The Ten Best Vegetarian Cafes in Wellington

Leaf eaters, we know the sorrows that abysmally limited vegetarian choices cause, we too have have experienced firsthand the horrors of having to order chicken salad-minus-the-chicken or that drape vegetable couscous that tastes like everything else in the cabinet, except a little bit staler.

Luckily, we live in Wellington, where enlightenment and the rising numbers of folks swapping the steak for tofu mean that the cafe and restaurant industry have responded to market demands with a delicious offering of vegetarian/vegetarian-friendly dishes which don't just double up as rabbit food.

Here are some of our favourites:

1. Nikau Café

Vegetarians rejoice, for the crew at Nikau know how to look after you. Of the eleven current seasonal lunch menu options, Nikau offers seven completely vegetarian (take away the cheese and most become vegan) choices. And the entire breakfast menu is vegetarian - that's right, no meat in sight unless you pay extra for it of course.

Try the golden beet and lentil salad with sorrel yogurt ($11), or the more substantial pan-fried corn polenta with slow-roasted zucchinis with basil, goats cheese and olives ($24.50). Nikau has a lot to offer, and I'm not just commenting on the food; location, atmosphere, delicious coffee, a sunny courtyard, an ever-changing seasonal menu, fresh local produce and warm marinated olives ($6).

Situated right next to the Wellington City Art Gallery, and with doors that lead you out into civil square, this is the top place to go next time your ethical mates are in town, or if you are looking to treat yo' self.

101 Wakefield Street, Te Aro

2. Deluxe Café

The name says it all really, as Deluxe enjoys a solid reputation as 'the' place to go for their gluten-free, vegan-friendly and vegetarian fare. Roll the dice and see if they land on double six, it means your coffee's free. Opened in 1989 and as one of the first late-night cafes in Wellington situated at the end of Courtney Street right next the Embassy theatre, Deluxe has seen it all. Havana coffee and Deluxe have enjoyed a long friendship, and boy do their baristas make a good one. If coffee isn't your jam, then try an iced chocolate ($6.50) or a Foxton Fizz ($4.50). Food-wise Deluxe knows what they are doing, offering up cabinet fare that changes daily. The vegan sandwich is forever popular, the roast veg pizza is heavenly ($7.50), and the collection of gluten-free muffins, pies and cakes is like the cherry on top of a diet/lifestyle/intolerant-friendly sundae.

10 Kent Terrace, Mount Victoria

3. Midnight Espresso

No best vegetarian café list would be complete without this Wellington jewel, nay, institution on the list. Midnight Espresso boasts a superior location in the middle of Cuba Street, incredible coffee at unbelievable prices, like the $2.50 long black, and then there is the spread of counter food that greets you as you line up to order, laid out it all its kitsch 70's goodness - flowers, leaves, and fruit kebab skewers are just some of the decorative flare we've witnessed. Offering a substantial menu and open late into the night, try the vegan nachos, one of the many baked goods or go for a good old tofu sandwich ($9.50). You can thank us later.

178 Cuba Street, Te Aro

4. Pranah Café

Pranah is a fully vegetarian cafe with a great range of clearly labelled gluten-free/vegan options and interesting, fresh flavours. There is so much to pick from, whether out of the fully stocked cabinet or off the chalkboard menu. Offering huge portion sizes and great coffee as well as more than reasonable prices, Pranah is worth a trip to their Newtown premises. As their website states, they only use certified fairtrade products from the coffee beans to the china, and have a good ethos to boot: "through sustainable practices such as reducing, reusing, recycling, composting and monitoring energy efficiency, Pranah lessens the environmental footprint on its mission", they proudly state online.

120 Riddiford Street, Newtown

5. Monterey

Monterey is the middle ground; it's the place to go when meeting a group of friends for that birthday dinner you don't want to be at, hoping to avoid the inevitable questions, comments and disbelieving stares heading your way when you again say that no, you still do not partake in the consumption of animal flesh. At Monterey, those disillusioned peeps will be too busy looking at their own huge plates to even raise their eyes to yours, which could contain the legendary haloumi, onion rings burger with salad, barbeque sauce and mayo on $10 burger-night Tuesday, a selection of the mainly meatless shared plate options ($6-$8.50), or even the b-e-a-u-tiful fried mushroom, capers, rocket and relish on sourdough toast (brunch menu-$9).

Whatever the aim, Monterey has you covered not only with dining options, but also with a big stake of coloured pencils to doodle on the paper-lined tables with. Paradise.

4 Rintoul Street, Newtown

6. Higher Taste Hare Krishna Restaurant

While not technically a café as we in Wellington may be familiar with, like all great Hare Krishna restaurants Higher Taste hails from a distant exotic country where Mango Lassies are the go-to dairy treat over your extra-large latte, so we're willing to make a few exceptions. Higher Taste has been serving up pure vegetarian soul food since it first opened its doors in two locations, one on the lower level of Old Bank's Arcade, the other in the Westfields Queensgate mall, Lower Hutt. On offer are many dishes with both Indian and Chinese roots, homemade Paneer cheese, sold as 'steaks' in rich curry sauces and yogurt used in the beautiful Lassies, not to mention a smorgasbord of lunch and dinner time choices, with options changing daily. Go on in, fill a plate high and enjoy the nourishing, delicious food, your body and soul will thank you.

Old Bank Arcade, Corner Customs-house Quay and Hunter Street

7. Baobab Café

There is a South African bar literally built in the middle of a Baobab tree, that's how big these fellows can get. While the Baobab Café located in Newtown, Wellington is definitely not inside a tree, it does boast huge atmosphere, sizeable vegetarian options and a well-deserved following. Baobab may be out of the way for some, but we guarantee the lure of the brunch menu will see you drawn to the comfy seats, as will the Friday night musical entertainment and dinner options.

152 Riddiford St, Newtown

8. Southern Cross

It isn't just vegetarians that Southern Cross caters for, it is literally everyone. If you're into knitting, salsa, learning the drums, playing bingo, quizzes, live music, outdoor movie nights, and child-focused entertainment Southern Cross is for you. Not only does Southern Cross offer a full range of cabinet food for those on the run, they offer breakfast, lunch and dinner options as well as shared plates, platters and even have local breweries on tap, Garage Project and Parrot Dog. Did we mention they're also a sustainable café too?

39 Abel Smith Street, Te Aro

9. Maranui Café

Lyall bay is for some a place of relaxed contemplation, where one can watch surfers trying their luck, and for others it means Maranui Café, the location - we opine - of the best brunches in town. The Victory Breakfast ($17.50) piled high with free range eggs on multigrain toast, baked mushrooms with pesto, fresh tomatoes, avocado and roast rosemary baby potatoes is a must have for anyone with a large appetite or a larger hangover, or if you're not all that hungry try a seaside tofu scramble made with stir-fried vegetables over mutli grain toast ($15)So much to offer, all with a sea view.

Lyall Parade, Lyall Bay

10. Aunty Mena's

Aunty Mena's 100% Vegetarian Restaurant does what the name implies and serves up delicious no fuss Chinese and Malaysian vegetarian and vegan food. Look past the outdated décor, and try a Nasi Goreang, or the beautiful Noodle Laska. Starting at $6 for an entrée and $11.50 for a main, this is a great, tasty and better yet affordable option of a lunch time treat or a dinner for the ages.

167 Cuba Street, Te Aro

Photo credit:
Pranah Cafe - by Lace Knickers
Deluxe Cafe - by Neatplaces

View all Wellington Cafes.