Wellington’s Chinese dining scene features authentic regional flavours from Cantonese yum cha to Northern street food and Sichuan specialties. The best Chinese restaurants in Wellington focus on fresh ingredients, skilled preparation and welcoming service for locals, families and visitors. Standouts like Dragons Chinese Restaurant and Jasmin Licensed Chinese Restaurant highlight the variety available across central suburbs.
1Dragons Chinese Restaurant
Dragons Chinese Restaurant is an iconic Cantonese style restaurant in the heart of Wellington. Established in 2007, it specialises in dumplings along with a selection of Cantonese inspired vegan, seafood and meat dishes using the finest New Zealand produce. It offers a traditional yum cha experience and seafood boil options in a spacious setting.
Services
- Yum cha with dim sum
- Cantonese dishes including seafood and meat options
- Seafood boil dine-in experience
- Private functions and events
- Takeaway and delivery
Highlights
- Established in 2007
- Capacity for up to 200 guests and 130 dishes
- Fully licensed with BYO wine only
- Private dining room available
- Loyalty program and staff discounts
Location & Contact
Name: Dragons Chinese Restaurant
Address: 25 Tory St, Wellington CBD
Phone: 04-384-3288
Website: wellingtondragons.co.nz
2Taste of Home
Taste of Home brings bold, authentic Chinese street food to the heart of Wellington. Known for hand-pulled noodles, fragrant broths and house-made chilli oil, the family-run eatery focuses on comforting home-style dishes in a cozy, accessible setting.
Services
- Hand-pulled noodle soups
- Handmade dumplings
- House-made chilli oil
- Catering for events
- Takeaway and dine-in
Highlights
- Family-run business
- Started from a small fish and chip shop
- Focus on accessible comfort food
- Strong local community support
- Sells chilli oil jars for home use
Location & Contact
Name: Taste of Home
Address: 128 Vivian Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011
Phone: 04 260 2601
Website: tasteofhome.co.nz
3Aries Restaurant
Aries Restaurant offers a wide variety of Chinese cuisine with a focus on yum cha featuring handmade dim sum. It brings bold and traditional flavours from across China for both lunch and dinner in a central Te Aro location.
Services
- Yum cha with handmade dim sum
- Chinese dinner dishes
- Lunch and dinner service
- Reservations
- Loyalty programme
Highlights
- Handmade dim sum
- Open 7 days
- Loyalty programme
- Multiple contact phone options
- Traditional Cantonese brunch focus
Location & Contact
Name: Aries Restaurant
Address: 1/7 Tennyson Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011
Phone: 04-212-2588
Website: ariesrestaurant.co.nz
4Jasmin Licensed Chinese Restaurant
Jasmin Licensed Chinese Restaurant is a family owned establishment established in 1981 specialising in authentic Cantonese and Sichuan style Chinese cuisine. It provides an extensive a la carte menu along with set options in a licensed setting.
Services
- A la carte menu with appetisers, soups, rice, noodles and mains
- Set banquet menus for groups
- Beverages including alcoholic options
- Takeaway and Uber Eats delivery
- Functions and catering
Highlights
- Established in 1981
- Family owned
- Extensive menu with vegetarian options
- Group bookings and large functions accepted
- Takeaway available during all opening hours
Location & Contact
Name: Jasmin Licensed Chinese Restaurant
Address: 294/296 Lambton Quay, James Cook Arcade upstairs on Level M, Wellington 6011
Phone: 04 4723756
Website: jasminchineserestaurant.co.nz
5The Dumpling Co.
The Dumpling Co. specialises in authentic Chinese dumplings served fresh or flash-frozen, alongside other dishes like dan dan noodles and bao burgers. It offers hot pot in the evenings at its central restaurant location with delivery options available.
Services
- Authentic dumplings fresh or frozen
- Dan dan noodles and bao burgers
- Hot pot in evenings
- Bubble teas
- Delivery via Uber Eats and DoorDash
Highlights
- Restaurant and wholesale factory locations
- Healthy flash-frozen options
- Authentic Chinese cuisine focus
- Delivery partnerships
- Hot pot experience available
Location & Contact
Name: The Dumpling Co.
Address: 44 The Terrace, Wellington
Phone: 04 213 6749
Website: thedumplingco.co.nz
Chinese Restaurants in Wellington at a Glance
| Business | Based in | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Dragons Chinese Restaurant | Wellington CBD | Established in 2007 |
| Taste of Home | Te Aro | Family-run business |
| Aries Restaurant | Te Aro | Handmade dim sum |
| Jasmin Licensed Chinese Restaurant | James Cook Arcade upstairs on Level M | Established in 1981 |
| The Dumpling Co. | Wellington | Restaurant and wholesale factory locations |
How to Choose the Right Chinese Restaurant in Wellington
- Check for regional authenticity such as Cantonese yum cha, Sichuan spice or Northern hand-pulled noodles.
- Look for fresh ingredients and handmade items like dim sum or dumplings.
- Consider dietary options including vegetarian, vegan and spice level customisation.
- Evaluate service style including dine-in, takeaway, delivery and function capabilities.
- Assess location convenience in central areas like Te Aro or Lambton Quay and reservation policies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wellington Chinese Restaurants
What types of Chinese cuisine can I find in Wellington?
Wellington offers Cantonese, Sichuan, Northern Chinese and street food styles. You can enjoy yum cha, hand-pulled noodles, hot pot, dim sum and a range of meat, seafood and vegetarian dishes.
Do Chinese restaurants in Wellington offer takeaway and delivery?
Yes, most provide convenient takeaway and delivery through platforms like Uber Eats and DoorDash, making it easy for busy locals and visitors.
Are there vegetarian or dietary options available?
Many restaurants offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten-friendly choices along with spice level customisation to suit different preferences.
What is yum cha and where can I find it?
Yum cha is a traditional Cantonese brunch featuring dim sum, tea and small shared dishes. It is commonly available at lunchtimes in central Wellington spots like Te Aro.
How do I find Chinese restaurants near Te Aro or central Wellington?
Central suburbs including Te Aro, Courtenay Place, Lambton Quay and The Terrace host several options. Check individual restaurant websites for exact addresses and current menus.
Is it necessary to make a reservation?
Reservations are recommended for weekends, groups and popular yum cha sessions, especially at busier venues.
How can I check food safety or licensing for a restaurant?
Look for licensing details on the restaurant’s own site or contact the local authority for verification. Wellington City Council provides relevant public information on food businesses.
How We Chose the Best Chinese Restaurants in Wellington
Every business in this guide was found by searching for chinese restaurants in Wellington, then checked against its own website. Names, addresses and phone numbers are taken from the business’s own site rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what they publish themselves. We also check that each one is actually based in or genuinely serving Wellington, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business with no website of its own is not listed, because there is no primary source to verify it against.