Going to the rugby? There's no shortage of great places for pre-match eats. Whether it's fine dining or a slap-up meal wellington's got it all.
Logan Brown
192 Cuba Street
Logan Brown will be a top dining destination for foodie rugby fans in Wellington during the Rugby World Cup.
Since it opened 15 years ago the Cuba Mall establishment has become a byword for the seemingly oxymoronic notion of relaxed fine dining. Although their restaurant is situated in an ornate exquisitely refurbished 1920s banking chamber, owners Steve Logan and Al Brown favour a friendly, personal approach to service, underpinned by quality meals and knowledgeable, attentive staff.
Logan Brown serves contemporary style food, cooked using traditional techniques from the finest New Zealand ingredients. Main courses are priced $30 and above, on average.
Opening hours: 11:30am – 11:00pm
Price range: $30 and above
Chow
Level 1, 45 Tory Street, Te Aro and 11 Woodward Street, City
Chow’s colourful vibrant ambience and tapas-style menu suit group dining, making it a great choice for a pre-match meal.
The Chow concept is a modern take on traditional Southeast Asian food. The menu is fresh and healthy; all dishes are MSG-free and only free range pork, chicken and eggs are used and there are a number of vegetarian options on offer.
First-rate food, combined with a fun atmosphere, excellent cocktails and warm, efficient service, make Chow a “must-eat”. Meals priced at $20-30.
Opening Hours (Tory and Woodward): 11am – late
Price range: $20-$30
Arbitrageur Wine Room & Restaurant
125 Featherston Street
Arbitrageur promises a taste of Europe in the heart of Wellington’s business district.
Its popular Avec Menu offers diners the opportunity to match Mediterranean-inspired dishes with fine wines from a substantial cellar of more than 450 labels, 85 of which are available by the glass. Arbitrageur is also home to Wellington’s first ever oyster bar, offering mouth-watering fresh seafood such as octopus ceviche and New Zealand oysters and scallops shucked to order.
This restaurant offers a fine dining experience without the price tag, with meals around $20-$30 on average.
Opening hours: 11:30am – 11:00pm
Price range: $20-$30
Ernesto Café
132 Cuba Street, Te Aro
Ernesto Café serves top quality Latin-influenced cuisne.
Located in vibrant Cuba Street, it attracts youthful cosmopolitan crowd. Ernesto offers an extensive meal options including a popular gluten-free range.
Bookings are taken for dinner from 5pm.
Opening hours: 7:30am – late
Price range: dinner $18 and above
Scopa Caffe Cucina
Cnr Cuba & Ghuznee Streets
The hallmarks of Scopa are great music, attentive staff and delicious Italian food.
Scopa is famous in Wellington for its classic Italian pizzas, which are available all day, and late into the night, eat in or takeaway. Lunch is served from 11am till 3pm and dinner from 5pm until late.
Opening hours: dinner from 5:00pm
Price range: $20-$30
Boulcott Street Bistro
99 Boulcott Street
The Boulcott Street Bistro serves a mixture of classic bistro dishes and more modern innovative fare using top quality New Zealand ingredients.
It is located in an historic Victorian residential property called Plimmer House, after local identity John Plimmer, whose family owned the house in the early 20th century.
Opening hours: 12:00pm – late, dinner from 6:00pm
Price range: $30 and above
Osteria del Toro
60 Tory Street, Te Aro
Osteria Del Toro is a Mediterranean restaurant and bar with stunning decor, offering outstanding cuisine from Italy, Spain, Morocco, Turkey and Greece.
Our recipes come from the Meditererranean, adding new flavours to Wellington's plaza of gastronomy. Bringing new tastes and drinks Osteria del Toro is unique in taste and look.
Opening hours: Monday – Friday 11:30 – late, Saturday 5:00pm – late, Sunday 11:30 – late
Price range: $18 and above
Monsoon Poon
12 Blair Street, Te Aro
In a unique dining concept Monsoon Poon offers the best flavours from India, South China, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines, all on one menu.
Opening hours: Monday – Friday 11:00am – 11:00pm, Saturday/Sunday from 5:00pm
Price range: $16 – $25
Related articles:
Places to eat near North Harbour Stadium
Places to eat near Mt Eden Stadium
Places to eat near Forsyth Barr Stadium Dunedin
Editorial by Nick Chidley
