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Restaurant leaderboards —
ranked by mates and locals

Explore the most loved venues in Wellington

1. 01.Flight Coffee Hangar Cafecafe, brunch

   Right in the thick of Te Aro. Flight Coffee Hangar Cafe is a bona fide coffee Mecca. Bustling vibe. Razor-sharp aesthetic from a recent revamp. Welly’s bean geeks congregate here for the legendary tasting flights—comparing a bright pour-over against a syrupy espresso or a meticulous cold drip side-by-side. Pure gold for the palate. But the kitchen punches just as hard. Those dialed into the capital's brunch circuit point you straight to the heavy hitters. Tender Lamb Shoulder Benedict with perfectly runny eggs. The iconic Bacon Butty. An avocado toast that doubles as a culinary work of art. Even the quintessential Kiwi cabinet food delivers—grab a cheese scone if you're quick. Service is warm and prompt, effortlessly managing the high-energy hum. Order a seasonal Tiramisu Cloud, snag a table, and soak up the very best of Aotearoa cafe culture. A masterclass in brunch.

   119 Dixon Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

   +64 27 535 0884

2. 02.Jano BistroModern European, French, Restaurant

   A charming Te Aro cottage that feels like a cozy heritage living room downstairs—and a profoundly refined dining haven upstairs. Wellington’s most demanding epicureans routinely benchmark Jano Bistro as the capital's closest answer to a Michelin-starred tour de force. Expect a staggering three-hour degustation where the boundary between kitchen and table completely dissolves. The chefs themselves step onto the floor, personally delivering and decoding the hyper-local ingredients behind each artful plate. Spectacular wine pairings. Intensely intentional flavor profiles. That legendary Forbidden Apple cocktail. Whether you're celebrating a milestone or just craving absolute culinary immersion, this isn't simply dinner. It’s a meticulously paced, fiercely creative narrative served with unpretentious warmth.

   270 Willis Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

   +64 4 382 9892

3. 03.Ascotbar, cocktails

   Up a kitschy Ghuznee Street stairwell sits Ascot—an effortless, sun-drenched rooftop joint. Pure Welly cool. The city's wine geeks constantly point friends here for the unusual, highly curated list. Think perfectly chilled reds and serious glou-glou energy. But the ultimate flex? The hot dogs. Utterly legendary. Those who stumble in for a drink are instantly floored by the near-perfect, balanced mouthfuls. The plant-based crowd is fiercely loyal to the genius carrot dog—a whole, brilliantly textured carrot tucked into a warm, soft bun with dialed-in toppings. Add a breezy balcony, live DJs spinning at the exact right volume, and a proper pint of Guinness. Warm, hyper-knowledgeable staff who know exactly what you should drink next. An intimate, brilliant hangout.

   level 1/55 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

4. 04.Fred's Sandwichescafe

   cafe

   10a Cambridge Terrace, Mount Victoria, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand

5. 05.K C Cafe & TakeawayChinese, Restaurant

   Craving authentic, budget-friendly Chinese fare on Courtenay Place? K C Cafe & Takeaway is the ultimate staple. Total cha chaan teng energy—a bustling, no-frills dining room where the turnover is hyper-fast and the kitchen hums with serious wok hei. Wellington's seasoned eaters treat this spot as their personal canteen for a reason. You order, grab a seat, and the food just magically starts hitting the table. The menu is a sprawling, 100-plus item beast. Bypass the paradox of choice and go straight for the glistening siu mei—that roast duck and BBQ pork hit different. Portions are massive, designed for heavy sharing. Plunge into colossal plates of beef hor fun, perfectly punchy mapo tofu, or Hokkien fried rice swimming in a glossy, umami-heavy gravy. Fast, unapologetically authentic, and completely packed with character.

   39A Courtenay Place, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

   +64 4 385 8980