Hei
In the heart of Cuba Street, this calm and stylish restaurant serves up a curiously rare cuisine in Wellington; modern Chinese.
Nolita co-founder Lydia Suggate loves cheese. However, a move to a plant-based diet made her rethink how she could consume her favourite dairy product. She opened Nolita, a vegan pizzeria and pastaria, on Cuba Street in 2006 with two business partners. Compelled by her love of cheese, she developed her own cashew-based cheese recipe. It’s now made in-house by the chefs at Nolita and used on the pizzas. Committed to being hands-on, the chefs also make sourdough pizza bases which ferment for 48 hours. The extra long fermentation makes it easier to digest.
Along with pizzas and pasta, there’s a tempting selection of mains and sharing plates on Nolita’s menu. You’ll find anything from fresh fennel salad to indulgent truffled mushroom burgers. According to Lydia, the most popular dishes at Nolita are the Margherita pizza and the carbonara pasta. “People love the classics. Especially if they’re lactose intolerant or vegan and haven’t had them for a long time.”
Nolita is inspired by Manhattan sidewalk eateries. Like the menu, the decor is equal parts New York and Italy. You’ll find bare brick walls, long wooden tables, and stools upholstered in deep blue vegan leather. Out the front, tables and chairs line a wooden deck, so you can enjoy your meal in the buzzing atmosphere of Cuba Street.
On the drinks list you’ll find classic Italian cocktails and spritzers, along with a well curated list of New Zealand and Italian wines. Local craft beers and non-alcoholic options fill out the list. Whether you’re looking for a light lunch, a romantic dinner, or a unique weekend brunch with friends, Nolita is a great choice. It doesn’t matter if you’re a vegan, vegetarian or omnivore—the flavours on offer will win you over. On Saturday nights you’ll usually find a live jazz group playing.
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