Hillside.

Hillside Kitchen & Cellar occupies a small, unassuming space on Tinakori Road, but the operation is among the most ambitious in Wellington. The kitchen is strictly meat-free, focusing on high-concept vegetarian and vegan tasting menus that elevate local produce through technical precision and zero-waste principles. Ingredients are often sourced from the restaurant’s own organic garden or foraged from the surrounding hills, resulting in dishes like broths made from potato skins and tarts formed from leftover bread crusts. With only 24 seats, the atmosphere is intimate and focused, stripped of pretension. Whether opting for a five or seven-course progression, the experience is defined by clever textures and clean flavors, rounded out by a beverage program that offers thoughtful non-alcoholic pairings alongside a curated wine cellar.