Wellington’s eclectic restaurant scene caters to all palates, budgets and seasons. If it’s a fine dining experience that you seek, you’ll be treated with an incredible selection of places that wow locals and visitors time and again. We’re about to whet your appetite by showcasing some of the best.
Since opening its doors in 1996, Logan Brown has made a name for itself with its innovative, contemporary flavours and its dedication to evolve with emerging dining trends and service styles. The restaurant’s a la carte dining menu emphasises the greatest New Zealand ingredients, from fresh seafood to beef, lamb and locally-sourced produce. On Saturdays, Logan Brown changes things up a notch by offering five- and seven-course degustation sessions, as well as a three-course bistro option.
Ortega is an upscale restaurant renowned for its delicious seafood, extensive drinks menu and all-round good ambiance. What’s on the plate will change daily — it’s all dependent on the fresh ingredients that were gathered during the day. Bookings are recommended as this place gets quite busy.
A charming Victorian cottage is home to the local dining institution known as the Boulcott Street Bistro. The restaurant has been dishing out a range of classic bistro-style dishes, contemporary creations and comprehensive wine lists since 1991, so they’re well established in the capital’s fine dining scene. Set menus are available for groups, and the restaurant even has a birthday cake-making service for those extra-special celebrations.
Whitebait is a modern harbourside restaurant with an array of sophisticated treats for seafood lovers. Tasting menus with wine pairings are an option for those eager to try a bit of everything. Besides its house specialty, the desserts and lamb mains are among Whitebait’s top crowd-pleasers.
Part of Wellington’s QT Hotel, Hippopotamus offers a French fine dining experience with a contemporary twist. There’s something for everyone here, from lavish treats to comfort classics and the house’s famous cocktail concoctions. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, high tea and dinner. Cocktails are served everyday from 2 pm, and degustation dining (which calls for advanced bookings) is available from 6 pm.
Shed 5 took one of the oldest wharf stores in Lambton Harbour and transformed it into a stunning waterfront dining establishment. Besides offering some great ocean views, the restaurant is renowned for its meticulously-plated dishes. Seasonal vegetables, freshly caught fish, venison, lamb and Angus beef are among the options patrons can sink their teeth into.
Jano Bistro only arrived on Wellington’s restaurant scene in 2015, but has already earned itself a couple of national accolades for its flavoursome culinary creations. The restaurant is set in a bright, fully-refurbished heritage house that truly appeals to its bistro-style offerings. An exquisite degustation menu is one of Janos Bistro’s biggest fine-dining draw cards.
Sofitel Wellington’s Jardin Grill is known for its elegant interior design, relaxed setting and fabulous cuisine. Dinnertime patrons are presented with a variety of beautifully presented dishes, from wood-fired meats to lavish sharing platters–and even some caviar with champagne for those really wanting a full VIP experience.
