How to eat in Wellington like a local
Having spent quite a bit of time in Wellington, I’ve done some research for us always-hungry, money-savvy types. These places all serve fantastic food, but without a price tag to send you into extreme saving mode once you’re home. I present to you a guide to eating in Wellington like a local. You’d expect to spend less than $35 for a decent feed at any of these places, and I’ve included a handy price legend for your budgeting convenience.
$ – $5-15
$$ – $15-25
$$$ – $25-35
Mouthwatering pizza at Scopa | Image courtesy of Scopa
Scopa – $-$$
My sources tell me that Scopa is one of the best pizza places in Wellington. The interior is dark yet warm, with friendly staff escorting you to a candle-lit table. They don’t have a ridiculous number of pizza options on the menu, which I liked. If there are too many, I just get overwhelmed and sit there for half an hour hopelessly trying to decide whilst getting hungrier and hangrier. There are a few “pizza bianca” options, where they use an olive oil rather than a tomato base. I was pretty impressed with this, as you don’t come across them that often.
The pizzas are “traditionally” Italian, cooked in a wood fire oven. They have a thin base and a few well-selected toppings, rather than being overloaded with them. They’re the roughly the size of a large plate; you could probably eat a whole one yourself but you certainly would not be feeling hungry after. Scopa stands out from other takeaway pizza places with their thin, crispy bases and the delicate balance of fewer toppings that all contribute to the flavour sensation, rather than being overpowered by, er, buckets and buckets of cheese.
Pro local tip: Scopa have some awesome weekly deals! Score a Margherita pizza for $8 on a Tuesday or try their pasta of the day for $12. Check more sweet specials here.
Soft shell crab burger and curly fries from the Mt Victoria Chippery
Fish n chips – $
I’m sure this is common knowledge, but let me just reiterate: you need to eat fish and chips in New Zealand! I don’t know if it’s because the fish is fresher or what they put in the potatoes but they’re just so good! Most fish and chipperies serve kumara, or sweet potato, chips. Sweet potato chips are a bit of a hipster luxury found in brunch cafes in Melbourne. Unbeknownst to us, Kiwis have been chomping on these for years paying a fraction of the price.
Of all the fish & chip haunts in Wellington, one of the local favourites is the Mount Vic Chippery. For good reason, too. Their menu has a huge range of pretty much every type of fish found on this side of the ditch. However, they don’t serve everything all the time – only what’s been caught fresh that morning. On top of that, they’ve got even more specials of the day. Some examples might include Cajun fish tacos, hot smoked salmon salad, or a soft shell crab burger (check it out in the pic). They’re certainly not lacking in the chip department either, with options of hand cut agria, kumara, crinkle cut, beer-battered, AND curly fries.
A little FYI for anyone wanting the most food with minimal dollars: if you can get to the Chippery between 1-3pm on weekdays, they have a few sweet lunch deals for $10-12!
Korean fried chicken and halloumi salad from the Capital Markets
Food markets – $-$$
Probably one of my absolute favourite places to eat is at food markets! Rows of stalls all selling different cuisines; delicious smells hitting you from all directions; the hustle and bustle of people trying to find the perfect meal; not to mention having a 4 or 5 course progressive dinner 😉 For a small town, Wellington has them aplenty!
Your first port of call should be Cuba Street, where you can find food markets on a Friday night (on Leftbank) and Saturday night (lower Cuba Street). Here, you’ll get the most mouth-watering kebabs, juicy dumplings, pulled pork burgers, even deep-fried bananas! If you’re spending a Saturday morning by the water, head to Queen’s Wharf for a bite from one of their many food trucks. I vividly remember the incredible haloumi souvlaki I devoured, sitting by the picture-perfect Lagoon. For any other day of the week, there’s the permanent food market on Willis Street. This is also great when it’s a chilly day (of which there are many in Wellington) because it’s semi-indoors and they have heating! You can find heaps of delicious Asian cuisines here, like Korean and Chinese.
Burgerfuel – $-$$
Burgerfuel is actually a restaurant chain, with stores all over New Zealand. I’m honestly shocked and offended that we don’t have any in Melbourne yet. Here we are claiming that we’re a burger capital but don’t have a Burgerfuel, it’s heresy. Some stores are open 24 hours, or at least till late, for all your late night burger cravings. Unlike us plebs in Melbourne who have no other option than Maccas or Hungry Jacks, Wellingtonians have the luxury of eating delicious, seriously good burgers at all hours of the day.
Like most restaurant chains, they have quite an extensive menu. From beef burgers to chicken burgers to veggie burgers, they’ll have whatever you’re looking for. They don’t just throw some plastic cheese, lettuce shreds, and bottled gherkins on your burger (coughmaccascough). Their fillings are super fresh and really substantial. Depending on what you pick, you could get crisp, fresh lettuce and tomato slices, beetroot, real cheese! Double real cheese! Bacon, the glorious avocado, pineapple, there are so many options!
If your burger isn’t enough for you, they do some awesome sides too. Thick-cut chips, chicken fenders, and don’t even get me started on their poutine fries… If you can manage it, you’ll want to try their milkshakes too; they’re chockfull of ice cream.
Perhaps the most ingenious Burgerfuel creation is the doofer. It has the most ridiculous name but it’s basically a folding cardboard burger-holder. I was perplexed when I first saw it and it takes some adjusting to, but it revolutionises burger eating. You put your burger inside it and it stops all your fillings from falling out the other side when you take a massive bite. If someone else doesn’t do it soon, I might have to personally bring Burgerfuel to Melbourne.
Making the most of the 2 for 1 deal on Mondays!
Chow – $$-$$$
Chow has been one of my cousin’s favourite restaurants for years, and it turns out it’s pretty popular with other locals too. Known for their Asian fusion tapas-style meals, Chow is a food sensation you don’t want to miss. Their menu has five different sections: steam, grill, fresh, fry, and curries & noodle soups. I suspect separating it into these categories is meant to ease ones decision-making. Unfortunately, everything sounds so amazing and the menu is so diverse that you’ll want to order it all.
They serve some of your classics, like beef and chicken satay, and Vietnamese rice paper rolls. They also have some more exotic and unique things on the menu: salmon with spinach and cashew pesto encased within a thin har gow pastry; banana leaf wrapped tarakihi with a tangy coconut sauce; beggars purse dumplings stuffed with mushroom, leek and bamboo. It’s enough to have me drooling just at the thought.
Sweet specials: Chow has a $25 lunch deal. This includes two dishes from a set menu, coconut or jasmine rice, and a drink to wash it all down. Even better than this is their 2 for 1 Mondays. All day and night on a Monday, order any two dishes and get the lower priced one for free! My cousin and I strategically planned our trip on a Monday so that we could order as many dishes as could possibly fit on our table. I’d definitely recommend this so you can try as many of those Asian tapas as you can 😉
Bonus: The Library
This place is more like a lounge/cocktail bar than a food place and is only open after 5pm, so time your visit well. In addition to having some of the best luxury cocktails in Wellington (so I’ve heard), they also serve up some delectable desserts. They’re right next door to Chow, so it’s all too easy to slip over for a sweet treat after stuffing yourself silly with Asian tapas. Their dessert menu changes seasonally, but could typically include Early Grey crème brulee, or warm chocolate fondant with custard, and raspberry & basil gelato. With it’s bookshelf-lined walls, The Library is a cozy, kooky little bar. A great place to spend an evening if you’re not ready to go home from your food adventures just yet!
Deadly deals: to score two desserts for the price of one, make sure you’re here on a Tuesday. For 2 for 1 cocktails, Wednesday’s the night to go.
Which of these places would you make a beeline for a soon as you hit Wellington town?
