Annual NZ Dinner: WLG 7 March 2026

[Ecco]

Some Welly travel suggestions:

FYI there are two car share companies in Wellington, MEVO and CityHop who have cars around the city that they rent on an hourly basis in case anyone wanted to get a car for a few hours. I think aussies can sign up.

There's a nice drive around the south Wellington coast. This is quintessential Wellington. If you chatgpt the following it gives you the route:

"what's the route for the drive around the south wellington coast starting at oriental bay, going to seatoun then around to island bay and then back to lambton quay"

Here's some of my photos which include some of the south Wellington coast

Wellington photos - On The Road Again

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My picks for eating are as follows
KC Cafe, Courtenay Place, chinese, cheap and cheerful - try their deep fried squid, it's legendary
Origami restaurant, Cuba mall, asian fusion, tiramisu to die for
Sofitel Le Jardin - takes accor explorer discount, decent fine dining
The Old Quarter - vietnamese go to restaurant, book if wanting to go there
Phu Thai Esarn - Thai in Courtenay Place, casual and reasonable price
L'affare - iconic cafe for Welly, go over to the food section of the gourmet grocers Moore Wilson afterwards
Floriditas Cafe - Cuba Mall

No longer live here but these were good in the past
NB weather on the cooler side in Wellington, take a puffer jacket and layers!!

 

[JessicaTam]

The numbers are locked and loaded with the restaurant. And it turns out I am the only one with any dietary requirements.

Payment:

• They take Amex.
• They would rather not split payments but they can if we need to. So I can I ask that you all 'buddy up' with a few others to limit the number of payments? Or bring $A and give me cash and I will pay. Currently $1 AUD ~ $1.18 NZD so dinner is about A$85.
• Everything is table service so you will need to remember what you have had to drink so it can be reconciled at the end of the night.

 

[Bundy Bear]

The numbers are locked and loaded with the restaurant. And it turns out I am the only one with any dietary requirements.

Payment:

• They take Amex.
• They would rather not split payments but they can if we need to. So I can I ask that you all 'buddy up' with a few others to limit the number of payments? Or bring $A and give me cash and I will pay. Currently $1 AUD ~ $1.18 NZD so dinner is about A$85.
• Everything is table service so you will need to remember what you have had to drink so it can be reconciled at the end of the night.

Cash works do they have a separate bar for drinks or is it part of the one bill.

 

[CMA222]

The numbers are locked and loaded with the restaurant. And it turns out I am the only one with any dietary requirements.

Payment:

• They take Amex.
• They would rather not split payments but they can if we need to. So I can I ask that you all 'buddy up' with a few others to limit the number of payments? Or bring $A and give me cash and I will pay. Currently $1 AUD ~ $1.18 NZD so dinner is about A$85.
• Everything is table service so you will need to remember what you have had to drink so it can be reconciled at the end of the night.

A$85 works for me ! Good simple solution. Maybe someone will offer to consolidate a few people's bar bills on the same basis - presumably with AMEX acceptable there will be takers.

 

[CMA222]

Thanks @jswong . Cable top eatery ticks the boxes for me.

But saying the exact location is TBA, those who are and will very likely stay Platinum for a lunch c1:00 pm please indicate (and location preference) and I'll look to book somewhere by next Sunday.

Cable Top eatery sounds suitable. Could we make it a little earlier to commence lunch, perhaps midday or 12.30 pm. I will not eat breakfast and would prefer a little longer before dinner at 7 pm. That means I can sober up make room for dinner. FYI @Bundy Bear

 

[Katie]

We're due to land around midnight on Friday night, so not sure when we'll wake up. I have a small shopping list of Pascalls and Whittakers to bring back for a colleague (I offered). Apart from that, we plan to brunch, hit one of the museums on the waterfront - which one will depend on when we're up and about! And maybe a small snack at some point, so as not to ruin tea.

Noted on dinner cost, will grab some AUD or buddy up.

 

[RooFlyer]

I am no longer lunching on the Saturday - sorry to anyone planning to go along.

Just looked at the reviews of the Mercure Apartments - some are pretty grim, esp re amenity, cleanliness and sleep quality (and no aircon?). Overall scores boosted by 'location'. I would have taken up Sofitel Red Hot room rate, except this was a rare time I pre-paid .

 

[blackcat20]

We're due to land around midnight on Friday night, so not sure when we'll wake up. I have a small shopping list of Pascalls and Whittakers to bring back for a colleague (I offered). Apart from that, we plan to brunch, hit one of the museums on the waterfront - which one will depend on when we're up and about! And maybe a small snack at some point, so as not to ruin tea.

Noted on dinner cost, will grab some AUD or buddy up.

Sounds like the perfect day. I'm planning to do similar. If I eat too much for lunch I'll have no chance at dinner

 

[JessicaTam]

Cash works do they have a separate bar for drinks or is it part of the one bill.

From my post directly above yours:

• Everything is table service so you will need to remember what you have had to drink so it can be reconciled at the end of the night.

 

[serfty]

From my post directly above yours:

I guess the easiest would be to not drink.

 

[sap1l]

Cable Top eatery sounds suitable. Could we make it a little earlier to commence lunch, perhaps midday or 12.30 pm. I will not eat breakfast and would prefer a little longer before dinner at 7 pm. That means I can sober up make room for dinner. FYI @Bundy Bear

I’d like to join for lunch too - Cable Top at 12.30 sounds good!

I can guest one flying out of WLG on Monday arvo.

Also will be staying at the Sofitel (and can also bring one into the lounge if anyone would like)