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Cuba Street unlocked

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Niki Morrell

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Dubbed ‘New Zealand’s coolest street’, Wellington’s Cuba Street boasts a bohemian collection of boutiques, bars, restaurants and galleries. Ever-changing, always colourful and sometimes controversial, Cuba Street is a magnet for creativity and artistic expression. It’s a great place to explore, so buckle up and let’s get started.

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Where to eat

Cuba Street offers a bewildering variety of eateries, catering for all tastes and budgets. Much-loved Ekim Burger (257 Cuba St) is an iconic food truck serving burgers that attract almost fanatical loyalty from its local clientele.

At the other end of the scale, multi-award winning Matterhorn (106 Cuba St) and Logan Brown Restaurant (192 Cuba St) offer fine dining showcasing modern New Zealand cuisine. If cafes are more your style, however, try elegant Plum (103 Cuba St) or super-cool Olive (170 Cuba St).

If the kids are in tow, family-friendly Cin Cin (156 Cuba St) dishes up traditional Italian fare with some dishes made just for kids under 12.

Where to drink

San Fran (171 Cuba St) is famous for its hospitality and live music, and here the craft beers and a ‘bites’ menu keep visitors well satisfied. Laundry (240 Cuba St) is quirky and kitsch, with bright decor and weird paraphernalia. Very popular with the hipster crowd, Laundry features live music and an outdoor courtyard housing a food caravan.

For after-dark ventures, Good Luck Bar (126 Cuba St) is a dim and moody basement club serving cocktails, Cambodian food and plenty of beats, while the Hotel Bristol (131–133 Cuba St) is an historic pub offering gourmet burgers, quiz nights and live entertainment.

Where to shop

Cuba Street is the city’s undisputed vintage hub and offers some of the best shopping in Wellington. Check out local favourites Hunters & Collectors (134 Cuba St) and Ziggurat fashion exchange (144 Cuba St) to find unique pieces.

Emporium Vintage Boutique (103B Cuba St) concentrates on vintage high fashion labels and Particles of Time (287 Cuba St) deals exclusively in vintage menswear, so these are the shops to find the perfect classic piece for a formal engagement back home, or a dapper outfit just because. There are also plenty of contemporary designers on Cuba Street, including Kate Sylvester (26 Cuba St) and Carly Harris Designs (154 Cuba St).

If music memorabilia and vinyl are your thing, you’re spoilt for choice with Vanishing Point (251 Cuba St), Slow Boat Records (183 Cuba St) and Rough Peel Music (173 Cuba St) – all stores with a fantastic range of vinyl records to add to your collection.

Travel secret:Most of the vintage and retro shops in Cuba Street don’t open before 10am – so take your time and have a leisurely breakfast before heading out for a day of exploring.

What to see and do

Besides eating and shopping, there’s also plenty to see and do in Cuba Street. The Bucket Fountain, a kinetic sculpture in Cuba Mall, has been entertaining little ones and late-night party people for decades. If Wellington turns on its famous southerly, be careful where you stand or you’ll risk a drenching.

Cuba Street is a favourite buskers’ hangout and provides plenty of opportunities for people-watching and free entertainment. There are at least half a dozen art galleries on or around Cuba Street, including community gallery Thistle Hall (293 Cuba St), the Suite Gallery (241 Cuba St) and the progressive Enjoy Public Art Gallery (147 Cuba St).