WellingtonEat & Drink
Two people enjoying a meal and clinking their wine glasses in Capitol Restaurant. Waitstaff make drinks behind the bar behind them. The dark wood tables add a moody vibe to the interior.

Capitol

A local favourite since 2002, Capitol is a vibrant, family-run restaurant with a bistro-style menu.

Consistently ranked as one of Wellington’s top restaurants, Capitol has operated from its busy corner next to Embassy Theatre for more than 20 years. In that time, food trends have come and gone. But chef Tom Hutchison and his wife and restaurant manager Kate like to keep things simple.

“We understand that authenticity and sustainability are key,” says Kate. Every Capitol dish is fresh, pure and uncluttered, with a wonderful balance of flavours. features strongly, and Kate believes one of Tim’s greatest strengths is his ability to “cook fish to perfection”. Capitol’s most popular dishes are parmesan crumbed lambs’ liver, chocolate pudding and fried squid. They are available year-round.

Tom and Kate are stalwarts of the Wellington hospitality scene. They spent years fine-tuning their skills in top restaurants in Melbourne, London and the south of France. They then headed back to Aotearoa to open Capitol. They attribute the success of the restaurant to “sheer hard work and a genuine love for feeding and caring for the people of Wellington”.

Kate and Tom value their staff and treat them accordingly. “We’re working towards an industry where hospitality workers have the same standard of living as other clever and successful members of society,” says Kate.

Because of Capitol’s natural ambience and great location, it’s a great place to sit and watch the world go by. Why not treat yourself to a cocktail while you do?

Capitol restaurant co-owners Kate Hutchison and husband Tom Hutchison (chef), sitting at a small table with a glass of wine.

Restaurant manager Kate Hutchison and chef Tom Hutchison.

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