Hutt ValleyEat & Drink
The interior of Seashor Cabaret, a diner located on The Esplanade and Sidney Street in Petone, with four vintage arcade games, two taxidermy deer heads on the wall, two large tables with eight chairs each and three wood booths with eight customers seated.

Seashore Cabaret

Eclectic and quirky, Seashore Cabaret serves up fun and fast diner food with views across the Petone foreshore.

Seashore Cabaret makes dining fun. Big on personality with a lively atmosphere, this busy café is the perfect pick-me-up on your seaside stroll.

Housed in the historic Petone Rowing Club, you’ll find nods to the café’s history all around. There’s an eclectic mix of vintage, retro, and diner memorabilia. Pinball machines and amusements line the back wall, merry-go-round horses swing from the ceiling, and giant taxidermy fish swim overhead. It’s a jumble of carnival objects but in the best possible way.

A waiter at Seashore Cabaret makes a coffee.

The menu is filled with food that’s family-friendly and fun to eat. Curly fries, ice cream and soda floats, and extra thick thick-shakes. Seasonal salads, vegan bowls, and freshly squeezed orange juice are on offer for those craving a bit of greenery.

The cabinet is always full of sandwiches, cakes, slices and cookies. The drinks menu offers iced drinks, smoothies, local craft beers, and a small selection of cocktails. Good Fortune Coffee fills your caffeine needs.

The bustling 100-plus seater café overlooks the foreshore with views across the Cook Strait on a clear day. On sunny weekends a queue forms with customers eager to secure a spot on the outdoor deck. Service is fast, friendly and efficient, and worth the wait.

The eclectic interior of Seashore Cabaret café.

Looking for more?

The exterior of Maranui Café, inside the Lyall Bay surf lifesaving club. The building is white with red accents and cars are parked outside.

Drink in the views at Maranui Café

Hearty breakfasts come with a side of incredible views and retro décor at this quintessential Wellington experience.

The cabinet food behind the glass at Nikau cafe, with a waiter behind the counter.

Good coffee and seasonal food at Nikau Café

Brunch classics, famous kedgeree, and some of the best cheese scones in town.

The front counter at Twenty Eight Cafe, located at 28 Cornwall Street in Lower Hutt, with two people working.

Twenty Eight

Twenty Eight specialises in modern brunch and lunch dishes that showcase the changing seasons.

A chef from Scopa making pizzas with their back turned, wearing a yellow Scopa shirt.

Get a taste of Italy at Scopa

Owned a run by a pair of brothers, this Cuba Street institution serves up wood-fired pizzas and old-school charm.

The interior of Prefab Eatery, a restaurant located on Jessie Street and Ebor Street in Te Aro Wellington, is filled with people enjoying food and drinks.

Prefab

Go where the locals go at this stylish inner city café and bakery.

A chef working in the kitchen at 1154 Pastaria on Cuba Street.

1154 Pastaria

Pasta pioneers 1154 merge modern flavours with traditional techniques in delicious plates of carby goodness.

Different tables with people dining and drinking wine at Astoria in Wellington.

Astoria

A downtown Wellington classic, where deals are made over great coffee and great food.

Exterior shot of The Martinborough Hotel, a Victorian era building surrounded by trees and pedestrians.

Union Square Bistro & Bar

Elegant bistro dining meets classic country pub in the historic Martinborough Hotel.

Wide view looking into the interior of August Eatery in Wellington. With people sitting at tables talking and the barista filling the coffee beans.

August Eatery

From the glow of its walls to the menu, August serves up a warm Mediterranean twist on flavour and feel.

The rustic outdoor dining area of Fidels with a customer sitting down and drinking.

Fidel’s

At the top of eclectic Cuba Street, Fidel’s Café is a Wellington institution serving Cuban coffee, “good, honest food” and a bohemian atmosphere.