My Top 5 Wellington Restaurants

Coming in with the second post in my Top 5 Wellington series. This time its about the BEST Wellington restaurants. Wellington is definitely a foodie capital. There are so many amazing places to eat. From the cheapies, to the lunch spots to the burger joints, its all here, but this post is all about the higher end of the food chain – the ‘fine’ dining kind of experience. I will indeed be posting about all the different types of best food place so watch out for those, but I wanted to start by celebrating the best food I’ve eaten here in every sense of the word by looking to the restaurant type restaurants – you know the ones I mean!

All of my choices fulfil my desire to eat locally sourced, sustainable and delicious produce. They are all independently owned and Wellington only. They all have amazing atmosphere and are places I would 100% recommend for a special occasion in the city. We are not talking cheap, we are talking about the best. Here are my Top 5 of the best Wellington Restaurants:

(Disclaimer: I am no food critic, just an enjoyer of good food!)

Rita

Rita is my number one favourite restaurant in Wellington. Its really the best. Rita is a second helping of loveliness from the people who bring us Nikau cafe near City Gallery. Each night features a set menu of local, seasonal and delicious produce from the region. At $65 per head this is a destination restaurant, it seats 30 and there are two sitings; 5:30 and 7:30. We booked and I would highly recommend doing the same to be sure you can get in.

The ever changing menu, is brought to you by friendly and super knowledgable staff. We enjoyed Kapiti caught Tuna, the most beautiful tomato gazpacho and a fruit tart that Lucas can not forget! The decor is dreamy and the atmosphere is spot on. Everyone needs to try Rita! Take somebody you love.

(I also wrote about it in my post about my favourite things this summer which you can check out HERE.)

Address: 89 Aro St, Aro Valley

Loretta

Loretta is a big favourite for Lucas and I. Loretta is like the big sibling of Floriditas. Seating 120, this place reminds me of somewhere you would find in London’s Soho; bustling and stripped back. The atmosphere is great and the food is even better. For breakfast or for dinner, the menu offers an innovative choice of local and seasonal grilled meats, salads, pies and pizzas, all with a twist. Simplicity is key here in the food, the decor and the service. It never disappoints and the wine selection is amazing too.

I like to pick up a loaf of their homemade sourdough on the way out 🙂

Address: 181 Cuba St, Te Aro

Cicio Cacio Osteria

I’ll admit I don’t really know how to pronounce the name of this restaurant, but Cicio Cacio, is one of the best in Wellington. Hidden down a lane off the main drag in Newtown, this is the kind of place you need to be told about. The decor takes me back to time spent in Alpine chalets and the food is not far off either.

The staff will take you through the menu off the top of their head and you can expect delicious Italian home cooking. Enjoy the elegant simplicities of the pasta courses or the beans or try something authentically more elaborate like the grilled snapper or the pork sausage.

This experience will take you to another time and place. Its great!

Address: 167 Riddiford Street, behind Moon Bar, Newtown.

Salty Pidgin

Tucked away in Brooklyn, Salty Pidgin is well worth booking a table making the trip to. On three different levels, the resteraunt takes the scape of its hilly Brooklyn home. A classic and excellent menu. Start with oysters followed by a choice of grilled meats and pastas or go more low key with the Turkish style pizzas. They also have a rotating offering of nightly specials and do a MEAN Martini. SO GOOD.

Address: 5 Todman St, Brooklyn,

Shepherd

Shepherd is the hip one on my list. Situated in Leeds Street laneway – its nestled between all the best bars and beer spots. As with all my favourites, food at the Shepherd is a celebration is of the finest produce that New Zealand offers. They work closely with their suppliers to make sure they are providing a menu in the most ethical way.

Start the night with a cocktail at the bar. Oysters are a must at Shepherd as well as their fried rice dishes.

Address: 1/5 Eva St, Te Aro, Wellington 6011

Hillside Kitchen and Cellar

I can’t not include the unforgettable Hillside Kitchen and Cellar on Tinakori Road, so my top 5 has become a top 6! I wanted to go to Hillside for so long after becoming a massive fan of Chef’s Table on Netflix. I thought Hillside might be something close to the experimental set menus produced on the show and I wasn’t wrong. We finished with an earl grey flavoured marshmallow – I’ll say no more!

Hillside is really worth a visit. The produce is local and seasonal, of course, and is used in a really creative and respectful way to bring something really exciting to the table. The wine matches are also really great. They make their own butter and bread, they cure their own meats. It is a really special place and worth the 10 minute walk from the CBD. Get it on your ones to try list.

Address: 241 Tinakori Rd, Thorndon.

Thanks for reading about my favourite of the best Wellington restaurants 🙂

What are your faves in the city? I LOVE getting comments from readers so would be so delighted to hear your tips and tricks and places to try.

If you liked this you might like to read about my Top 5 Wellington Coffee Spots HERE.

You can also read all Wellington related posts here: Wellington Blog

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Josie x

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