The Top Seafood Spots In Wellington New Zealand

Home to beautiful beaches and an idyllic waterfront promenade, New Zealand‘s coastal capital, Wellington, is a warm and welcoming city set in a stunning seaside location. Unsurprisingly then, the area boasts sumptuous seafood restaurants serving incredible freshwater delicacies. From fine dining spots to small seafood bars, here’s our guide to the best seafood restaurants in Wellington.

View All Trips

The Crab Shack

Restaurant, Seafood

Specializing in seafood, particularly crab, The Crab Shack is a casual, coastal themed restaurant situated right on the waterfront of Queens Wharf. With friendly staff and beautiful views of the harbor, The Crab Shack is the perfect stop for a tasty lunch or dinner. The seafood and other dishes on offer are all very fresh and full of flavor. The venue also offers great beer, cocktails, and wine.

Blue Island Seafoods

Restaurant, Seafood

Blue Island Seafoods know how to cook their fish to perfection. Using the freshest ingredients and just the right amount of batter, diners will not leave this small restaurant disappointed. The chips here are crispy and well-seasoned, and the portion sizes are generous, with all food being served in charming cardboard trays with lemon wedges. The service is friendly and welcoming, instilling the establishment with a relaxed ambiance, and along with their tasty seafood dishes, Blue Island Seafoods also make a mean burger.

Fish Fins

Fish and Chip Shop, Restaurant, Seafood

An old fashioned fish and chip shop, Fish Fins is the place to go for a plate of classically cooked fish and chips. A Wellington gem off the beaten path, this venue is a favorite among locals and is often crowded on weekend nights. Lucky customers often get extra pieces of fish thrown in with their orders on the house.

Wellington Trawling Sea Market

Market, Seafood

Located on dynamic and bustling Cuba Street, Wellington Trawling Sea Market is a top spot to taste perfectly cooked freshwater delicacies. This seafood market will cook your fish on the spot any way you like, whether it’s battered or crumbed, fried or baked. Their wide selection of fresh fish can be purchased to cook at home or made to order. Wellington Trawling Sea Market serves large portions of fresh seafood at a great price.

Whitebait

Restaurant, Seafood, Mediterranean, Oceanian

Named the ‘Best New Restaurant in New Zealand’ in 2015, Whitebait is an unmissable spot when visiting Wellington. Using the country’s freshest produce and seafood, Whitebait serves excellent and innovative food, upholding its prestigious reputation. The dishes are plated beautifully, and the atmosphere inside the restaurant is warm and relaxed. And who doesn’t enjoy dinner with a view? Whitebait is located on Clyde Quay Wharf and offers spectacular views of the Wellington waterfront.

Mt Vic Chippery

Fish and Chip Shop, Restaurant, Seafood

Priding itself on using only the freshest ingredients, Mt Vic Chippery is a local favorite in Wellington. This fish and chip shop is always packed to the rafters, and offers a large range of tasty fresh fish for customers to enjoy. The extensive variety of fish, batter, chip and sauce options ensure a delicious dish is provided for all tastes.

Kilbirnie Fish & Chips

Always bustling with business, Kilbirnie Fish & Chips is the perfect place to grab some scrumptious seafood to go. This small takeaway shop knows what it’s doing when it comes to making the perfect fish and chips. The venue’s fries are renowned for being gloriously crunchy on the outside and delectably soft on the inside. For a quick meal on the go when exploring Wellington, Kilbirnie Fish & Chips is a must try.
Address & telephone number: 41 Coutts Road, Kilbirnie, Wellington, New Zealand, +64 4-387 2282

Ortega Fish Shack

Restaurant, Bar, Seafood, European, Oceanian

Offering fresh seafood and friendly service is what Ortega Fish Shack does best. Cooking their cuisine to perfection, Ortega knows how to create dishes that are both delicious and aesthetically pleasing. The portions here are gigantic, and the staff are welcoming and always cheerful. We advise you to make a reservation in advance if you’re planning on dining at Ortega on the weekend, as it is a very popular destination in Wellington.

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points

See Our Culture Trips

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Holiday Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

Find Out More