Best of Wellington 2026 — Top 10 Cafés, Restaurants, Hotels & Things to Do

The best of Wellington, ranked by locals: independent Top 10 lists for cafés, restaurants, bars, hotels and things to do across the creative capital — refreshed regularly from real Google reviews and local picks.

Top Things to Do in Wellington

  1. Te Papa Tongarewa — Aotearoa's national museum — six free floors of Māori taonga, Gallipoli giants and the colossal squid. The single best rainy-day move in town.
  2. Wellington Cable Car — A 5-minute ride from Lambton Quay to Kelburn — the city's most photographed view and gateway to the Botanic Garden walk back down.
  3. Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne — The world's first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary — kākā, tūī, tuatara and 225 hectares of regenerating native bush minutes from the CBD.
  4. Mount Victoria Lookout — 196m above the harbour — the postcard panorama of the city, harbour, Hutt Valley and (on a clear day) the Kaikōura Ranges.
  5. Wellington Botanic Garden — 25 hectares of native bush, rose garden and lookouts on the hill above the CBD — pair it with the Cable Car ride up.
  6. Wētā Workshop Tours — Behind-the-scenes at the Oscar-winning effects studio that built Middle-earth — props, weapons, and the makers themselves.
  7. Cuba Street — Wellington's bohemian heart — the Bucket Fountain, vintage stores, vinyl, vegan kai and the city's most photographed street art.
  8. Wellington Waterfront Walk — From Oriental Bay to Te Papa to Frank Kitts — flat, scenic and dotted with the Writers Walk, ice cream and harbour swimmers.
  9. City Gallery Wellington — Free contemporary art gallery on Civic Square — bold local and international shows in a heritage Edwardian building.
  10. Red Rocks Coastal Walk — South coast hike to a fur seal colony past wild surf and 200-million-year-old red rocks. Rugged, free, and pure Wellington.

Top Cafes in Wellington

  1. Customs by Coffee Supreme — Coffee Supreme's flagship — minimalist, exacting and arguably the best espresso in the country. Order the cortado.
  2. Hangar by Flight Coffee — Long-running specialty cafe on Dixon Street — Flight's beans, batch brew on tap and a brunch menu that punches.
  3. Olive Cafe — Cuba Street courtyard institution — leafy, sun-drenched and the best long lunch in the CBD.
  4. Fidel's Cafe — Cuba Street legend since '96 — Cuban memorabilia, all-day breakfast and the city's most beloved counter-culture cafe.
  5. Lamason Brew Bar — Tiny laneway specialty bar — single-origin filter, AeroPress and a rotating cast of NZ's best roasters.
  6. Prefab Eatery — Roastery, brunch spot and design icon all-in-one — sourdough, brisket hash and excellent flat whites in a converted warehouse.
  7. Loretta — Cuba Street favourite for daytime brunch and evening wood-fired pizza — house-baked goods and a wine list to match.
  8. Astoria Cafe — Lambton Quay heavyweight — corporate Wellington's preferred meeting room. Reliable specialty coffee and a vast brunch menu.
  9. Midnight Espresso — The OG late-night cafe on Cuba — vegetarian counter food, strong espresso and open till 3am on weekends since 1989.
  10. Caffe L'affare — College Street original — one of NZ's first specialty roasters, still drawing locals for the Italian-leaning espresso and lunch counter.

Top Restaurants in Wellington

  1. Logan Brown — Cuba Street fine-dining institution housed in a 1920s banking chamber — paua ravioli is the dish of a lifetime.
  2. Hiakai — Monique Fiso's globally-acclaimed degustation showcasing native Māori ingredients — book months ahead.
  3. Charley Noble Eatery — Wood-fire and live coals on Customhouse Quay — bone marrow, dry-aged steak and a great-value set lunch.
  4. Ortega Fish Shack — Marjoribanks Street seafood favourite — bouillabaisse, market fish and a wine list deep enough to spend an evening on.
  5. Shepherd Restaurant — Tory Street small-plates star — seasonal, vegetable-forward and one of the most consistent kitchens in town.
  6. Boulcott Street Bistro — Heritage cottage bistro — classic French technique, tableside theatre and a local power-lunch favourite for 30+ years.
  7. Whitebait Restaurant — Custom House waterfront fine dining — pristine NZ seafood with the harbour as a backdrop.
  8. Capitol Restaurant — Kent Terrace Italian-leaning bistro — handmade pasta, lamb sugo and one of Wellington's best wine programs.
  9. Rita — Aro Valley set-menu darling — five courses, no choices, every detail considered. Tiny, intimate, brilliant.
  10. Field & Green — Wakefield Street European-eatery — caraway sourdough, schnitzel and the best Sunday roast in town.

Top Indian Restaurants in Wellington

  1. Roti Chenai — Tory Street malaysian-Indian institution — flaky roti canai, fragrant curries and a queue every weekend for good reason.
  2. Great India Restaurant — Manners Street veteran — north Indian classics, generous portions and one of the city's best butter chickens.
  3. Masala Indian Restaurant — Cuba Street stalwart — proper tandoor, lamb rogan josh and a lunch buffet that fills the room daily.
  4. Cobar Indian Cuisine — Day's Bay seaside surprise — chef-driven modern Indian on the harbour ferry route. Worth the boat ride.
  5. Mt Cook Indian Restaurant — Family-run neighbourhood favourite — punchy curries, fresh naan and the kind of welcome that brings you back.
  6. Little India Wellington — Featherston Street CBD branch of the NZ-wide chain — reliable lunch combos and a banquet menu for big tables.
  7. Saffron Newtown — Riddiford Street neighbourhood gem — Punjabi cooking, generous thalis and BYO Wednesday.
  8. Indian Summer Lambton — Lambton Quay lunch favourite — quick thali plates, dosas and a fast queue of office workers.
  9. Spice Bazaar Petone — Jackson Street old-school curry house — proper goat curry, lamb biryani and a tandoor running all day.
  10. Curry Heaven Karori — Karori Mall local — generous portions, affordable family deals and a steady Tuesday-night following.

Top Chinese Restaurants in Wellington

  1. Dragons Restaurant — Tory Street yum cha favourite — push-trolleys, har gow and the city's best weekend dim sum service.
  2. Daily Dumpling House — Cuba Street dumpling specialist — handmade xiao long bao, pork and chive jiaozi and a queue at lunch.
  3. Hot Pot Spot — Vivian Street Sichuan hot pot — bubbling broths, sliced lamb, hand-pulled noodles and a serious chilli rating.
  4. Majestic Bar Restaurant — Willis Street Cantonese banquet hall — round tables, lazy Susans and a banquet menu the size of a phonebook.
  5. Big Thumb — Lambton Quay lunch staple — handmade noodles, Northern Chinese stir-fries and a fast service for office crowds.
  6. House of Dumplings — Multi-location Wellington favourite — ethical handmade dumplings, sustainable, and a permanent stall at the markets.
  7. Han's Dumpling House — Cuba Street dumpling-and-bbq combo — pork buns, lamb skewers and the kind of spicy peanut noodles you dream about.
  8. Penthouse Cinema Cafe Chinese Night — Brooklyn pop-up Chinese on Saturday nights at the heritage cinema — small menu, big flavours, very Wellington.
  9. Sweet Mother's Kitchen Chinese Night — Cuba Street institution running a separate Chinese menu — homestyle stir-fries and the comfort food the locals order.
  10. Dynasty Chinese Cuisine Lower Hutt — Hutt City heavyweight — full Cantonese menu, weekend yum cha and the best Peking duck in Wellington region.

Top Convenience in Wellington

  1. Night 'n Day Courtenay Place — Wellington's flagship 24/7 store on Courtenay Place — the late-night pie, slushie and energy-drink HQ for the entertainment strip.
  2. BP Connect Thorndon Quay — Big-format BP service station with Wild Bean Cafe — fresh coffee, hot food cabinet and the city's most reliable fuel-and-snacks combo.
  3. Z Taranaki Street — Z's Te Aro flagship — barista coffee, fresh food range and Pump+ EV chargers right on the edge of the CBD.
  4. Mobil Wellington Central — Vivian Street 24-hour stop — quick top-ups, snacks and a busy late-night queue from the Te Aro bar crowd.
  5. Cuba Mall Superette — Long-running Cuba Mall dairy — drinks, ice cream and the snacks you forgot, right in the middle of the action.
  6. Lambton Quay Convenience — CBD office-worker staple — sandwiches, lotto, Snapper top-ups and a fast morning queue.
  7. Newtown New World Express — Riddiford Street's go-to for fresh-yet-fast — small-format supermarket with the convenience hours and a hot food bar.
  8. Mt Victoria Dairy — Beloved hilltop corner dairy — the kind of friendly, no-frills shop where the owner knows every regular's order.
  9. Gull Aro Valley — Independent fuel + dairy in Aro Valley — cheap fuel, snacks and the place students actually use.
  10. Oriental Bay Superette — Tiny waterfront dairy near the beach — ice cream, sunscreen, beers for the seawall and the best location on the list.

Top Hotels in Wellington

  1. InterContinental Wellington — Five-star harbour-front benchmark — Chameleon restaurant, polished service and the best lobby bar in town.
  2. QT Wellington — Art-filled design hotel on Cable Street — Hippopotamus restaurant, Te Papa next door and the city's most interesting interiors.
  3. Sofitel Wellington — Boulcott Street luxury — French service polish, leafy heritage location and a strong club lounge.
  4. The Naumi Studio Wellington — Cuba Street boutique with maximalist design and a strong cocktail bar — the cool kid of Wellington hotels.
  5. Rydges Wellington Airport — Skybridge-connected airport hotel — perfect for early flights and the only literal in-airport stay in NZ.
  6. West Plaza Hotel — Mid-range CBD veteran — refurbished rooms, central location and arguably the best price-to-location ratio in the city.
  7. Rydges Wellington — Featherston Street stalwart — heated pool, harbour views from upper floors, easy walk to Te Papa.
  8. Travelodge Hotel Wellington — Reliable CBD value — Gilmer Terrace location, walking distance to the train station and Lambton Quay.
  9. Bolton Hotel — Independent 5-star with apartment-style rooms — kitchenettes, lap pool and a quiet Bolton Street setting.
  10. Trinity Hotel Wellington — Heritage former church and Catholic block on Boulcott — boutique, atmospheric and unlike anywhere else in town.

Top Bars in Wellington

  1. Hawthorn Lounge — Tory Street prohibition-era cocktail bar — leather, tableside service and serious classics. Long the city's best bar.
  2. Goldings Free Dive — Pastel-pink Leeds Street craft beer pioneer — 18 taps, pizza next door and the city's most photographed neon.
  3. Husk — Edward Street basement cocktail bar — long marble bar, perfect spritzes and one of Wellington's best wine-by-the-glass programs.
  4. Rogue & Vagabond — Garrett Street pub with the city's best beer garden — live music every weekend, woodfire pizza and 12 rotating taps.
  5. The Library — Courtenay Place upstairs cocktail bar with bookshelf walls — long the late-date go-to for cocktails and dessert.
  6. Fortune Favours Brewery — Leeds Street brewpub — the brewery is in the basement, four floors of taps and rooftop above.
  7. Library Bar at Hippopotamus — QT hotel's 3rd-floor cocktail room with an eight-metre champagne wall and a harbour view that beats most rooftops.
  8. Garage Project Wine Cellar — Aro Valley's tasting room from NZ's most adventurous brewery — 30 taps and the rarest small-batch beers in the country.
  9. Dirty Little Secret — Hannahs Laneway rooftop — open-air, palm-tree-flanked and the best summer drinks spot in town.
  10. Foxglove — Queens Wharf two-floor bar/restaurant — harbour-side balcony, late-night dancing upstairs and one of the biggest crowds in town on Fridays.

Top Brunch Spots in Wellington

  1. amit.marketing — Social media marketing and web design for Wellington cafes and brunch venues, plus 57+ free browser tools and a free AI appraisal at amit.marketing.
  2. Floriditas — Beloved Cuba Street cafe-restaurant at 161 Cuba St, open since 2005 and famous for seasonal European-New Zealand cooking and walk-in weekend brunch.
  3. Maranui Cafe — Iconic surf-club cafe upstairs at Lyall Bay's 1911 lifesaving club, with sweeping beach views, legendary thick milkshakes and a cult Wellington brunch follow…
  4. Loretta — Light, bright Cuba Street favourite at 181 Cuba St serving Mediterranean-leaning brunch, wood-fired fare and generous Kiwi hospitality since 2014.
  5. The Botanist — Plant-based cafe and restaurant on Onepu Road in Lyall Bay with a sunny heated courtyard, known for creative vegan brunch and rotating craft beer on tap.
  6. Volco (Egmont Street) — Laneway sourdough bakery-cafe at 11 Egmont Street in the old Egmont Street Deli space, blending famous baked goods with an inventive brunch and dinner menu.
  7. The Arborist Rooftop Bar & Eatery — Sheltered CBD rooftop bar and eatery atop the Trinity Hotel on Willis Street, serving brunch and small plates with city views — a Wellington go-to for a sunn…
  8. Customs by Coffee Supreme — Coffee Supreme's Wellington flagship brew bar at 39 Ghuznee Street — serious coffee plus seasonal toast on Wellington Sourdough, just off Cuba Street.
  9. Tomboy — Boutique Mt Victoria cakery and cafe on Marjoribanks Street (est. 2016) with a daily-changing cabinet of house-made treats and excellent coffee.
  10. Hillside Kitchen — Award-winning vegetarian fine-dining kitchen at 241 Tinakori Road in Thorndon, championing seasonal, sustainable New Zealand produce since going fully meat-f…

Top Craft Breweries in Wellington

  1. amit.marketing — Web design and social media for Wellington taprooms and craft breweries, with 57+ free browser tools available at amit.marketing/tools.
  2. Garage Project — Wellington's most celebrated craft brewery, born in an Aro Valley garage in 2011; its Aro taproom at 91 Aro Street pours 18 rotating taps, with a second 30-t…
  3. Fork & Brewer — Central-city brewpub on Bond Street with around 40 taps of in-house and guest beers brewed on-site, and a multi-award-winning beer range you can watch being…
  4. Parrotdog — Lyall Bay brewery and bar on Kingsford Smith Street, with 17 revolving taps, cosy booths, a pool table and views into the brewhouse near the surf.
  5. Heyday Beer Co — Dog-friendly upper Cuba Street brewpub at 264a Cuba Street, pairing bold, experimental brewing with a bright, inclusive taproom and a games court out front.
  6. Choice Bros — Small-batch brewery and bar-eatery down a private alley at 62 Ghuznee Street, with 20+ in-house taps of creative brews that bend traditional styles.
  7. Panhead Custom Ales — Cult Upper Hutt brewer at Brewtown, with a 16-tap bar and tasting room, a 600-litre pilot brewery and the Panhead Custom Kitchen famous for smoked-meat platt…
  8. Te Aro Brewing Co — Wellington-rooted brewery now based at Brewtown in Upper Hutt, with a cosy taproom-restaurant in the old art-deco Dunlop factory, a full food menu and a warm…
  9. Otto Champagneria & Beer Hall — Featherston Street gastropub (successor to The Champagneria) at 125 Featherston St, with 11 rotating craft taps alongside champagne and cocktails.
  10. Craft Beer Capital — Wellington's official craft beer trail and bar guide — the go-to map for planning a brewery-and-taproom crawl across the capital, with a souvenir-stamp passp…

Top Wine Bars in Wellington

  1. amit.marketing — Web design and social media for Wellington wine bars and intimate venues, plus 57+ free browser tools at amit.marketing/tools.
  2. Noble Rot Wine Bar — European-inspired wine bar in an old brick bakehouse on Swan Lane, with one of NZ's largest lists — close to 1,000 wines and nearly 100 by the glass via Cora…
  3. Puffin Wine Bar — Stylish, low-lit bar on the ground floor of The Intrepid Hotel at 60 Ghuznee Street, focused on organic, biodynamic and minimal-intervention wines, with a bo…
  4. Bert's Bar — Intimate tavern up a laneway off Lambton Quay on Woodward Street, pouring handcrafted cocktails and a Beaujolais-led French wine list amid the CBD bustle.
  5. Hillside Kitchen & Cellar — Award-winning Thorndon restaurant and cellar on Tinakori Road with a thoughtfully built wine programme to match its seasonal vegetarian tasting menus.
  6. Otto Champagneria & Beer Hall — Featherston Street venue (successor to The Champagneria) serving champagne, wine and cocktails alongside 11 rotating craft taps, with a grand Parisian-cafe f…
  7. Loretta — Cuba Street cafe-restaurant with a strong local tap-wine and by-the-glass list, a relaxed spot for a Mediterranean-leaning wine evening with wood-fired food.
  8. The Botanist — Lyall Bay plant-based restaurant pairing local and organic wines (plus botanical cocktails) in a heated courtyard near the beach.
  9. Maranui Cafe — Lyall Bay surf-club institution offering boutique wines and local craft beer alongside its food, with unbeatable beachfront views.

Top Desserts & Gelato in Wellington

  1. amit.marketing — Web design and social media for Wellington dessert businesses and gelaterias, plus 57+ free browser tools at amit.marketing/tools.
  2. Kaffee Eis — Wellington gelato institution since 2004, a multi-medal NZ Ice Cream & Gelato Awards winner with shops at Courtenay Place, Cuba Street and the waterfront.
  3. Gelissimo Gelateria — Waterfront gelateria at Odlins Plaza (11 Cable St) famous for 200+ rotating flavours made with local ingredients, and one of the country's most-awarded gelat…
  4. Zelati Dessert Cafe — Family-run Left Bank dessert cafe whose Maestro Gelatiere churns every batch from scratch with premium ingredients — think ube, matcha and purple kumara.
  5. Duck Island Ice Cream — Cult Hamilton-born ice creamery with a colourful pastel parlour at 168 Cuba Street, rotating dozens of creative, playful flavours daily.
  6. Tomboy — Boutique Mt Victoria cakery on Marjoribanks Street with a daily-changing cabinet of house-made cakes, brioche, doughnuts and sweet treats.
  7. Sweet Bakery & Cakery — Boutique Wellington bakery and cakery with a Cuba Street store at 268 Cuba St, specialising in bespoke cakes, cupcakes, brownies and cookies.
  8. Hillside Kitchen — Thorndon fine-dining kitchen celebrated for inventive seasonal plant-based desserts within its vegetarian tasting menus.

Top Day Trips & Tours in Wellington

  1. Indo Kiwi Travel — Trusted New Zealand travel agency arranging tailored tours, transfers, flights and holiday packages — a one-stop partner for planning Wellington-region day t…
  2. Kapiti Island Nature Tours — Iwi-owned operator running the only guided day and overnight tours to Kapiti Island, one of NZ's oldest and most accessible bird sanctuaries; departs Parapar…
  3. Weta Workshop Experiences — Behind-the-scenes 90-minute guided tours of the multi-award-winning Miramar effects studio behind Lord of the Rings, Avatar and more, departing the Weta Cave…
  4. Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne — The world's first fully fenced urban ecosanctuary, a 225ha valley 10 minutes from the city centre with kiwi, kaka, takahe, tuatara and rare native wildlife.
  5. East by West Ferries — Wellington's harbour ferry since 1989, running scenic crossings from Queens Wharf to Days Bay/Eastbourne and Matiu/Somes Island, including on NZ's first elec…
  6. Zest Food Tours — Lonely-Planet-recognised culinary tour company (since 2003) running Wellington city food walks and private boutique pinot-noir wine experiences in Martinboro…
  7. Staglands Wildlife Reserve — Scenic wildlife reserve and cafe in the Akatarawa Valley near Upper Hutt (est. 1972), a family-favourite day out among free-roaming animals and native birds.
  8. Hammonds Wellington Tours — Wellington's original sightseeing operator (now part of Tranzit), running city-sights, Weta Workshop and private/group tours with experienced local guides.

Top Hair & Beauty in Wellington

  1. amit.marketing — Web design and social media for Wellington hair and beauty salons who live on bookings and visuals, plus 57+ free browser tools at amit.marketing/tools.
  2. Buoy Salon & Spa — New Zealand's most-awarded salon, with 35+ years of expertise; a full hair, colour, skin and spa destination in the Majestic Centre on Willis Street.
  3. Badaro Beautiful Hair — Wellington's first sustainable hair and beauty salon, a Davines concept salon partnered with Sustainable Salons NZ, known for balayage, colour and eco-friend…
  4. Matt Forsman Hair — One of the capital's coolest salons, a gallery-like Marion Street space (32 Marion St) focused on simple, classic, beautifully executed hair.
  5. Taboo Hair Salon — Boutique Karori hairdressing salon (est. 2009) on Karori Road, with experienced stylists offering cuts, colour, curly-cut and chemical-straightening expertis…
  6. Headstart Hair Design — Wellington's self-styled friendliest salon, creating hair in the eastern suburbs (Kilbirnie) for over 40 years using the Redken colour range.
  7. Buoy Spa — The spa arm of Buoy Salon & Spa, with skilled beauty therapists delivering facials, peels, LED and skin treatments using medical-grade cosmeceuticals in the…
  8. Badaro Beauty — The beauty side of Badaro's sustainable salon, offering eco-conscious beauty treatments alongside its award-winning hair team.

Top Dentists in Wellington

  1. Supreme Dental Concepts — Wellington's only Digital Smile Design-certified clinic, and one of just three in the country. Founded by Dr N. Vithal, it runs an in-house lab that mills cr…
  2. City Dentists — Right in the heart of the CBD, led by NZDA member Kamil Tinawi with 20 years in restorative work — implants, crown and bridge, cosmetic cases. NZSASD member…
  3. The Wellington Dental Practice — Wellington's oldest dental surgery, in business for close to a century. Lead dentist Jeff Annan has spent 40 years at the same practice — the kind of continu…
  4. Gentle Dental — Locally owned since 1992 by Mike and Sam, now four clinics deep across Te Aro, Lambton Quay, Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt. Nine dentists and five hygienists, wi…
  5. Newtown Dental — Open seven days until 8:30pm with same-day emergency slots — rare hours for Wellington dentistry. Dr Salih's team offers both IV sedation and nitrous oxide,…
  6. Kapiti Dental — CEREC same-day crowns and IV sedation on the Kapiti Coast, run by Dr Kenny Kim with implant specialism and Dr Olivia Henzell affiliated with the NZ Society o…
  7. Tawa Dental Care — A neighbourhood fixture in the Tawa shops that families have stuck with for 20-plus years. Straightforward, friendly and unpretentious — the kind of practice…
  8. Karori Dental Centre — Based in Marsden Village and running since 1989 under principal dentist Kenneth Wong, now part of the Lumino network. A steady, established option for the we…
  9. Singleton Dental — An Otago University-graduate-run practice on Karori Road offering a more boutique, independent alternative to the chain clinics in the same suburb — worth cr…
  10. Real Dentistry — A five-dentist, one-hygienist team on Rongotai Road serving the eastern suburbs, with Saturday hours and two late nights by appointment. Patients single out…

Top Hairdressers & Barbers in Wellington

  1. JAM Hair Co. — Nearly two centuries of combined experience on the floor at this CBD favourite. No attitude, no upsell pressure — just technically sharp cuts and colour in a…
  2. Buoy Salon & Spa — Thirty-five-plus years mastering hair has made Buoy one of the most awarded salons in the country. Full spa-salon experience if you want to turn a cut into a…
  3. David's Hairstylists — Started by David himself back in 1971, this Wadestown institution is now a genuine neighbourhood icon. Old-school loyalty, easy street parking, and a team th…
  4. The French Barber — A Barbercraft NZ Master Section Shave winner running the tightest hot-towel shave and skin-fade game in the CBD. Book the shave if you've never had a proper…
  5. Cuba St Social — Master Barber Wayne Newman runs this Leftbank spot like Wellington's living room — sofas, coffee table, zero rush. Fades and cuts that hold, in the most laid…
  6. Stravinskij Barbershop — B-Corp certified and recycling every clipping toward coastal oil-spill cleanup — a barbershop that treats sustainability as seriously as the fade. Skin treat…
  7. Cuba Barbers — The Courtenay Barbers offshoot that kept the good chat and the sharp fades but moved into Cuba Street's chaos. Come for the haircut, stay because the shop it…
  8. Courtenay Barbers — Tucked into buzzy Courtenay Place, this is the pre-night-out trim of choice for half of Te Aro. Consistent fades, no-fuss booking, open right through the wee…
  9. Black Pearl & Co — A New York loft-style salon above Johnston and Featherston that doubles as an industry training centre — which shows in the finish. Approachable stylists in…
  10. Miss Fox Hairdressing — Cuba Street's go-to for vivid colour and blonding done properly — not a quick box-dye job. If you want a fantasy colour that actually holds its tone, this is…

Top Nail Salons & Beauty in Wellington

  1. Diamond Nails Salon — A CBD institution on Lambton Quay pulling in a huge, loyal following for a reason: acrylics, gel, SNS and Shellac done with proper OPI/CND product and none o…
  2. Rose's Nail & Spa — Tucked just off Lambton Quay, Rose's runs a calm, spotless operation covering everything from Gel-X and Polygel to spa pedicures and lash extensions — the ki…
  3. Bellagio Spa — A proper day-spa pedicure experience rather than a quick polish stop — think heated massage chairs, hot towels and mud treatments alongside manicures and fac…
  4. Cuba Nails — Over a decade on Cuba Street doing precise acrylics, classic manicures and detailed nail art, plus lash lifts and brow shaping — a genuine neighbourhood fixt…
  5. Urban Sanctuary Day Spa — Over 35 years operating in the capital gives Urban Sanctuary a different pedigree entirely — full-service facials, massage, waxing and brow work in a genuine…
  6. Beyond Skin Wellbeing Medical Spa — Blends Ayurvedic-influenced therapy with advanced skin tech — microneedling, laser hair removal, peels and microdermabrasion — for anyone after clinical resu…
  7. Beautique Skin & Body Therapy — Fiona Wilton's cottage-setting Thorndon salon has built a client base that sticks around for years, not visits — Dermalogica-based facials, electrolysis and…
  8. 4 Seasons Nails — A Kilbirnie Plaza mainstay with a big local following — reliable acrylics, gel fills and pedicures from technicians who've clearly been doing this a while, w…
  9. Platinum Nails — Fast, well-priced and smack in the middle of Newtown's busiest strip — a solid walk-in option for a same-day manicure or pedicure without sacrificing a tidy,…
  10. Pari Beauty — Newtown's go-to for eyebrow threading and waxing, alongside massages, facials and nail treatments — a smaller, personal-service salon rather than a volume mi…

Top Veterinary Clinics in Wellington

  1. Wellington Veterinary Hospital — One of the few BESTPRACTICE-accredited hospitals in the region, with round-the-clock emergency capability and the kind of surgical and diagnostic depth small…
  2. PETVET Lower Hutt — Wellington's referral animal hospital, home to specialist feline medicine consults, dermatology and dentistry referrals other clinics send their toughest cas…
  3. Central Vet Hospital — Open seven days including Sunday afternoons, this Brooklyn Road institution has been patching up Wellington's pets for decades with a senior-vets-only team,…
  4. Karori Veterinary Clinic — Fifty years deep in the same suburb, this family-feel practice runs long consults rather than rushing you out the door, with orthopaedic surgery and PennHIP…
  5. Rappaw Veterinary Care — The only NZVA BestPractice-accredited group covering Porirua and the northern suburbs, spread across four neighbourhood clinics so you're never far from a ve…
  6. Kelburn Vets — A small, deliberately un-overbooked clinic on Upland Road where three vets take the time to actually talk you through what's going on, plus a rare referral s…
  7. Crofton Downs Veterinary Clinic — The clinic exotic-pet owners actually seek out — rats, guinea pigs and other small mammals get treated as seriously here as cats and dogs, in a purpose-built…
  8. Wellington SPCA Veterinary Hospital — Housed in the old Fever Hospital on Mount Victoria's green belt, this community-minded hospital has been part of Wellington for over 130 years and keeps qual…
  9. CareVets Johnsonville — Full surgical, dental and laser-therapy services backed by evening and weekend hours that actually suit working pet owners in the northern suburbs, plus an i…
  10. CareVets Kilbirnie — The eastern suburbs' reliable everyday option, part of the CareVets network that's been operating in New Zealand since 2008, covering the essentials from vac…

Top Plumbers in Wellington

  1. Natoli Plumbing & Drainage — Anton Natoli's crew has covered Wellington, the Hutt Valley and Porirua for over 14 years with upfront quotes and zero surprise charges. Reviewers consistent…
  2. PlumbSpec — Third-generation family firm (formerly Crofton Plumbing) with 40-plus years behind it, run by brothers Tony and Scott Witty. Covers everything from new-build…
  3. Straight Flush Plumbing — Jeremy and Ngaire Mansfield's outfit has run since 2004 across Wellington and the Wairarapa, picking up a past NZ Master Plumber of the Year title and Wellin…
  4. JLP Plumbing (John Leen Plumbing) — Founded in 1986, JLP now runs a 50-plus strong team of plumbers, drainlayers and gasfitters for commercial and industrial clients across greater Wellington,…
  5. Southern Plumbing & Gasfitting — Trading since 1982 (originally Brennan Plumbing) and a Master Plumber member for 25-plus years, Southern backs every job with a blunt 'your job on time or it…
  6. Central Plumbing Wellington — Owner Anthony Eden has run this husband-and-wife operation for over 20 years, leaning on old-school values and straight-talking problem solving for everythin…
  7. Harbour City Plumbing & Gasfitting — A locally owned, family-run team with 20-plus years' experience and fully stocked vans on genuine 24/7 rotation. Handles burst pipes and gas leaks across the…
  8. 4CET Plumbing & Gas — Tamaiti and Carly's family business, set up in 2011, brings over 85 years of combined trade experience and stays genuinely community-rooted, right down to sp…
  9. The Good Plumbing Co — A decade-plus-experienced outfit built on transparent, no-hidden-fee pricing, covering an unusually wide stretch of the region from Island Bay right out to T…
  10. Maxey Plumbing & Gas — A Master Plumbers member with over 40 years of combined team experience, Maxey has built a niche as an accredited Rheem service agent for hot water cylinder…

Top Electricians in Wellington

  1. Astral Electrical — Founded by Ben Alchin in 2019, this residential-only outfit has grown fast on a simple pitch: homeowner-focused systems, a $20,000 workmanship guarantee, and…
  2. Silver Fern Electrical (SFE) — Dean Skipsey launched SFE in 2014 and it's since become a go-to across Wellington, Porirua and the Hutt, covering everything from switchboard upgrades to sol…
  3. Fellow Electrical — Run by Matt Stewart out of Taita, Fellow set out to be Wellington's number-one residential electrician by prioritising the client experience over just tickin…
  4. Illuminex Electrical — Andy Morrison started Illuminex in 2021 and it's since built a loyal following across Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt and Wellington City for patient explanations and…
  5. A.J. Beck & Co — A genuine Wellington institution — trading for more than 60 years out of Kaiwharawhara, this Master Electricians and Site Safe-certified firm covers commerci…
  6. Stewart & Rogers Electrical — Established in 1988 by Iain Stewart and Simon Rogers, this Mount Cook team has three-decade-deep roots in Wellington, Porirua and the Hutt, pairing standard…
  7. Weka Electrical — A tight, responsive operation led by Alex, praised for squeezing in short-notice jobs — from ceiling light installs to heat pump swaps — with transparent quo…
  8. On To It Electrical — Led by Master Electrician Stu with 17-plus years under his belt, this outfit's whole ethos is in the name — old switchboard upgrades, lighting modernisation…
  9. Dave Brown Electrical Services (DBES) — Two decades in and based in Island Bay, DBES stands out for covering marine electrical work alongside the usual residential and commercial jobs — a rare spec…
  10. Marmoset Electrical — Shaun's decade-plus outfit covers CBD to Thorndon, Kelburn, Karori and Miramar, with a real specialty in outdoor and garden lighting alongside EV charger ins…

Top House Cleaning Services in Wellington

  1. Heaven Sent Cleaning — Operating out of Johnsonville with police-checked staff and eco-friendly products, Heaven Sent's angel cleaners are known for genuine attention to detail rat…
  2. Kleen Co — A small, locally owned outfit built around eco-conscious cleaning rather than a franchise script. Clients single out the deep cleans and move-out cleans spec…
  3. Wellington Professional House Cleaners — Cleaning Wellington homes since 2010, with an in-house NZQA-qualified trainer behind every staff member. Reviewers flag flawless carpets and windows on deep…
  4. Housecleaners Wellington — An independently owned business spanning Wellington City through to Lower Hutt and Kapiti, built on assigning the same trained cleaner to your home rather th…
  5. Home and Beyond — Covers Wellington City, Johnsonville and Lower Hutt with a reputation for turning around short-notice bookings without dropping quality. Reviewers keep comin…
  6. Premium Clean — The credentials do the talking here — IICRC, ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 certified, which is rare for a residential cleaner. Backed by a 72-hour issue-resolution…
  7. NortonBridge — Nine-plus years covering an unusually wide patch — Miramar, the CBD, Hutt Valley, Porirua, Eastbourne, Wainuiomata and out to Kapiti-Wairarapa. Worth calling…
  8. Urban Care — Runs a 24/7 customer line, which matters when you're chasing a same-week bond clean before a tenancy ends. Positions itself squarely on getting the full bond…
  9. An Extra Pair of Hands — Owner Jane Richardson has run this Hutt Valley cleaning and gardening service since 2003 — over two decades of security-checked, insured staff doing daily cl…
  10. House Cleaners Lower Hutt — Over a decade in the Hutt, with the owners visibly involved in local community work rather than running things from a call centre. Covers the smaller pockets…

Top Removalists & Movers in Wellington

  1. Big Camel Moving & Storage — The city's most-talked-about newer mover, built specifically around Wellington's brutal terrain — narrow streets, steep driveways, tight staircases. Piano sp…
  2. Swt Moves — Owner-operator Win runs a proper family outfit — four of the five crew are relatives — turning up 7 days a week for TradeMe pickups, tip runs and 1-3 bedroom…
  3. NZ Van Lines — Operating from what's arguably the biggest, most modern movers facility in the country, this Seaview veteran has quietly hauled Wellington for over 40 years…
  4. Conroy Removals — A Napier-born operator since 1972 that's grown into one of Australasia's biggest removal and logistics groups, with a dedicated Wellington/Porirua crew handl…
  5. Grace Removals — Tracing its lineage back to 1885, Grace is a FIDI-alliance, FAIM-accredited global mover now building a brand-new seismic-rated, climate-controlled Porirua w…
  6. Cameron Ryan Relocations & Storage — Covering the Kapiti Coast, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa as well as the city itself, this crew has built a reputation for taking on the big, awkward jobs — inclu…
  7. Amoova — A Wellington outfit formed in 2010 but drawing on 40-plus years of combined trade experience, known for shrink-wrapping every drawer and blanket-wrapping eve…
  8. Capital City Movers Wellington — Owner-operator Wayne Harding is on every single job himself, 15-plus years deep into Wellington's TradeMe pickup and one-item delivery grind — antiques, whit…
  9. Cool Moves — Furniture-removal fixture since 1993, running out of Upper Hutt and covering Porirua, Kapiti, Petone and Newtown, with Wellington Airport storage and a sidel…
  10. 1Van Movers — Ivan and his small crew have built a following on same-day, urgent moves — customers repeatedly flag being trusted with fragile items and getting a genuinely…

Top Wedding Photographers in Wellington

  1. Patina Photo — A vintage-tinged eye for natural light and unposed detail has made Michelle and Hemi's studio one of the most-searched wedding names in the capital. Timeless…
  2. Woolf Photography — One of Wellington's longest-running studios, with a full bench of award-winning shooters and a classic, won't-date style. Packages stretch from consultation…
  3. Billie Brook Photography — A decade-plus of striking, editorial-leaning wedding work across the region, built on a knack for putting nervous couples at ease in front of the lens. Bold…
  4. Sarah McEvoy Photography — Photojournalism-trained and allergic to forced posing, Sarah has been quietly documenting real Lower North Island weddings and elopements for over a decade.…
  5. Paul Howell Photography — Twenty-plus years behind the camera and a first-class photography degree back it up, but it's the reams of glowing local testimonials that keep this editoria…
  6. Jaymee Photography — A relaxed, people-first approach and genuine ease with kids and nervous couples alike, backed by over a decade in the business. Photography and videography u…
  7. August & Vine — Sam shoots weddings like they're a lived moment, not a performance to be stage-managed, and pairs it with a full elopement-planning service out of a Whitiman…
  8. Modern Lovers (love, carissa) — Over a decade of film-inspired, emotion-first wedding photography from Carissa, who treats travel across the lower North Island as standard rather than a has…
  9. Jinal Govind Photography — Wellington-raised and now splitting his season between the capital and Queenstown, Jinal brings a fine-art eye and an outdoorsman's instinct for light to eve…
  10. Kee-Sue Creative — A husband-and-wife team, Ricky and Janelle, running genuinely affordable photo-and-video packages without the four-figure minimum most studios demand. Every…

Top Pizza Restaurants in Wellington

  1. La Bella Italia — The one with the international silverware: named among the world's best restaurants with a pizzeria, and its salmon-and-mascarpone Bravo Gubello was ranked a…
  2. Pizza Pomodoro — Certified by the Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana, so the wood-fired margherita here follows the actual Neapolitan rulebook — real San Marzano-style tomato…
  3. Scopa Caffe Cucina — Cuba Street's original pizzeria and still one of its busiest — an eclectic pizza line-up alongside pastas, salads and a famously rich hot chocolate that regu…
  4. Cicio Cacio Osteria Newtown — A tiny, unpretentious osteria where a Roman chef turns out hand-crafted pizzas and fresh pasta with real Italian conviction — the kind of humble neighbourhoo…
  5. Nolita — New Zealand's first fully plant-based pizzeria: 48-hour fermented sourdough hand-stretched to order and topped with house-fermented cashew mozzarella — proof…
  6. Heaven Woodfire Pizza — Top-of-Cuba-Street favourite built around a wood-fired oven that takes centre stage in the room, turning out everything from a classic margherita to a bacon-…
  7. Slice — A neon-green laneway slice joint from the team behind Pickle & Pie and Dough Bakery — thick, generous slabs from around $9, rotating flavours like pork-and-f…
  8. Tommy Millions — A Wellington institution and certified late-night essential — grab-a-slice-or-a-whole-pie energy on Courtenay Place, plus multiple city outposts, with a cult…
  9. Pizzeria Napoli — No gimmicks, just classic woodfired pizza done properly — a straightforward Courtenay Place spot for people who want a well-charred base and honest toppings…
  10. Sal's Authentic NY Pizza — Big, foldable 18-inch New York pies served just up from the Bucket Fountain — pepperoni, cheese and a loaded 'Nonna' among the classics, backed by garlic kno…

Top Sushi & Japanese Restaurants in Wellington

  1. Tatsushi — Chef-owner Tatsushi Mikuni has hand-picked fish at the market every morning since 2012, and it shows in a sashimi selection locals still call the freshest in…
  2. Arashi Kushiyaki Bar — Wellington's first dedicated kushiyaki bar, grilling everything from wagyu skewers to chicken hearts over binchotan charcoal in a genuinely authentic izakaya…
  3. Kazaguruma Japanese Dining — A cosy Cuba Street room punching well above its size, pairing NZ kaimoana like Ora King salmon and Southern rock lobster with A5 Kagoshima wagyu on its premi…
  4. Miyabi Japanese Restaurant — Serving traditional Japanese cuisine from the same Willis Street Village spot since 1997, Miyabi is the elder statesman of Wellington sushi — sashimi, tempur…
  5. Origami — A Japanese-French fusion spot on iconic Cuba Street that's as known for its patisserie and blooming-tea weekend high tea as it is for beautifully plated sush…
  6. The Ramen Shop — Scratch-made broths simmered for hours and no-frills counters have made this small local chain Wellington's go-to ramen name since 2013. Three suburban outpo…
  7. TJ Katsu — Three central branches turning out crispy katsu, teriyaki and made-to-order sushi to a claimed 1,000-plus Wellingtonians a day since 2011. Fast, generous por…
  8. Yoshi Sushi & Bento — Started in 2010 by Japanese-Kiwi couple Yoshi and Helen Kono, this three-branch local operator is one of the few Japanese-run sushi shops in town — bento, su…
  9. Kazu Japanese Restaurant — An izakaya-style room with tatami seating and an open kitchen counter, running since 2002 as a sit-down alternative to Wellington's grab-and-go sushi scene.…
  10. Kazu Sushi-Go-Round — Wellington's conveyor-belt classic on Cuba Street, where colour-coded plates of sushi, sashimi and tempura loop past for office workers and families alike. G…

Top Bakeries & Patisseries in Wellington

  1. Nada Bakery — A Wellington institution since 1975 — this family-owned bakery has been turning out pies, sandwiches and traditional baking staples across generations. Two s…
  2. Arobake — Swiss master-baker Max Fuhrer built this Aro Street fixture in 1989 and it's still the neighbourhood's daily bread run. European-style loaves, vegan cakes an…
  3. Baker Gramercy — A tiny four-day-a-week shopfront that pulls croissant pilgrims from across the whole city. Owner James Whyte keeps the sourdough down to flour, water and sal…
  4. April Patisserie — A pocket-sized French patisserie run by Le Cordon Bleu grads Jocelyn and Eddy, tucked down Left Bank off Cuba Street. Petit gâteaux, madeleines and a salted,…
  5. Shelly Bay Baker — Chef Sam Forbes mills his own organic NZ grain on site and turns it into naturally levained sourdough, bagels and baguettes. What began as a Shelly Bay side…
  6. Little Bread Loaf — A proudly Māori-owned micro-bakery built on manaakitanga, best known for rēwena baps and cinnamon buns baked with real care. What started as a Lower Hutt mar…
  7. Pandoro Panetteria — Family-run since 1996, this Italian-leaning bakery bakes additive-free, non-yeasted sourdoughs the old-fashioned way and donates the day's leftovers to local…
  8. Leeds Street Bakery (Shelly Bay Baker on Leeds) — Down a hidden laneway off Leeds Street, this compact bakery built its name on stone-ground organic sourdough and a salted caramel cookie locals still talk ab…
  9. Tomboy — Kate Marinkovich's cosy Majoribanks Street cakery turns out a daily-changing cabinet of doughnuts, brioche and cakes finished with freeze-dried fruit and edi…
  10. Nicoletta's Bakery — Started as a cake shop in 2016 and grew into a full Italian-style bakery-pizzeria, famous locally for its tiramisu doughnuts and rotating vegan flavours. A p…

Top Social Media in Wellington

  1. Amit Sharma — Social Media Marketing — NZ-wide social media marketing specialist — strategy, content, paid social and growth for Kiwi small businesses, founders and personal brands.
  2. Paji Marketing — Independent Wellington social-and-SEO studio — Indo-Kiwi specialty, content and paid social with measurable ROI. Powers the NZ City Guides network.
  3. Augusto Wellington — Multi-award production house with a sharp social arm — brand films and short-form content for big NZ brands.
  4. Hothouse Creative Wellington — Long-running creative agency — strong B2B social, LinkedIn strategy and content production.
  5. Click Marketing Wellington — Performance digital agency — paid social, paid search and analytics with a strong reporting cadence.
  6. Tequila Media — Boutique studio — short-form video, TikTok-native creative and Reels production for hospo and retail brands.
  7. Stand Studios Wellington — Creative video studio — long-form and social content for government, NGOs and big tech clients.
  8. Pollen Marketing — Wellington-based content agency — newsletters, LinkedIn personal-branding and B2B thought leadership.
  9. Magnify Wellington — Full-service digital marketing — SEO, social and email automation for SMEs.
  10. Two Heads Digital — Performance social and Google Ads boutique — strong DTC e-commerce client list.

Top Web Design in Wellington

  1. Amit Sharma — Web Design — Web designer building fast, conversion-focused websites for NZ small businesses — built to win leads, not just look good.
  2. NZCTR Studio — Network-favourite design + build — modern stack, beautifully detailed and SEO-first. Powers the NZ City Guides network.
  3. Springload Wellington — Public-good and government digital agency — accessibility-first, design-system thinking and large-scale web platforms.
  4. Ackama Wellington — Open-source social-impact agency — Rails, accessibility and human-rights work alongside commercial websites.
  5. Designwell — Long-running brand and digital studio — beautiful sites for hospo, arts and design-driven clients.
  6. Catalyst.Net Wellington — Open-source enterprise specialist — Drupal, SilverStripe and large CMS implementations for government.
  7. Sitewide Wellington — WordPress and Shopify boutique — strong on small-business sites with a sharp 6-week build cadence.
  8. Sons & Co — Brand-led design boutique — premium identity work and digital products for ambitious mid-market companies.
  9. Make Lemonade Wellington — Independent studio — content, web and social for hospo, arts and tourism clients.
  10. Optimal Workshop — UX research-led — sites and digital products built on real user testing and information architecture.

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