Dockside Restaurant & Bar

It’s not quite right to call Dockside “waterfront”. Water-top is more like it. The restaurant, a firm favourite for visitors to the capital, hovers over Wellington Harbour on Queens Wharf. Its home, the heritage-listed Shed 3, is steeped in local history.

Dockside has been a Wellington fine-dining institution since 1991. When CEO Conrad Banks took over in 2009, he wanted to expand the restaurant's range and appeal. These days, you can pop into Dockside for a casual after-work beer, get dressed up for a seven-course meal, or anything in between. “It’s still five-star food and service, but in a more relaxed environment.”

Being so near the water, fresh seafood is, of course, the star of the menu. The fish and chips, chowder, calamari, or fish of the day will never disappoint. If you want something more land-based, try the beef, dry-aged in-house, or dip into the full plant-based menu. You can also order a two or three-course set menu. For the full gourmet experience, there's a degustation menu of up to seven courses along with matched wines.

On calm days, Dockside’s spacious deck holds obvious appeal. You can soak up the sun while listening to the waves lapping near your table. When the weather gets stormy, Conrad says you shouldn't be put off. If the waves are choppy, you don't need to move. The team simply shuts the glass doors and closes the deck's retractable roof. “Sitting out there by the fire, drinking a glass of red and eating a steak while the sea spray hits the glass has its own magic.”

Since 1887, the building has had various lives: a warehouse, home of H.M. Customs, and a hub for the harbour tug boat. The maritime roots still shine through in Dockside’s rustic floorboards and timber-lined walls. Yacht-racing fan? Look out for the Flying Fifteen sailboat above the bar, with its mast reaching up through the atrium.