Wellington hosts flagship stores galore with new openings frequenting its bustling streets. Recent openings include the new MECCA concept store – the first of its size in New Zealand-, the expertly designed Aesop store situated in the historic landmark, Change House, and local treasure Kowtow situated on College St, Te Aro.

But if you’re looking to stroll stores within proximity, scroll for suggestions below:

Precinct 35
Carefully curated homewares and furniture store, sourcing goods from locally and abroad with a focus on the hand-made products that have a story to tell and are built to last.

35 Ghuznee Street | precinct35.co.nz

The Service Depot
The Service Depot is a curated collection of New Zealand’s best fashion designers: Deadly Ponies, Miss Crabb, Nom*D, Lonely Hearts, Stolen Girlfriends Club and more.

11 Ghuznee Street |  theservicedepot.co.nz

ENA
ENA holds a beautifully curated collection of gorgeous clothes, accessories and beauty products. Featuring up-and-coming designers from New Zealand and further abroad, head in and discover your next favourite brand.

30 Ghuznee Street |  iamena.co.nz

Deadly Ponies

Focusing on the highest of quality workmanship, Deadly Ponies products stand the test of time all the while maintaining a sartorial aesthetic.

28 Ghuznee Street | deadlyponies.com

Caughley 

Caughley delivers timeless ageless fashion with an edge for both men and women. Over 28 international brands (generally unique to the store) rub shoulders with emerging NZ labels, and every piece is hand-picked by the owner who can be found talking to her customers on the shop-floor.

57 Ghuznee Street | caughley.nz

Hunters & Collectors 

A Cuba Street landmark, Hunters & Collectors specialises in rare and exotic second-hand and designer goods, vintage jewellery and curios. With a regularly changing and always quirky window display, Hunters & Collectors is a quintessential Cuba shopping experience not to be missed.

134 Cuba Street, Wellington

Celebrated as the country’s creative and culinary capital, you’ll never be short on dining options in Wellington.

Wellington Chocolate Factory

Wellington Chocolate Factory makes organic, ethically traded, bean to bar chocolate. Beginning always by with meeting the farmers and bringing back the best single-origin beans from across the globe, the WCF chocolatiers roast, crack, winnow, conch and temper to produce batches of strong, luscious organic chocolate. Finally, each chocolate bar is wrapped in an original design by a local Wellington or New Zealand artist giving the WCF chocolate their distinctive look.

5 Eva Street |  wcf.co.nz

Fix and Fogg

Look out for the ‘peanut butter’ flag for a clue to where Fix and Fogg’s hard to find shop window is located in Hannahs Laneway. Try some of their delicious flavours including Smoke & Fire, Dark Chocolate and Fruit Toast.

5 Eva Street |  fixandfogg.co.nz

Egmont St. Eatery 

With a WOW preshow menu and all, Egmont St. Eatery is a hidden gem tucked away in one of Wellington’s vibrant laneways. What used to be an old industrial carpark has been transformed into a modern, multi-level, light-filled eatery offering an exciting array of fresh seasonal produce and bold flavours.

11 Egmont Street, Te Aro  | egmontstreet.co.nz

1154

A fresh and fast-paced casual pastaria from the Bresolin brothers (Scopa, The Bresolin), serving best-ever versions of best-loved pasta dishes, made from scratch every day. There’s gluten-free and vegan offerings, and natural and organic wine by the glass.

132 Cuba Street | 1154.co.nz

Pickle & Pie

Mett Wellington’s take on a NYC delicatessen. In a light, bright and airy with an outdoor space looking out over the recently developed Lombard Park, Pickle & Pie is the perfect spot for a glass of wine or Garage Project beer with a bowl of their pastrami and gravy loaded fries.

2 Lombard Street, Te Aro  |  pickleandpie.co.nz

Charley Noble

Charley Noble is a haven for lovers of both seafood, with a choice of freshly shucked oysters and diamond shell clams, along with crudo kingfish and house gin-cured salmon. The Zesti wood fired char grill and rotisserie (the first of its kind in New Zealand) serves up organic cuts of aged, pasture fed and grain-fed beef.

Ground Floor, Huddart Parker Building, No 1 Post Office Square  |  charleynoble.co.nz

Wellington’s craft beer scene is always expanding. With more than 12 destinations within walking distance of each other – also serving cider and wine – it’s impossible to avoid.  Favourites include Heyday Beer Co with its ‘grammable mint and pink décor; and HUSK at the end of an alleyway covered in fairy lights.

A few new wine and cocktail bars have recently opened too including Lulu with their oceanic-themed menu, Le Samourai wine bar and Forresters Lane cocktail bar.

Local coffee heroes People’s Coffee has also opened a new café in Lukes Lane worthy of a visit if you’re in need of an energy hit.

Heyday Beer Co

Popping up in the bustling beer suburb of Te Aro Flat, Heyday arrives in the thick of craft beer’s, well, heyday. The brewery comes by way of a cavernous car garage conversion sporting mint walls, pink décor and plenty of visibility to the brewery’s full goings on. So if you’re in the mood for lashings of carbs, sugar and salt with your poison, then Heyday is sure to hit the spot.

264 Cuba Street  |  heydaybeer.com

Crumpet

It’s quaint, it’s jazzy and possibly Wellington’s best kept secret. Serving cocktails, finger food, waffles and crumpets, you’ll struggle to find a reason not to swing by Crumpet during your time in Wellington.

109 Manner Street, Te Aro

Toi Art Gallery at Te Papa

Spanning two floors, discover works from the national art collection and new artworks by emerging and influential New Zealand artists in their regular changing exhibition programme.

55 Cable Street, Levels 4 & 5  |  website

Explore

Wellington is home to a bevvy of talented artists whose work can be found on the city’s walls and buildings. Explore the laneways for cool street art including Xoë Hall’s David Bowie tribute on the side of Jam Hair Co on Ghuznee Street, or venture to Cuba Street quarter to gander at the famous Shark Wall.

WOW activities 

Welly puts on a good time during WOW with garment installations dotted around the city, a mirrored WOW sign on the waterfront (perfect for selfies), shopping and dining competitions. See the full list here.

Sofitel Wellington

Surrounded by lush botanicals and located close to Wellington’s shopping and major attractions, Sofitel Wellington blends the French ‘art de vivre’ with the pure beauty of New Zealand’s capital.

11 Bolton Street  |   website

DoubleTree by Hilton

DoubleTree by Hilton is conveniently located at the corner of Lambton Quay and Grey Street, in the heart of Wellington’s business district. Hop on the cable car and take in striking views of the city or visit the waterfront to explore the many cafes, restaurants and bars.

28 Grey Street & Cnr. Lambton Quay  |  website