Wellington’s Hidden Gems: The 13 Pizzas in Wellington
David Sims
| Last Updated: February 2024 Why don’t pizzas make jokes? Because they’re too cheesy.
Cheesy jokes aside, if you’re like me and always on the hunt for a good slice of pizza, I’ll tell you now that the pizzas in Wellington pass the vibe check.
From classic cheese to Mexican and seafood pizzas, you can find amazing slices here. To show you what I mean, I’ll share with you all of the spots our team voted as the top options – I’ll also note which dishes we agreed were the standouts.
1. Napoli
Address: 1 Courtenay Place, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 5 PM to 10 PM
Phone: +6448025908
Napoli is a haven for authentic Italian-style pizza. Napoli’s pepperoni is a classic done right, perfect for those who appreciate simplicity.
Feeling like eating something healthier? Get the quattro stagioni with smoked ham, rich portobello mushrooms, vibrant capsicum, and artichokes.
Pro Tip: For seafood lovers, the Pescatore pizza is pure bliss. It comes with a generous bounty of the sea: tender octopus, juicy shrimp, and mussels that burst with briny goodness.
2. Scopa
Address: 141 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 3 PM & 5 PM to 10 PM
- Friday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
Phone: +64043836020
Scopa is where creativity meets crispy crust. Forget your standard pepperoni and pineapple pizza—give their asparagus pizza a try.
The star of the show—the aparagus spears roasted to perfection add a sweetness. Onions and chives bring a playful bite, while lemon zest adds a zing that cuts through the richness.
For something more earthy, get the patate. The magic—thinly sliced potatoes, fried to golden crisp—and the finishing touch—pecorino cheese.
Pro Tip: Ask about the weekly specials.
3. Ombra
Address: 199 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday & Tuesday – 4 PM to 10:30 PM
- Wednesday to Sunday – 12 PM to 10:30 PM
Phone: +6443853229
Forget greasy delivery chains and predictable toppings because stepping into Ombra is like stepping into an Italian pizzeria.
For the purist, the San Marzano, tomato, mozzarella, and basil pizza is an ode to the classic Neapolitan pizza that almost everyone loves.
And for a taste of the Mediterranean, get their potato, mozzarella, truffle paste, and rosemary pizza.
Pro Tip: Don’t be fooled by their unorthodox blue cheese, mozzarella, apricot, and pine nut pizza—it’s worth a try.
4. La Bella Italia
Address: 10 Nevis Street, Petone, Lower Hutt 5012, New Zealand
Hours:
- Tuesday & Wednesday – 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Thursday & Friday – 8:30 AM to 9 PM
- Saturday – 9 AM to 9 PM
- Sunday – 9 AM to 4:30 PM
Phone: +64 4 566 9303
La Bella Italia is a local favourite for pizza lovers. All of their pizzas have crispy crusts and smoky flavours.
But you’ve got to try the calabrese and the ma…va…fa…pizzas (yep, that’s actually the name). The calabrese pizza will have you reaching for one slice too many and the ma…va…fa… pizza is the perfect blend of savoury and spicy with the salami and pecorino Romano.
Pro Tip: Try their calzone!
5. Santeria Pizza and Pasta
Address: 247 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 4 PM to 10 PM
- Saturday & Sunday – 11 AM to 10 PM
Phone: +64 4 801 8880
Santeria is a haven for meat lovers and a place where bold toppings reign supreme.
The roast rump steak pizza is pure comfort food. The oven-roasted rump steak combined with the baby potatoes and mozzarella will leave your taste buds in bliss.
If you want something more exotic, get their Mexicana pizza. Chunks of red wine chorizo, Spanish onions, garlic oil, and more make this pizza a fiesta.
Pro Tip: On Mondays, their margarita pizzas are only 12 NZD.
6. Sal’s Authentic NY Pizza
Address: 28 Grey Street, Lambton Quay, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
- Thursday – 11:30 AM to 1:30 AM
- Friday – 11:30 AM to 12 AM
- Saturday & Sunday – 12:30 AM to 3 AM
Sal’s brings New York to New Zealand. Crispy, foldable crust, gooey mozzarella, and toppings reminiscent of the bustling big apple.
Their Staten Island pizza is a vegetarian’s dream. Need meat? Go for the classic trio of pepperoni, sausage, and meatball pizza.
Pro Tip: Don’t miss out on their dipping sauces—buffalo, blue cheese, ranch—the options are endless!
7. Pizza Express Wellington
Address: 12/148 Willis Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11 AM to 10 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 11 AM to 12 AM
Phone: +6448015000
This iconic pizza chain serves up classic pizzas with a twist. Sink your teeth into their creamy beef and mushroom pizza—it’s a combination you won’t forget.
Or get their butter paneer pizza for something more exotic. It’s a little taste of India.
Pro Tip: Give one of the manager’s special a try—the chicken avocado pizza.
8. Nolita
Address: 203 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 12 PM to 10 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 10 AM to 10 PM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 9 PM
Phone: +6442137874
Nolita isn’t just a pretty restaurant (though its sleek aesthetic is undeniable). Their pizzas are masterpieces made with fresh and innovative ingredients.
The tutto carne, a carnivore’s dreamland of pepperoni, pancetta, prosciutto, and sausage, is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
For veggie lovers, the verde pizza comes first with vibrant flavours, thanks to the pesto, artichoke hearts, roasted peppers, and olives.
Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to customize! Add extra toppings and craft the ideal pizza.
9. Bogarts Pizzeria
Address: 24 Cleveland Street, Brooklyn, Wellington 6021, New Zealand
Hours:
- Tuesday – 5 PM to 8 PM
- Wednesday to Sunday – 5 PM to 9 PM
Phone: +64 04 384 2255
Bogart’s pizzas are like edible time machines, transporting you to different eras with each bite.
For a taste of wartime Casablanca, get the Casablanca 1942 pizza. Spicy Italian sausage mingles with roasted red peppers and creamy buffalo mozzarella, while red onion adds a cheeky crunch.
Or get the Humphrey 1899—salami, pepperoni, ham, mushrooms, caramelised onions, and juicy tomatoes. It’s the kind of pizza that makes you close your eyes and sigh with pure satisfaction.
Pro Tip: Try the Tokyo Joe 1949. This pizza features smoked salmon, cream cheese, and tangy capers.
10. Busters Woodfired Pizza
Address: 113 Tirangi Road, Rongotai, Wellington 6022, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 5 PM to 8 PM
Phone: +6443871155
Busters Woodfired Pizza is known for its char-kissed crust pizzas. Their Porirua pizza with cream cheese is a gourmet masterpiece.
And their wainuiomata pizza is perfect for carnivores. The pesto base just adds a little herbiness to every bite.
Pro Tip: Don’t miss out on the seaview salami pizza. Salty salami, briny olives, and oregano—simple, yet satisfying.
11. Fratelli
Address: 15 Blair Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Saturday – 5:30 PM to 9 PM
Phone: +6448016615
This cosy Italian restaurant offers a range of delicious pizzas that will leave you craving for more.
The paolina’s pork and fennel sausage is juicy goodness, and the stracciatella is creamy indulgence—all topped off with a sophisticated drizzle of truffle oil.
Another must-try pizza here is the capra and prosciutto. The garlic, goat cheese, salty prosciutto, and sweet balsamic create a mouthwatering aroma that fills the room.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to make a reservation in advance!
12. Cin Cin
Address: 128 Wakefield Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Hours:
- Lunch – Wednesday to Friday – 11 AM to 2 PM
- Lunch – Saturday & Sunday – 10 AM to 3 PM
- Dinner – Wednesday to Monday – 5 PM to 9 PM
Phone: +6443852462
Cin Cin is a champion of authentic Italian pizzas in Wellington. The romana with pancetta pizza bursts with sweetness from the cherry tomatoes, while the slightly salty pancetta balances it out.
If variety is more your thing, then get the quattro stagioni. Manuka ham whispers elegance; earthy mushrooms, artichokes, and olives add a touch of sophistication.
For the cheese connoisseur, the quattro formaggi is impossible to resist.
Pro Tip: Customise your pizza with an array of toppings.
13. Mediterranean Foods Trattoria
Address: 42 Constable Street, Newtown, Wellington 6021, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 8 AM to 10 PM
- Sunday – 9 AM to 10 PM
Phone: +6449398989
Mediterranean Foods Trattoria is more than just pizza, of course. But let’s be honest: if you don’t come here to get their pizza, are you really living?
Their must-try pizzas include the schiaccino, dolomiti, and lagotto pizzas. Their schiaccino pizza’s smoky prorchetta and potatoes go perfect with the creamy mozzarella.
With the dolomiti pizza, smoky ham balances out the tangy gorgonzola and toasted walnuts. And the lagotto pizza is perfect for all the vegetarians who want a delicious and filling pizza with a taste of truffle.
Pro Tip: Go for the calzone toscano–perfect for sharing (or not, we won’t judge.)
