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Best Bagels in Wellington (2026)

Wellington has a surprisingly good bagel scene for a city its size — a few spots doing proper hand-rolled bagels worth going out of your way for.

Best Banh Mi in Wellington (2026)

A good banh mi is hard to beat for lunch — cheap, fast, and packed with flavour. Wellington has a handful of spots that do it properly.

Best Beef Noodles in Wellington (2026)

Whether it's pho, beef chow mein, or a rich broth with hand-cut noodles, Wellington's Asian eateries have this covered. Here are the best bowls in the city.

Best Brunch Cafes in Wellington (2026)

Wellington takes brunch seriously. These are the cafes that consistently pull a crowd on weekends — for good reason.

Best Burger in Wellington (2026)

Wellington's burger scene has exploded in recent years, with dedicated joints pushing the quality bar ever higher. Whether you're after a classic smash burger or something more adventurous, these are the spots worth the queue.

Best Cafes CBD in Wellington (2026)

Wellington's CBD is packed with cafes that take their brews seriously, offering everything from artisanal pastries to innovative brunch dishes. If you're in the city centre, these are the cafes that locals flock to for their daily caffeine fix.

Best Cheap Eats in Wellington (2026)

Great food doesn’t have to be expensive in Wellington. These are the spots locals actually go to when they want something good without the bill to match.

Best Cheap Noodles in Wellington (2026)

The best noodles in Wellington don't cost much. These places are quick, affordable, and genuinely good.

Best Cocktail Bars in Wellington (2026)

Wellington punches above its weight for cocktail bars. These are the spots with real craft behind the bar — not just expensive drinks with a fancy name.

Best Coffee in Wellington (2026)

Serious about your cup? Wellington's specialty coffee scene rivals the world's best. These are the spots that local coffee nerds swear by.

Best Coffee Roasters CBD in Wellington (2026)

In the heart of Wellington's CBD, you'll find coffee roasters that are passionate about their craft, sourcing the best beans and roasting them to perfection. These spots are where the city's coffee culture truly thrives.

Best Craft Beer in Wellington (2026)

Wellington's craft beer scene is genuinely impressive for a city this size. These are the taprooms and bars where the range is worth exploring.

Best Craft Beer Breweries in Wellington (2026)

Want to go direct to the source? These are Wellington's best breweries — most with taprooms where you can try a range before committing to a pint.

Best Deli in Wellington (2026)

Wellington has a few proper delis worth knowing about — the kind of places where the cheese is good and you can put together a serious lunch.

Best Ethiopian Restaurants in Wellington (2026)

Ethiopian food is made for sharing — big platters of injera loaded with stews and dips. Wellington's options are small in number but the real thing.

Best Family Restaurants in Wellington (2026)

These are the places that actually work with kids in tow — good food for the adults, something the kids will eat, and staff who don't look pained when you walk in with a buggy.

Best Fine Dining in Wellington (2026)

Wellington's fine dining scene is compact but genuinely world-class. These are the restaurants worth booking weeks in advance.

Best Fish & Chips CBD in Wellington (2026)

You can't visit Wellington without indulging in some classic fish and chips, and the CBD has some of the best. These spots serve up fresh, crispy goodness that locals swear by, making them essential stops for any visitor.

Best French Food in Wellington (2026)

Wellington has a quiet but strong French food presence — proper patisseries, bistros that know what they're doing. These are the best of them.

Best Ice Cream in Wellington (2026)

Wellington's ice cream scene leans heavily into gelato and artisan scoops. These are the places worth the detour on a warm day.

Best Indian Food in Wellington (2026)

Wellington has a solid spread of Indian restaurants — South Indian, North Indian, and everything in between. These are the ones that locals actually go back to.

Best Indian Restaurants Near Courtenay Place, in Wellington (2026)

Looking for Indian food near Courtenay Place? These are the closest and highest-rated options.

Best Malaysian Restaurant in Wellington (2026)

Good Malaysian food in Wellington comes down to a handful of spots. If you're after laksa, nasi lemak, or roti canai, these are the places to go.

Best Pies in Wellington (2026)

The pie is a New Zealand institution, and Wellington bakers take it seriously. These are the flakiest, most flavour-packed pies in the city.

Best Pizza in Wellington (2026)

Wellington has developed a proper pizza culture — wood-fired Neapolitan, Roman al taglio, New York slices. These are the ones worth ordering from.

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.

Best Ramen in Wellington (2026)

Wellington's ramen scene has improved a lot in recent years. These are the bowls worth ordering when the weather turns.

Best Restaurants in Wellington (2026)

From buzzy neighbourhood bistros to destination restaurants drawing diners from across the country, Wellington punches well above its weight on the global food stage. Here are the highest-rated restaurants right now.

Best Sandwiches in Wellington (2026)

A great sandwich is underrated. These Wellington spots take them seriously — proper bread, quality fillings, not just an afterthought on the cabinet.

Best Seafood Restaurants in Wellington (2026)

Wellington's waterfront location means the seafood can be genuinely fresh when restaurants make the most of it. These are the ones that do.

Best Sourdough in Wellington (2026)

Wellington's bakers have perfected the art of the long-ferment sourdough. These are the bakeries worth getting up early for.

Best Spanish Food in Wellington (2026)

Spanish food is built for sharing, and Wellington's Spanish spots lean into that. These are the best places for tapas and a decent bottle of wine.

Best Steak In in Wellington (2026)

Wellington has a handful of restaurants where steak is genuinely the main event. If you're after a proper cut cooked well, these are the places.

Best Sushi in Wellington (2026)

Wellington has a solid range of sushi — from quick lunch spots to more considered omakase-style experiences. These are the best of them.

Best Tacos in Wellington (2026)

Wellington's taco scene has grown fast, and a few spots are doing it properly — corn tortillas, real technique, not just Tex-Mex. These are the ones to know.

Best Thai in Wellington (2026)

Wellington's Thai restaurant scene delivers bold, authentic flavours. These top-rated spots are the go-to for locals craving a proper Thai meal.

Best Vegan Food in Wellington (2026)

Wellington's vegan food scene is genuinely strong — not just token options, but restaurants where plant-based cooking is the actual point. These are the best.

Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Wellington (2026)

These are Wellington's best spots for vegetarian food — places where the menu isn't an afterthought and you won't leave hungry.

Best Wine Bars in Wellington (2026)

Wellington's wine bar scene is small but well-curated — lots of natural wine, strong New Zealand selections, and the kind of place where you can actually linger. These are the best.

Best Top Rated in Wellington (2026)

The definitive list of Wellington's very best — every place here has earned exceptional reviews across both Google and TripAdvisor.

Most Reviewed Food Spots in Wellington

Popularity and quality often go hand-in-hand. These Wellington spots have attracted the most reviews — and kept the scores high.

Best Value in Wellington (2026)

Wellington eating on a budget? These affordable spots prove that great food doesn't have to be expensive — every place here is $ or $$ and rates among the city's best.

Wellington Restaurants & Cafes with Outdoor Seating

When Wellington's notoriously moody weather delivers a sunny day, these are the spots with the best outdoor seating to make the most of it.

Best Good for Groups in Wellington (2026)

Organising a group dinner is stressful enough — let the food be the easy part. These Wellington spots consistently deliver for groups, families, and big nights out.

Best Date Night in Wellington (2026)

Wellington's intimate restaurant scene makes it one of New Zealand's most romantic cities for a meal out. These are the spots you want to bring someone special.

Best Laptop-Friendly Cafes in Wellington

Wellington's thriving work-from-cafe culture is real. These spots have great coffee, a relaxed atmosphere, and reviewers specifically mention being able to work there.

Wellington Restaurants with First Table Discounts

First Table offers early dining discounts at some of Wellington's best restaurants. Book the first table of the evening and save up to 50% on food.

Staff Picks — Wellington's Hidden Gems

Beyond the ratings and review counts, these are the places we personally love. Each one comes with the quote that convinced us.