For the love of vegetables

At Belén Bakery, vegans never have to miss out on the magic of a fresh-baked croissant or a light, fluffy doughnut. Since starting out as a stall at Newtown Market in 2021, Belén has grown to include two central-city locations. Its Lambton Quay and Courtenay Place stores sell everything from doughnuts and brioche to “mince” pies and sandwiches. All are without any animal products. The menu changes monthly and always includes delicious sweets and savoury treats.

Hillside Kitchen is an award-winning fine-dining restaurant with a twist – it’s completely meat-free. Instead of animal products, the restaurant focuses on sustainable, locally-grown produce. It uses ingredients foraged from Wellington’s green areas and grown in its own garden, taking the concept of farm-to-table to another level.

Seasonality is key, which means the Hillside menu is constantly changing. Diners can choose between a five and seven-course tasting menu when they book. But the components of each course are a surprise until they’re seated at their table.

The Botanist brings the best in innovative plant-based cuisine to the south coast of Wellington. Sitting on Lyall Bay, The Botanist serves views of the sea with its vegan and vegetarian-friendly menu. A sunny courtyard on the other side of the building allows for a meal sheltered from the sea breeze. You’ll find innovative dishes on the menu like eggplant steak, battered banana blossom ‘fish’, and marinated Thai ‘beef’ salad.  There’s also a selection of six rotating craft beer taps, botanical cocktails, and organic wines.

It’s the first plant-based pizza and pastaria in New Zealand. Wellington’s buzzing Cuba Street is home to Nolita. The chefs at this cosy restaurant do things a little differently. There’s 48-hour fermented sourdough that’s hand-stretched to enhance flavour and digestibility. They also produce house-made vegan cheese. The cashew mozzarella is delicately fermented using dairy-free culture.

Come for brunch, lunch, or dinner. The menu offers sharing plates and lots of Italian classics. Everything is, of course, plant based.

Embrace a greener lifestyle with delicious plant-based meals. September Vegan Food specialises in Asian cuisine. The little Manners Street eatery has an eco-friendly dining philosophy. The menu features classic vegan dishes from Malaysia, China, and Thailand. All are crafted with fresh ingredients and the promise of no animal products. Try Singaporean Fried Vermicelli, Hainanese ‘chicken’ rice, Yuxiang Eggplant, and Sichuan Hot Pot. There are also some classics like Tom Yum Soup, Laksa, and Roti Chanai. Whether you’re a dedicated vegan or looking to explore a healthier, more sustainable way of eating, September is a destination to savour.

As the name would suggest, Aunty Mena’s has the warm familiarity of a close relative’s home cooking. The little restaurant is a mecca for Wellington’s vegetarians and vegans. The flavour combinations and hearty portions are some of the best ways to convince the fervent carnivore in your life to ‘go vege’.  The curries, laksas, dumpling soups, and stir-fried noodles all have legions of fans. The vegetarian nuggets are world famous in Wellington, too, with many fooled into thinking there is a secret supply of chicken in the kitchen. There’s not – everything is proudly plant-based.