Ombra, Cuba Street. Venetian-inspired dining, cosy and classic.
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Ombra

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Venetian-inspired bacaro on Cuba Street, serving delicious small plates, pizzas, and Italian wines in a cozy, stylish atmosphere.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

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From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

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Ombra, Cuba Street. Venetian-inspired dining, cosy and classic.

Ombra

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Venetian-inspired bacaro on Cuba Street, serving delicious small plates, pizzas, and Italian wines in a cozy, stylish atmosphere.

"Experience divine small plates and pizzas at Ombra, a must-try Italian gem in Wellington!"

TIP

Book Ahead

Reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak times, to secure your table.

Happy Hour Deals

Visit between 3pm and 6pm for budget-friendly Italian drinks, often with a complimentary bite.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens 12PM

Cuisine

Italian

Price

Mid-range

Phone

+64 4 385 3229

Address

199 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Venetian-Inspired Small Plates

Venetian-Inspired Small Plates

Experience authentic Italian cicchetti with dishes like arancini, polenta chips, and unique pizzas.

Top 5 Tasty & Budget-Friendly Eats in Welly5 Best Italian Restaurants in WellingtonBest Italian Restaurants Wellington
Happy Hour Italian Drinks

Happy Hour Italian Drinks

Enjoy budget-friendly Italian drinks like Prosecco and Aperol Spritz during happy hour, 3-6pm.

A Guide To The Best Italian Restaurants In Wellington New ZealandGoogle Review
Cozy Cuba Street Atmosphere

Cozy Cuba Street Atmosphere

A stylish, cozy spot in the heart of Cuba Street, perfect for dates or catching up with friends.

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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

A fantastic meal and a fantastic deal! Big fans of Ombra over here (GIFTED) @aleece @lili Here's how the Mosaic Passport works: Pick up a Mosaic Passport at any of our venues from 5 August Dine at each of our restaurants between 3 September and 30 November, 2025 Collect a unique stamp at each venue, when you spend a minimum of $50 Once your passport is complete, win a $50 Mosaic voucher to be use...
@yas.ismael
160 likes • 3.5K views

Book Ahead

Reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak times, to secure your table.

Happy Hour Deals

Visit between 3pm and 6pm for budget-friendly Italian drinks, often with a complimentary bite.

Share the Plates

Order three to four small plates for two people to enjoy a variety of dishes.

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Tips

from all over the internet

Book Ahead

Reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak times, to secure your table.

Happy Hour Deals

Visit between 3pm and 6pm for budget-friendly Italian drinks, often with a complimentary bite.

Share the Plates

Order three to four small plates for two people to enjoy a variety of dishes.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Ombra offers a Venetian-inspired dining experience with a focus on shareable small plates and Italian drinks. Many praise the unique menu, delicious pizzas, and the value found during happy hour. However, some reviewers noted issues with portion sizes and inconsistent service quality.

"I recently dined at this establishment and was quite pleased with the overall experience. The food was of good quality, and the prices were set at a reasonable level, providing great value for money. It's an ideal spot for those seeking a casual dining atmosphere.

While there isn't much to critique, one area for improvement would be the professionalism of the waiting staff, as it could be enhanced. Nonetheless, my experience was enjoyable enough to warrant a 5-star rating at this point. I highly recommend it for casual dining enthusiasts."

Man of Steel

"Wow, high reviews for an Italian restaurant that is overpriced, but offers small portions, and absolutely mediocre Italian food. My friend commented that the pasta was very oily and lacked flavor. Same can be said for the risotto. The pizza was tiny, but they will inform you of that beforehand. The drinks did not taste good either. The restaurant itself was very warm to the point where you would be sweating. The service was fine, staff did not appear to care too much about customer service. Absolutely not worth it and I'm sure they're way better Italian spots in the area."

Vinny F

"Had an amazing dinner at Ombra! The braised beef pizza was absolutely delicious — crispy base, rich toppings, and the flavors just melted together perfectly. The polenta chips were fun and crispy, and the octopus risotto was creamy with a nice kick. Great wine, cozy vibe, and friendly staff.
Highly recommend this spot if you’re in Wellington! 🍷🍕"

lijiao

What People Like

Unique small plates and pizzas
Budget-friendly happy hour drinks
Cozy and stylish ambiance

What People Dislike

Inconsistent service
Portion size for the price

Frequently Asked Questions

Ombra serves Italian cuisine, inspired by the informal bacari of Venice, with a focus on small plates, pizzas, and pastas.

A Guide To The Best Italian Restaurants In Wellington New Zealand5 Best Italian Restaurants in Wellington

Yes, Ombra has a happy hour from 3pm to 6pm, offering budget-friendly Italian drinks like Prosecco and Aperol Spritz.

A Guide To The Best Italian Restaurants In Wellington New ZealandGoogle Review

It is highly recommended to make a reservation, especially during peak hours, as the restaurant is very popular.

Google Review

Popular dishes include pizzas, arancini, polenta chips, venison meatballs, and tiramisu. Many dishes are designed for sharing.

Best Italian Restaurants WellingtonTop 5 Tasty & Budget-Friendly Eats in WellyGoogle Review

Yes, Ombra offers vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Please check with your server for specific dietary needs.

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Warm up before dinner with a quick drink and small plate at Ombra Restaurant on Cuba Street in Te Aro. Inspired by the bacari (typical bar and restaurant of Venice), the interior of this stylish restaurant combines rustic and industrial design and serves budget-friendly Italian drinks such as Prosecco, Aperol Spritz, and Peroni with a complimentary bite between 3pm and 6pm. All plates are designed to share, so if you are planning to make a meal of it, order three to four dishes for two people.

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Inspired by Venice, Ombra delights with its small plates and a bar adorned with wine, making it a perfect stop for a wine-filled romantic date. This cozy eatery, conveniently located at the heart of Cuba Street, offers lovely large windows for people-watching while you indulge in delicious small plates. Ombra is inspired by the traditional Italian osterias, which are casual and convivial places where people gather to enjoy good food, wine, and company.

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Unattended children will be given a shot of espresso and a puppy” the Ombra website exclaims, a welcome sight to people who are looking for a quiet family restaurant in Wellington. This Venetian-inspired bacara restaurant dishes up small plates that arrive the minute they’re ready. Selections of meatballs and pizzette (basically small pizza) will keep the children happy while the adults sip on Aperol Spritz and eat steaks, arancini, and pate.

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