WellingtonEat & Drink
The patio at Beach Babylon Cafe in Oriental Bay, Wellington. There are five small circular tables with two people sitting at each of them.

Beach Babylon

  • Location

    232 Oriental Parade, Oriental Bay, Wellington

  • Website

    Beach Babylon

In picturesque Oriental Bay, you’ll find a retro beach café and restaurant with a perfect blend of nostalgic ambiance and contemporary cuisine. 

Where can you walk from the water’s edge to a long black coffee within 30 seconds? Beach Babylon has been a seaside favourite since it opened in 2004. With the central city around the corner and Oriental Bay beach across the road, you’re likely to be sharing the café with tourists, local swimmers, and businesspeople. Wipe the sand from your feet and drop in for a morning coffee, casual lunch or dinner, or drink with friends. The retro décor and extensive menu inspired by Kiwi classics will have you relaxed in no time. 

People enjoy the patio outside of Beach Babylon café.
Two pieces of cake and two smoothies on a table.
2 people enjoying food and drinks at an outside table at Beach Babylon, across the road from Oriental bay.
Two people enjoy food and drinks on the patio at Beach Babylon café.

The brunch and lunch menu features everything from bagels to burrito bowls and burgers. The evening menu has more substantial meals. Chow down on a fish burger or a classic take on fish and chips (you are close to the ocean, after all).  During the day, don’t miss the ‘Famous Rösti’ topped with a poached egg. It’s been the best-selling dish since day one. Beach Babylon is also known for its fondues. Fondue is a Swiss dish traditionally made of melted cheese and wine served in a communal pot. Restaurant co-owner Maura Rigby said that offering fondue developed out of a decorating trend. “When we first opened, we bought fondue pots to add to the décor. Later, we took them off the shelves and added fondue to the menu.” As well as cheese, you can get sweet dessert fondue. 

The fondue pots fit in well with the rest of Beach Babylon’s interiors. Décor from the 1970s is in full swing. Orange, brown and red are a predominant colour palette. Large circular lamp shades hang from the ceiling, and familiar J.H. Lynch artwork on the walls. The shelves are filled with old books, faded vinyl records, and colourful vintage bric-a-brac. 

Looking for more?

At start of items
The exterior of Maranui Café, inside the Lyall Bay surf lifesaving club. The building is white with red accents and cars are parked outside.

Drink in the views at Maranui Café

Hearty breakfasts come with a side of incredible views and retro décor at this quintessential Wellington experience.

An open doorway connects a garden courtyard to a busy tavern.

Cuba Street Tavern

Part bar, part café, and part community hub — this tavern with a secret garden is an oasis in the city.

The rustic outdoor dining area of Fidels with a customer sitting down and drinking.

Fidel’s

At the top of eclectic Cuba Street, Fidel’s Café is a Wellington institution serving Cuban coffee, “good, honest food” and a bohemian atmosphere.

Three people at Ascot sitting at the bar, while a server makes cocktails.

Ascot

Hot dogs and wine are the combination you didn’t know you needed at this relaxed rooftop bar.

Two people enjoying drinks at Golding's Free Dive, a cool, kitsch, and cosy laneway bar in Te Aro, Wellington.

Golding’s Free Dive

This cool, kitsch, and cosy laneway bar is a shrine to great beer, great design, and great atmosphere.

Exterior view of the Salty Pidgin in Brooklyn. An old wooden weather-board building shaped like a triangle.

Salty Pidgin

Housed in a prominent heritage building, Salty Pidgin provides bistro food and a local gathering point in Brooklyn Village.

The interior of Seashor Cabaret, a diner located on The Esplanade and Sidney Street in Petone, with four vintage arcade games, two taxidermy deer heads on the wall, two large tables with eight chairs each and three wood booths with eight customers seated.

Seashore Cabaret

Eclectic and quirky, Seashore Cabaret serves up fun and fast diner food with views across the Petone foreshore.

Interior with customers sitting down chatting, light blue and orange painted walls light up the space.

Chaat Street

Finger-lickin’ good Indian tapas will open your mind and fill your belly.

The dim and moody interior of Highwater eatery with customers siitng and bar staff working.

Highwater

Inner-city restaurant and bar Highwater Eatery walks the talk on sustainable and ethically sourced food.

Two friends sit at a high-top table enjoying burgers, beers and good conversation.

Burger Liquor

Get your fix of American burger bars at this central Wellington restaurant.