Capital classics: Long-lasting restaurants
Wellington is fortunate to have fantastic restaurants that have stood the test of time. These restaurants and cafés are some of the oldest in Wellington.
Founded in 1999, KC Cafe is a true Wellington favourite. Famous for its 160+ dish menu, generous portions and late-night opening hours. KC Cafe attracts everyone from corporate suits to high-vis warriors. Dishing up authentic Chinese classics like BBQ pork wonton noodle soup, Hainanese Chicken Rice, deep-fried squid, orange beef, and roast duck.
For owner and head chef Michael Chan, KC Cafe represents his time in New Zealand. “I came here in 1987, and I’ve stayed here... Wellingtonians support each other. The people are really nice.” Michael has built not only a restaurant, but a brand and a cult following in that time. It’s so beloved, KC Cafe even has its own Instagram fan page.
Most of the ingredients KC Cafe uses are locally sourced and made in-house. The noodles in dishes like Char Kuey Teow are hand-pulled. Stocks and broths simmer away in deep woks. “I make the chilli oil from scratch,” says Michael. “You can’t buy it from the supermarket. It’s a lot of work.” It’s these sauces and broths that form the base for a lot of KC Cafe’s dishes.
Deep-fried squid and BBQ pork.
Inside the café, the fit-out is bright, simple, and authentic. Unadorned walls keep your eyes focused on the crispy duck and roast pork hanging in a display window near the counter. The sounds and smells from the open kitchen beyond fill the air, and light floods in from the floor-to-ceiling glass doors. Even at 1am, KC Cafe is still buzzing. Groups chat across tables, sharing recommendations with friends and sometimes strangers. There is a sense of being in the know when dining here. With over 25 years serving Wellingtonians, KC Cafe has proved itself worthy of a place in the city’s heart.
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