Cuba Street Tavern

The Cuba Street Tavern is deliberately cosy. Full of secret nooks, palm trees, sail cloth, and colourful tiles, the fit out sweeps you away. Wellington beers flow on tap and cocktails showcase local spirits. A local theme continues in the menu. The food offering nods to classic tavern cuisine but with an elevated flair. For brunch, think dishes like cultured custard and cornbread, or roast potato and prosciutto. In the evenings, snack on sharing plates, hibachi (a traditional Japanese cooking style over a grill), or larger dishes. 

In classic Cuba Street collaboration, the house beer is a specialty larger brewed by Heyday Beer Co, just a few doors up the road. In a nod to traditional Kiwi taverns, crate beer is also available by the bottle. Almost all the wine offerings come by the glass, in a menu that features grapes from across the motu . 

For Richard Walshe and Scott Benton, the team behind the tavern, paying tribute to the iconic street the venue calls home was important. They wanted to create a space that went beyond just a bar and became something closer to a community hub. To achieve this, they knew the space had to offer something for everyone. Rather fittingly, the tavern has been described as a ʻmullet’ – sharp out front with a bit of a party in the back. As you enter from the street, the space is elegant and perfect for a quiet meal. Out back in the courtyard garden, things heat up as you get lost amongst the palm fronds and watering-hole chatter. 

One thing is for sure, this is a tavern of many talents. Whether it’s a laid-back brunch, morning coffee with a sweet treat, post-work catch-up, late-night drinks, or a weekend afternoon relaxing in the courtyard, the tavern opens its doors.