New and notable places in Wellington

This Japanese coffee shop is a refined escape away from the busyness of Victoria Street. With masterful baristas at the helm and state-of-the-art techniques in practice, Awaji is serious about its coffee. Choose from a selection of single-origin coffee beans. Alongside the caffeinated gold, you’ll find matcha and a wide selection of tea, as well as Japanese sandwiches and sweet treats.

Everything at Awaji is thoughtfully selected; the pottery is handmade by local artists, paper lanterns hang from the ceiling, and artworks line the walls. Unlike many of Wellington’s hustle-and-bustle cafés, Awaji is noticeably calm and slow, reflective of the Japanese café experience where time slows down, and the rush stops. Here, your order is served with a bow and a polite smile.

It’s the simplest things in life that can give the greatest pleasure. Suede in Mount Victoria prides itself on covering two of these pleasures — coffee and sweet treats. Charlotte Keen and her mother Erma run the cosy café a stone’s throw from Courtenay Place. Homemade cakes and pastries line the cabinets. The cheddar cheese scones are famous, as are the Supreme coffee beans used in each cup. Painted tongue-and-groove panelling lends the space a sense of old-world charm. When it’s warm, head outside to chairs and tables on the footpath. Otherwise, take a seat inside and smell the baking.

If you’re looking for a café fix, then Gravel & Grace should be on your list. Located opposite the Wellington Town Hall, a covered alfresco patio and smart inside space cater for most needs. Inside, lanterns and plants balance out the leather seats and dark walls. Pick something fresh from the cabinet or order off a Kiwiana-style menu. Favourites include mince on toast, eggs benedict, and ginger loaf. Coffee lovers will delight in the impressive latte art, and a license allows for a cheeky afternoon wine too. Hospitality stalwarts Nicholas and Jordan Mills have crafted an inviting atmosphere.

Expect classic pub fare with a stylish twist at this central spot open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Opposite Te Matapihi library, you’ll find The Junction: a dark green building on the corner of Victoria Street and Chews Lane. Wander in to see tiled floors, hanging lights, and a marble bar. There’s room for 30, and if you need more, hold your function at The Junction in the mezzanine upstairs. 

The menu includes classics like fish and chips alongside the crowd favourite — hot honey chicken pasta. The bar pours local craft beer and brews Libertine tea blended in Wellington. Get ‘Up The Junction’ for a pre-work coffee or post-work pinot.

To music lovers, Octo is the holy trinity. The Aro Valley business serves music, food, and drink. By day, it operates as a record store selling great sounds, toasties and snacks. After 5pm, it transforms into a hybrid Yakitori/cocktail bar. Octo is inspired by Japan’s jazz listening bars, which emerged in the 1950s. There’s a lineup of live DJs who play every other day during the week. Food is cooked over a charcoal grill and served on skewers. You’ll see edamame, karaage, yakitori chicken, vegetables — even dessert (s’mores). Drinks include Kirin on tap, wine, beer, and a rotating selection of cocktails.

Whether you’re making a flying visit, having a quick lunch or a leisurely dinner, Spizzico is a great pizza destination. The chefs have meticulously crafted recipes to capture the essence of traditional Roman cuisine while offering a modern twist. You’ll find light and crispy Roman-style pizza baked in Teglia (trays). Among the dozen or so options are Pumpkin & Pancetta, Potato & Rosemary, and Mushroom & Sausage. You’ll also discover deep-fried risotto balls and focaccia. Being on Manners Street, Spizzico is central and well-positioned to accommodate the hungry crowds passing by.

Head to the corner of Ghuznee and Victoria Streets when you next want a trip to Mexico. Apapacho serves as your neighbourhood fondita (Spanish for a small, relaxed inn). Open during the day, it gives you an authentic slice of Mexico. Grab a fresh cup of cafecito de olla (pot coffee) with traditional additions like real cinnamon sticks and piloncillo. Other menu highlights include tasty Mexican versions of eggs your way and French toast. Quilted booth seating and wooden tables create a warm setting while dried corn cobs hang amongst light fittings in the centre of the café.

A full brunch menu by day slides into a tapas-style small plates for dinner at Superfina. Sitting near the top of Cuba Street (furthest from the harbour), the restaurant and bar is housed in a couple of turn-of-the-century shops. Original wooden floors are complemented by terracotta and green walls. Superfina’s specialty is mezcal - a smoky liquor made from agave — and margaritas. This fits the general Latin theme. You’ll find Cuban and Mexican wall art, burrito, quesadilla, and empanada on the menu, and even sand outside in the courtyard. 

The coffee beans are always freshly ground, and it’s on the ground floor of the Central Library. With décor to match the library’s light and modern aesthetic, Central Ground Café is a great way to bookend your reading trip. Grab a table near the shaded Victoria Street entrance or head to the spacious and sunny Te Ngakau Civic Square entrance, where booth seating centres around large planters. Russet brown paint and blonde wood furnishings give a sense of warmth to the space. The menu offering ranges from beautifully presented slices to sandwiches and hot food. 

Open from early morning until the sun goes down, Hotel Catalina gives you a relaxed beachfront dining option in Lyall Bay. The menu is designed for all-day enjoyment, with simple but well-executed food options and great coffee, beer, and wine. Everything is suited to casual brunch and evening drinks by the beach. Upstairs, the top-floor balcony offers front-row views of Lyall Bay and the Airport. The building is steeped in history - originally built in the 1930s as the first terminal at Wellington Airport it was moved across the runway to its current position in 2011.