Vegan Food in Wellington, NZ

What Vegans eat in Wellington

When we go out to eat, we eat well.

Here's a vegan guide to tasting the best Welly cuisine.

*recently updated with newer info (01/2023)

When you want to brunch, go to:

The Botanist

Located in Welly’s surfer suburb, Lyall Bay, The Botanist is a veggie’s haven with a mostly vegan menu (apart from a bit of cheese and eggs) and it’s decor is on par. Grab a spot on the back patio and chill with local dogs while diving into a big breakfast of deliciousness.

Midnight Espresso

Go for the banana berry french toast, vegan hash stack with toast, mushrooms, and spinach, or dive into the nachos. You'll end up licking your fingers clean, and leave imagining your next visit. The great thing about this spot is that they're open until 2-3am and serve up the best chocolate cake in town. 

Beach Babylon

A retro little cafe right across from Oriental Beach serving up a selection of vegan eats, plus great coffee and even vegan chocolate fondue. Every time I go I always have a hard time choosing what to order!

For the best burger:

Welly is famous for its burgers. It even has a place in annual Welly on a Plate food festival, making it a big burger town all year round.

Here are a few favs:

Plant-Blazed

A top spot amongst Welly vegans, and you can’t go wrong with any order on the menu. Follow their FB page to see specials (they have had to close and re-open a few times).

Nolita

Nolita is a relatively new vegan joint serving up classic Italian dishes veganised. The Reuben Burger is chef's kiss.

Ekim

Mum from Ekim: They have at least 5 veggie burgers, but every time I order the falafel patty topped with hummus, jalepaño salsa, mustard, l, t,o, and sautéed mushrooms. That plus chili salsa covered hand-cut fries you leave stupidly full and happy.

Lord of the Fries

Located on Cuba Street, it’s your best option for vegan fast food and reliable for opening times. I’m a big fan of Spicy and Parma are my go-tos, but go figure I prefer the Chicago dog.

The Chippery

Vegan Burger from The Chippery. A favorite fish and chip shop that makes a quinoa-based  burger with chipotle seasoning, beetroot relish, guac, lettuce, tomato, and onion served up with your choice of hand-cut, crinkle, kumara, beer-battered, or curly chips. Hardest decision every time.

Parrotdog Bar

You can say I’m bias because I worked here for years, but this Lyall Bay hotspot has incredible burgers and the vegan one fills that need for a smash “meaty” burger. On Wednesday nights they serve them up for just $10.

Sweet treats & coffee

Belen Vegan Bakery

This opened after I moved away from Wellington and I want to make a trip back just to visit this vegan bakery. They change their menu fortnightly and I just looked at it here and I am drooling! Just go. Just go and eat your heart out.

Sweet Release

Best known for its sweet vegan treats, I’ve watched this cafe grow across three venues over the years. It sits on Manners, a busy passerby street, and it always has my beloved cinnamon buns, and a great spot to order cakes from!

Willie’s Kitchen

Now only open Thursday to Sunday, this joint is just across from Sweet Release and run by the loveliest couple. Their dark chocolate peanut butter cup always comes home with me.

Neo cafe

This trendy tiny cafe always has a few vegan treats available behind the counter and make a mean matcha latte.

My forever favorite, Italian food:

Cin Cin

One day we discovered a local Italian restaurant [Cin Cin] made their own vegan cheese and it didn't take long for us to visit. A bottle of Prosecco, complimentary bruschetta, and then these incredible za's landed in front of us. Still unsure of what the lovely chef [who visits our table to refill our tiny glasses of their homemade limoncello] uses for his vegan cheese, we often return for what I think might be the best vegan pizza I've ever tasted.

*it’s been a few years since I’ve been to Cin Cin, so not sure if this all rings true still!

Olive

Just down the road on Cuba Street, Olive is one of my favorite spots in town, mostly due to its secret back garden patio full of overgrown plants and tea lights to set the mood. Also a good spot for a late-night bourbon. Although their seasonal menu is full of fish, lamb, and cheese, they always offer a veg/vegan dish. We first tried their baked mozzarella cheese [made from tapioca flour and cashews] at Cuba Dupa Street Fest (pictured to the right).

Last night Ryan and I stopped in for a drink in the garden and ended up with a meal. Under the mains listed a vegan lasagna with baked rice crisps layered with roasted heirloom tomatoes, baked mozz on the side, sitting in a basil bechamel. We may have decided to return within the week as their seasonal menu is about to change.

Nolita

The newest kid on the block, calling themselves a pizza and pastaria and I agree. This is Italy on your lips. The menu is mouth-watering, pizzas are phenomenal and feature their own house-made vegan cheese and meats, honestly, they can have all my money.

*they have a separate lunch and dinner menu and also a kids menu!

Best Asian Eats:

Aroha

Another newer plant-based spot in town, located in the popular Press Hall, Aroha is serving up build-your-own Asian-style power bowls, delicious steamed buns and more. P.S. it’s mainly a lunch spot!

Aunty Mena’s

Known as the number one vegan spot in Welly, Aunty Mena's serves up a mix of everyone's favorite Asian dishes. From dumplings to curries, noodle choices, and many mock "meat" options that are actually mouthwatering.

Rams

But don't skip the place next door. This Chinese kitchen known as Rams does the best dumplings in town. And better yet, served up in chili oil. At lunch for $9.90 you can tackle a bowl of 15 chili oil dumplings [it's hard not to sip every last drop of the cilantro/coriander, garlic, onion, chili deliciousness].

Chow

This trending staple in the Welly restaurant scene is a great spot for fresh, modern Asian eats especially when they are doing one of their BOGO offers. They also do a $15 lunch deal!

Phu Thai Esarn

Visiting on a monthly basis for takeaways, this is my go-to for Thai food in Welly. Basil Thai Veg and Sweet & Sour Tofu are my top choices.

Nakhon Thai

Another amazing Thai spot, I only discovered once leaving Wellington is located in Hataitai village. They have a separate vegan menu and the staff are amazing. Don’t leave without trying the Tom Kha.

And last but not least, Mexican, a food group I can't live without:

Unfortunately, this city lacks authentic Latino cuisine. It's usually overpriced, given in small servings, and not near enough flavor, but I have found a spot or two.

Viva Mexico

Viva Mexico offers authentic mex meals and their fridge is full of Mexican soda, beers, and margarita pitchers made on order. It's more than I'm used to paying, the enchilada dish will leave you full and satisfied.

*note the main one (my go-to) in town closed, but the Newtown location is still open.

Rogue & Vagabond

Also, Tuesdays are $2 taco night at Rogue & Vagabond. A beer bar with a massive grassy outside to lounge on when the sun is shining. Order the veggie minus the cheese on soft or crispy shells.

Sweet Mother’s Kitchen

Grab a vegan burrito at this creole style cocina. You’ll find a few other vegan options on the menu. Located at the top of Courtenay Place.

Los Banditos

The food and drinks are amazing here, the price tag is definitely higher than what I’m used to back home, but this is probably the top spot behind Viva. It’s located on Blair Street off Courtenay Place, order the tacos and elote.

Flying Burrito Brothers

An NZ chain, but does the job if you are craving Mexican. You’ll find a few vegan options in each section of the menu.

Don’t miss

V1 Store

This full-vegan store has all your favourite treats including a candy (pick-your-own) bar, chocolate from across the globe, toiletries, kids’ books, vitamins and the list goes on. It’s located at the top of Cuba Street and also has an online shop!

The Sunday Harbourside market

Supermarket produce price is hefty at certain times of the year, but if you head to the waterfront you can find all your produce at a lwoer cost. Rows and rows of fruit, veg, herbs, and more are spread across a massive parking lot with a food truck lane nearby.

Waterfront Market - Sundays from 7am-3pm

Another market is set up at Victoria St as well as a Saturday (produce only) in Newtown.

And there you have it. The best vegan eats in Welly. Writing this post is making my belly rumble and my burger order from the Chippery is almost ready. Happy healthy eating!

x Viktoria