New and notable places in Wellington

Woodward Street is a quaint paved lane joining Lambton Quay and The Terrace. At the upper end, you’ll find 11 Woodward. This intimate wine bar offers respite from the surrounding bustling shopping and high-rises. Head sommelier Gary Pluck has loaded the wine list with special finds and exotic drops to please wine lovers. Of particular interest are Gamay wines (a light-bodied wine like pinot noir), Beaujolais, chardonnay, and plenty of bubbles. The menu changes regularly. You’re likely to find an exotic selection of cheeses, charcuterie boards, and small bites.

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.   

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. 

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.