Margot

Tucked away via a Wilson Street side entrance in Newtown—Margot is the kind of candlelit haven you almost want to keep entirely to yourself. Welly’s discerning dining crowd passes the name around like a hot stock tip. The vibe? Pure Parisian jazz bar—moody, intimate, draped in hanging plants. But the kitchen is where the real magic happens. Diners routinely find themselves utterly floored by ingredients they usually dodge. Masterful stracciatella and pumpkin plates. Impeccably fresh raw trevally crudo. Flawless triple-cooked chips with a sharp vinegary tang. Go for the chef’s nine-course set menu—a masterclass in confident, ingredient-driven cooking without the stuffy pretense. Plates are swapped out with razor-sharp FOH precision by impossibly charming staff. Wash it all down with a classic Kiwi feijoa highball or a jalapeño margarita that sets the city's gold standard, then finish with a classic tarte tatin or deeply fudgy brownie. Trust the room—this is Aotearoa hospitality at its absolute peak.