables
Shed 5 – Built in 1887 originally as a storage shed, but now offers a seasonal menu with a huge selection of fresh seafood and fish
Te Papa Cafe – Enjoy great food and drink in a welcoming, vibrant, and family-friendly environment
The Brewery Bar & Restaurant – Watch the brewers in action making beer behind a glass viewing area
Foxglove – Amazing food in an organic, cosy and inspiring surrounding
St Johns Heineken Hotel – A modern and stylish art deco architectural masterpiece
One of the best things of a dinner down at the waterfront (or a lunch if you’ve not got to slip back to a business meeting too quickly) is that you can enjoy a meal to match any budget. If it’s a fine day and you want to escape a meal at a restaurant in Wellington, you could of course try a take out or casual eating place that offers either ethnic cuisine, freshly cooked and piping hot, or some good old kiwi favourites.
If you’ve had a meal at a restaurant and you want to walk it off, remember that it is likely that you will come across the ‘Mr Freeze’ ice cream truck, so you could be tempted to indulge in a little sweet relief whilst enjoying the pretty walk along the wooden docks reading some of the history that has been displayed there, including part of the author walks and other points of interest.
The key is wherever you go, unless it’s pouring down with rain, make the effort to walk down to the area you plan to eat. Unlike some parts of the country where much of the Harbour is industrial and uninviting, it really is a lovely place to walk and enjoy either working up an appetite or working off the meal in that restaurant in Wellington.