Where to have your Christmas catch-ups in Welly this festive season

Inspired by the informal bacarai (bars & restaurants) of Venice, Ombra knows how to keep it calm and relaxed this silly season. Let them take care of everything while you can sit back and sip on an aperitif in the sunny dining room. Closed on Christmas Day, you’ll need to get your fix before the big day, making it the perfect spot for those casual catch-ups and big group gatherings.

Sharing plates are the go at Ombra, with our top picks being their unreal burrata and heirloom tomatoes, bruschettas, huge range of pizzettes, and charred cabbage with white romesco. With an extensive menu full of fresh ingredients and generous portion sizes, the whole table will leave satisfied and with a full heart after your Christmas catch up.

Perhaps a common name amongst New Zealanders, Wildfire is popular for a reason. Specialising in Brazilian barbeque of never-ending, buffet style meats, tapas and more, the food served is delicious, satisfying, and even better — holiday deals leading up to Christmas. For Christmas lunch or dinner, enjoy continuous tableside service and eat to your heart’s desire, with an expansive range of tapas, side dishes, desserts, and of course the roasted goodness from the fire for $124 per person. Christmas day sorted!

An icon of Cuba Street and the Wellington-Italian food scene, 1154 Pastaria never disappoints. A bowl of their comforting pasta just hits the spot every time, whether you love the classics or want to adventure out and try something more different. A chic eatery decked out in mosaics and tiles, 1154 is always populated, so get in early and grab a seat amongst their buzzy atmosphere. 

Perhaps also grab their own egg dough pasta on the way out to cook for yourself, made fresh in the 1154 kitchen and will definitely be a favourite at that Christmas potluck. 1154 also has weekly-special pastas that honour the seasonal ingredients that New Zealand has to offer, creating some more unique combinations but somehow they always seem to work perfectly. Expect these weekly spotlight pasta to be extra special leading up to the holidays, as well as trying out their regular menu!

A warm, comforting breakfast to start off your day is just so ideal. Located in Te Aro, feel the holiday spirit and fill yourself with a scrumptious bowl from The Oatery’s expansive menu, making it both a delicious and filling breakfast to power you through the day’s festivities. Pair your oats with a Supreme coffee, making it the perfect combination. 

It is the perfect niche spot filled with friendly staff to impress your family, friends and visitors from other cities. The Oatery never disappoints and has been a favourite amongst Wellingtonians.

On the more upscaled side, Logan Brown will be offering Christmas set menus with multiple times to cater around your schedule. Perhaps opt for an early or late Christmas lunch, and indulge in Logan’s beautiful premises over a three to four hour period. 

Guests will be treated with their classic holiday set menus, highlighting New Zealand produce, prepared beautifully along with wine matched by their sommelier. Finish off the day with some of their decadent desserts, coffee or cocktails, making it a Christmas day well spent.