As I’ve mentioned a few times in previous posts, there is something to be said for the food and drink in Wellington, New Zealand. The emphasis is on locally sourced, fresh, and flavourful. With fertile regions just on the other side of the mountains, seafood on the doorstep, and barista-perfect coffee roasted all over the city, Wellington is a foodie’s dream town.
Food and drink in Wellington, New Zealand
When you think of great wine, you probably don’t think of Wellington. You probably think of California, Italy, France, or Argentina. Same goes for great coffee – you mind probably wanders to Colombia, or Hawaii, or Central America. Likewise craft beer. Boston, maybe, Denver, and Portland come to mind.
I’m here to crush all of those realities and tell you that Wellington is by far one of the best places to go if you’re a foodie. You can find anything and everything here – from locally sourced, organic produce and fresh caught seafood to authentic pho, Thai food, and high French cuisine. Not to mention, pizza, hamburgers, and classic British food. Food and drink in Wellington is absolutely global – with a local twist.
You can find great food in every corner of the city, from the Spruce Goose in Lyall Bay to tiny tapas in Newtown, the Brooklyn Deli in Brooklyn, and Fidel’s on Cuba Street.
Is Hannahs Laneway the best laneway in the city?
Craving chocolate? Head for the Wellington Chocolate Factory in Hannahs Laneway, which produces their exceptional chocolate on premises. Across the lane is a local peanut butter factory. Just a few steps away is one of the few free dives in the city, my favourite bar, called Goldings. And they serve pizza from Pomodoro’s across the lane. Red Rabbit Coffee is next to Goldings, and they’re attached to a tiny bakery. You can see why I’ve asked if this charming little laneway is the coolest one in the city. From before dawn to well after dusk, there is something going on.
The Wairarapa
Less than two hours from the city is one of the most underrated wine regions in New Zealand. The Wairarapa is a stunning, secluded wine region whose production rivals that of Marlborough – at least in taste and quality. It’s easy as pie to take a train from the city centre to the little town of Featherston, then a bus into Martinborough for a day of wine tasting.
Exclusive experiences in the Wellington food and wine scene include dining at Logan Brown, high tea at the Hippopotamus, and enjoying the Wellington Food and Wine Festival, not to mention Toast! Martinborough’s wine festival.
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