21 Wellington Bars and Restaurants that are the Perfect First Date Spot

Just try to have a bad night in one of these dimly-lit corners.
Lauren Harrigan
Published on February 16, 2016
  • Bar

    Hawthorn Lounge

    82 Tory Street, Te Aro

    A place where logophiles, gentlemen and Friends of Alcoholic Beverages can convene.

  • Restaurant

    Pan de Muerto CLOSED

    82 Tory Street, Te Aro

    It’s impossible to leave.

  • Bar

    Havana Bar

    32a - 34 Wigan Street, Wellington

    All the best nights out end at Havana. Maybe it’s the halloumi, maybe it’s the rum. But it’s probably the rum.

  • Restaurant

    Grill Meats Beer - CLOSED

    227 Cuba Street, Te Aro

    A burger bar with a renowned pedigree.

  • Restaurant

    Duke Carvell’s Emporium - CLOSED

    3 Swan Lane, Te Aro

    This place is everything you wish your home could be.

  • Cafe

    Sweet Mother's Kitchen

    5 Courtenay Place, Wellington

    New Orleans staples fused with Mexican snack food.

  • Bar

    Ancestral- CLOSED

    31-33 Courtenay Place, Te Aro

    The epitome of fine dining in Wellington.

  • Bar

    Alice

    Forresters Lane, Te Aro

    Follow the white rabbit.

  • Restaurant

    Chow

    Level 1, 45 Tory Street, Te Aro

    Chow does not fall neatly into any specific genre of restaurant or bar.

  • Bar

    CGR Merchant and Co

    46 Courtenay Place, Te Aro

    The Merch is a rum or gin lover’s holy grail.

  • Bar

    Matterhorn - CLOSED

    106 Cuba Street, Te Aro

    Matterhorn cannot be pigeonholed.

  • Bar

    Hanging Ditch

    14 Leeds Street, Te Aro

    Cocktails that are off the hook.

  • Restaurant

    Burger Liquor

    129 Willis Street, Wellington

    Burger Liquor knows that you can never have too much of a good thing.

  • Bar

    Hummingbird Eatery & Bar - CLOSED

    22 Courtenay Place, Wellington

    An establishment absolutely worthy of an encore.

  • Bar

    The Library

    53 Courtenay Place, Wellington

    An inconspicuous, book-lined institution.

  • Bar

    Poquito Cafe and Bar

    11 Tory Street, Wellington

    A little getaway in the hustle of central city.

  • Cafe

    Ombra

    199 Cuba Street, Wellington

    Your ticket to an Italian way of life.

  • Bar

    Monterey

    4 Rintoul Street

    A bar for the aspiring Van Gogh, or those who just like a good burger.

  • Bar

    Tequila Joe's

    43 Vivian St, Wellington

    Mexican food with a bit of Americana flavour that snuck over the border.

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