New and notable places in Wellington

Intimate and relaxed, Supra is a no-frills restaurant that focuses on food over fanfare. Come for shared plates or a quick snack, with natural wine and hand-picked records. Owner and head chef Thom Millott is all about “just making things delicious.”

Head up a discreet laneway staircase to find the 18-seater space. With a front row seat to the busy city below and across the road from The Opera House, Supra is right in the thick of it. But, its unusual (for Wellington) placement on a first storey makes it feel like a well-kept secret. 

The volcanic heat from an imported Italian pizza oven gave rise to the name Volco. The pizza oven is the centrepiece of a hot little bakery in Kelburn Village. It produces flatbread pizza during the day and Napoli-style pizzas in the evening. Of course, being a bakery there’s other dough-related things on the menu. You’ll find French-inspired pastries, doughnuts, sandwiches, and pies in the cabinets. An array of bread includes a great range of sourdoughs through to milk buns, and baguettes. Inside, the interior is chic and simple. Concrete rendered walls and seaweed green dominate. There’s room for a few window seats to sit and enjoy a coffee but otherwise, grab your fresh treat to go.   

Tucked down an alleyway between Ghuznee and Dixon Streets is a restaurant known for award-winning inventive cuisine. You probably know it as Egmont St Eatery, but after an exciting makeover, it’s now Egmont St Deli & Diner. Open since 2015, this chameleon-like restaurant continues to adapt to changing trends. At lunchtime grab a premium deli sandwiches, salad, or Rogue Burger. Initially conceived as an occasional burger project, Rogue Burgers became famous for delicious flavour combinations. They are now a permanent menu item. The evening menu comprises a range of tasty small plates and daily specials. The drinks menu has a wine list celebrating Aotearoa’s finest drops. 

Lunchtime eats anyone? How about an after-work hangout, or late-night haunt? Loosies Superette is open from midday until late six days a week. It’s a casual spot with cross-cultural influences. In a nostalgic nod to a 1980s Kiwi dairy, the bright yellow façade is painted with bold retro signage. Once you’re through the door you’re met with an American diner menu. It calls itself a ‘greasy spoon’ but it’s much better — the food is inspired by classic LA street food with an imaginative twist. The nachos come served in a can, and the cheesecake is deep-fried. The ‘Sandos, Burgs, and Doggs’ list are all generous in size and big on taste.

Tory Street is home to a bakery with a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef. With a foundation in fine dining and a passion for food, the team at Le Ciel enjoys delivering baked goods that are technically complex but simply delicious. 

Foodies who are on the hunt for something new will be happy with the regularly changing cabinet options. There are some staples, however, such as the house speciality — cashew cheesecake.  You’ll also always find pain au chocolate and croissant flavoured with either pistachio, almond, or ham and gruyere. If you’ve got time to sit, the bakery is cosily decorated and has seating for over 20. Otherwise, for a grab-and-go coffee and melty-in-your-mouth pastry, Le Ciel delivers.

It’s little and packed with tasty goodness. Super Deli sits in the heart of Wellington city. Surrounded by high-rises, it seeks to serve the throngs of busy shoppers and office workers with coffee, pastries, and cabinet food. There’s a small bar with a few stools for those lucky enough to time it right, but the focus is on feeding people on the go. 

The bakers are up well before the birds to prepare the freshest, flakiest pastries from scratch. The cabinet offers buttery croissants, cheesy scones, deluxe doughnuts, and the softest focaccia sammies. There are also zesty salads, pies with handmade butter crust pastry, and an irresistible selection of sweets and treats.  It can all be washed down with a Skunkworks Coffee. 

Abandoned Taproom in Petone serves craft beers, big sandwiches, and a whole lot of attitude.

Covered in graffiti and industrial touches, it’s a casual spot for an afternoon drink or evening catch-up. The taps offer a rotating selection of classics and favourites alongside craftier new creations. On weekends you can often see live music and DJ sets. 

Big, hearty sandwiches are on the menu. Locals who remember the venue’s previous tenant, Ontrays, will welcome the return of its famous Reuben sandwich. Made using the exact recipe and suppliers served at Sheckter’s Deli, it's the very same classic you know and love. The halloumi-laden Layla sandwich is also available, alongside a selection of sides and a tasty kids menu.

Coffee and sammies are an iconic duo for a reason. Head to Newtown to see them in action at a spot dedicated to the cause, Good Boy. 

The café and sandwich spot is owned by a couple of local lads, Al and James. The pair upgraded to their current location from humble beginnings as a hole in the wall. There’s space to sit and watch Newtown bustle by and admire your sandwich of choice. You’ll have three or four options to choose from, with the menu changing weekly. The team bakes the bread in-house and fills it with local produce and creative flavours. Paired with a coffee from local supplier Rich Roasters, it’s a very Wellington way to start your day.

A sleek Wellington café is in pursuit of the perfect croissant, and after taking your first bite you’ll find the proof is in the pastry. It takes three days to make something so good you’ll consume it in three minutes.

Just off Courtenay Place, Glou Glou has a relaxed feel. Enjoy a coffee from Supreme or colourful tea, matcha, or ube latte, and a warm atmosphere to match.

The café serves crumpets with sweet and savoury seasonal toppings on weekdays. On Fridays and weekends, it brings out the stars of the show – the pastries. If you’re lucky enough to nab some (they often sell out), take your time enjoying them – it took them six months to get here.