Wellington is home to some of the best cafés, eateries and bars in New Zealand.

When spring arrives, there is little that can keep us away from our favourite sun-soaked spots!

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Lola Stays
cuisinesNeighbourhood Eatery

A neighbourhood eatery like none other, Lola Stays is a local watering hole and casual eats café in the heart of Oriental Bay. The light and airy venue has front-row seats to the beach, claim a table out front and enjoy the warmth of spring with a soft sea breeze in your hair. 

Visit Lola’s for a quick brunch with friends, or settle in for a leisurely lunch and a cheeky tipple. Embrace the spring vibes with the delicious almond and walnut seeded granola with bananas, coconut yoghurt and milk. Our go-to is the French buttie with bacon, mascarpone, bananas and maple syrup. It is the perfect combination of sweet and salty! To round out our experience, we like to grab a green smoothie.

Chocolate Fish Café
cuisinesCafé

A Wellington icon is Chocolate Fish Café; the quirky and casual eatery specialises in seafood sammies, burgers and beer. Located on the waterfront of beloved Shelly Bay, you can smell spring in the air. The cuisine has taken Kiwiana to the extreme, selling fresh seafood with a twist. 

The artisan-style seafood sammies are locally sourced and absolutely legendary. Sink your teeth into a variety of flavours like the Westcoast whitebait fritter sammies, crayfish fritter, mussel & lemon fritter and pāua patties. The latter pairs pāua with egg, onion, flour and parsley. Simple yet delicious. Complete your nostalgic experience with a chocolate fish shake loaded with ice cream, fresh berry coulis and milk. 

Maranui Café
cuisinesBeach café

Maranui Café is the ultimate funky beach café in Wellington. The diner-inspired eatery is a popular spot amongst locals and visitors; the lively ambience never fails to improve our mood. The interior is colourful and quirky, perfect for chilly mornings, and the picnic benches on the deck are irresistible in sunny seasons.

You can find us sunbathing with a milkshake in hand! Your tastebuds will be treated to an array of classic New Zealand dishes like toasted beach bagels, the big bay breakfast and the millennial’s downfall – smashed avo on toast.

The Botanist
cuisinesPlant-based café

Vibrant plants, sea views and sunny courtyard – The Botanist has it all! Bringing the best in innovative plant-based cuisine to the people of Wellington, this eatery creates dishes with big flavours and seasonal ingredients.  

This spring, you can dine upon fresh goodies like the blackberry and balsamic ‘chicken’ salad, smoked carrot bagel, breakfast burgers and buckwheat pancakes. The latter is our personal favourite, with Snickers, peanut caramel, bananas, chocolate sauce, peanut maple syrup and crushed peanuts. While we adore the food selection available, we simply cannot resist the botanical cocktails and organic local wines. 

Fidel’s was made for sunny spring days! The crazy colourful institution specialises in Cuban coffee and homestyle eats ranging from egg dishes to burgers & pizza. This iconic eatery is a Wellington must-go and it is easy to understand why. The cute picnic benches, cornered-off courtyard and vibrant décor – make for an unforgettable experience. 

The bohemian bastion caters to your every need, from early morning caffeine cravings to midday brunch and an afternoon beer. We highly recommend sticking around for a bite to eat! A few outstanding dishes include the fig & cashew granola, the rainbow bowl and Fidel’s feast. The latter pairs 2 poached eggs with streaky bacon, slow-roasted tomatoes, local garlic mushrooms, house hashbrown and cheese Kransky; served on toasted organic sourdough.

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