Guidebook for Wellington
Food Scene
Delicious food, menu changes fairly regularly, fresh local in season produce, good vegan or gluten free options. Walking approx 7-10mins. Outdoor seating available with views towards South Island. The kiosk is open fri-sun good for ready made and takeaway coffees etc. My favorite place to go for breakfast or lunch.
41 locals recommend
The Beach House and Kiosk
410 The EsplanadeDelicious food, menu changes fairly regularly, fresh local in season produce, good vegan or gluten free options. Walking approx 7-10mins. Outdoor seating available with views towards South Island. The kiosk is open fri-sun good for ready made and takeaway coffees etc. My favorite place to go for breakfast or lunch.
Easy walking distance for a good solid pie and other bakery items. Decent coffee also.
Patrisha's Pies
298 The ParadeEasy walking distance for a good solid pie and other bakery items. Decent coffee also.
Good pies, sandwiches and coffee. Their chocolate lamington's are very good (and huge).
26 locals recommend
The Blue Belle Cafe
142 The ParadeGood pies, sandwiches and coffee. Their chocolate lamington's are very good (and huge).
Very good Thai food, eat in (you go for the food not the decor) or takeaway. Try the ‘money bags’ for a starter. Say hi to ‘Pilot’ the host. Family run business for over 25 years in Island Bay.
16 locals recommend
The Original Thai Restaurant
155 The ParadeVery good Thai food, eat in (you go for the food not the decor) or takeaway. Try the ‘money bags’ for a starter. Say hi to ‘Pilot’ the host. Family run business for over 25 years in Island Bay.
Best sausages in Wellington - many delicious options. Lamb, beef, pork, chicken...
8 locals recommend
Island Bay Butchery
127 The ParadeBest sausages in Wellington - many delicious options. Lamb, beef, pork, chicken...
Drive or take the bus here (or walk 30mins) and pick up some truely delicious bread. Our favorite the ‘campagne’ a semi-rustic loaf that’s crunchy on the outside with a delicious soft center with the perfect amount of chewiness. Sooo good.
16 locals recommend
Baker Gramercy
465 Adelaide RdDrive or take the bus here (or walk 30mins) and pick up some truely delicious bread. Our favorite the ‘campagne’ a semi-rustic loaf that’s crunchy on the outside with a delicious soft center with the perfect amount of chewiness. Sooo good.
Funky cool cafe, good healthy made in house options, great coffee, cool decor. Local secret.
47 locals recommend
Queen Sally's Diamond Deli
200 Queens DrFunky cool cafe, good healthy made in house options, great coffee, cool decor. Local secret.
One of the great Italian restaurants - family friendly, everything made in house and good place to go to also pick up ltalian dry goods. Local Island Bay family run restaurant. Need a car. Good for brunch and lunch, authentic Italian pizzas and pastas.
15 locals recommend
La Bella Italia
10 Nevis StOne of the great Italian restaurants - family friendly, everything made in house and good place to go to also pick up ltalian dry goods. Local Island Bay family run restaurant. Need a car. Good for brunch and lunch, authentic Italian pizzas and pastas.
Go for amazing food (Tapas style) and drinks and cocktails. One of the best spots in Wellington. A hidden gem.
Both a bar and a restaurant in two tiny turn of the century cottages hidden between high rises. It is located in the downtown but off main streets (safe there though).
You might think you are going to the wrong place as you get there. Parking right outside is limited - you are better off finding one on the bigger streets and walking down the lane.
81 locals recommend
Havana Bar
34 Wigan StGo for amazing food (Tapas style) and drinks and cocktails. One of the best spots in Wellington. A hidden gem.
Both a bar and a restaurant in two tiny turn of the century cottages hidden between high rises. It is located in the downtown but off main streets (safe there though).
You might think you are going to the wrong place as you get there. Parking right outside is limited - you are better off finding one on the bigger streets and walking down the lane.
Fidel's Cafe
234 Cuba StGo for a big breakfast. Iconic Wellington cafe.
Delicious modern Vietnamese - one of my favourite restaurants in Wellington. Bookings not always necessary but I highly recommend making one to avoid disappointment as this is popular. Great for either lunch or dinner.
10 locals recommend
Apache
122 Wakefield StDelicious modern Vietnamese - one of my favourite restaurants in Wellington. Bookings not always necessary but I highly recommend making one to avoid disappointment as this is popular. Great for either lunch or dinner.
Entertainment & Activities
Renovated boutique cinema with multiple theatres. Also a restaurant for dinner and cafe for coffees and alcoholic drinks.
54 locals recommend
Empire Cinema & Eatery
214 The ParadeRenovated boutique cinema with multiple theatres. Also a restaurant for dinner and cafe for coffees and alcoholic drinks.
The funkiest mini golf course you will ever see. Lots of fun for children and adults. Go to see the amazing sculptures and creatures/creations made from recycled objects originally destined for the landfill. Located on a hillside so not good for people with serious mobility issues.
22 locals recommend
Carlucci Land
281 Happy Valley RdThe funkiest mini golf course you will ever see. Lots of fun for children and adults. Go to see the amazing sculptures and creatures/creations made from recycled objects originally destined for the landfill. Located on a hillside so not good for people with serious mobility issues.
Sightseeing
Walk around the coast to Devils Gate and see the seal colony.
48 locals recommend
Red Rocks - Pariwhero
Walk around the coast to Devils Gate and see the seal colony.
Mount Victoria
Best views of the city from the top.
Arts & Culture
Te Papa Tongarewa
BATS Theatre
1 Kent TerraceDownstage Theatre
12 Cambridge TerraceCity Gallery Wellington
The Dowse Art Museum and Dowse Square
45 Laings RdShopping
Cuba Street
151 Cuba StFunky Wellington scene.
Lambton Quay
Lambton QuayCBD multiple shopping options on the quay and surrounding streets.
Essentials
New World Island Bay
6 Medway St Supermarket.
Moore Wilson's
College StreetGroceries and upmarket deli.
Great super market for a wide range of products. Better selection than Island Bay but it’s a drive.
51 locals recommend
New World Thorndon
150 Molesworth StGreat super market for a wide range of products. Better selection than Island Bay but it’s a drive.
Parks & Nature
A gorgeous native wildlife sanctuary. Birds and bush.
Lovely walking trails, some can be challenging and uphill, but there are also plenty of gentle trails also. Good cafe also.
255 locals recommend
ZEALANDIA Ecosanctuary
53 Waiapu RoadA gorgeous native wildlife sanctuary. Birds and bush.
Lovely walking trails, some can be challenging and uphill, but there are also plenty of gentle trails also. Good cafe also.
City to Sea Bridge
Jervois QuayPractically next door. Concerts and fairs in the summer, long slide for the kids (or young at heart). Swing sets and jungle gyms. There is a coffee cart just across the street on "most" days. He usually is open after 9am. The cart is located on Reef street just behind the art gallery out of a old camper van, if the side is up, he's open.
7 locals recommend
Shorland Park
Reef StreetPractically next door. Concerts and fairs in the summer, long slide for the kids (or young at heart). Swing sets and jungle gyms. There is a coffee cart just across the street on "most" days. He usually is open after 9am. The cart is located on Reef street just behind the art gallery out of a old camper van, if the side is up, he's open.