Where to find the Best Vegan Restaurants in Wellington

“Genuine Syrian Flavours” is what Damascus restaurant prides itself on. And it serves just that! Both the hot and cold mezzah dishes have vegan options consisting of traditionally spiced babaganush and crispy, soft falafel. We use their fluffy, warm pitas to scoop up the creamy hummus, and can’t hold back a little happy dance!

Whether you’re simply after a quick snack of hummus and pita or a full meal like their beautiful cauliflower and eggplant dishes, Damascus will quickly become one of your favourite restaurants.

Restaurant Located on Tory Street, Te Aro, Wellington

This restaurant serves absolutely divine Ethiopian kai we could eat until we drop! This was our first time trying Ethiopian cuisine and Mother of Coffee did NOT disappoint. With an easy vegan section on the menu, we ordered a vegan platter for two. And we were presented with a large plate full of a range of beautifully curried lentils and injera (a traditional fermented flatbread).

We are very pleased we discovered this restaurant and have made an effort to visit regularly. With their delicious, flavourful food and kind staff, we recommend visiting!

Restaurant Located down Left Bank off Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington

Our number one place to go for desserts and a cheeky cocktail in the evening (or during the day!) is The Botanist, out in Lyall Bay. They have a 100% vegetarian menu and tons of vegan options for both brunch and dinner. Serving burritos, hash stacks, soups and sharing plates!

The Botanist is super popular amongst the Wellington vegan community, their desserts being some of the best vegan treats in town. So if you’re wanting to get out of the city and sit down to a hot meal with moody ocean views, this is the place to be!

Restaurant Located on Onepu Road, Lyall Bay, Wellington

Chow is one of Wellington’s (and our) top spots for dinner and drinks in the City. So popular you’ll definitely have to book! Often they will even have vegan events to show off their delicious plant-based options!

The vegan options on the menu like their Jungle Curry (omg so good), dairy-free cream cheese and mushroom dumplings, spring rolls and deep-fried cauliflower, are dishes we could eat over and over again (and we do!). Chow serves super affordable and tasty food and is a safe option for vegans and omnis alike.

Restaurant Located on Tory Street, Te Aro, Wellington

If you’re in need of a classy fine dining experience with harbour views and elegant wines, Dockside is where you should book! Although you definitely pay for the views, they have a separate plant-based menu! With a range of options from vegan chicken schnitzel, cauliflower and cashew curry, to a ‘beef’ burger.

However, we personally think the main dishes are a little overpriced (from $35+) for the lack of creativity and taste. But their desserts redeem them! We tried their absolutely mouth-watering vegan orange and mango crème brulee and were blown away at how delicious it was.

Let us know about your own experiences at Dockside so we can find out if it’s worth visiting again!

Restaurant Located at Shed 3, Queens Warf, Wellington

Nolita is Wellington’s 100% plant-based haven and every vegan in the area knows it. With pizzas, burgers, brunches and cocktails, day or night, this vegan restaurant in Wellington never disappoints! It’s even convinced the most critical meat-eaters that vegan food can be yum!

Their house-made cheeses and creamy sauces are some of the best we’ve had since being vegan. Always reliable, we’ve both brought our friends and family to Nolita, so they know what we’re talking about when we say their food is the tastiest on Cuba Street!

Restaurant Located on upper Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington

With hummus and pita galore, Kisa is a newer restaurant on Cuba Street serving flavourful Middle-Eastern food with plenty of vegan options for each course!

Order several plates for your table to share, and don’t be afraid to try something new! A bit more on the expensive side, but totally worth it for a treat or a special occasion. Their cocktails are strong, but their hummus truly is food for the soul.

Restaurant Located on Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington

Aunty Menas is one of the classic Vegan restaurant in Wellington and it’s never let us down. They have an extensive menu with noodle and rice dishes, laksas and curries, dumplings, wontons and really good ‘pork’ bao buns!

As students, it was a tasty and affordable option for eating out or to take away. They use lots of delicious meat alternatives in their dishes, including soy, tofu, jackfruit, and vegetables. They also serve a fresh lychee juice with actual lychee fruit in it – give it a try!

Restaurant Located on Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington

Thick, crispy fries and seitan chicken burgers are the perfect feed after a swim in the ocean! Located across the road from upper Oriental Beach, Beach Babylon is a bustling cafe and restaurant open from breakfast up until dinner. And with plant-based cabinet options as well as organic fruit smoothies, there’s something for everyone.

Even better is that in the evening they serve both vegan and regular cheese fondue, for a more intimate dinner experience.

Restaurant Located on Oriental Parade, Oriental Bay, Wellington