It's no secret we love a new opening and if you're reading this, chances are you do, too. As luck would have it, Wellington is packed with tantalizing eats with new restaurants, bars, cafes and bakeries making for one helluva evolving local food scene.
So without further ado here are the best new restaurant and foodie openings in Wellington.
Now Open
Supra
1/31 Dixon Street, Te Aro
Image credit: Supra | David Neville
Upstairs on Dixon Street (via Eva Street laneway) Supra is an unassuming and cozy dinner space from Thom Millot (Amok) and long-time friend and tattoo artist Keith Lin. Set yourself up with a glass of natural wine, a snack (pickled mussels with pringles, anyone?) and a spot of people-watching.
Dishes such as Comte toast with burnt onion soup, claypot octopus rice, and Royalburn lamb tomahawk (finished in its own delicious pan-juices and tangy mustard) reflect Supra’s trans-Tasman culinary style—the ever-evolving flux of contemporary Australian cuisine, whilst highlighting the best Aotearoa ingredients.
Babaili Restaurant
278 Willis Street, Te Aro
Image credit: Babaili | Instagram
Babaili in Chinese translates to “800 miles” in English, but you don’t need to travel far to get a taste of Xi’an right here in the capital. The old courtyard of the iconic ex-Bresolin has been transformed into an open kitchen with large steamers billowing fragrant steam from their braised pork belly, chicken, and handmade bao (filled to the brim with beef, pork and veggie options).
Signature cold dishes like braised beef shin in tahini-sichuan vinaigrette and smacked cucumber salad, with Xi’an style barbecue skewers (we’re here for the classic Xi’an cumin lamb) are a few of the plates we’re currently drooling over. Add a tea-infused cocktail from their unique cocktails list, combining traditional flavours with the new.
Don’t leave without a bowl of hand-pulled noodles. Also known as biang biang noodles (named after the sound the dough makes when it’s being hit and stretched!), Babaili dresses their silky bites with chilli oil or Xi’an style braised meat — we’ll be choosing both.
Babaili Malatang
45 Dixon Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Image credit: Babaili Malatang | Vicki Young
This popular Chinese street food is popping off in the streets of Wellington. Malatang, meaning hot and spicy numbing soup in Chinese, refers to the spicy soup base that meat, veggies and noodles are cooked in. Babaili Malatang is offering your inner-city fix, adding your own ingredients from the huge selection on (chilled) display.
From shaved fatty pork to all the other trimmings (if you’re an adventurous tripe eater), meatballs galore, plus a huge variety of mushrooms which we recommend adding them in for that umami boost. It’s paid by the kilogram, and at $48 a pop you’ll always, always get more than you can eat. Round it off with fresh veg and their shiitake-flavoured ramen to soak up the glorious broth. Choose your spicy or non-spicy level—we like the sound of a golden bone broth—and make your own dreamy condiments from the sauce station. Bottoms up.
Orange Cafe
268 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Image credit: Orange Cafe | Vicki Young
Ai Yamaguchi has spent over a decade dedicated to the art of making the perfect brew and now has her own space, Orange Cafe on Cuba Street. Adorned with various shades of warm orange decor, this is the ultimate cozy sunny reading spot and the perfect place to catch up with friends and fur-friends alike. Doggos are welcome while you pop in for your Supreme brew—you might even spot Ai’s resident pup (and local pet celeb) Ringo, hanging out at the café. Don’t forget to nab a cheese scone or citrus loaf while you’re there, baked by local John from Jojo’s Pastries. They’ve got the softest gluten-free salted caramel choc brownies too—this is not a drill.
Macha, Jom Tapau!
160 Victoria Street, Wellington
Image credit: Macha, Jom Tapau! | Sunita Singh Boparoy
Macha, Jom Tapau! means “Bro, let’s do takeaway!” and reflects the diversity of Malaysia’s three main ethnic groups—Malay, Indians and Chinese. Owners Muthu and Vani used to own Malaysian restaurant Kanama Kopi Kadai where chef Muthu was known for his delicious hand toss-stretched roti and magical peanut sauce.
Now they’re serving up delicious comfort eats takeaway style—walk into their wee spot on Victoria Street and you’ll be welcomed with fragrant smells of Nasi Lemak (with tofu or lamb rendang), roti bakar (toasties), and chicken karipap (curry puffs, a.k.a. perfect snacks for on the go). Feel like a sizzling Mee Goreng or Char Koey Teow? Chef Muthu will sort you out with his induction wok (the first of its kind being used in Wellington).
Alswaida By Damascus
78 Willis Street, Wellington
Image credit: Alswaida | Vicki Young
Hasan Alwarhani and Flora Quintana from Damascus (their Syrian restaurant now based on Tory Street) have just opened their new spot Alswaida. Serving Syrian Street Food at Press Hall on Willis Street, think fast and flavoursome chicken shawarma wraps (in yoghurt and spices) or Lahamb B’ajin… we’re talking grilled juicy lamb mince with warm-out-the-oven flatbread, plenty of fresh herbs, and pops of pickles in pomegranate molasses. Pro tip: Add hand-cut chips with thum (garlic sauce) and pre-order online for your quick office lunch or after-work pick-me-up.
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Main image credit: Supra | Instagram