WellingtonEat & Drink
2 customers sharing a plate inside Ortega FIsh Shack.

Ortega Fish Shack

  • Location

    16 Majoribanks Street, Mount Victoria, Wellington

  • Website

    Ortega

Fresh fish, steak fries, and sherry are all on offer at Wellington’s favourite seafood restaurant.

Ortega Fish Shack is one of those restaurants beloved by both locals and visitors. Described by one reviewer as “fine dining in disguise”, Ortega is upmarket dining with a laidback, good-time vibe.

As the name suggests, it’s predominately a seafood restaurant serving fresh and sustainable . The menu changes each day, depending on what fish is available. But regardless of the catch, there’s always ceviche on the menu — fresh raw fish with herbs, crispy shallots, and ginger dressing. And, despite being a self-titled fish shack, Ortega’s steak and fries have a passionate local following.

Ortega’s popularity is down to its two owners. Award-winning maitre d’ Davey McDonald will welcome you to the Shack with a grin and farewell you by the door at the end of the night. And Mark Limacher is an award-winning chef who has been quietly influential in the food world.

Waiter setting a table inside Ortega Fish Shack. A large Marlin is mounted on one wall and a very large painting of a lake is on the other.
A plate with four oysters two lemon wedges and a small bowl of mignonette at Ortega Fish Shack, a seafood restaurant in Wellington, New Zealand.
A bartender is pouring a glass of white wine for two people sitting at the bar at Ortega Fish Shack, a seafood restaurant in Wellington, New Zealand.
Close up of an orange raw fish dish served at Ortega Fish Shack.

The restaurant is in a two-storey, 1800s building in Mount Victoria. Ortega’s aesthetic is beachside bistro: weatherboard shutters, mosaic-tiled floors, walls covered with nautical paraphernalia and mounted fish. The waitstaff are clad in casual clothes and leather aprons. Like Davey, they’re the perfect mix of knowledgeable, attentive and friendly.

When describing the drinks list, one word comes to mind: epic. Spread over 50-plus pages, there are even chapters to the menu, making you smile as much as it makes you thirsty. Davey and his crew will take you on a guided tour or lead you straight to what you didn’t know you felt like drinking. If sherry is your thing, you’ve come to the right place.

Fun, friendly fine dining — you heard it here first, folks.

Looking for more?

At start of items
Three friends enjoy cocktails at Hummingbird Restaurant & Lounge.

Hummingbird

Commanding a prominent corner on Courtenay Place, this restaurant is an oasis for mouthwatering food, quality cocktails, and personable service.

Four friends enjoy dinner and drinks at Havana Bar and Restaurant in Wellington.

Havana Bar

Hidden among modern city buildings, two historic cottages house a Wellington restaurant and bar.

The storefront of Liberty, a restaurant in Te Aro Wellington. It's a white building with black accents and six circular ceiling lights.

Liberty

Made by a talented team of chefs, the dishes at Liberty are full of flavour and made to be shared.

The Bar staff behind the bar at The Ram pouring craft beer. Theres a large shelf of wine and spirits bottles behind them.

The Ram

Come as you are to this relaxed bar meets pub at the heart of Cuba Street.

The dim and moody interior of Highwater eatery with customers siitng and bar staff working.

Highwater

Inner-city restaurant and bar Highwater Eatery walks the talk on sustainable and ethically sourced food.

The busy and vibrant interior of Charley Noble, with customers sitting at tables and servers waiting tables, and kitchen staff in the background preparing food.

Charley Noble

A haven for fine food lovers, this restaurant’s menu and drinks list matches the impressive surroundings of the building it resides in.

Looking down at various dishes served at Ombra on the wooden table, including pizzas, salads and Toast.

Ombra

Inspired by the backstreet restaurants of Venice, Ombra is Wellington’s very own bacaro, serving modern Italian small plates.

Interior shot of busy restaurant atmosphere.

Capitol

A local favourite since 2002, Capitol is a vibrant, family-run restaurant with a bistro-style menu.

Inside Rosella restaurant and bar. The large window on the ground floor lets in plenty of light with seats lining a narrow bench along the window.

Rosella Wine Bar

With a share-style menu inspired by the Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa, this Mount Victoria charmer is a quality dinner choice.

Waiter setting a table at Koji, the room has dim lighting and a large wooden feature wall.

Koji

Asian-inspired cuisine mixed with locally sourced produce creates a delicious dining experience.