Wellington And Around Food

Lambton Quay and Willis Street are full of lunch spots, but become dead at night. The young and chic liven up Courtenay Place and its side streets on evenings and weekends, while Cuba Street is peppered with smaller ethnic restaurants and cafes. You’ll find a surprising mixture of food types at the Wellington Market Food Court, at Jarvois Quay and Taranaki St. (Open F-Su 10am-6pm.) Buy groceries at New World, 279 Wakefield St. (Open daily 7am-midnight.)

• Kai in the City, 21 Marjoribanks St. (☎801 5006; www.kaicity.co.nz). All items on the menu are traditional or Maori-inspired dishes. Sample a bit of everything with Tangaroa (seafood platter with smoked tuna and prawns, $40) or Rongo (vegetarian platter including hangi frittata and kumara; $32). Call ahead. Open daily 5:10pm-late.
• Mac’s Brewery Bar and Restaurant, Shed 22 on the waterfront (☎381 2282; www.thebrewerybar.co.nz), at the corner of Taranaki and Cable St. The most scenic outdoor seating in the city serves gourmet pub fare along side it’s famous micro-brews. Local brews from $3.50. Open M-F 11am-late, Sa-Su 10:30am-late.
• Aunty Mena’s Vegetarian Restaurant & Cafe, 167 Cuba St. (☎382 8288). Vegetarian and vegan friendly dishes cooked in a variety of Asian styles. The Malaysian nasi lemak is aromatic coconut rice, vegetables and tofu ($10). Open Su-M 5:30-9:30pm, Tu-Sa 11:30am-10pm.
• Schoc Chocolaterie and Espresso Bar, 11 Tory St. (☎382 8907; www.chocolateherapy.com). The place to wake up in Wellington. Schoc whips up rich hot chocolate ($3.50), strong espresso ($3), and unique gourmet chocolates. Lime and chili chocolate, anyone? Open M-F 7:30am-6:30pm, Sa 10:30am-6pm, Su noon-6pm.
• Daawat, 88 Manners Mall (☎472 0060) between Victoria and Cuba St. Hotcha, the god of curry, grants the trinity of backpacker desires: low prices, high quality, and heaping portions. Enjoy a divine Dal makhani (black lentils in spicy tomato puree; $11) or chow on the lunch standby (chicken tikka masala with rice and naan; $11). Open M-F 11:30am-2pm, 5:30pm-late, Sa-Su 5:30pm-late.
• Aqaba, 186 Broadway Ave. (☎357 8922). Don’t let the Egyptian decor fool you—the menu holds no national allegiance. Business types, students, and families enjoy affordable dishes (most $11-23) in the airy environs. Open M-F 7:30am-late, Sa-Su 9am-late. Cash only.