Travel the World Without Leaving the Capital at Wellington on a Plate 2023

Appetites at the ready, the capital’s biggest food festival Visa Wellington on a Plate returns from May 5 to 21. This year, it’s taking a slightly different format and will be spread across two different events – the festival, cocktail and Dine events will happen in May, and Burger Wellington will take place in August, coinciding with Beervana.

As always, the line-up (released today) is varied and ranging, with a mixture of free-entry and ticketed events. The return of international chefs including Matt Abergel of Hong Kong’s Yardbird and Victor Liong of Melbourne’s Lee Ho Fook will add another layer of diversity and interest. But it’s not just guest chefs from overseas bringing flavours from all over the world. There are plenty of local restaurants creating must-visit events that might give you a chance to try something different.

Here are some opportunities (among many) to travel the globe without leaving the capital at this year’s WOAP.

Mosaic
Running Wednesday to Saturday for the duration of the festival, Mosaic is not to be missed. Held at Wakefield Street restaurant Field & Green , this event is about much more than food. Owner Laura Greenfield has been exploring her Jewish heritage for years, and each WOAP provides a chance to go deep into another region of the Jewish diaspora. In past years, her events have centred around the food of Jewish people who made their homes in Italy, the UK, Ottoman Greece and India. This year, Greenfield and her wife (and Field & Green co-owner) Raechal Ferguson will take diners to North Africa. The focus is on those who made their home in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya. Both Greenfield and Ferguson enjoy the research process, collecting cookbooks and experimenting. They discovered this cuisine was greatly influenced by migration from Spain (Andalusia specifically) and Italy (particularly the port city of Livorno) as well as later French and Italian colonisation. It’s a fascinating story and, judging by their past events, the food is bound to be sensational. Various times, 262 Wakefield St, Te Aro. Free entry, pay on consumption.

Ola Sta Karvouna
The Hellenic community has had a strong presence in Wellington’s culinary history, having arrived from all over the world – including Cyprus, Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Egypt and Russia. And they’ve always been driven to preserve their food culture for future generations. Miramar restaurant Oikos offers modern interpretations of these beautiful Greek flavours. Theo Papouis (the chef and owner) is of Cypriot descent, and this year his event is all about cooking over wood and charcoal. You might eat smoked eggplant melitzanosalata (dip); haloumi; ground lamb kebabs; or chicken on a spit – all with deep flavours that will make you feel like you’re on holiday in the Greek islands. Sunday, May 7 and 14 from 1pm. 382 Broadway, Miramar. $100

Miramar Taco’ver
While they’re fun to eat, getting tacos right is a serious business. This year, the Mexican Embassy approached the festival wanting to do something that would celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries – and also educate festivalgoers on the variations in style and preparation of tacos from region to region. The event will be held in the Miramar laneway outside The Food Lab (Charley Noble ’s catering business). Attend, and you can do a taco crawl trying tacos made by Taco Addicts , The Food Lab and Charley Noble, and Viva Mexico. “We are very excited about this event,” says Alejandro Ramos Cardoso, deputy head of mission and cultural attaché for the Mexican Embassy. “Together with Visa Wellington on a Plate, we will bring chef Lucho Martínez – owner of Em Tacos in Mexico City – who will be in charge of the general coordination and curation of this event.” Embassy staff have worked with all the restaurants, educating them all on regional differences and specialties. May 6, 11am-9pm, 128f Park Road, Miramar. Free entry, pay on consumption.

And while they might not be doing WOAP events, don’t forget some of the institutions that have been serving up their international flavours to delighted locals for years.

Little Penang
A Wellington fave for good reason, at Little Penang Tee Chiew Phie and her husband Keith Cheah serve Peranakan/Nyonya cuisine to diners who can’t get enough of it. You’ll still be thinking of their nasi lemak, mee goreng and char koay teow for days – maybe even months – after tasting them. 175 Victoria Street, Te Aro & 44 The Terrace, Wellington Central

Dragons
Dragons has been a Wellington go-to for yum cha since 2007, serving baskets of steamed Cantonese favourites such as har gow and siu mai – as well as deep-fried delights including crispy squid and spring rolls. There’s arguably no better place to get together with friends and family on a Sunday morning. 25 Tory Street, Te Aro

Phoenician Cuisine
If you’re craving Middle Eastern flavours, all your Lebanese food dreams will come true with a takeaway from Phoenician Cuisine. Its shawarma and falafel have attracted cult followings for over two decades. 11 Kent Terrace, Mount Victoria

Visa Wellington on a Plate takes place May 5-21, and August 11-27 for Garage Project Presents Burger Wellington. The full program is available to view now.