I never considered vegan food to be on my radar, let alone becoming something I’d recommend.

My first brush with vegan cuisine was nothing short of a disaster. A friend coaxed me into a vegan restaurant, and let’s just say the flavorless tofu and limp salad left me yearning for a steak.

My friend, though, was set on making me understand how good vegan food can be and dragged me to various vegan restaurants in Wellington. After a series of delightful dining experiences, my perception of vegan food took a dramatic turn.

Want to know which of the many Wellington vegan restaurants blew my mind and transformed my perspective? Keep reading!

How much does a vegan meal cost at a restaurant in Wellington?

A vegan meal at a restaurant in Wellington costs at least 15 NZD. This is just a price estimate and will vary depending on where you eat and what you order.

How I Chose

Menu: I sought out restaurants that offer diverse and inventive menus. It’s not just about having plant-based options; it’s about how these options stand out.

Quality: I prioritised restaurants that are committed to using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Restaurants that offer seasonal specials scored higher on my list, as they reflect a dedication to serving the freshest food possible.

Service: The quality of the service is equally important as the quality of food. I took into consideration whether the staff was friendly and knowledgeable. I also considered whether they made their customers feel welcomed and well-cared for.

Customer Testimonials: I listened to testimonials to gauge other diners’ experiences. Consistency in positive feedback, especially regarding food quality, taste, and presentation, was a promising sign.

1. Aunty Mena’s 

Aunty Menas sews up Malaysian and Chinese-inspired dishes, perfect for both vegetarians and vegans.

One of my favourite vegan dishes here is laksa (a spicy noodle soup). The broth is spicy and creamy. I also love their curries, which are rich, fragrant, and packed with colourful veggies.

The dumpling soup is also pretty good, mainly because the dumplings are tender and tasty. And then there’s the stir-fried noodles that have a wonderful smoky flavour, although they were a bit too oily for my taste.

On the bright side, the portion sizes at Aunty Menas are generous, making it a great option if you’re super hungry or planning to share a meal with friends. 

Customer Reviews

Portions are reasonably sized yet cheap

“A hole in the wall vegetarian /vegan restaurant with a simple but tasty fare. Menu consist SE Asian and Cantonese dishes.  Imitation meat and chicken dishes available.  Portions are reasonably sized yet cheap.”

Eugenio Bacordo Google Review 

Amazing vegan food

“Amazing vegan food. Everything is vegan. Highly recommend the Laksa, the Roti Chennai, and the drumsticks. Easily some of the best vegan food in Wellington.”

Thomas Google Review  

2. Nolita

Nonita has quickly become a favourite among food lovers, and I’m no exception, thanks to their sourdough and plant-based mozzarella.

Their dough is made fresh every day, and it hits just the right balance of chewy and crispy. Their cashew mozzarella is a tasty alternative to regular cheese without sacrificing any of the flavours we love.

One of my favourite dishes is their Pollo Pollo pizza. The tangy BBQ sauce pairs perfectly with the creamy cashew mozzarella and the smoky notes from the cheddar—it’s a combination that keeps me coming back slice after slice.

If you’re more into burgers, you have to try the truffle burger. The rich, umami taste of the truffled mushrooms and smoked cheese complements the freshness of the lettuce and pickles. It always leaves me satisfied.

That said, the stonefruit caprese fell short of expectations. The ingredients—grilled thyme stonefruit, cashew mozzarella, and maple apricot dressing—sounded amazing, but in reality, they didn’t blend well together.

Customer Reviews

Would be here all the time

“I love when a vegan place just works without really needing to make a point about being vegan. Would be here all the time if I lived in Wellington.”

Laura Roberts Google Reviews

Excellent menu of vegan options that are equally tasty

“An excellent menu of vegan options that are equally tasty for non-vegans to eat. A casual interior with friendly service. A popular street on which to walk so make reservations, if possible, to ensure a table.”

John Bonini Google Reviews 

3. Krishna Food

If you want something hearty and soul-soothing, swing by Krishna Food. 

Their Krishna Plate stole the spotlight for me. Their creamy rajma is like a big warm hug in a bowl, and the vegetarian chilli packs a kick too.

Their Halava is a dreamy semolina pudding that comes with different toppings. My top picks are the rich and decadent chocolate and the fresh, slightly tart berries. Each spoonful is a perfect mix of sweetness that completes the meal.

The samosas here are also special. They’re filled with delicious Indian-curried potatoes, carrots, and peas.

A couple of things to keep in mind, though: there’s a wait line at times, which can be a bit of a drag if you’re in a hurry. Also, the menu is limited to the daily offerings, so if you’ve got a specific craving, you might have to roll with the punches.

Customer Reviews

 I had no idea vegan food could be this good

“I love everything about this place, their vegan pies are the best curry pies I’ve ever had. I had no idea vegan food could be this good, also, all of their food is great value. Everyone should try their pies.”

Tiama Bennet, Google Reviews

It’s cheap for how much you get

“So so so good!! My favourite is the Krishna plate, it’s cheap for how much you get and also super delicious! Also there’s lots of plants that are so beautiful~”

Chloe, Google Reviews

4. September Vegan Food

September Vegan Food has carved out quite a niche for itself by serving tantalising East Asian cuisine that’s fully vegan. Every time I walk in here, I know I’m in for a treat because of the intoxicating aroma of the dishes. 

I’ve gone a few times to try different items on their menu, so I’ve learned what to order and what not. Their KFC-Style Vegan “Drumstick” is crispy, perfectly seasoned, and has almost a meaty interior, so it’s easy to see why it’s a crowd favourite.

The Soya Bites Laksa is comforting, perfectly spiced, and absolutely delicious. The bao buns, particularly the “chicken” and “duck” varieties, are soft, fluffy, and bursting with flavour. I still can’t decide which one I like more—they’re both stellar.

I was sceptical about how Hainanese chicken and rice could be turned vegan, but they nailed it. It was hearty and satisfying, with all the depth of flavour you’d expect from the original.

However, I have to be honest—parking here can be a challenge. It’s just a minor inconvenience, though, because once you’re eating, you’ll forget all about it.

Customer Reviews

Their vegan Hainanese ‘chicken’ rice had such crispy ‘skin’ 

“Amazing vegan food.  Their vegan Hainanese ‘chicken’ rice had such crispy ‘skin’ and such soft fake meat that it melts in your mouth.  The ‘meat’ even replicated chicken fibers, which amazed me.  I’ll definitely keep going to this restaurant.”

A T Google Reviews  

The food was so delicious I couldn’t believe it was plant based

“Oh my goodness was this food lovely. I’m going to dream about it! Visited Wellington and came across this gem of a place. Please do try 10/10 would devour again. I’m not vegan my partner is , but the food was so delicious I couldn’t believe it was plant based.”

lee-anne kennedy Google Review 

5. Le Saigon Vietnamese Kitchen

I recently went to Le Saigon Vietnamese Kitchen and tried their vegan dishes. The vegan spring rolls really stood out for me. They were crispy and crunchy, filled with kumara, taro, and more.

The rice paper wrapper held everything together nicely. Each bite was delicious, and the homemade dipping sauce had just the right amount of tang.

The vegan curry was another favourite. The tofu chunks were cooked perfectly, soaking up the flavours of the carrots, kumara, and potatoes. The coconut curry gravy was creamy and had a nice hint of lemongrass.

The lemongrass tofu, though, was a bit of a letdown. The tofu itself was fried well, but it was missing that strong lemongrass taste I was hoping for. Compared to the other dishes, this one just didn’t excite my taste buds.

Customer Reviews

Good menu with many vegetarian and vegan options

“Visited for a delicious lunch with a friend. There’s a good menu with many vegetarian and vegan options. The ambience is calm, and it was easy to hear each other – perfect! Each dish was well presented and our food arrived quickly. One of the few places that allows booking for lunch, I would recommend doing that because they get busy!”

Julia Ball Google Review  

Plenty of option for vegetarians, vegans

“Despite how busy the resturant was the service was friendly and fast. The food is excellent and plenty of option for vegetarians, vegans, dairy free and/or gluten free individuals. Strongly recommend enjoying a meal here.”

Reda_Katz Google Review 

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