Wellington Food Guide: 10 Delicious Must-Try Cheap Eats

Last Updated On 6th February 2024 By Lauren | Wild Lovely World

Visiting Wellington on a budget but still want to sample its delicious delights? Look no further than this Wellington Food Guide! In this post, discover the 10 best places for must-try cheap eats.

On my trip to Wellington, I was keen to try out lots of different eateries and I didn’t hold back! I discovered some really awesome foodie spots which I wanted to share with you in this Wellington Food Guide. All of these joints offer delicious, handcrafted food made with love. Many of them have become famous over time and even Wellington icons for their consistently good food.

This food guide brings you the best of Wellington’s street food, cafes and pubs. I hope you find this Wellington Food Guide useful and get a chance to visit some (if not all!) of these delicious must-try cheap eats.

Wellington Good Food Guide For Food Lovers On A Budget

The 10 Most Delicious Wellington Must-Try Cheap Eats

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While you’re here, you might like my post on the best free and cheap things to do in Wellington!: 10 Best Free Things To See & Do In Wellington

Check out my New Zealand Travel Guide for awesome travel tips

1. Wellington Chocolate Factory

Discover hand-crafted chocolate in Wellington’s capital at the Wellington Chocolate Factory. Head into their Eva Street location to see chocolate being churned, mochas being brewed and blocks being tasted! You can pick up a bar to take home from the shop. I recommend the classic milk chocolate ($10), but there are plenty of flavours to choose from!

Wellington Chocolate Factory is open Tues – Sun 10.00 – 16.00. Check out their website here.

2. Pizza Pomodoro

Grab a delicious Neapolitan pizza at Pizza Pomodoro. Their award-winning pizza is hand-rolled and baked in a wood-fired oven.

Want to chill with a beer while you have your pizza? Take your order over the road to Golding’s Free Dive to enjoy it with a drink.

Check out Pizza Pomodoro’s website for its menu and opening times.

3. Fix & Fogg

Is anyone as obsessed with nut butter as I am? Get your fix at Fix & Fogg’s nut butter window at Eva Street in Wellington. They’re serving up delicious slices of peanut butter toast, porridge, smoothies and coffee. Yum!

Fix & Fogg’s nut butter window is open Tues – Fri 8.00 – 14.00 and Sat – Sun 9.00 – 15.00. Check out their website here.

4. Leeds Street Bakery

Get a sweet treat from the award-winning Leeds Street Bakery. Be sure to get there early to try their famous Salted Caramel Cookie ($5) which is delicious and has become something of a Wellington icon.

Leeds Street Bakery is open Tues – Sat 8.00 – 14.30 and Sun 9.00 – 14.30. Check out their website here.

5. Tommy Millions

The perfect spot for a quiet bite to eat, grab a slice (from $6) or whole 18-inch pizza at Tommy Millions on Courtenay Place.

Check out Tommy Millions’ website for their menu and opening times.

6. The Little Waffle Shop

Enjoy dessert at any time of the day at the cutest littlest waffle shop. Located on Courtenay Place, The Little Waffle Shop serves up delicious waffles cooked right in front of you while you wait.

Try it out on a Wednesday and get the Waffle Of The Week for only $5 all day long.

Check out The Little Waffle Shop’s website for their menu and opening times.

Looking for more fun things to do in New Zealand’s capital city? You might like this post: 10 Best Free Things To Do In Wellington

7. LUCKY

Try Lucky’s delicious chicken or halloumi (or both) burgers at Courtenay Place. I recommend the single Bomber burger ($14) with combo gravy fries ($5). Wellington’s street food at its finest!

Check out LUCKY’s website for its menu and opening times.

8. The Chippery

Highly rated fish and chip shop The Chippery could be the spot for a tasty lunch or dinner. They offer delicious food, made from scratch with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

Get their weekday express lunch special deal including fish, chips, slaw, sauce and soft drink for only $15.

Check The Chippery’s website for their menu, locations and opening times.

9. Choice Bros

Head to Choice Bros on Ghunzee St for some tasty fare. I recommend trying the jalapeno poppers with coriander and whipped feta ($16) – they are seriously yum! Wash it down with craft beer from their own in-house brewery.

Go on a Tuesday at 19.00 to join their FREE weekly, five-round pub quiz! Much fun!

Choice Bros is open Tues – Fri 11.00 – Late and Sat 10.00 – Late. Check out their website here.

10. Maranui Cafe

Chill with a tasty brunch and milkshake at the funky, beach-inspired hot spot Maranui Cafe. Located at the old 1911 Surf Life Saving Club at Lyall Beach, this cool diner has a relaxed and nostalgic vibe. You might be waiting for a table as Maranui Cafe is popular! The locals love it as do visiting royals – Megan Markle and Prince Harry went there in 2018.

Maranui Cafe is open Mon – Thurs 7.00 – 16.00 and Fri – Sun 8.00 – 17.00. Check out their website here.

Other Awesome Things To Do In Wellington

Free Activities In Wellington

Discover the best FREE things to see and do in Wellington in my guide: 10 Best Free Things To Do In Wellington

Fancy doing a stunning coastal hike just 45 minutes from Wellington by train? Make a day trip to the Escarpment Track: A Beautiful Walk From Paekakariki to Pukerua Bay on the Kapiti Coast.

Book Tours & Activities In Wellington With Viator & Get Your Guide

Want more to do in Wellington? Check out these tours!

Where To Stay In Wellington

Looking for a place to stay in Wellington? Here are my recommendations of where to stay.

Recommended Accommodation In Wellington

Freedom Camping: Evan’s Bay Marina

There are very limited options of where to freedom camp in Wellington. The best freedom camping spot is Evan’s Bay Marina. Freedom campers can stay there for a maximum of 4 consecutive nights in one calendar month. There are toilets open all night and plenty of roomy parking spaces. This spot is popular with large motorhomes and caravans as well as car campers and campervans. It is along a busy road, but a short walk to a big supermarket and a bus stop. Take the bus or walk into the centre of town (around 30 minutes).

Once you’ve used up all your nights, there is another freedom camping at Owhiro Bay Parade on the coast. Again, there is a toilet open all night and you can stay for 4 nights. However, this spot is very far from town. I recommend staying overnight at one of the options below.

For more detailed information on freedom camping in Wellington, read this post: The Best Freedom Camping Spots In Wellington City.

Want to know all about buying a campervan in New Zealand? Check out this post: 10 Key Things You Need To Know Before You Buy A Campervan In New Zealand

Budget: The Dwellington, Thorndon, Wellington

We stayed at The Dwellington* on two occasions for a few nights during our time in Wellington. The Dwellington Hostel was recommended to us by our friends. We were very happy with our stay at this hostel. It’s very comfy and cosy and has all the facilities you would ever want and more. There’s a spacious, well-equipped and organised kitchen, shared dining area, a relaxing living room and a cinema suite. There are lots of clean toilets and powerful, hot showers. As a bonus, guests have access to the sauna and tennis courts next door. We stayed in a dorm for our first stay and a private room for our second stay. Both were really comfortable. The staff are welcoming and friendly. I highly recommend The Dwellington*! Check for prices and availability at The Dwellington here* (Booking).

Mid-Range: The Crescent Studio Apartment, Roseneath, Wellington

Stay at this luxurious and romantic studio apartment in Wellington with stunning harbour views! The Crescent* is a studio apartment with everything you will need for a comfortable stay. With one bedroom, bathroom, dining area, kitchenette and patio. The location is close enough to the city but allows you to enjoy the peace and quiet of the sea and beach. Rated 9.4/10 by guests! Check for prices and availability at The Crescent Studio Apartment here* (Booking).

Luxury: Intercontinental Wellington, Wellington Central, Wellington

The beautiful 5-star Intercontinental hotel* is in a perfect location by the harbour waterfront. Guests can enjoy elegant rooms which are spacious and well furnished. As well as a restaurant, fitness centre, restaurants and bar, the Intercontinental also features an indoor heated pool, spa and sauna. You’re bound to have a fabulous time staying here! Check for prices and availability at the Intercontinental Wellington here (Booking)*.

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Looking for more awesome stuff to do in Wellington? Check out these posts:

• The Best Freedom Camping Spots In Wellington City
• Wellington Food Guide: 10 Delicious Must-Try Cheap Eats
• 12 Best Free Things To See & Do In Wellington
• Escarpment Track: A Beautiful Walk From Paekakariki to Pukerua Bay

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