It's no secret we love a new opening and if you're reading this, chances are you do, too. As luck would have it, Wellington is packed with tantalizing eats with new restaurants, bars, cafes and bakeries making for one helluva evolving local food scene.
So without further ado here are the best new restaurant and foodie openings in Wellington.
Open Now:
Amuse Snack Bar
178 Willis Street | Te Aro
Image credit: Amuse Snack Bar | Instagram
From espresso to aperitivo hour, is opening in the heart of Willis Street this March. Dori Raphael is bringing casual European flair (and breakfast cocktails!) to Pōneke’s dining scene, with sustainable and seasonal Kiwi produce and European flavours. Based on the words amuse-bouche, which literally means it entertains the mouth in French—expect snacks from day to night with small plates and refreshing Italian aperitivo in hand.
Supra
1/31 Dixon Street, Te Aro
Image credit: Supra | David Neville
Upstairs on Dixon Street (via Eva Street laneway) is an unassuming and cozy dinner space from Thom Millot (Amok) and long-time friend and tattoo artist Keith Lin. Set yourself up with a glass of natural wine, a snack (pickled mussels with pringles, anyone?) and a spot of people-watching.
Dishes such as Comte toast with burnt onion soup, claypot octopus rice, and Royalburn lamb tomahawk (finished in its own delicious pan-juices and tangy mustard) reflect Supra’s trans-Tasman culinary style—the ever-evolving flux of contemporary Australian cuisine, whilst highlighting the best Aotearoa ingredients.
Babaili Restaurant
278 Willis Street, Te Aro
Image credit: Babaili | Instagram
in Chinese translates to “800 miles” in English, but you don’t need to travel far to get a taste of Xi’an right here in the capital. The old courtyard of the iconic ex-Bresolin has been transformed into an open kitchen with large steamers billowing fragrant steam from their braised pork belly, chicken, and handmade bao (filled to the brim with beef, pork and veggie options).
Signature cold dishes like braised beef shin in tahini-sichuan vinaigrette and smacked cucumber salad, with Xi’an style barbecue skewers (we’re here for the classic Xi’an cumin lamb) are a few of the plates we’re currently drooling over. Add a tea-infused cocktail from their unique cocktails list, combining traditional flavours with the new.
Don’t leave without a bowl of hand-pulled noodles. Also known as biang biang noodles (named after the sound the dough makes when it’s being hit and stretched!), Babaili dresses their silky bites with chilli oil or Xi’an style braised meat — we’ll be choosing both.
Babaili Malatang
45 Dixon Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Image credit: Babaili Malatang | Vicki Young
This popular Chinese street food is popping off in the streets of Wellington. Malatang, meaning hot and spicy numbing soup in Chinese, refers to the spicy soup base that meat, veggies and noodles are cooked in. is offering your inner-city fix, adding your own ingredients from the huge selection on (chilled) display.
From shaved fatty pork to all the other trimmings (if you’re an adventurous tripe eater), meatballs galore, plus a huge variety of mushrooms which we recommend adding them in for that umami boost. It’s paid by the kilogram, and at $48 a pop you’ll always, always get more than you can eat. Round it off with fresh veg and their shiitake-flavoured ramen to soak up the glorious broth. Choose your spicy or non-spicy level—we like the sound of a golden bone broth—and make your own dreamy condiments from the sauce station. Bottoms up.
Orange Cafe
268 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Image credit: Orange Cafe | Vicki Young
Ai Yamaguchi has spent over a decade dedicated to the art of making the perfect brew and now has her own space, on Cuba Street. Adorned with various shades of warm orange decor, this is the ultimate cozy sunny reading spot and the perfect place to catch up with friends and fur-friends alike. Doggos are welcome while you pop in for your Supreme brew—you might even spot Ai’s resident pup (and local pet celeb) Ringo, hanging out at the café. Don’t forget to nab a cheese scone or citrus loaf while you’re there, baked by local John from Jojo’s Pastries. They’ve got the softest gluten-free salted caramel choc brownies too—this is not a drill.
Macha, Jom Tapau!
160 Victoria Street, Wellington
Image credit: Macha, Jom Tapau! | Sunita Singh Boparoy
means “Bro, let’s do takeaway!” and reflects the diversity of Malaysia’s three main ethnic groups—Malay, Indians and Chinese. Owners Muthu and Vani used to own Malaysian restaurant Kanama Kopi Kadai where chef Muthu was known for his delicious hand toss-stretched roti and magical peanut sauce.
Now they’re serving up delicious comfort eats takeaway style—walk into their wee spot on Victoria Street and you’ll be welcomed with fragrant smells of Nasi Lemak (with tofu or lamb rendang), roti bakar (toasties), and chicken karipap (curry puffs, a.k.a. perfect snacks for on the go). Feel like a sizzling Mee Goreng or Char Koey Teow? Chef Muthu will sort you out with his induction wok (the first of its kind being used in Wellington).
Alswaida By Damascus
78 Willis Street, Wellington
Image credit: Alswaida | Vicki Young
Hasan Alwarhani and Flora Quintana from Damascus (their Syrian restaurant now based on Tory Street) have just opened their new spot . Serving Syrian Street Food at Press Hall on Willis Street, think fast and flavoursome chicken shawarma wraps (in yoghurt and spices) or Lahamb B’ajin… we’re talking grilled juicy lamb mince with warm-out-the-oven flatbread, plenty of fresh herbs, and pops of pickles in pomegranate molasses. Pro tip: Add hand-cut chips with thum (garlic sauce) and pre-order online for your quick office lunch or after-work pick-me-up.
Hei Restaurant
126A Cuba Street | Te Aro
Image credit: Hei Restaurant | Grace Chan
If you’re like us and partial to a crispy dumpling or two (or more), head over to Cuba Street and pull up a seat at the slick new . Think modern Chinese sharing plates: pan-fried dumplings with a crispy flour skirt, caramelised eggplant deep-fried to perfection, and the Hong Kong classic prawn toast (but better). Wash it down with a cheeky cocktail or two from their specially crafted cocktail list from mixology wizards TK and Devan (head downstairs to for a nightcap,). Did we also mention they have happy hour (a.k.a Hei Time) with tap beers and wine plus a house snack? We’ll be getting our dumpling fix, stat.
Hummingbird Restaurant & Lounge
22 Courtney Place | Te Aro
Image credit: Hummingbird | Instagram
After being shut for almost 5 years for earthquake strengthening, Wellington institution is back up and running with their lush new fit-out and a modern European menu with a modern twist. Snack on pork rind bites with apple ketchup and mushroom pâté with a cocktail in hand, then move on to dinner and bring the crew—from meltingly tender 12-hour lamb shoulder, parmesan gnocchi with all the crispy cheesy bits, to comforting saffron and corn risotto.
Khao Soi Welly Eatery
100 Tory Street | Te Aro
Image credit: Khao Soi | Supplied
For those who know about Yor Yak Thai Eatery in Pōneke, brace yourselves for Alicha and Mon’s newest venture, . Named after Alicha’s Northern Thai roots, Khao Soi is a unique curry soup from Northern Thai, which happens to be their signature item on the menu. With traditional slow-cooked chicken in coconut broth based on their secret family recipe—and ingredients sourced directly from Chiang Mai, you know it’s the real deal.
Mezze Food Truck
Various | Wellington
Image credit: Mezze Food Truck | Instagram
When Zany Zeus closed their doors in Lower Hutt, Wellingtonians missed their halloumi and soft serve slingers. Enter , a.k.a. Zany Zeus returning in truck form—with all the handcrafted organic halloumi and milky soft serves your heart desires. Popping up at Moore Wilsons and the Marion Street Carpark, they’ve got the classic Halloumi sandwich in ciabatta, Greek-style beef patties, sausages and meatballs, spanakopita and freshly churned soft-serve at the ready. Follow their socials to find out where they’ll be parked up for your Zany Zeus fix.
Shelly Bay Baker on Karori Road
143 Karori Road | Karori
Image credit: Shelly Bay Baker | Instagram
Sourdough whisperer Sam Forbes has opened up their third site in the ‘burbs of Karori. Using local stoneground flour from Capital Millers, there’s something truly special about these loaves. Pop into Marsden Village and try their sourdough breads, bagels and pastries—freshly baked everyday.
Apache
66 Tory Sreet | Te Aro
Image credit: Apache | Facebook
returns after closing their doors on Wakefield St—infusing elements Vietnamese cuisine with a French touch. If you know about their iconic twice-cooked pork belly, beef phở, and lemongrass-laden ‘bang bang’ chicken salad, you’ll know that they’re not shy about adding all the flavour. They’ve taken over the spot next to Mean Doses, where Mabel’s was (R.I.P Burmese deliciousness). Having just re-opened on Friday 7th March, follow the aromatic smell of their spiced bone broth to get your Vietnamese street food fix.
Coming Soon:
Volco
92 Upland Road | Kelburn, 242 Thorndon Quay | Pipitea, 11 Egmont Street | Te Aro
Image credit: Volco (The Terrace) | Instagram
Opening in May
Kirran Buckland (ex-Flint) is giving Flint-era pizzas a new identity, reinventing the Brezelmania brand with two new sites in Pōneke and a third one coming soon this May. Those up the hill in Kelburn now have to share their best kept secret, as Volco have opened up another store in the city. With work underway to open a brunch spot in the old Egmont St. Deli & Diner (RIP), our inner-city lunch and brunch game just got better. Not only do they have blistered woodfire pizzas, but bangin’ pastries too. His favourite? Bacon jam danish, wrapped in cheese and flaky croissant dough. Run, don’t walk.
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Main image credit: Supra | Instagram