WellingtonEat & Drink
A server stands by a table of two explaining the restaurant's menu.

Hillside Kitchen

Find seasonal and foraged ingredients and innovation aplenty at Wellington’s leading vegetarian restaurant.

Hillside Kitchen is an award-winning fine-dining restaurant with a twist — it’s completely meat-free. Instead of animal products, the restaurant focuses on sustainable, locally-grown produce. It uses ingredients foraged from Wellington’s green areas and grown in its own garden, taking the concept of farm-to-table to another level.

Seasonality is key, which means the Hillside menu is constantly changing. Diners can choose between a five and seven-course tasting menu when they book. But the components of each course are a surprise until they’re seated at their table.

Although there’s no knowing in advance exactly what they’ll be serving up, there are a few things you can be sure of. The food will reflect modern multicultural New Zealand, and a few key seasonal ingredients will crop up several times in varying ways. And every plate will be jaw-droppingly beautiful (check out their Instagram for proof).

Two friends enjoy each other's company along with some white wine and a nice restaurant.
A gourmet dish of tomatoes arranged beautifully on a large white plate.
Owner and head chef at Hillside Kitchen, Asher Boote, plates a dish.
Inside a small restaurant with warm, dim lighting. There are three couples dining and a server taking an order.

The ever-changing wine list is small but varied, showcasing natural and organic wines. Refreshingly, non-alcoholic drinks aren’t an afterthought. Hillside makes a range of sodas and kombucha in-house, and you can even opt for non-alcoholic drink matches with your tasting menu.

Although it may seem daunting, don’t be intimidated by the multi-course format. At Hillside, the food is gourmet but the atmosphere is far from stuffy. As soon as you step into the quaint little building on Tinakori Road, you’ll get a friendly welcome from the staff. Warm lighting casts a soft glow over the stylish Scandi-inspired fit-out. Think warm timber and homely touches, rather than starched white tablecloths.

So leave your black-tie garb at home. Come with an appetite for culinary adventure, and you won’t leave disappointed.

An entré dish comprised of small shared snacks sits between two water glasses on a table. A hand with red-painted nails sneaks in for a sample.

Looking for more?

At start of items
The busy and vibrant interior of Charley Noble, with customers sitting at tables and servers waiting tables, and kitchen staff in the background preparing food.

Charley Noble

A haven for fine food lovers, this restaurant’s menu and drinks list matches the impressive surroundings of the building it resides in.

Waiter setting a table at Koji, the room has dim lighting and a large wooden feature wall.

Koji

Asian-inspired cuisine mixed with locally sourced produce creates a delicious dining experience.

Interior shot of busy restaurant atmosphere.

Capitol

A local favourite since 2002, Capitol is a vibrant, family-run restaurant with a bistro-style menu.

The exterior of Logan Brown on the corner of Vivian and Cuba streets. The building used to be a bank.

Logan Brown

Open the big red doors on Cuba Street to find a Wellington institution of fine-dining.

Looking down at various dishes served at Ombra on the wooden table, including pizzas, salads and Toast.

Ombra

Inspired by the backstreet restaurants of Venice, Ombra is Wellington’s very own bacaro, serving modern Italian small plates.

A wooden table with many dishes served at Bellamys restaurant.

Bellamys

From the debating chamber to the dining room, the Beehive is home to the seat of government and a fine dining restaurant.

The dim and moody interior of Highwater eatery with customers siitng and bar staff working.

Highwater

Inner-city restaurant and bar Highwater Eatery walks the talk on sustainable and ethically sourced food.

The storefront of Liberty, a restaurant in Te Aro Wellington. It's a white building with black accents and six circular ceiling lights.

Liberty

Made by a talented team of chefs, the dishes at Liberty are full of flavour and made to be shared.

Inside Rosella restaurant and bar. The large window on the ground floor lets in plenty of light with seats lining a narrow bench along the window.

Rosella Wine Bar

With a share-style menu inspired by the Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa, this Mount Victoria charmer is a quality dinner choice.

The exterior of a busy wine bar and restaurant with patrons filling both interior and exterior seating.

Noble Rot Wine Bar

Behind a distinctive red brick façade on Swan Lane, you’ll find exceptional cuisine and a vast wine collection.