
Noble Rot Wine Bar
A celebrated wine bar and restaurant in an old bakehouse, offering seasonal small plates and an unparalleled wine list with expert guidance.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Noble Rot Wine Bar

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A celebrated wine bar and restaurant in an old bakehouse, offering seasonal small plates and an unparalleled wine list with expert guidance.
"The most intensive and impressive wine list I’ve ever seen; a masterclass in hospitality."
Ask for Jessica
For an insightful wine experience, ask for sommelier Jessica for the tasting menu.
Reserve a table
Book in advance, especially for peak times, to ensure you get a table.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
European-inspired / Small Plates
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Extensive Wine Selection
An impressive library of New Zealand and international wines, many available by the glass.

Exceptional Tasting Menu
A unique degustation menu with outstanding wine pairings that offer a complete sensory journey.

Cozy European Atmosphere
An intimate and welcoming ambiance, perfect for dates or casual catch-ups, with wine bottle chandeliers.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Ask for Jessica
For an insightful wine experience, ask for sommelier Jessica for the tasting menu.
Reserve a table
Book in advance, especially for peak times, to ensure you get a table.
Explore Greek Wines
Don't hesitate to ask staff for recommendations, especially for Greek wines.
Don't fear the wine list
The wine list is extensive; let the knowledgeable staff guide your perfect wine choice.
Tips
from all over the internet
Ask for Jessica
For an insightful wine experience, ask for sommelier Jessica for the tasting menu.
Reserve a table
Book in advance, especially for peak times, to ensure you get a table.
Explore Greek Wines
Don't hesitate to ask staff for recommendations, especially for Greek wines.
Don't fear the wine list
The wine list is extensive; let the knowledgeable staff guide your perfect wine choice.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Noble Rot Wine Bar is celebrated for its unparalleled wine list, offering an extensive selection of both local and international bottles, many available by the glass. Diners rave about the exquisite food, which is often described as innovative and flavorful, perfectly complementing the wines. The service is consistently praised for its knowledge, friendliness, and attentiveness, creating a masterclass in hospitality. While generally a standout experience, some guests have found the tasting menu portions to be smaller than expected for the price, leading to lingering hunger.
"My wife and I were fortunate enough to visit this gem in town.
For wine lovers, this place should definitely be on your try-out list.
They have a very wide selection of wines - both New Zealand and international. Many of them are available in glass. So, if you are there by yourself and just sip on a glass of wine, you have many selection to choose from.
The place has a very warm, welcoming atmosphere. You will be surrounded by wine bottles! The place is divided into two sections - one as a restaurant and the other as a bar.
We had some bar snacks, fromage board, along with two bottles of wine. The snacks were great and seasoned perfectly to have with wine.
Sommelier is well versed in her knowledge of wines and she will always be there to support your wine decisions.
Both bottles of wine were in good condition and it was a pleasure to have had such service. The staff will ensure that your glass is refilled once emptied. They will often visit to check on whether we feel up for another glass or a bottle.
I will definitely be back to this wine bar when I am in town. I do not regret a penny I spent that night!
I would highly recommend for anyone who is looking for a neat place for a date out, or even for a casual day out to have a sip of wine."
Joon Lee
"We had 5 course degustation menu. Portions are small- I understand that entres are small but I expected main dish to be normal size, however, it was only a little piece of duck. That's was very disappointed because price for 1 person was $135 so after these small portions we still felt hungry and had to search for another place to have dinner again. We felt said. Before this we tried other places with 3 course degustation menu, we paid less and didn't feel hungry."
Kara P
"This place is such a gem. Extensive wine list (all wines) and a beautiful seasonal menu. The venison and pork shoulder were exceptional. The wine pairings were a revelation and the service is outstanding."
Jeannine Thomas
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Noble Rot boasts an extensive selection of New Zealand and international wines, many available by the glass, recognized for its depth and quality.
The tasting menu offers exceptional wine pairings, but some find the food portions small for the price. [^R4, datatip2]
Absolutely. The knowledgeable sommeliers, like Jessica, are eager to guide you through the wine list, even for less common selections like Greek wines. [^datatip4, ^R4]
The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and European-inspired, with cozy seating and distinctive wine bottle chandeliers, perfect for dates or casual outings. [^R1, ^M4]
Yes, it's highly recommended to make reservations in advance, especially during peak hours, to avoid waiting. [^datatip3]
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Five of the best wine bars in Wellington
The city’s most celebrated wine bar, Noble Rot (of no relation to the three restaurants in London) is also a dining destination acclaimed for the seasonal sourcing of its small plates and cheese/charcuterie boards. The incredible wine list remains the real star, however, offering a comprehensive collection of domestic wines, from Northland Chardonnay to Central Otago Pinot Noir, many available by the glass, complemented by a carefully curated selection of imported bottles. There’s a Manhattan vibe to the chic surroundings, while the knowledge and passion of those pouring the wine is palpable, so it’s best to lap up the atmosphere and be guided by them.
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I love catching up with friends over a bottle of wine and a wine bar has been lacking in Wellington for some time since others have closed down. Given the extensive wine list at Noble Rot we were disappointed to not find a red under $45 so it’s obviously not cheap, however the Judge Rock, Central Otago Reisling we settled on instead was lovely and not something I would otherwise have come across. The staff were truly knowledgeable and attentive, bringing out the perfect wine glasses, an ice bucket for our bottle and continually topping us up as we consumed our drinks.
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Situated inside an old red-brick bakehouse, Noble Rot is a cosy European-inspired wine bar and restaurant tucked away on the corner of Swan Lane. The fit-out is mainly composed of exposed brick walls, wood and steel elements, adding an old-fashioned charm, but you are immediately struck by its distinctive features upon entering: the bespoke, two-tier wine bottle chandeliers that command the attention of all who sit under them. Wine bottles are everywhere, displayed on just about every surface, shelf and wall you can see.
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Noble Rot has won back-to-back category titles for Cuisine’s Best Wine Experience, as well as for the Felix Wellington Hospitality Awards for Outstanding Wine Experience for three years in a row - what is the secret to retaining that title in a city and country that has such a strong wine offering?. The key that both Maciej [Zimny, Noble Rot Head Sommelier] and I feel is consistency, staff training and dedication to your vision. Build relationships and be humble, and success will find you
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Noble Rot is an award-winning wine bar, founded by a group of local sommeliers and restaurateurs and nestled between two of the country’s great wine regions of Marlborough and Martinborough. Tucked away down Swan Lane, Noble Rot has a lovely, intimate atmosphere and is the kind of place where one glass of wine can easily turn into two and then into dinner. Speaking of dinner, the award-winning menu is innovative with the kind of ease and simplicity that comes only with great skill.
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When you’re ready to get your wine and cheese on in Wellington, there’s only one place to go: Noble Rot Wine Bar. This up-market, trendy wine bar is owned and operated by passionate wine connoisseurs who are eager to help you choose the perfect glass of wine for your preferences, and pair it with different cheeses, bread, fruits, olives, and more. On a sunny afternoon, snag an outdoor table at Noble Rot and bliss out on good wine and scrumptious nibbles!
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Cute and cozy, you'll feel like you're at a friend's home when you're at Noble Rot Wine Bar. Noble Rot Wine Bar is the perfect place to have an intimate catch-up and chinwag with dear friends as you sip on expertly chosen wine from their curated list. Choose a table outside or perhaps relax in their airy conservatory, but wherever you are, enjoy the sun, the cool breeze, and take a break from your busy day.
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Pair delectable dishes with fine wines at Noble Rot Wine Bar. The award-winning wine bar and restaurant offers an array of wines to choose from, including from the nearby Wairarapa Region – see 10 Exquisite Vineyards & Wineries in Martinborough for more information. Noble Rot not only aims to excite you with flavour combinations but educate newbies and even seasoned wine-drinkers in the world of “vino”.
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You can eat hand-made pasta at Eleven Fifty Four, dine in seasonal style at Floriditas, go luxe at Highwater Eatery, stop for fresh, modern brunch at Loretta or Fidels, get oysters and wine at Noble Rot or hoe into some dumplings at Rams. There’s something for everyone, whatever your tastes. For a full list of top eateries, see my blog about Cuba Street eats from 2017 here.
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Noble Rot is a chic wine bar with an extensive wine list, covering around 500 different wines with around 80 available by the glass, including plenty from the wider Wellington region. The wine collection is displayed proudly along the walls, leaving no doubt about the focus of the bar. Don’t let that fool you into thinking Noble Rot’s food is secondary, through.
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Noble Rot Wine Bar pairs delicious meals with wines from the nearby Wairarapa Region. Ortega Fish Shack is praised for its innovative menus and unique flavors, offering set menus and a la carte dining. Boulcott Street Bistro, housed in a heritage Victorian cottage, serves Kiwi and French fusion cuisine with an extensive wine selection to complement the dishes.
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In response to Wellington’s lack of wine bars, Noble Rot opened in 2016 on Swan Lane. Their wine list showcases some of the greatest New Zealand wines as well as wines from around the world. This is the perfect pit stop for trying new wines and with classic and more unique wines on offer, there is something for every pallet including the more adventurous.
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If you are looking for a first-class service over a bottle of wine then visit Noble Rot Bar. Owned by Josh and Maciej who are wine connoisseurs and have created an amazing wine experience that’s all about presentation and quality. One can order from the secret cellar they have which costs over $2500 and every single wine they possess will blow your mind.
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They say never buy a bottle of wine on a night out when there’s better value in the supermarket, but you’ll happily ignore that theory to sample the service, attention to detail and love of wine that thrives at Noble Rot. Sommelier Maciej Zimny is rightly proud of his wine list, and a visit here is an education in viticulture as much as a drink-stop.
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This award-winning wine bar makes the best use of Wellington’s prime position between two of the country’s great wine regions of Marlborough and Martinborough. An extensive wine list by glass and bottle showcases the best of New Zealand wine. There’s over 500 wines to choose from, including over 80 wines available by the glass and tasty bites to eat.
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When a restaurant boasts one of the biggest wine selections in the country, it’s no surprise that the menu is built around classic matches with full-bodied fare taking a starring role. The atmosphere is buzzy and exciting and you can book in for an education workshop with the sommeliers. 6 Swan Lane, Te Aro, Wellington / 04 385 6671 / noblerot.co.nz
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Cuba Street’s a haven for gourmet travellers – and Noble Rot (around the corner on Swan Lane) marries good food like venison, pomegranate-glazed squash and seared scallops with more than 500 wines. Staff can make suggestions depending on what you’d like or what country you want to try wine from. You’re encouraged to be adventurous.
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Multiple award winning wine bar located in Swan Lane in the heart of Wellington. The wine list, overseen by sommelier Maciej Zimny, is Noble Rot’s pièce de résistance … it has no peer, and rightly wins a lot of plaudits. The food is exciting and innovative, taking a great deal of skill to achieve that deft simplicity.
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With local and international wines by the glass, the selection at this rustic, cosy wine bar really has depth. Actually, the selection is huge — and the bar staff know their stuff. (Also, they know how to wield their expertise lightly.) And the food, with a choice of set and degustation menus, is outstanding.
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Your night begins at Noble Rot, one of the city’s classiest watering holes. Conveniently located just off central Cuba Street, it’s the ideal place to start your journey. The wine list here is unrivalled, so enjoy taking your pick, and pair your wine with a charcuterie board to get your appetite going.
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An exciting newcomer to the Wellington hospitality scene – a bar with an emphasis on handpicked wines harmoniously matched with delicious, seasonal food in an iconic Cuba precinct building. Rot Wine bar offers a haven for wine lovers providing a refined spot to meet, drink, eat, and enjoy.
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Noble Rot Wine Bar epitomises romance in Wellington, acclaimed for its prestigious awards and unparalleled dining experience. Renowned for accolades like "Best Wine Experience in NZ," it's a haven for couples seeking sophistication. Their degustation menu promises surprise seasonal meals.
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If you’re looking for an impressive wine list, Noble Rot is the spot. There are over 500 wines to choose from, with hundreds of bottles on display across the walls of the bar and restaurant. If you don’t want to commit to a bottle, there are over 80 wines available by the glass.
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If you prefer wine to cocktails, Noble Rot is the absolute best place to drink in Wellington. They have a huge list of wines by the glass from New Zealand and all over the world (I enjoyed an excellent Syrah from Syria!). The knowledgeable staff helped us make great choices.
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Hundreds of bottles of wine of every varietal and vintage imaginable line the walls of Noble Rot. The restaurant and wine bar is a haven for wine lovers and a great special occasion destination. Pair your drop of choice with a small plate, or order off the à la carte menu.
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Noble Rot: This elegant wine bar the only one in Wellington has more than 500 wines on its list, 80 of which you can order by the glass, and a fantastic menu.



Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit