City
Lower Hutt
For a smallish city - often seen by many as an extension of Wellington - Lower Hutt certainly packs a lot of punch.
Only a short drive from the Wellington CBD and hosting an incredible range of things to see and do, it’s no wonder Lower Hutt is a popular day trip or weekend option for families around the region. Each suburb in the city brings a unique flavour to the overall Lower Hutt experience, from the arts and culture of central Lower Hutt; to the brunch, beach, and shopping hotspot of Petone; and the industrial yet welcoming embrace of Seaview. Like the Hutt River that weaves its way through the heart of the city, a sense of creativity and community is the common thread, linking the disparate locations together.
With some of the region’s trendiest cafes and plenty of cultural highlights to explore, it’s never a dull day in Lower Hutt.
01 Percy Scenic Reserve
5 Dowse Drive, Maungaraki, Lower Hutt
Once a private family garden in the late 1800s, Percy Scenic Reserve is today one of Lower Hutt's most cherished public spaces to take in serene vistas, explore historic plant collections and picnic by the duck pond.
02 Twenty Eight
28 Cornwall Street, Hutt Central, Lower Hutt
Named for their address on Cornwall Street, Twenty Eight is a modern, well lit and welcoming Lower Hutt cafe serving up interesting cabinet food, a thoughtfully crafted...
03 The Dowse
45 Laings Road, Hutt Central, Lower Hutt
Renowned for its creative spirit, the Wellington region is home to an enviable array of world-class art galleries and museums.
04 Miss Fortune's
105 Hutt Park Road, Gracefield, Lower Hutt
Lower Hutt’s industrial precinct isn’t exactly where you’d think to head for a slice of quintessential Wellington hospitality, but at Miss Fortune’s, you’ll find one of the region’s most charismatic little brunch spots.
05 Forage Merchants of Wellington
46A Victoria Street, Alicetown, Lower Hutt
With a range that includes food and drink, health and beauty, art, music and so much more, Forage Merchants celebrates the very best of what the greater Wellington region has to offer.
06 Abandoned Taproom Petone
38 Fitzherbert Street, Petone, Lower Hutt
The upcycled furniture, the bike frame fence, and of course, the walls covered ceiling to floor in graffiti (literally, there’s writing on the ceiling).
07 Goldie
27 Rimu Street, Eastbourne, Lower Hutt
Nestled in the seaside village of Eastbourne and online, Goldie is a beautiful home and lifestyle corner store (and paradise) for design lovers.
08 Tartines French Cafe
Village corner 1, 2 Rimu Street, Eastbourne, Lower Hutt
Tartines offers a small slice of French culinary delight, with handmade tarts, pastries, fresh bread and classic dishes that will have you mistaking Lower Hutt for Lyon.
09 Kilim Petone
87 Jackson Street, Petone, Lower Hutt
A revered name in Wellington’s Turkish scene, Kilim is synonymous with quality, hearty kebabs done well, with its reputation extending far beyond the Hutt Valley.
10 Viva Mexico
93 Jackson Street, Petone, Lower Hutt
This is not the place to be ordering chili con carne or hard-shell tacos. At Viva Mexico, you'll be treated to a true taste of Mexican in the Hutt.
11 Small Batch, Ripe Coffee Roasters
22 Waione Street, Petone, Lower Hutt
This small but mighty Petone-based coffee roaster has well and truly established itself as a trusty local for many Hutt goers.
12 Wanda Harland Design Store
148 Jackson Street, Petone, Lower Hutt
Balancing fun and frivolity with being kind to our planet, Wanda Harland is a store in Petone that sells a range of sustainable home goods designed to last the distance.
13 Baylands Brewery
22 Victoria Street, Petone, Lower Hutt
Based in Petone, Baylands Brewery and Taproom is a relaxed, welcoming space offering up a wide range of fresh beer and tasty food.
14 Hive Café
16 Rimu Street, Eastbourne, Lower Hutt
Established in 2016, Hive is intended as a cafe for everyone.
15 Schrödinger's Books
137 Jackson Street, Petone, Lower Hutt
As the winner of NZ's Best Bookshop Award in 2021, Schrödinger's Books will hold any bookworm captive with its well-curated selection of books housed in a beautifully restored space in Petone.
16 House of Good Fortune
52 Fitzherbert Street, Petone, Lower Hutt
Petone’s myriad side streets hold plenty of delightful surprises, and if you’re lucky enough, you might just stumble upon the House of Good Fortune.
17 Seashore Cabaret
160 The Esplanade, Petone, Lower Hutt
This café definitely takes out the title for best view of the city.
18 Trade School Kitchen
17 Everest Avenue, Naenae, Lower Hutt
Described as the ‘living room of the Naenae community’, Trade School Kitchen is a not-for-profit community based cafe doing what it can to give back to its people.
19 House of Good Fortune
52 Fitzherbert Street, Petone, Lower Hutt
Petone’s myriad side streets hold plenty of delightful surprises, and if you’re lucky enough, you might just stumble upon the House of Good Fortune.
20 Goodness Boutique
131 Jackson Street, Petone, Lower Hutt
Goodness Boutique is a mainstay on Jackson Street, Petone, providing great wardrobe choices to the fine people of greater Wellington since 2005.
21 Studio Toru
Opposite 4 Square, 3 Oroua Street, Eastbourne, Lower Hutt
Established by jeweller Philothea Flynn, Studio Toru is housed in one of Eastbourne’s original settler cottages, originally built by and for an Italian fishing family.
22 Comes & Goes
259 Jackson Street, Petone, Lower Hutt
Comes & Goes is a brilliant addition to the Wellington café scene, bringing an explosion of edible flowers and culinary masterpieces that Wellingtonians are welcoming with open arms.
23 The Merry Go Round
434 Cuba Street, Alicetown, Lower Hutt
Head to The Merry Go Round to find out why one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
24 La Bella Italia
10 Nevis Street, Petone, Lower Hutt
Down an unassuming side street in industrial Petone, you’ll find La Bella Italia, Lower Hutt’s very own Little Italy.
25 Bellbird Eatery
The Dowse Art Museum, Hutt Central, Lower Hutt
Museum and art gallery cafes have really upped their game in recent years, evolving from simple refreshment pit stops to become attractions in their own right.
Cities
Upper Hutt
