Hutt ValleyEat & Drink
The interior of Seashor Cabaret, a diner located on The Esplanade and Sidney Street in Petone, with four vintage arcade games, two taxidermy deer heads on the wall, two large tables with eight chairs each and three wood booths with eight customers seated.

Seashore Cabaret

Eclectic and quirky, Seashore Cabaret serves up fun and fast diner food with views across the Petone foreshore.

Seashore Cabaret makes dining fun. Big on personality with a lively atmosphere, this busy café is the perfect pick-me-up on your seaside stroll.

Housed in the historic Petone Rowing Club, you’ll find nods to the café’s history all around. There’s an eclectic mix of vintage, retro, and diner memorabilia. Pinball machines and amusements line the back wall, merry-go-round horses swing from the ceiling, and giant taxidermy fish swim overhead. It’s a jumble of carnival objects but in the best possible way.

A waiter at Seashore Cabaret makes a coffee.

The menu is filled with food that’s family-friendly and fun to eat. Curly fries, ice cream and soda floats, and extra thick thick-shakes. Seasonal salads, vegan bowls, and freshly squeezed orange juice are on offer for those craving a bit of greenery.

The cabinet is always full of sandwiches, cakes, slices and cookies. The drinks menu offers iced drinks, smoothies, local craft beers, and a small selection of cocktails. Good Fortune Coffee fills your caffeine needs.

The bustling 100-plus seater café overlooks the foreshore with views across the Cook Strait on a clear day. On sunny weekends a queue forms with customers eager to secure a spot on the outdoor deck. Service is fast, friendly and efficient, and worth the wait.

The eclectic interior of Seashore Cabaret café.

Looking for more?

A family walks towards the Dowse Museum in Lower Hutt.

The Dowse Art Museum

A contemporary art institution with a focus on craft and applied arts.

An exhibition at the Pātaka Art + Museum located in Porirua City Centre featuring large painted canvases displayed on the walls. Four people stand and admire the artwork.

Pātaka Art + Museum

The cultural heart of Porirua City showcases the best in contemporary Māori and Pacific arts at this world-leading gallery.

Young children pointing up at the Earth projected onto the digital planetarium and Space Place.

Space Place

Space Place is home to a digital full-dome planetarium, the historic Thomas Cooke telescope, and interactive galleries and exhibitions.

A grandpa and grandchildren walking through vintage cars at the Southward Car Museum.

Southward Car Museum

Discover the largest private car collection in Australasia at this world-class museum on the Kāpiti Coast.

Two adults and two children are seated on a boat on Kapiti Island Nature Tours.

Keep the kids entertained these school holidays

There are plenty of activities and things to see and do for kids of all ages. Explore an island, take a trip to space, or learn about history.

An adult and three children walk along the forest path at Ngā Manu Nature Reserve in Kāpiti Coast.

Ngā Manu, Kāpiti Coast’s nature reserve

With rare forests, picnic spots and native wildlife, Ngā Manu nature reserve is a top spot to go for a day out on the Kāpiti Coast.

A young child looking through a book at the new Zealand police museum.

New Zealand Police Museum

Telling the stories of how police have dealt with some of the country’s most infamous crimes, disasters, and other events.

The exterior of Nairn Street cottage, Wellingtons oldest original cottage and heritage garden.

Nairn Street Cottage

Step back in time and visit Wellington’s oldest original cottage and heritage garden.

Inside the dining room of the Katherine Mansfield House on Tinakori Road. Blue walls are covered in decor from the 19th century, including a wall of china plates. The table is set with candleabra and pink china.

Katherine Mansfield House & Garden

Take a step into 19th-century colonial Wellington and the life of Katherine Mansfield. One of the world’s most acclaimed writers and proud Wellingtonian.

Two people stand in the middle of a bird themed exhibition in Te Papa Museum in Wellington with bird skeletons visible in the background.

Fun activities for the whole family

Whether you’re a family that likes to get outdoors or prefers art and culture, these are fun family activities that kids will love.

A person walks through an immersive art installation at the Whirinaki Whare Taonga, an arts centre in Upper Hutt Central. The space is illuminated in pink light from a flower-patterned floor and has a wavy, reflective ceiling.

Family activities in the Hutt Valley

There’s everything from magical scenic reserves to art galleries and thrilling adventures. There’s plenty of fun on offer for kids and adults alike.