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Best Quick Lunch Spots in Wellington (2026)

Need lunch fast but don't want to settle? These Wellington spots deliver on both fronts — quick service and food that's actually worth eating.

20 places

Photo of Beach Babylon $$

Beach Babylon

4.3(3,459)

cafe · Oriental Bay

Beachside cafe serving brunch, burgers, elevated mains, tiki cocktails & more in a retro atmosphere.

beachside cafe brunch burgers

2,355 reviews
Photo of The Old Quarter $$

The Old Quarter

4.7(2,609)

vietnamese restaurant · Te Aro

Modern Vietnamese Resturant

asian, fusion bold flavours modern vietnamese

2,315 reviews
Photo of Pho Viet Street Food $

Pho Viet Street Food

4.6(2,380)

vietnamese restaurant · Te Aro

Pho Viet Street Food offers Vietnamese pho house and street food made the traditional way with love and time, focusing on authentic taste and customer experience.

authentic vietnamese cuisine casual dining freshly hand-crafted

2,113 reviews
Photo of Winner Winner Courtenay Place $$

Winner Winner Courtenay Place

4.5(1,412)

chicken restaurant · Te Aro

Winner Winner was born and proudly raised in Hamilton East by a team of passionate foodies working in the hospitality industry. Now in Hamilton East & Wellington's Courtenay Place, built to fill a gap for an easy option for healthy, fast, fresh dinners or lunches that were inclusive to all food preferences.

burgers buttermilk fried chicken fire-roasted chicken

608 reviews
Photo of K C Cafe & Takeaway $

K C Cafe & Takeaway

4.3(1,679)

chinese restaurant · Te Aro

Reviewers consistently praise the generous portions and authentic Cantonese food, highlighting the quick service and great value.

bbq pork chinese takeaway curry

1,679 reviews
$

Lemongrass Kitchen

4.5(165)

vietnamese restaurant · Te Aro

Reviewers consistently praise the fresh, tasty food and great value for money, making it a popular choice for lunch.

asian chinese japanese

165 reviews
Photo of Sweet Mother's Kitchen $$

Sweet Mother's Kitchen

4.2(4,597)

american restaurant · Te Aro

Laid-back, eclectic cafe serving po' boys, gumbo & other New Orleans eats, plus some Mexican dishes.

all day breakfast american cuisine comfort food

3,345 reviews
Photo of Mama Brown $$

Mama Brown

4.1(4,372)

american restaurant · Te Aro

We are known for our tasty American 'South of the Border' style food and the best milkshakes in town! We pride ourselves on great food, great service and great fun!

american cuisine gourmet burgers milkshakes

3,075 reviews
Photo of Mr Go's $$

Mr Go's

4.6(2,614)

restaurant · Te Aro

Relaxed joint whipping up creative regional Asian dishes in a bright space that has murals & a bar.

asian street food fried chicken pork dumplings

2,087 reviews
Photo of Rosie's Red-Hot Cantina Wellington $$

Rosie's Red-Hot Cantina Wellington

4.2(2,377)

restaurant · Wellington Central

With an unrivalled attitude and offering that showcases the best of California’s vibrant coast & LA street scene, Rosie’s Red-Hot Cantina in Wellington is your first and last stop, every time.

burgers california street food frozen cocktails

2,341 reviews
Photo of Joe's Garage Wellington $$

Joe's Garage Wellington

4.3(2,161)

cafe · Te Aro

Good food, great coffee, and no fuss. Joe's Garage Wellington serves breakfast, burgers, and good times.

brekkie burgers café

1,636 reviews
Photo of St Johns Bar and Restaurant $$

St Johns Bar and Restaurant

4.2(2,002)

restaurant · Te Aro

Modern restaurant & bar featuring a menu of contemporary New Zealand dishes & patio seating.

cocktails contemporary new zealand menu international tap beers

2,002 reviews
Photo of The Tasting Room $$

The Tasting Room

4.4(1,912)

restaurant · Te Aro

The Tasting Room is a completely dog friendly venue inside and outside, perfect for pre- or post-show dining at the iconic Hannah Playhouse.

craft beer gourmet burgers new zealand cuisine

1,265 reviews
Photo of 1154 Pastaria $$ Michelin Guide

1154 Pastaria

4.3(1,609)

italian restaurant · Te Aro

Fast, fresh, house made pasta & organic wine set in a modern, lively Cuba street eatery.

house made pasta italian cuisine organic wine

1,581 reviews
Photo of Soul Shack $

Soul Shack

4.7(734)

meal takeaway · Te Aro

Soul Shack Hot Chicken offers Nashville Hot Chicken and American themed soul food.

american themed soul food fast food nashville hot chicken

734 reviews
Photo of Willis Lane

Willis Lane

4.5(627)

food court · Wellington Central

Willis Lane is designed to be both convenient and a destination in its own right, humming with life throughout the day and well into the night.

american sandwiches craft beer dine in

627 reviews
Photo of Huxley's $$

Huxley's

4.3(521)

restaurant · Pipitea

Huxley's Bar and Eatery is your CBD escape for all-day dining and bottomless coffee. We're serving up modern diner food with great coffee, cold beer, tap cocktails & good times in the heart of Wellington.

all-day dining cold beer craft beer

417 reviews
Photo of ZZAN Wellington $$

ZZAN Wellington

4.2(471)

restaurant · Mount Victoria

Welcome to ZZAN Fried Chicken, a popular spot for delicious fried chicken in Wellington.

fried chicken nz fast food

471 reviews
Photo of Mariluca Ristoro - The Terrace $$ - $$$

Mariluca Ristoro - The Terrace

4.6(253)

italian restaurant · Wellington Central

Welcome to Mariluca Ristoro, where Chef Jeoffrey's menu offers an inter-regional array of dishes from traditional Italian cuisine emphasizing freshness and simplicity using the finest ingredients locally sourced and from Italy.

fresh ingredients inter-regional dishes italian cuisine

226 reviews
Photo of Everybody Eats Wellington $

Everybody Eats Wellington

4.8(176)

restaurant · Te Aro

Everybody Eats provides restaurant-quality meals from rescued ingredients, served on a pay-what-you-can basis. Everyone is welcome.

community meals new zealand pay-what-you-can dining

125 reviews