Wellington adventure: Explore the culinary capital
TOAST MARTINBOROUGH
Toast Martinborough, 20 November, showcases smaller wineries alongside top local favourites that have put Martinborough on the map as one of New Zealand’s top wine destinations. Add a range of delicious food offerings from well-known caterers and restaurants from across Wellington and Wairarapa, top it off with fantastic live music and non-stop entertainment, and you might just have the best Sunday ever. The premier wine and food event often sells out, so book early to avoid disappointment.
KUIKUI LANE
Inspired by the kui (nans) of the world, past and present, Kuikui Lane has opened on Wellington’s Victoria Street. Manaakitanga (hospitality and care) is front of mind at this cosy spot. It is a relaxed environment where you are always taken care of and can be yourself, just like at Nan’s house. Māori influence is weaved throughout the whole space. Order from the menu that’s in te reo, and pick from food and drink that’s locally sourced, such as Māori flatbread parāoa pohema and kumara chips.
LIBERTY
Liberty is the latest venture from Steve Logan of Wellington’s fine-dining institution Logan Brown. The Cuba Street restaurant offers a range of different sized dishes, depending on your party size (and hunger levels). A menu made to be shared, the food is intriguing and comes from all over – you’ll be hard-pressed to nail down a category of cuisine, apart from very, very good.
libertyrestaurant.co.nz
BEERVANA
Expand your mind and enter the immersive beer wonderland that is Beervana, 19–20 August. As New Zealand’s pinnacle celebration of good beer, a new experience awaits around every twist and turn. This two-day festival at Wellington’s Sky Stadium attracts more than 16,000 attendees – with over half of them visiting from out of town.
VISA WOAP
Visa Wellington On a Plate is back this August, and foodies around the country are already salivating. Make sure you check out when your festival favourite is on: Dine Wellington and Cocktail Wellington both start on 1 August, and Burger Wellington from 12 August. How many burgers are too many burgers? Don’t answer that; just go with your gut.
MABEL’S
Just a stone’s throw from Courtenay Place, Mabel’s is a Burmese restaurant that will transport you to the heart of Myanmar with every forkful of noodles and sip of broth. Head in with friends for a meal that will warm both your belly and soul and take in the atmosphere of a restaurant that has been generations in the making.