1154 Pastaria: Classic Italian in Wellington

The concept is simple: fresh, handmade pasta topped with classic Italian sauces. There are gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options. It’s fast, fresh, fun, and incredibly popular.

Alongside the pasta, there’s a small selection of sides. Freshly made rosemary rolls are perfect for mopping up the last bits of sauce, and rocket salad or olives provide some greenery. If you’ve got room, the flourless chocolate cake is dessert perfection. To wash it down, try a glass of organic wine, craft beer or a house-made soda.

Located on the corner of Cuba and Ghuznee, 132 Cuba Street has quite a history and many former lives. Now with a fresh coat of paint and hand-laid tiles across the walls, floors, and window-side bar, it has a relaxed and comforting feel.

Close-up of waiters hands holding two pasta bowls at 1154 Pastaria on Cuba Street. Focused in the foreground is a bowl of spiralled pasta.

The menu is small and specific, sticking to a selection of Italian classics done well. The team start everyday handmaking pasta for the night ahead. Pappardelle alla Bolognese is made the way they do it in Bologna, with a richer, less tomato-heavy sauce than the typical Kiwi style. The popular fettuccine carbonara is also true to its roots, with one small twist: the not-quite-orthodox inclusion of cream.

There’s a smattering of individual tables around the restaurant. But most diners will end up sitting at the enormous long table in the middle of the room. The communal dining experience adds to 1154’s appeal, creating a sense of community united by excellent pasta.

If you’re in for a quick solo meal, park yourself at one of the window seats for the best people-watching in town. The floor-to-ceiling windows let in glorious natural light. They also give you a panorama view of the comings and goings at the busy intersection of Cuba and Ghuznee.

Text decal on the front window of 1154 Pastaria on Cuba Street saying “1154 Awesome Sauce”.

A chef from Scopa making pizzas with their back turned, wearing a yellow Scopa shirt.

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