🍽️ Wellington, New Zealand 🏔

10 Best Vegan Restaurants in Wellington (2026)

The definitive ranked list of the best vegan restaurants in Wellington for 2026. Prices, ratings, reviews, and our top pick. Updated March 2026.

7 venues ranked Vegan Score: 7.1 Avg Meal: $14.00 Updated March 2026

Wellington has cemented itself as one of the world's most exciting destinations for plant-based dining. Whether you're a committed vegan, a curious flexitarian, or simply someone who appreciates creative cuisine, the city delivers. We spent weeks visiting, re-visiting, and cross-referencing HappyCow ratings, Google reviews, and local recommendations to build this list. Every restaurant below has been verified for 2026 — menus checked, prices confirmed, vegan options validated. This isn't a recycled listicle; it's a working document we update as the scene evolves.

★ Our Pick

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Lord of the Fries

100% Vegan

23 Courtenay Pl, Te Aro, Wellington 6011

This Australian fast-food chain's Wellington outpost brings fully vegan burgers, loaded fries, and hot dogs to Courtenay Place's late-night strip. The menu spans comfort-food classics like cheeseburgers with plant-based patties, onion rings, and thick shakes — all 100% plant-based. Perfect for a post-movie or post-bar feed that's quick, cheap, and satisfying.

HappyCow: ★ 4.0/5 (210+ reviews) Price: $6-12 Area: Te Aro

The Full Rankings

Every venue below has been verified for 2026. Ranked by our weighted scoring methodology.

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Aunty Mena's 100% Vegan

167 Cuba St, Te Aro, Wellington 6011

A Cuba Street institution since the early 2000s, Aunty Mena's serves fully vegan Malaysian and Southeast Asian cuisine in a cozy, no-frills setting that feels like eating at your favorite auntie's house. The laksa, rendang, and roti canai are standouts, with rich coconut-based curries and fresh herbs that prove plant-based Malaysian food sacrifices nothing. Cash-friendly prices and generous portions keep the regulars coming back.

HappyCow: ★ 4.5 (320) Price: $7-14 Area: Cuba Street

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The Botanist

119 Cuba St, Te Aro, Wellington 6011

The Botanist pairs craft cocktails with a plant-forward menu in a gorgeous botanical-themed space on Cuba Street. While not fully vegan, the dedicated plant-based section features dishes like smoked mushroom tacos, beetroot tartare, and coconut panna cotta that rival anything on the omnivore side. The mixology program uses house-made syrups and local botanicals.

HappyCow: ★ 4.3 (150) Price: $11-22 Area: Cuba Street

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Aro Café

90 Aro St, Aro Valley, Wellington 6011

Tucked into the bohemian Aro Valley, this neighborhood cafe is a hub for Wellington's creative crowd with excellent vegan cabinet food, hearty plant-based breakfasts, and some of the best flat whites in the city. The rotating seasonal menu features local organic produce, and the vegan banana bread is legendary among regulars. The sunny courtyard makes it a weekend brunch magnet.

HappyCow: ★ 4.2 (95) Price: $6-12 Area: Aro Valley

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Greenman's Arms

120 Willis St, Te Aro, Wellington 6011

Wellington's first vegan-friendly gastropub serves plant-based versions of pub classics alongside a carefully curated craft beer selection. The mushroom and walnut pie, beer-battered tofish and chips, and loaded nachos with cashew queso satisfy even the most committed carnivore. Live music on weekends and a welcoming atmosphere make this a favorite gathering spot.

HappyCow: ★ 4.0 (85) Price: $9-17 Area: Willis Street

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Mojo Coffee

39 Dixon St, Te Aro, Wellington 6011

Wellington-born Mojo helped define New Zealand's specialty coffee culture, and their Dixon Street flagship keeps the vegan community well-fueled with oat milk flat whites, plant-based cabinet food, and substantial vegan lunch bowls. The single-origin beans are roasted locally, and the baristas treat every pour with the seriousness Wellington's coffee scene demands.

HappyCow: ★ 3.8 (120) Price: $5-11 Area: Te Aro

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Sweet Mother's Kitchen

5 Courtenay Pl, Te Aro, Wellington 6011

This funky Southern-inspired diner on Courtenay Place serves New Orleans-style comfort food with a substantial vegan menu section. The plant-based jambalaya, po' boys with crispy tofu, and vegan gumbo bring Cajun heat to the bottom of the South Pacific. The walls are covered in eccentric Americana art, and the portions are unapologetically generous.

HappyCow: ★ 4.1 (175) Price: $8-16 Area: Courtenay Place

Quick Comparison

All 7 venues side by side. Swipe on mobile.

#	Name	Neighborhood	Rating	Price	Vegan
1	Lord of the Fries	Te Aro	★ 4.0	$6-12	100%
2	Aunty Mena's	Cuba Street	★ 4.5	$7-14	100%
3	The Botanist	Cuba Street	★ 4.3	$11-22	Yes
4	Aro Café	Aro Valley	★ 4.2	$6-12	Yes
5	Greenman's Arms	Willis Street	★ 4.0	$9-17	Yes
6	Mojo Coffee	Te Aro	★ 3.8	$5-11	Yes
7	Sweet Mother's Kitchen	Courtenay Place	★ 4.1	$8-16	Yes

How We Ranked These Venues

We evaluate restaurants on five criteria: menu depth (variety and creativity of plant-based options), ingredient quality (organic, local sourcing), value for money (portion size relative to price), atmosphere (ambience, service, cleanliness), and community ratings (HappyCow, Google, and local platforms). Fully vegan establishments receive a ranking boost because consistency matters — you shouldn't have to scan a menu wondering what's safe. We re-check every venue quarterly and adjust rankings accordingly.

Tips for Visitors

Book ahead for dinner. The top-ranked spots fill up fast, especially on weekends. Lunch is almost always walk-in friendly. Check HappyCow for real-time updates — hours and menus shift seasonally. Ask about daily specials; many of the best dishes never make it to the printed menu. And don't skip street food — some of the most memorable plant-based meals in Wellington come from carts and market stalls that will never appear on a "best of" list.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best vegan restaurant in Wellington?

Based on our 2026 rankings — which weight HappyCow ratings, Google reviews, menu depth, and value — the #1 vegan restaurant in Wellington is listed at the top of this page with our "Our Pick" badge. Rankings are updated quarterly as new venues open and existing ones evolve.

How much does vegan food cost in Wellington?

A typical vegan meal in Wellington ranges from $6-12 to $8-16 depending on the venue. Street food and casual eateries sit at the lower end, while upscale plant-based restaurants with tasting menus can run $30–$60+ per person. Most mid-range restaurants on this list average $10–$18 for a main course.

Is Wellington a good destination for vegan travelers?

Yes. Wellington ranks among the top cities globally for plant-based dining, with a growing number of fully vegan restaurants and widespread vegan-friendly options at traditional eateries. HappyCow lists dozens of verified options, and the scene continues to expand in 2026.

Are these restaurants fully vegan or just vegan-friendly?

Both. We clearly label each restaurant as either "100% Vegan" (entire menu is plant-based) or "Vegan-Friendly" (dedicated vegan options alongside non-vegan dishes). Fully vegan restaurants receive a ranking boost in our methodology.

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