Guidebook for Wellington
Food Scene
Dragonfly
70 Courtenay PlWonderful contemporary space, delicious Asian food and vey good service
Ortega
16 Majoribanks StThe best seafood in town, delightful service and lively atmosphere
Funky indoor and outdoor space on Cuba Street, very attentive staff and the best flavours whilst dining in nature.
38 locals recommend
Olive Restaurant
170-172 Cuba StFunky indoor and outdoor space on Cuba Street, very attentive staff and the best flavours whilst dining in nature.
Fantastic authentic Thai. One of the best Thai Restaurants for flavour and generosity and only a 5 minute drive from the Apartment.
16 locals recommend
The Original Thai Restaurant
155 The ParadeFantastic authentic Thai. One of the best Thai Restaurants for flavour and generosity and only a 5 minute drive from the Apartment.
Close to Wellington Airport, across from Lyall Bay Beach so the views are spectacular, great coffee and a good range of food.
71 locals recommend
Spruce Goose
30 Cochrane StClose to Wellington Airport, across from Lyall Bay Beach so the views are spectacular, great coffee and a good range of food.
Interesting, flavoursome Japanese food in a contemporary setting. New to the city so is bound to be buzzing!
Tokeyo Izakaya Den
19 Edward StreetInteresting, flavoursome Japanese food in a contemporary setting. New to the city so is bound to be buzzing!
Maranui Cafe
7A Lyall ParadeGreat coffee, brilliant range of wholesome foods and water views.
Very good fine dining in central Brooklyn, and only a 20 minute walk from the apartment.
31 locals recommend
Salty Pidgin
5 Todman StVery good fine dining in central Brooklyn, and only a 20 minute walk from the apartment.
The Bresolin
278 Willis StGreat Italian and very good service
Located in a characterful old part of the city. Good food, service and coffee
27 locals recommend
Aro Cafe
90 Aro StLocated in a characterful old part of the city. Good food, service and coffee
One of my favourites. Fantastic flavours and forever friendly staff.
6 locals recommend
Thai Chef's Restaurant Wellington
1 Blair StreetOne of my favourites. Fantastic flavours and forever friendly staff.
Satay Malaysia
255 Cuba StCheap and cheerful, great flavours and service.
Five Boroughs
245 Cuba StGreat American diner with good craft beers, food and service
Our biggest garden bar in the central city and a range of inside areas for private parties. Good, inexpensive food, caters to children and friendly staff.
51 locals recommend
Southern Cross Garden Bar Restaurant
39 Abel Smith StOur biggest garden bar in the central city and a range of inside areas for private parties. Good, inexpensive food, caters to children and friendly staff.
Fine dining experience, great, attentive waiting staff, big, noisy and full of atmosphere and style.
33 locals recommend
Charley Noble
1 Post Office SquareFine dining experience, great, attentive waiting staff, big, noisy and full of atmosphere and style.
Great coffee, great brunches and loads of atmosphere and quirkiness...wholesome flavours and good value.
73 locals recommend
Fidel's Cafe
234 Cuba StGreat coffee, great brunches and loads of atmosphere and quirkiness...wholesome flavours and good value.
Columbus Coffee Newtown
3 John StGreat coffee and food just 10 minutes walk away.
Another south coast brunch/lunch opportunity. Great coffee, friendly service and views of the South Island on a good day. Indoor and outdoor dining.
41 locals recommend
The Beach House and Kiosk
410 The EsplanadeAnother south coast brunch/lunch opportunity. Great coffee, friendly service and views of the South Island on a good day. Indoor and outdoor dining.
Perfect café on the coast to take young kids as there are toddler's bikes and a great play areas while you can lie back on a beanbag and enjoy good coffee and food.
62 locals recommend
Chocolate Fish Cafe
100 Shelly Bay RdPerfect café on the coast to take young kids as there are toddler's bikes and a great play areas while you can lie back on a beanbag and enjoy good coffee and food.
Best pizzas in Wellington and only a 5 minute drive from the apartment in Island Bay.
10 locals recommend
HELL Pizza Island Bay
129 The ParadeBest pizzas in Wellington and only a 5 minute drive from the apartment in Island Bay.
Entertainment & Activities
Penthouse Cinema & Cafe
205 Ohiro RdThree theatres and café all in one.
Watch the Hurricanes and Allblacks, plus many music concerts are hosted here.
56 locals recommend
Westpac Stadium
105 Waterloo QuayWatch the Hurricanes and Allblacks, plus many music concerts are hosted here.
Sightseeing
If Lions, Tigers, Sun Bears, Giraffes, Chimps and lots of other wonderful creatures interest you, then you won't be disappointed with our lovely, easy to walk around, interactive zoo.
115 locals recommend
Wellington Zoo
200 Daniell StIf Lions, Tigers, Sun Bears, Giraffes, Chimps and lots of other wonderful creatures interest you, then you won't be disappointed with our lovely, easy to walk around, interactive zoo.
Beautiful, sandy gold beach on the waterfront, amidst cafes, restaurants and walking paths around the harbour.
31 locals recommend
Oriental Parade
Oriental ParadeBeautiful, sandy gold beach on the waterfront, amidst cafes, restaurants and walking paths around the harbour.
On a calm and beautiful day, a ferry ride across to Eastbourne on the East side of Wellington is a must do. Over there you will find great parks, cafes, bars and a good swimming beach.
21 locals recommend
East by West Ferries
Queens WharfOn a calm and beautiful day, a ferry ride across to Eastbourne on the East side of Wellington is a must do. Over there you will find great parks, cafes, bars and a good swimming beach.
If you are staying for more than a couple of days, I recommend a day trip to the Wairarapa. Both Greytown and Martinborough have interesting boutique shopping, vineyards to tour and lovely eating places. It is just over an hour's drive over the hill.
Independent Herald
23 Broderick RdIf you are staying for more than a couple of days, I recommend a day trip to the Wairarapa. Both Greytown and Martinborough have interesting boutique shopping, vineyards to tour and lovely eating places. It is just over an hour's drive over the hill.
Arts & Culture
New Zealand's only 'Photography Only' Gallery owned and managed by the very informative photographer James Gilberd. There are always one or two great exhibitions running show casing the works of New Zealand photographers.
Photospace
37 Courtenay PlNew Zealand's only 'Photography Only' Gallery owned and managed by the very informative photographer James Gilberd. There are always one or two great exhibitions running show casing the works of New Zealand photographers.
Cable Street near Te Papa Museum
and Galleries
BATS Theatre
1 Kent TerraceGreat live entertainment
City Gallery Wellington
Great range of free exhibitions.
The NZ Festival runs from 23 February to 18 March 2018. It is NZ's leading celebration of cutting edge culture. For 3 weeks, once every 2 years, the Festival transforms Wellington into a thriving, enlivening festival city, abuzz with the best arts and artists from around the world.
From 23 February – 18 March 2018, come and experience art for everyone, everywhere. On the streets, along the waterfront, in stately theatres, tucked down laneways, on the beach and around the region. Take your pick of world-class theatre, dance, music and so much more to create a fabulous, mind-expanding arts experience just for you.
There’s theatre, dance, music, writers, the visual arts and much more.
The New Zealand Festival
77-87 Courtenay PlThe NZ Festival runs from 23 February to 18 March 2018. It is NZ's leading celebration of cutting edge culture. For 3 weeks, once every 2 years, the Festival transforms Wellington into a thriving, enlivening festival city, abuzz with the best arts and artists from around the world.
From 23 February – 18 March 2018, come and experience art for everyone, everywhere. On the streets, along the waterfront, in stately theatres, tucked down laneways, on the beach and around the region. Take your pick of world-class theatre, dance, music and so much more to create a fabulous, mind-expanding arts experience just for you.
There’s theatre, dance, music, writers, the visual arts and much more.
Te Papa has a full programme of changing exhibitions and events all year. See precious treasures, art, scientific and historic collections.
51 locals recommend
Museum of New Zealand - Te Papa Store
55 Cable StTe Papa has a full programme of changing exhibitions and events all year. See precious treasures, art, scientific and historic collections.
Drinks & Nightlife
Foxglove Bar & Kitchen
33 Queens WharfOn Wellington's Waterfront, great food and drink options.
Hawthorn Lounge
82 Tory StPure class, cruisy and great cocktail selection
Ancestral
33 Courtenay PlacePlenty of atmosphere, great food and wine list
Motel Bar
Forresters LaneGreat food, atmosphere and drinks list
Slim Davey's
18 Majoribanks StGreat food, wine, craft beer and atmosphere.
Parks & Nature
The best gardens in town, often including live outdoor music
203 locals recommend
Wellington Botanic Garden
101 Glenmore StThe best gardens in town, often including live outdoor music
A beautiful, marble memorial worth visiting for the view of Wellington. Short walk from the carpark up a path through the bush.
21 locals recommend
Massey Memorial
A beautiful, marble memorial worth visiting for the view of Wellington. Short walk from the carpark up a path through the bush.
ZEALANDIA Ecosanctuary
53 Waiapu RoadGreat for walking, picnicking and bird watching.
Otari-Wilton's Bush
150 Wilton RdA great bush walk.
Essentials
Wellington Hospital - Stop C station
There is a washing machine in the apartment and a hot water cupboard but if you are staying during a rainy day and need something dried quickly, the Newtown Laundrette is just a 5 minute drive away.
Newtown Laundrette
4 Wilson StThere is a washing machine in the apartment and a hot water cupboard but if you are staying during a rainy day and need something dried quickly, the Newtown Laundrette is just a 5 minute drive away.