A Day Spent Eating & Drinking On Cuba Street

Cuba Street is the culinary jugular running through Wellington. Strolling down the revolutionary road, eyes darting left and right, you almost feel like you’re in a parade. However, instead of adoring fans waving to you from the side path, there is a sea of attractive bars and restaurants seductively raising eyebrows at you.

This is a list of where you should stop when strolling down Cuba Street. A hard and fast way to creating an excellent day of gluttony.

Fidel’s

This is the ideal place to start your Cuba Street day of gorging, especially if you are hungover. Fidel’s is the coffee, brekkie and brunch spot in Welly. Sit outside and order the big brekkie, a lemon drizzle cake, or a pistachio, white chocolate, custard and strawberry brioche. 

Ekim Burgers

Boasting a huge menu and an urban courtyard to sit in, this iconic burger shop has been flipping patties for close to 20 years. Grab an Esther (classic cheeseburger) and, even though you’ve only just had brekkie, think of this as lining the stomach for what’s to come.

Black Dog

The old Blair Street brewery now has a new home in an Old Edwardian two-storey building on Cuba Street. Pop in for one (or five) post-lunch Pug Life Extra Pale Ale. It’s stone fruity, malty and delicious.

The Flying Burrito Brothers

The Latin theme extends from Cuba to Mexico with this Wellington institution. As we pass lunchtime and start the afternoon, frozen margaritas, sangria and soft shell tacos are the shout.

El Matador

If the arrival of darkness has allowed you to fit more food in your already button-popping belly, then drop into this Argentinian barbeque bonanza. Sample the charred meats with chimichurri and sip a pisco sour … to help digestion, of course.

Laundry

This ex-laundromat is now a live music spot that does excellent burgers. Night has well and truly hit, so you’ll be looking for something to warm you up. Enter: a toasty cup a mulled wine on a crisp Wellington eve. If it goes down while a band’s playing – even better.

words by niall roeder