The best of
Wellington. Ranked.

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.

Iconic surf-club cafe upstairs at Lyall Bay's 1911 lifesaving club, with sweeping beach views, legendary thick milkshakes and a cult Wellington brunch following.

Light, bright Cuba Street favourite at 181 Cuba St serving Mediterranean-leaning brunch, wood-fired fare and generous Kiwi hospitality since 2014.

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.

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.

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 sunny weekend catch-up.

Coffee Supreme's Wellington flagship brew bar at 39 Ghuznee Street — serious coffee plus seasonal toast on Wellington Sourdough, just off Cuba Street.

Boutique Mt Victoria cakery and cafe on Marjoribanks Street (est. 2016) with a daily-changing cabinet of house-made treats and excellent coffee.

Taranaki Street brunch room doing the kind of cooking that justifies the queue — open early on weekdays and later at weekends.

Local tip: Order the Istanbul eggs with Aleppo chilli butter.

Oriental Parade all-day eatery a few steps from the beach — the closest thing Wellington has to a proper seaside brunch room.

Local tip: Book for weekend brunch. The chocolate cake is also sold as a whole cake for $65.