Pravda Café and Grill

High ceilings, marble counter-tops, and dark wood furnishings greet you when you enter Pravda. The central city café and grill exudes grand European charm. 

Pravda means ‘truth’ in Russian. Manager Declan Body says the menu reflects the idea of truth. “Blayne Still, our head chef, has a food philosophy — it is to keep it fresh, simple, and local to New Zealand”. Pravda’s menu is mostly European in influence. By day it serves bistro food. At nighttime it becomes a steakhouse. “Over the years, we have made a name for ourselves serving top quality New Zealand meat, like Lake Oahu Wagyu beef”. Declan says it's known for its rich savoury flavour. The food is complemented by an extensive wine list. New Zealand wines are the heroes, but there are surprises from France, Italy, Spain, and Australia as well. 

During the day, the café is known for its cheese scones. Wellingtonians are serious about this doughy delicacy. At Pravda, the bakers never scrimp on cheese or butter, so every scone is light and fluffy on the inside and crunchy on the outside. Available throughout the day, scones often sell out by early afternoon. 

Having opened in the late 1990s, Pravda has remained true to the original owner’s vision. “When they first walked into the space, the interior architecture reminded them of their travels around Soviet Russia,” Declan says. They decided to lean into what already existed. Mementos picked up in Eastern Europe adorn the walls and the theme seeped into the menu.   

The eatery’s striking interior and location near office blocks means it often hosts casual business meetups. It’s also very attractive to those looking for somewhere special for lunch and dinner, or a stylish coffee stop. The truth is — Pravda is a great place for everyone to visit.