New and notable places in Wellington

The number eight is considered lucky in Chinese culture. It’s lucky for the customers who order food at the Courtenay Place bar. The majority of the tapas options are priced at $8.88, and the cocktail menu also starts at that price. Described by owner Paul Wong as a “cross-breed” between a high-end restaurant and an edgy late-night lounge, Lucky 8 is inspired by the roadside beer stalls and street food culture of Asia. The new multi-area venue has four distinct experiences: the Side Bar, the Main Lounge, a Private Dining Room, and a Terrace overlooking the street. 

The logo for Cutie Pie is a stylised dog. Chilli Jean, the dachshund, is the third business partner for the Hataitai pizzeria. The other two are Tommy Kirton and Alicia Mendez. Together, they produce pizza pies in the distinctive American East Coast style. That means large, hand-stretched dough, a visible char, and simple toppings. The Cutie Pie team make a limited amount of dough, so it’s advisable to book a dine-in or takeaway slot on the website. If you stay, enjoy the soft industrial design aesthetic. All the pizza ingredients are revealed on open shelves, and exposed bricks are a nod to the pizzeria’s American origins.

Garage Project Leeds Street lies down a busy laneway in the central city. It sits shoulder-to-shoulder with many other Wellington foodie attractions. The sunny brewery and pub offers a selection of 32 taps from Garage Project’s huge range. If the spacious inside is already full of happy punters, then there are still options on the upstairs deck to hang with friends. The menu is peppered with local food suppliers. Bretzels, pies, cheese, Polish sausages, and bread all have strong connections to Wellington. You’ll also find hearty sandwiches to go with your beer (or other beverage) of choice.

Walk into this little bakery and you’ll find cabinets overflowing with beautiful French pastries. April Patisserie makes exquisite petit gâteau, macarons, madeleines, and financiers, among plenty of other delights. Owners Jocelyn and Eddy both studied at Le Cordon Bleu and hold degrees in Culinary Arts. Their experience shows — with delicately decorated masterpieces and adventurous flavour combinations. Try a chocolate, Jerusalem artichoke, and hazelnut friand, or lemon yuzu choux. They also make salt buns, a Korean/Japanese delicacy. Likened to croissant, they are denser and have bases fried in butter. Get in quick — the bakery may be small, but the line outside is often big.

Dilly Dally is a 16-seat diner with salads, smoothies, and snacks on the menu. It offers simple and filling alternatives for the lunchtime crowd. 

Dilly Dally’s menu is designed around four main salads — all of which feature distinct components, such as yuzu, nori, or tahini. Diners can further personalise their salad by adding protein options like miso-glazed salmon, organic pulled tofu, or braised beef. Fresh ingredients also feature in their smoothies and drinks. 

The third floor of the 5-star hotel QT Wellington holds a lush culinary secret. Hippo is a fresh dining experience that mixes playful and cool with a seriously good food offering. The seasonal menu offers a creative take on New Zealand produce, prepared with French techniques. 

Get a slice of Italy on the go. Pizza joint Slice on Lombard Lane offers authentic street fare to take away. About seven different pizza flavours are available at any one time. Sample tasty creations like pork and fennel sausage with broccolini or salami and rocket. It will come as no surprise that the pizzas are sold by the slice. Owner Mia Tracey says they modelled the hole-in-the-wall joint on al taglio pizza bars in Rome, known for their rectangular-shaped slices. “It’s fresh, fast, no-fuss and made to be eaten standing up like the Romans do”. If you want to finish off with a sweet treat, the cabinet also has pistachio cannoli, tiramisu, and maritozzi — a sweet bun filled with creamy vanilla or chocolate.

With Wellington harbour across the street and office blocks above, Kākāriki Coffee offers a lush haven at the northern end of the city. Kākāriki means ‘green’ in Te Reo Māori. When designing the space, owner Thobias Joby wanted to bring the outside in. Forest scenes feature on multiple hand-painted murals, and dozens of plants create a tranquil atmosphere. The café is open early and offers many of the breakfast classics. The toastie menu includes some surprises like homemade kimchi and jalapeno poppers. Take a moment to grab a coffee and relax away from the bustle of the city.