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Wellington Long Lunch Spots Perfect for a Relaxing Weekend

By Emma Jackson
Published 11 May 2026
Loretta
Photography: Courtesy of Loretta

Stuck on weekend plans? Or planning a lunch out in Wellington with family or friends? Luckily, Wellington is oozing with cultural and diverse culinary delights. Food lovers are always in for a treat in this artsy, colourful city. Indulge in a relaxing weekend, dining at one of Wellington’s best restaurants for a long lunch.  

 

Whether you prefer sparkling waterfront views and seafood, cosy Mediterranean-inspired venues, or wineries, we have gathered some of the 7 best spots in Wellington for a slow lunch, perfect for delicious food, ambience, and catching up with loved ones.  

  • Dockside Restaurant & Bar

    Shed 3, Queens Wharf, Wellington CBD

    Perched on Wellington’s waterfront, offering spectacular seaside views, Dockside Restaurant & Bar is a great spot for a long lunch. With alfresco dining and warm ambience, this is a great place to bring the family or a group of loved ones for a relaxing weekend, with plenty of options for different dietary needs, including a vegan menu. Dockside focuses on locally sourced and seasonal dishes, such as their famous in-house dry-aged beef.  

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  • The Arborist

    166 Willis Street, Te Aro
    It's perfect for rooftop cocktails and sunny afternoon hangs in the capital.
    You need to try house made pizzas and slushy cocktails
    Look out for leafy rooftop vibes, fairy lights and skyline snaps.

    Hoisted above the city streets, the Arborist is a great Wellington restaurant for a long lunch. With unique views of the cityscape and alfresco dining, it's the best place for sunny midday catch-ups, with fairy light decor. Homemade pizzas, share plates, and slushy cocktails come together to craft a relaxing weekend lunch, where the vibes are as high as the rooftop itself.  

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  • Loretta

    181 Cuba Street, Te Aro

    Open on weekends during lunch hours, Loretta is a great spot for a long midday feast with friends. This casual, contemporary restaurant serves a variety of Mediterranean dishes using the very best of New Zealand produce. Loretta’s wood fire oven is the star of the show, where pizzas pair perfectly with creative cocktails, and New Zealand beer and wine.  

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  • Chaat Street

    171 Willis Street, Te Aro

    Step into the colourful streets of India right in the heart of Wellington. Chaat Street unlocks the authentic taste of Indian cuisine, serving tapas-style dishes great for sharing with a group or just your significant other. For an indulgent lunch, where each dish bursts with flavour, Chaat Street promises quality and caters to dietary needs. Try their infamous pani puri and samosas while kicking back for a relaxing and charming dining experience.  

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  • Coene's Bar & Eatery

    103 Oriental Parade,, Wellington CBD

    Coene’s Bar & Eatery rests on Wellington’s sparkling harbour, offering diners chic seaside views and a laid-back ambience, perfect for a slow lunch. It’s prime location and diverse menu invite guests to indulge in a relaxing weekend affair, socialisingand soaking in the scenery. Its menu has an abundance of comfort meals such as halloumi fries and prawn and ginger dumplings.  

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    Love feeling the wind in your hair as you eat?
  • Origami Wellington

    158 Cuba Street, Te Aro

    Offering both Japanese-inspired dishes and plenty of freshly-baked pastries, Origami is a unique slow lunch spot in the heart of Wellington. The venue often puts on an Oriental High Tea experience, where guests can indulge in a midday feast of sweat and savoury treats, paired perfectly with in-house teas. Tuck into warming ramen, takoyaki, chicken katsu, and a rotating menu of desserts. For a cosy blend of tradition and innovation, within a relaxing ambience, spend your next weekend lunch at Origami. 

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  • The Vineyard Cafe at Margrain Vineyard

    5 Huangarua Road, Martinborough

    Just a stone’s throw from the Wellington CBD, within the Martinborough wine region, The Vineyard Cafe at Margrain Vineyard is an elegant choice for a long weekend lunch. Sprawling, lush vineyard views, outdoor dining, and intimate indoor spaces create the perfect lunch spot, rain or shine. Indulge in the cafe-style menu, which showcases the region's local produce and wine selection. Tuck into pizzas, platters, and burgers, all while the live music (on Sundays) sets a lively atmosphere.  

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