Wellington & Cuba St Guidebook

Graeme
Wellington & Cuba St Guidebook

Food Scene on Cuba St

Good bistros and cafes on/ near to Cuba St
Elegant, more refined lunch and dinner cafe/bistro. Good place to watch the Cuba St denizens pass by, if you can get the window tables.
38 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Olive Restaurant
170-172 Cuba St
38 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Elegant, more refined lunch and dinner cafe/bistro. Good place to watch the Cuba St denizens pass by, if you can get the window tables.
Great service. Real Thai flavours and spiciness....just get away from Kiwi mild and medium! Baked fish and Pad Thai v good Also BYO and Licenced.
Somtum Thai Restaurant
124 Cuba St
Great service. Real Thai flavours and spiciness....just get away from Kiwi mild and medium! Baked fish and Pad Thai v good Also BYO and Licenced.
Great pancakes and Indo/Pakastani food. 200m away down Cuba St. Bookings ESSENTIAL on Friday and Saturday nights. Extremely popular and crowded. If too busy, over the road is a v good vegetarian Cafe. and Saigon Van.
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Rasa
200 Cuba Street
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Great pancakes and Indo/Pakastani food. 200m away down Cuba St. Bookings ESSENTIAL on Friday and Saturday nights. Extremely popular and crowded. If too busy, over the road is a v good vegetarian Cafe. and Saigon Van.
very good Vietnamese prawn pancake. Opposite Rasa. Owner Henry very friendly. Licensed.
Saigon Van Grill Bar
201 Cuba St
very good Vietnamese prawn pancake. Opposite Rasa. Owner Henry very friendly. Licensed.
good fish and chips.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Wellington Seamarket
220 Cuba St
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
good fish and chips.
Arguably the best silver service restaurant in town. Also has a lunch and early evening bistro priced menu.
41 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Logan Brown Restaurant
192 Cuba St
41 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Arguably the best silver service restaurant in town. Also has a lunch and early evening bistro priced menu.
Great cafe/bistro food, crowded busy atmosphere, for lunch, can eat out on the "terrace ". Owner very involved in presenting a quality product. Closes mid-afternoon. Up the South end of Cuba St, before Karo Drive.
73 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Fidel's Cafe
234 Cuba St
73 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Great cafe/bistro food, crowded busy atmosphere, for lunch, can eat out on the "terrace ". Owner very involved in presenting a quality product. Closes mid-afternoon. Up the South end of Cuba St, before Karo Drive.

Cafes, Pubs and Bars worth going to on Cuba and Courtney Pl

Pubs and Bars worth going to in Wellington, on Courtney Place.
Good bar with music most nights. Has a dining area and private booths. Happy hours and can drink on Cuba St. Very rocky Friday and Saturday nights. Has specials for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. Gambling room and upstairs many pool tables. Very popular with Uni students.
J J Murphy & Co.
119 Cuba St
Good bar with music most nights. Has a dining area and private booths. Happy hours and can drink on Cuba St. Very rocky Friday and Saturday nights. Has specials for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. Gambling room and upstairs many pool tables. Very popular with Uni students.
Quite a rowdy pub, with all ethnicities mingling. A bit scruffy. Has good quizz and Karoeke evenings. Large pool table area out back, and smallish very busy Gambling area near front door, with air con and nicer toilet. Has proper cash payout machine.
The Residence
122 Courtenay Place
Quite a rowdy pub, with all ethnicities mingling. A bit scruffy. Has good quizz and Karoeke evenings. Large pool table area out back, and smallish very busy Gambling area near front door, with air con and nicer toilet. Has proper cash payout machine.
Nicer spacious bar. Good chips. Sports on big screen sometimes. Nice snooker bar upstairs and Poker some nights.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hotel Bristol
131-133 Cuba St
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Nicer spacious bar. Good chips. Sports on big screen sometimes. Nice snooker bar upstairs and Poker some nights.
Upmarket atmosphere and beautifully decorated. Frozen tequila was good and strong and went well with my pizza, last time I went
The Garden Hotel
Upmarket atmosphere and beautifully decorated. Frozen tequila was good and strong and went well with my pizza, last time I went
Intimate, quirky bar, upstairs, with lots of alcoves. On Courtney Place, near Tory St corner - not obvious doorway
83 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Library
53 Courtenay Pl
83 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Intimate, quirky bar, upstairs, with lots of alcoves. On Courtney Place, near Tory St corner - not obvious doorway

Neighbourhoods

The small capital city with most things in walking distance. Te Papa, Cable Car, Parliament and tour, Lambton Quay and Willis St shopping, the waterfront walk, querky Cuba St and Courtney Place bars. Great coffee places and numerous brew bars too.
Compact Capital city of NZ. Lovely harbourside walk from Blue Bridge Ferry around to Oriental Bay, past TePapa National Museum, Wellington Maritime Museum, and numerous bars and cafes. New display place opened over the road from Te Papa with a black, curving structure.
38 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Wellington
38 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Compact Capital city of NZ. Lovely harbourside walk from Blue Bridge Ferry around to Oriental Bay, past TePapa National Museum, Wellington Maritime Museum, and numerous bars and cafes. New display place opened over the road from Te Papa with a black, curving structure.
Great street to experience Wellington
171 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cuba Street
151 Cuba St
171 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Great street to experience Wellington
Lots of bars and cafes. Night-life goes off on Friday and Saturday nights.
100 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Courtenay Place
Courtenay Place
100 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lots of bars and cafes. Night-life goes off on Friday and Saturday nights.
Main shopping street of Wellington.
Lambton Quay
Lambton Quay
Main shopping street of Wellington.
2nd best street for shopping More intimate than Lambton Quay.
Willis Street
Willis Street
2nd best street for shopping More intimate than Lambton Quay.
Quaint shopping and brewery
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Aro Valley
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Quaint shopping and brewery
Best lookout.
Roseneath
Best lookout.
Cafes, pool and small sandy sheltered beach.
93 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Oriental Bay
93 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cafes, pool and small sandy sheltered beach.
Rugged beach and hill top walkways. Rocky shore and inlet. Big surf - take care. No shops or food outlets at Makara. The road to the Electric turbines is worthwhile, with good views and the start of the cliff top walk. Take a coat - very windy!
Makara
Rugged beach and hill top walkways. Rocky shore and inlet. Big surf - take care. No shops or food outlets at Makara. The road to the Electric turbines is worthwhile, with good views and the start of the cliff top walk. Take a coat - very windy!
23 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Makara Beach
23 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The 803 bus stops at the Police station on Jackson St. Petone train station is 2 km away, at the West end of Jackson St. Also at the West end of Jackson are PaknSave, Countdown, Briscoes, Bunnings, and The Warehouse. Also Kathmandu and Kmart.
Jackson Street
Jackson Street
The 803 bus stops at the Police station on Jackson St. Petone train station is 2 km away, at the West end of Jackson St. Also at the West end of Jackson are PaknSave, Countdown, Briscoes, Bunnings, and The Warehouse. Also Kathmandu and Kmart.
Large city near Wellington. Has the largest shopping mall in the Wellington region - Westfield. Has Farmers, Countdown and The Warehouse as the main tenants. The 81, 83 and 84 buses all stop there
Lower Hutt City
Large city near Wellington. Has the largest shopping mall in the Wellington region - Westfield. Has Farmers, Countdown and The Warehouse as the main tenants. The 81, 83 and 84 buses all stop there
Very popular, inner city beach and large promemade, around the Bay. Overlooked by some of the highest priced properties in NZ. A number of good cafes and bistros. The bay has the start of the road to Mt Victoria. Continuing on from Oriental Bay, the road winds along Evans Bay past the airport, and the drive to Seatoun Beach is well worthwhile, with 2 quirky cafes on the way.
Oriental Bay Beach
Very popular, inner city beach and large promemade, around the Bay. Overlooked by some of the highest priced properties in NZ. A number of good cafes and bistros. The bay has the start of the road to Mt Victoria. Continuing on from Oriental Bay, the road winds along Evans Bay past the airport, and the drive to Seatoun Beach is well worthwhile, with 2 quirky cafes on the way.
This is a south facing pebbly and steepish, bush backed bay. It is favoured by nudists, though clothed swimming is tolerated! Very strong undertow, so not good for children. Very cold in a Southerly, but sheltered in the NWester. At the top of the hill behind the bay is an interesting walkway, past WW2 gun towers and lookouts.
Breaker Bay, Seatoun, Wellington 6022, Nueva Zelanda
This is a south facing pebbly and steepish, bush backed bay. It is favoured by nudists, though clothed swimming is tolerated! Very strong undertow, so not good for children. Very cold in a Southerly, but sheltered in the NWester. At the top of the hill behind the bay is an interesting walkway, past WW2 gun towers and lookouts.

Pub Music

Free music in some of the friendliest Pubs in town.
Friendly, packed place on Friday and Saturday nights. Friendly staff. Good range of pub food. Often has live rock bands. Check on the Eventfinder App, under free music In Wellington.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Green Man Pub
25 Victoria St
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Friendly, packed place on Friday and Saturday nights. Friendly staff. Good range of pub food. Often has live rock bands. Check on the Eventfinder App, under free music In Wellington.
Good pub for free, GOOD BLUES / ROCK MUSIC on Friday nights. Also a safe place with diligent doormen..
Jack Hackett's Irish Pub
Good pub for free, GOOD BLUES / ROCK MUSIC on Friday nights. Also a safe place with diligent doormen..
A busy pub, full on Friday and Saturday nights. Has alot of booths, good for groups, and a dance floor. Usually live music on those nights, that rock from 9 to 11
J J Murphy & Co.
119 Cuba St
A busy pub, full on Friday and Saturday nights. Has alot of booths, good for groups, and a dance floor. Usually live music on those nights, that rock from 9 to 11

Sightseeing

Places to see in the Wellington area
Roses, good cafe, hot house, and access to Botanical Gardens
Lady Norwood Rose Garden
Lady Norwood Rose Garden
Roses, good cafe, hot house, and access to Botanical Gardens
Extensive and interesting zoo, with feeding times on the website. Quite hilly and can be windy - take hat, coat and water. Free parking, or easy to get there by Newtown bus.
115 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Zoológico de Wellington
200 Daniell St
115 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Extensive and interesting zoo, with feeding times on the website. Quite hilly and can be windy - take hat, coat and water. Free parking, or easy to get there by Newtown bus.
If you like walks and native bush, and its near Wellington city this is good. Look at their website for specials, and tours. Has an information centre and snacks too.
255 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
ZEALANDIA Ecosanctuary
53 Waiapu Road
255 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
If you like walks and native bush, and its near Wellington city this is good. Look at their website for specials, and tours. Has an information centre and snacks too.
Great wild life place for kids. Food, with coffee available. Quite long drive through Upper Hutt, bendy road but nice, in the hills.
38 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Reserva de Vida Silvestre y Cafetería Staglands
2362 Akatarawa Rd
38 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Great wild life place for kids. Food, with coffee available. Quite long drive through Upper Hutt, bendy road but nice, in the hills.

Best beaches

On a fine day, crowded with all sorts, from "thong wearing girls" to old people sunning on the promenade's walls. Great cafes over the road, and a Freyburg public pools, ( with a spa pool) at the West end of the beach.
Oriental Bay Beach
On a fine day, crowded with all sorts, from "thong wearing girls" to old people sunning on the promenade's walls. Great cafes over the road, and a Freyburg public pools, ( with a spa pool) at the West end of the beach.
Cute, intimate, semi sandy beach about 3 km walk from Oriental Bay. Has changing sheds
Hataitai Beach, Hataitai, Te Whanganui-a-Tara 6021, Nueva Zelanda
Cute, intimate, semi sandy beach about 3 km walk from Oriental Bay. Has changing sheds
This beach has everything, with the Wellington East by West ferry, and a sheltered, sandy beach. Over the road, are 2 parks for family gatherings, and ball games, next to the cafe/pizza/ bistro pub called The Pavillion, and the duck pond, and the entrances to bush walks. 100m along the road to the South are a licenced restaurant - Sea Salt - and 2 cafes, serving until 4pm. The 803 bus stops at Days Bay, and can take you onto Eastbourne or back to Lower Hutt, Petone and Wellington and Courtney Place.
Days Bay Beach
This beach has everything, with the Wellington East by West ferry, and a sheltered, sandy beach. Over the road, are 2 parks for family gatherings, and ball games, next to the cafe/pizza/ bistro pub called The Pavillion, and the duck pond, and the entrances to bush walks. 100m along the road to the South are a licenced restaurant - Sea Salt - and 2 cafes, serving until 4pm. The 803 bus stops at Days Bay, and can take you onto Eastbourne or back to Lower Hutt, Petone and Wellington and Courtney Place.
The biggest, but very calm and shallow beach in Wellington. Perfect for kids. Dont go there in a Southerly wind though - freezing! It is about 4 km long, and has a couple of cafes , one near Beach St, and the other by the kids playground at the East end. A 400m walk northwards up Beach St or Cuba St takes you to Jackson St with lots of bars shops and cafes. The ferry does not stop at the wharf, as it is closed for rebuilding. The 803 bus stops at the Police station on Jackson St. Petone train station is 2 km away, at the West end of Jackson St. Also at this end of Jackson are PaknSave, Countdown Briscoes, Bunnings, and The Warehouse.
Petone Beach, Te Whanga-nui-a-Tara 5012, Nueva Zelanda
The biggest, but very calm and shallow beach in Wellington. Perfect for kids. Dont go there in a Southerly wind though - freezing! It is about 4 km long, and has a couple of cafes , one near Beach St, and the other by the kids playground at the East end. A 400m walk northwards up Beach St or Cuba St takes you to Jackson St with lots of bars shops and cafes. The ferry does not stop at the wharf, as it is closed for rebuilding. The 803 bus stops at the Police station on Jackson St. Petone train station is 2 km away, at the West end of Jackson St. Also at this end of Jackson are PaknSave, Countdown Briscoes, Bunnings, and The Warehouse.

Food Scene

Thai Tara or Yor Yak Thai restaurant. Interesting, yummy menu, but take your reading glasses - small print. Pays to book on Friday’s, Saturday and Sunday. They deliver with DeliverEasy.
Thai Tara Restaurant
111 Vivian St
Thai Tara or Yor Yak Thai restaurant. Interesting, yummy menu, but take your reading glasses - small print. Pays to book on Friday’s, Saturday and Sunday. They deliver with DeliverEasy.
Now called Yor Yak. Chef from North Thailand so lots of interesting Isan-style dishes. Book ahead for Friday and Saturday. BYO and Licensed.
Thai Tara Restaurant
111 Vivian St
Now called Yor Yak. Chef from North Thailand so lots of interesting Isan-style dishes. Book ahead for Friday and Saturday. BYO and Licensed.
Great Chinese food, and very generous servings. Fully licenced. Does Yum Char most days at lunch. On Courtney Place, on the South Side. almost at the East end of the street. Bookings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday advisable
Majestic Cuisine
11B Courtenay Pl
Great Chinese food, and very generous servings. Fully licenced. Does Yum Char most days at lunch. On Courtney Place, on the South Side. almost at the East end of the street. Bookings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday advisable