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

Noble Rot Wine Bar

  • Location

    6 Swan Lane, Te Aro, Wellington

  • Website

    Noble Rot

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

If you’re a wine enthusiast, then the nearly 1000-bottle menu at Noble Rot should interest you. Since opening in 2016, this cosy bistro and bar has offered an expertly curated wine list and exquisite food menu.

Wine and liquor bottles stored on wooden shelves lining the back wall of Noble Rot wine bar.
A group of young professionals do a wine tasting at Noble Rot wine bar.
A fine-dining appetizer dish with a cheese pastry and a beetroot salad.
Inside a bustling fancy wine bar.

The world’s top wine regions are well represented across the menu. You’ll find bottles from Burgundy to Barossa Valley plus an impeccable selection of New Zealand wines. Better still, almost 100 wines are available by the glass. “I really wanted to create a wine bar like I experienced in Europe,” says co-founder and sommelier Maciej Zimny. 

Great wine should be paired with great food, so on the menu, you’ll find seasonal dishes that showcase New Zealand’s finest and freshest produce. Well-trained and knowledgeable staff will help you choose the perfect wine to match your food. If you want something more relaxed the bar menu offers small plates, cheeses, and charcuterie boards. For the ultimate Noble Rot experience, enjoy a six-course degustation menu with wine matches. Whether you’re there for a casual or formal meal it’s an unforgettable tasting journey. 

Cuisine Magazine has declared Noble Rot the ‘Best Wine Experience in New Zealand’ many times. It’s also awarded the restaurant several ‘Hats’ over the years. ‘Hats’ are the New Zealand equivalent to Michelin Stars.  

A glass of red wine is being poured.

The restaurant at Noble Rot feels warm and cosy like a traditional bistro. It’s a place to settle in for a relaxed dinner with friends, family or colleagues. The wine bar area is adjacent to the dining space and is modern and vibrant. On both sides, you’ll see wine bottles everywhere you look. There are many large racks of wine and two wine bottle chandeliers hang from the ceiling. 

Maciej is proud of the high standard the eatery has set for itself but says it’s increasing people’s wine knowledge that excites him the most. “We’re here to educate and bring wine closer to the community. Every time you come here you’ll discover something new.”    

Looking for more?

At start of items
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 interior of Graze Wine Bar with bar staff behind the bar.

Graze Wine Bar

Nestled in Kelburn village, Graze is a sustainably focused wine bar that’s sure to become your new local.

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.

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.

bartender pouring a glass of red wine to 4 customers sitting down and enjoying their food and drinks inside the Runholder.

The Runholder

Encompassing a restaurant, tasting room, cellar door, distillery, and barrel hall space, The Runholder offers an exquisite hospitality experience in Martinborough.

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.

2 customers sniff their wine at Karahui wine bar.

Karahui Wine Bar & Eatery

Come together at this Martinborough restaurant, where an old bank has been transformed with classic, contemporary flair.

The exteriror of Margot in Newtown. it is painted black with a red door and cover over thr window. Their sign sits on the window as well as a smell decal on the door that says Come as you are.

Margot

You’ll feel right at home at this cosy Newtown spot that’s part restaurant, part wine bar.

Barstaff at Plonk mkaing cocktails, there is a large shelf full of drinks behind them and yellow lighting surrounds.

Plonk

Standing one block back from Wellington Harbour, Plonk provides an oasis of breezy sophistication to counter the busy road outside.