Cafes and restaurants
Wellington's diverse dining scene and collection of cool cafes have long been spoiling locals for choice.
Matterhorn
Crowned the Best Bar in New Zealand in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and Cuisine Magazine’s Restaurant of the Year 2008, this overachiever has earned her stripes as one of Wellington’s favourites among locals and visitors alike. Aside from wowing punters by offering an eclectic music scene and ultra-cool bar, Matterhorn’s cuisine is second to none. The dimly lit dining area creates a five-star atmosphere seven nights a week and, with gas heaters on standby, the outdoor courtyard provides a great al fresco option all year round.
106 Cuba St, Wellington 6011. (+64 4 384 3359 www.matterhorn.co.nz).
Floriditas
This Cuba Street favourite pulls out all the stops with its ever-popular breakfasts, tasty lunches and oh-so cosy dinners. Dressed in more white than P Diddy on a yacht, the décor provides an uplifting, open and contemporary mood. But when the candles are whipped out for dinner, the romantic scene would make Barbara Cartland weep. With a wine list to challenge War and Peace, an innovative seasonal menu and the best in Mojo Coffee, this is a ‘don’t miss’ dining gig if ever there was one.
161 Cuba St, Wellington 6011. (+64 4 381 2212 www.floriditas.co.nz).
Le Metropolitain
A little bit of Europe goes a long way in Wellington, particularly when the local foodies are armed with notoriously adventurous palates. As a result this delightful little French bistro has enjoyed enormous success since opening its doors in May 2007. With a quaint, old-school European fit out, Le Metropolitain will have you coming over all Parisian. A remarkably authentic menu and a sensational selection of cheeses and desserts puts Le Metropolitain in a league of its own in the local dining stakes.
146 Cuba St, Wellington 6011. (+64 4 801 8007 www.lemetropolitain.co.nz).
Sweet Mother’s Kitchen
This Courtenay Place favourite is like heaven, if heaven’s in New Orleans and God is a Mexican chef. With a hanging display of tea cosies, a wide selection of Mexican beers and a range of homemade pies, including our favourite, key lime, it’s got the comfort of your home kitchen with better food and décor.
5 Courtenay Pl, Te Aro 6011. (+64 4 385 4444 www.sweetmotherskitchen.co.nz).
La Bella Italia
The best bits of the boot of Italy are alive and well in the Wellington suburb of Petone. La Bella Italia is the brainchild of Antonio Cacace, the son of Italian providores whose unsurpassed passion for sharing the best of their homeland’s cuisine has resulted in this truly special restaurant and produce specialist. La Bella’s range of cheeses, pastas, olives, tinned goods and wines is imported directly from Italy’s finest suppliers and has Wellingtonians cooking up an Italian storm. This open warehouse restaurant and café simply offers the very best Italian cuisine found in New Zealand and at very sensible prices. Ask for Antonio, as the papa of this Italian beauty is always happy to meet and welcome first timers to La Bella.
10 Nevis St, Petone, Lower Hutt 5012. (+64 4 566 9303 www.labellaitalia.co.nz).
Café Polo
Nestled among the suburban streets of Miramar and surrounded by the Weta Film Studios sits an unassuming and charming café that is gaining a reputation as one of Wellington’s culinary treasures. Homemade seasonal foods created and delivered with genuine passion make a visit to this light-filled café-restaurant as intimate an affair as you can get without sleeping naked in the kitchen. Café Polo lives and breathes fresh local produce and crafts it into some of the tastiest dishes you will find this side of Wellington.
Cnr Para St & Rotherham Tce, Miramar 6243. (+64 4 380 7273 www.cafepolo.co.nz).
Olive Café
Part café, part art gallery, this cute and funky little establishment’s menu is as diverse as the range of independent artists’ work that graces her walls, backrooms and courtyard. Don’t let the artsy vibe fool you: these guys are serious about their wine list and sensible about their prices, as tantalising mains average out at around $23. If you judge a café by the number of locals who eat there, you will be glad to see Olive Café bustling with hungry Wellingtonians on any given morning.
170–172 Cuba St, Wellington 6011. (+64 4 802 5266).
Logan Brown
Logan Brown is set in a refurbished former 1920s art deco bank on popular Cuba Street. This local favourite offers an early dining bistro menu and an à la carte menu crafted with tender loving care that includes stand-outs such as hot smoked red snapper with spicy cauliflower fritters, orange and watercress. With seating for 80 patrons and a private dining area upstairs, Logan Brown has earned pole position in Wellington’s fine dining scene.
192 Cuba St, Wellington 6011. (+64 4 801 5114 www.loganbrown.co.nz).
Chow
As one of Wellington’s best worst-kept secrets, Chow can be described as a map of Asia for the taste buds. Here you can experience all the authentic, aromatic and spicy flavours of a number of Asian dishes including sensational Indian curries. Chow also boasts a free-range menu, which can be as rare as free-range hen’s teeth in the Asian cuisine realm. With both eat-in and take away menu options, it’s not unusual to see locals making a beeline for Chow any night of the week.
Lvl 1, 45 Tory St, Courtenay Place, Wellington 6011. (+64 4 382 8585 www.chow.co.nz).
Ernesto
Ernesto is a Cuba Street institution where kitsch décor, Cuban retro chic and fabulous food collide. While the art-deco light fittings and leather-bound counter evoke a nostalgic charm, it’s hard not to be mesmerised by the wall shrine, which pays homage to Judy Garland and Fidel Castro in the one gaudy effort. If the fit-out isn’t enough to entice you the creative menu certainly will.
132 Cuba St, Wellington 6011. (+64 4 801 6878 www.ernesto.co.nz).