New local eats
Treat your taste buds to one of the newest eateries and bars in Wellington
The hottest scoop: Fresko
53 Kingsford Smith Street, Lyall Bay, Wellington
The family tongs have landed in the hands of the third generation of fish-fryers in Lyall Bay. The newest fish n chip shop Fresko is classic-kiwi store in a modern environment.
Owners of Fresko, Maria Cordalis and her family have taken tips on what makes a good fish n chip shop in the capital from her families 40 years of experience. Her dad ran Wellington Seamarket on Cuba Street after her grandparents owned Wadestown Fish n Chip shop throughout the ’80s and ‘90s.
Only meters from Lyall Bay you'll find Fresko housed in two shipping containers serving fresh fish and other family favourites along with popular Greek and Raw Fish salads. Fresko’s keeps people coming back because their fish tastes like it did when they were kids. The crunchy, melt in your mouth fish caught by Maria’s uncle is filleted then battered and cooked straight after you’ve ordered it. Whip up your very own fish dish with the help of Fresko’s on-site fish supply.
A new type of dumpling has landed in Wellington
11C Courtenay Place, Wellington
Dumplings come in many delicious shapes and sizes, flavours and textures, this new eatery is serving something different for diners of Wellington. Hideout, Courtenay Place’s newest eatery, is a cosy intimate spot serving Zhong Dumplings, a fresh new spin of the classic dish.
Unlike traditional dumpling, Zhong dumplings have slightly thicker skin and are packed with meat (pork, chicken and vegetarian available.) The boiled dumplings are topped with a homemade Zhong Sauce; a sweet and spicy mix of Sichuan peppers, fresh garlic, coriander, spring onion and peanuts.
The rest of Hideout's menu draws from European flavours and traditional Asian dishes, think bao buns with cream cheese and chive wontons, hand-pulled noodles and more. They also serve sweet and fruity cocktails in cute glasses such as flamingos and gummy bears.
Bubble Tree in Porirua
16 Hartham Place North, Porirua
Lip-smacking bubble tea and gelato have made its way to Porirua in time for summer. The owners of popular restaurant Tuk Tuk Thai has opened Bubble Tree on Harlem Place. Step into this vibrant spot for a pick me up of the popular drink of Bubble Tea. The tea-based drink that's taken the world by storm is topped with flavoured Tapioca pearls, the chewy spheres are what give’s the drink its name. You’ll find people cooling off by slurping on flavours such as vanilla and strawberry.
Cocktails and crêpes? Oui!
103A Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Step into Paris as you walk through the doors of French-inspired bar Le Plum Café on Cuba Street. Formerly known as Plum Café, the space radiates with elegance, serving cocktails, tapas and crêpes every evening from Wednesday to Sunday.
The space, designed by Wellington creative Lily Kao, is inspired by women of all ages. You’ll notice Kao's feminine touches instantaneously from magnificent chandeliers, royal blue velvet couches and flower arrangements framing the bar.
Head bartender, Gordon Carlyle has combined the tips and tricks he’s learnt over 12 years to create an evolving cocktail menu. There are 20 different cocktails mixes including new creations and old classics.
Brunch by the beach in Titahi Bay
26 Whitehouse Road, Titahi Bay, Porirua
Swap out your fish and chips for coffee and eggs benedict at the newest brunch spot in Titahi Bay.
New cafe T Bay Cafe, recently opened in Porirua's popular surf beach, is welcoming many smiling faces as it creates a space for the community to connect with whānau. Previously the area was limited to fish and chip shops and convenient stores like bakeries and dairies.
Grab a Good Fortune coffee and scone then watch the local surfers. Or choose from their tasty menu and cabinet treats. But first in first serve as locals are saying the ginger crunch and carrot cake is the best in the business.
Baja taco joint on Queens Wharf
4 Queens Wharf, Wellington Central
Tacos, burgers, margarita’s, beers and more tacos can be found at the tastiest new spot on Queens Wharf.
Rosie’s Red-Hot Cantina & Taco Joint is bringing together favours from L.A. and the Baja Coast to be loved in Wellington.
If you haven’t heard all people raving about Baja tacos then roll up your sleeve and prepare for tacos that are sour and sweet, spicy and savoury, and highly addictive!
Nikkei bar shakes up the cocktail scene
99 Victoria Street, Te Aro, Wellington
When the lights go out at a plant-based eatery, a Nikkei cocktail bar comes alive! Yakisoda has teamed up with plant-based eatery BOL on Victoria Street, for a cocktail bar take-over every Wednesday to Sunday from 4pm.
During lockdown, co-owners of Yakisoda, Giancarlo Jesus and Kerry Burgess experimented with cocktail flavours and found Nikkei, the mix of Japanese techniques with Peruvian flavours, to be their favourite. Yakisoda is creating a space to slow down and celebrate Japanese Highball drinking accompanied by an exceptional menu of Peruvian street food.
The specially crafted cocktails on their menu ooze with Nikkei flavours. Think Japanese Highballs made with Peruvian Pisco and Japanese sake. The food also follows suit, with dishes like Ceviche, Yakitori, Yaki Onigiri.
Pho-Mo
62 Dixon Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Visit Pho-Mo, the newest take on Vietnamese street food, on Dixon Street. Be drawn in by the neon pink signs to discover a lively interior coated in pink. Naturally, with the name like Pho-Mo, you don’t want to miss this!
Pho-Mo's your next lunchtime spot, with quick and delicious dishes packed with fresh herbs and flavours such as Pho, noodle salads and Bahn Mi. The Beef Pho is a must try and that’s from co-owner Josh who’s a die-hard chicken fan!
After 15 years of owning a tiling business, co-owner Yoong swapped his tools for utensils and opened Vietnamese street food eatery Pho-Mo. His friends called him crazy but it's in his blood.
Yoong’s family are the owners of KK Malaysia so at Pho-mo you'll taste the modern take on Malaysian inspired recipes he's work on with his grandma. Beef Rendang puff, anyone?
TJ Katsu's Hawaiian brother is in town
119 Featherston Street, CBD, Wellington
You’ve eaten raw fish in sushi, but would you take on a whole bowl? Hula your way into Wellington’s very own Hawaiian themed eatery.
Monday to Friday, you can visit TJ Katsu's brother TJ Poke, Hawaiian eatery on Featherston Street. These colourful Poke bowls have raw fish like Salmon and Tuna, with chicken and tofu options available. Pick from the colours of the rainbow with corn, pineapple, red onion, carrot, edamame beans, pickles from Pickle & Pie and more.
For over 10 years the owner of TJ Katsu, Ted has been serving his favourite Japanese sushi and dishes. He’s also a big fan of Sashimi (Japanese style raw fish). He merged the two cuisines to create a colourful, fresh and healthy options for Wellingtonians.
Booze-free bar: KB Kombucha
64 Taranaki Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Cold ones on tap, six-packs and a filling station, the newest Kombucha bar hitting the city is everything you love about a bar but without the beer.
The Alicetown company KB Kombucha has opened a bar dedicating everything to the fermented tea drink Kombucha on Taranaki Street. KB Kombucha is a full-blown Kombucha experience where you can sample delicious brews on tap like peach and passionfruit, ginger and wolfberry, or order a kombucha smoothie or on a hot day dip into a kombucha sorbet.
If you like what you taste, you can fill a bottle and take some home, or buy Kombucha by the bottle or pack. Fancy a treat for your good boy? They also have kombucha treats for dogs!
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