Ten Must-Try Foodie Experiences in Wellington

Wellington is undoubtedly a foodie paradise. With new outposts and cuisines popping up in the most unassuming places each week, we took the time to prepare our list of the city's best, most adventurous, and downright damn good dishes for you to sink your teeth into. Bon appetite.

Fisherman's Plate

SOUL-WARMING PHO FROM FISHERMAN'S PLATE

We all know that more often than not, the best food comes from the most unassuming places, and the Pho at Fisherman's Plate is no exception. The soul-warming broth is a feel good dish that delights your tastebuds with every mouthful, and offers a traditional tender beef option or more adventurous lemongrass and ginger sautéed lamb. Don't stress about making the wrong decision, because it's so delicious you'll be back to do it all over again the next day.

12 Bond Street, Te Aro.

LA JOUE DE BEOUF FROM HIPPOPOTAMUS

Other times, you will find the most delightful tastes and the most obvious spots, and Hippopotamus is hand's down jaw dropping. While impossible to put our finger on just one dish to try, the pursestrings aren't likely to allow you a taste of everything. The chefs know that every bite on a plate counts; their entry for the 2018 Silver Fern Award makes no exception. The French fine dining restaurant created a modern take on beef bourguignon, with La Joue de Boeuf, slow-braised beef cheeks resting on black trumpet mushroom polenta and pickled red onions, paired perfectly with sautéed bacon and shitake mushrooms.

90 Cable Street, Te Aro.

HALOUMI SOUVLAKI FROM THE GREEK FOOD TRUCK

A Wellington take on a Greek street food classic, the off-menu morsel is a foodie's go-to. To the unaware, a gyro could look like another regular wrap, but after a first bite you realise that the delicious flatbread, smothered with tzatziki and bursting with vegetables and squeaky cheese is home to a generous portion of fresh fries. A heavenly bite of soft savoury goodness leaves your mouth hankering for another bite; it doubles as the perfect date night picnic snack and the most delicious on the go bite with friends.

Various locations in the city.

PUNJABI POUTINE FROM BURGER LIQUOR

Even food snobs love fries done well. But what the team at Burger Liquor has mastered really brings them to the next level. In a Canada meets India mash up, crinkle cut fries are smothered in a creamy butter chicken sauce with hints of garlic. It's then finished off with the city's finest mozzarella. A staple on the Willis Street haunt's menu for years, but a secret amongst those enjoying its mouth-watering goodness.

129 Willis Street, Te Aro.

BANG BANG CHICKEN SALAD FROM APACHE

Fusion is any foodie's favourite; they get the chance to sample as many flavours and cuisines as possible. The French-Vietnamese-inspired dishes at Apache do no less, and Bang Bang Chicken Salad is at the top of the list. Combining fresh with fruity, sweet with spicy, and light with just enough crunch, this salad is one of the city's favourites. Coriander is a make or break for many, but in this sumptuous salad it complements the flavours exuding from the poached chicken. It's also topped with just enough mango to get your five plus a day.

122 Wakefield Street, Te Aro.

CHILLI OIL DUMPLINGS FROM RAMS

If you know dumplings, you know Rams. For the most authentic experience in the city call past the Cuba Street outpost for the famous chilli oil dumplings. Often overlooked in favour of the regular dumplings, you soon realise that good things come in small packages, and are often smothered in a delicious sauce. You can choose from their variety of flavours, although we recommend the pork and fennel or the prawn, egg and chive. Drown the parcels in the sauce, a combination of spice and a hint of freshness.

171 Cuba Street, Te Aro.

ASADO FROM EL MATADOR

Calling all meat lovers, this Argentinian barbeque is a dream come true. A traditional way of preparing food for centuries, and a traditional event. Asado is the Spanish word for meats that are cooked on a grill or open fire. And the asado from El Matador is no less than traditional. The servings are generous and sumptuous, but change daily between lamb, chicken, pork and beef. Just when you thought the perfectly grilled meats couldn't get any more mouthwatering, they're served up with chimichurri, tender chapa potatoes and a fresh, crispy salad.

196 Cuba Street, Te Aro.

THREE COURSE SET MENU FROM RITA

It's hard to pin down a single dish at Rita, as the menu changes with the weather, but that's the beauty of this Aro Valley outpost. The menu is inspired by fresh seasonal produce and what ever the kitchen team feels like creating. We've never heard a bad word about the dishes. The meals are inspiring and risk taking, but play on traditional flavours we all know and love. A recent hit was the grilled kingfish with spicy cabbage and apple slaw, kohlrabi and lime crema. The wine matches also bring the flavours to new heights.

89 Aro Street, Aro Valley.

SALTED CARAMEL COOKIES FROM LEEDS STREET BAKERY

Not necessarily a meal, but no less deserving of a recommendation. These are the melt in your mouth cookies from the infamous alleyway bakery. Known by almost everyone in the city, your tastebuds need a nibble on this much loved biscuit. They're the perfect median of crunchy but soft, and sweet but not sickly. We won't judge you if you pop back in for seconds.

14 Leeds Street, Te Aro.

CANNELLONI DI MAMMA MARCELLA FROM CICIO CACIO OSTERIA

Tucked behind a well-known Newtown bar, you're not likely to find more authentic Italian in the country itself. And in a kitchen bursting with love and passion for food, you're not likely to find any dish more authentic than their mother's famous cannelloni. Without making a big call Cannelloni di Mamma Marcella might just be the best Italian dish I have enjoyed in my life. You can taste the flavours in the cheese, the freshness of the hand-made pasta and the delight of the rich, creamy filling. To top it all off, the duo is smothered in a traditional sauce that leaves you wanting to lick your plate clean and take it to the kitchen for seconds. Not to mention it pairs beautifully with their massive selection of Italian red wines.

167 Riddiford Street, Newtown.