No planning required: Visa WOAP pop-ups

Sunday fun-day

Chase away the Sunday scaries with Maille Sunday Kai at Cuba Street Tavern. Every Sunday, they serve up a tasty roast and delectable house-made dessert. Enjoy your meal with either a Maille Dijon Bloody Mary or warming mulled wine. Walk-ins are welcome from 1 to 4pm, and bookings available from 4pm.

Patrons enjoy food and drinks on the covered back patio at Cuba Street Tavern.

3 chefs preparing food in the kitchen of Everybody eats.

Two friends enjoy food and drinks at Loretta.

Looking into the open glass doors at Lulu Bar, workers and patrons are standing by the counter in the dark, amber-lit space.

Tokyo vibes

Want to explore Japan without leaving the city? Orient is going double-duty with two tasty events. Experience the one-stop wonder of Japanese konbini (convenience stores) at Konbini Moments (1 to 10 August). Enjoy a hand-picked selection of konbini-inspired delights, including korokke (croquettes), sandwiches, and sweet treats. If you’re craving matcha, then sip and snack on creative delights at Matcha Moments (22 to 31 August). From lattes to pastries, it’s a matcha-lover’s dream. For the last weekend of the festival (30 and 31 August), Swimsuit is transforming into its very own Japanese-inspired panya (bakery). Check out Panya and browse sweet treats, bread and onigiri at the Lombard Street location.

Tasty trivia

Put your brain and your tastebuds to the test with food-fuelled quizzes. Lulu Bar is bringing the buzz with The Hits Alpha Quiz Live on 6 August. Hosted by Jono, Ben & Megan from The Hits Breakfast Show, this interactive quiz night is an opportunity to put your foodie knowledge to the test. Over at Eva’s Garage, Matchmaker by Delivereasy offers a playful pop-up where your dream burger is just a quiz away (12 to 14 August).

Eating for a cause

Good food meets good intentions at these charity-driven pop-ups. The Next Gen Cook Off sees rising stars from local kitchens compete with bold dishes and creative flair. The twist is, they have to serve up an epic three-course dinner using rescued food. Taste their fare every Monday from 6 to 8pm. On the final night of the festival, head to We Love Mac ‘N’ Cheese to fill your belly and help people in need. Everybody Eats and Kaibosh join forces to serve hot mac ‘n’ cheese and raise funds to help feed the community. Both events can be found at LTD. on Dixon Street.

Dishes with burgers, fries, pasta and beers on a red and white checkered surface.

Nostalgia, served fresh

From retro revelry to heartfelt homages, these pop-ups bring the past back to life in delicious ways. In a throwback to the late ’90s and early 2000s, Two Grey presents Arizona Flashback (4 to 24 August). It revives the flavours, energy and atmosphere of the iconic Arizona Bar & Grill. Throughout August, Beach Babylon becomes Club Tropicana, a retro, romantic escape inspired by 1960s tropical honeymoons, classic tiki bars, and vintage beach glamour.

On 22 and 23 August, Loretta’s Chandrika Khullar serves a deeply personal North Indian feast inspired by the flavours of her Delhi childhood. Each dish is a nod to family meals, bursting with spice, citrus, and colour. Served share-style with vibrant chutneys and a custom drinks menu, it’s a taste of nostalgia made to savour. The event, Dilli-24, is named for her hometown and postcode.

Visa Wellington On a Plate

1 – 31 August 2025

Patrons enjoying food and coffee inside Midnight Espresso, a popular café on Cuba Street in Wellington.

Capital classics: Long-lasting restaurants

Wellington is fortunate to have a batch of fantastic restaurants that have stood the test of time.

Two people enjoying food and wine at Kisa, a Mediterranean restaurant on Cuba Street in Te Aro, Wellington.

From first date to foodie: Where to take your date for dinner

If the way to your date’s heart is through their stomach, Wellington has plenty of options to keep them happy.

Five Asian-fusion dishes, a pink cocktail, dishes and utensils on a table at a restaurant.

Beyond the central city, great food awaits

The quality of Wellington’s cafés, restaurants, and bars is not confined to the inner city. There’s a raft of great options hidden away in neighbourhoods and suburbs beyond the city lights.

A smiling server brings a couple of coffees to two friends at a patio table.

New and notable places in Wellington

Treat your taste buds at one of these new cafés, restaurants, and bars in Wellington.

View of Courtenay place from Dirty Little Secret rooftop bar.

Get a taste of Courtenay Place

A hotspot for all things fun and entertainment, there’s plenty to tempt your tastebuds on one of Wellington’s buzziest streets — Courtenay Place.

Two customers clink their wine glasses and enjoy their food at Graze Wine bar.

Wine not? A full-bodied list of Wellington wine bars

Part of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail, Wellington is the perfect place to sample a local drop (or two). The city’s wine bars offer tasty food, a relaxing ambience, and, of course, an impressive selection from the cellar. Natural or biodynamic? Local, or from further afield? Take your pick at these wine bars around Wellington.

A person chats with friends over coffee and pastries at Floriditas.

Wellington city brunch: Start your morning sunny side up

Wellington is a city that takes its mid-morning meal seriously. Whether you’re in the mood for eggs just the way you like them, a vegan feast, or a sweet treat, you’ll find a meal to suit your cravings.

Two people enjoy a flight of coffee at The Hangar.

Your essential guide to coffee

Wellington takes its coffee seriously. Whether you’re after a creamy flat white, a jet-fuelled long black, or something in between, there are plenty of places to keep you caffeinated.

A bartender in Garage Project pours a beer from taps on the wall. Two people are seated at the bar waiting for a drink.

Crafting your beer experience in Wellington

They’re boutique, fiercely independent, and proudly fly the craft beer flag for Wellington.