No bookings are taken before 4pm — just walk in. For dinner, groups of six or more can reserve by calling 04 566 6274 or emailing kiaora@seashorecabaret.co.nz.

What time is Seashore Cabaret open?

Doors open at 7am every day. The cafe closes at 4pm Monday to Wednesday and stays open until 9pm Thursday to Sunday.

What are the specials nights?

Thursday is 2-4-1 burger night, Friday has happy hour from 4-6pm, and Sunday is 2-4-1 dessert night. All offers start at 4pm and are dine-in only.

What coffee do they serve?

Organic, fairtrade coffee from Good Fortune Coffee Co, which roasts on site at the cafe.

Are there vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options?

Yes — the menu flags vegan (VG), gluten-free (GF) and dairy-free (DF) choices, and many dishes can be made gluten-free. Ask the team about any dietary requirements.

Where exactly is the cafe?

On the Petone foreshore at 160 The Esplanade, in the Petone Rowing Club building, looking across the harbour at the Wellington city skyline.

Is there a surcharge for card payments?

Yes, a 2% surcharge applies to credit card and contactless transactions.

Seashore Cabaret

cafe — Petone · Lower Hutt

About Seashore Cabaret

Seashore Cabaret is a cafe, diner and pinball parlour on the Petone foreshore, housed in the old Petone Rowing Club on The Esplanade with a straight-down-the-harbour view of the Wellington city skyline. The building once held a dance hall — the source of the cafe's name — and it keeps a showman's streak today: American-diner signage out front, then colourful tiled walls, vintage-style signage, industrial lighting and booths painted to look like weathered seaside bach walls. Five old-school pinball machines hum away, and the space also hosts the Good Fortune Coffee Co roastery, so the organic, fairtrade coffee is roasted on site. Proudly Aotearoa owned and operated and a sibling to Maranui, it pays every staff member a living wage.

Food runs all day: breakfast until 3pm (Big Breakfast, Eggs Benedict with house-smoked salmon, buttermilk pancakes, plus a vegan and gluten-free Goodness Bowl), light meals from 11am (beer-battered Cabaret Fish & Chips, burgers on brioche buns, super nachos, Thai beef salad, fish tacos), and a bigger dinner menu Thursday to Sunday — honey and sesame pork ribs, grilled sirloin, market fish and chicken parmigiana. The cabinet food, especially the fresh salads, has a following of its own, and there are homemade sodas and ice cream sundaes for the sweet-toothed. Vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options are flagged across the menu.

The week has its rituals: 2-4-1 burger night on Thursdays, happy hour 4-6pm on Fridays and 2-4-1 dessert night on Sundays, all starting at 4pm and dine-in only. With harbour views, shared plates and a retro soundtrack of pinball, it's a favourite evening spot on this side of the city. Doors open at 7am daily; dinner bookings are taken for groups of six or more.

Seashore Cabaret, Petone: Retro Diner Cafe on the Esplanade with Harbour Views, Pinball & On-Site Roasted Coffee

On the Petone foreshore, inside the old Petone Rowing Club building, Seashore Cabaret looks straight across the harbour at the Wellington city skyline — a view the team will cheerfully tell you is the best in the region. The name nods to the space's past life as a dance hall, and there is still a touch of showtime about the place: American-diner signage out front, then colour, sound and energy within. Colourfully tiled walls, vintage-style signage, industrial lighting and booths painted to look like weathered seaside bach walls set the scene, and five old-school pinball machines keep it humming. From most seats the harbour does the decorating — the esplanade and jetty out one window, the city lights coming up across the water after dark.

Coffee roasted in the room

The cafe plays host to Good Fortune Coffee Co, whose roaster works on site, so the smell of fresh beans is part of the experience. The coffee is organic and fairtrade, and it fuels everything from the 7am first pour to late dinners. Seashore is proudly Aotearoa owned and operated, a sibling to Wellington's Maranui, and just as proudly a living wage employer — the team believes valued, fairly paid staff are the key to the happy, energetic room regulars come back for. Ask for a window seat if the sun is out.

Breakfast till three, dinner till nine

Breakfast runs 7am to 3pm and covers the classics generously: the Big Breakfast stacks poached eggs, free-range bacon, kransky sausage, hash-brown and roasted mushrooms on sourdough; Eggs Benedict comes with house-smoked salmon or streaky bacon; buttermilk pancakes arrive with bacon, banana and maple or stewed fruit and mascarpone. Vegetarians and vegans are well looked after — the vegan and gluten-free Goodness Bowl of roasted kumara, crispy chickpeas, quinoa salad and beetroot hummus has a following, alongside avocado smash, granola yoghurt bowls and creamy thyme mushrooms on toast. Smaller appetites can build their own kids' brekkie, and brunch cocktails like Bloody Marys, mimosas and Bellinis make weekend mornings feel like an occasion. The cabinet food is worth a detour, the fresh salads in particular, and there are homemade sodas and ice cream sundaes when you want something sweet.

From 11am the light-meals menu takes over: Cabaret Fish & Chips with tartare and lemon, the Cheeseburger Royale on a toasted brioche bun, a buttermilk-fried Crunchy Chicken Burger, grilled halloumi with beetroot hummus, super nachos, Thai beef salad and three-piece fish tacos. Thursday through Sunday the kitchen keeps going until 9pm, adding crispy honey and sesame glazed pork ribs, a 220g grilled sirloin with mushroom sauce, pan-seared market fish, chicken parmigiana and a crispy fish burger, with garlic bread and bruschetta to start.

Thursday burgers, Friday happy hour, Sunday desserts

The week has its own rhythm. Thursday is 2-4-1 burger night, Friday brings happy hour from 4 to 6pm, and Sunday is 2-4-1 dessert night — every offer starts at 4pm and is dine-in only. With beers, shared plates and the harbour lights out the window, it has firmly cemented itself as a favourite spot for drinks and small plates on this side of the city.

Know before you go

Doors open at 7am every day, closing at 4pm Monday to Wednesday and at 9pm Thursday to Sunday. Dinner bookings are taken for groups of six or more — call or email ahead — while before 4pm it is walk-in only. A 2% surcharge applies to credit card and contactless payments, and the menu flags vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options throughout; staff are happy to talk through dietary requirements. Kids get their own breakfast and lunch menus, and the pinball machines are there for everyone. Gift vouchers are available online if you want to treat someone to a harbour-side breakfast or a round of burgers.

Signature items

Cabaret Fish & Chips
Big Breakfast
Famous Pork Ribs
Good Fortune Coffee
Super Nachos
Eggs Benedict

Kids' Brekkie — Mix-and-match plate with options like two free-range eggs, bacon, halloumi, kransky, hash-browns, roasted tomatoes, salad & toast.
Pancake Stack — With maple syrup, or jam and cream.
Crumbed Chicken Tenders & Fries — A kids' lunch staple.
Mini Hot Dogs & Fries — Little versions of the diner classic.
Fish Fingers & Fries — Hand-sized and kid-approved.

Brunch Cocktails

Bloody Mary — The savoury brunch classic, served with the morning menu.
Mimosa — Classic sparkling brunch cocktail.
Bellini — Fizzy brunch favourite.

Breakfast (7am-3pm)

Big Breakfast — Poached eggs on sourdough with free-range bacon, kransky, hash-brown, roasted mushrooms & house relish. GF option.
Vege Breakfast — Poached eggs on 5-grain toast with roasted tomato, artichokes, mushrooms, hash-brown, spinach & relish. Vegan option.
Free Range Eggs — On sourdough toast; add sides like bacon, kransky or halloumi. GF option.
Truckers Breakfast — Grilled 220g sirloin steak with creamy mushroom sauce, fried eggs & fries. Gluten free.
Granola Yoghurt Bowl — Creamy Greek yoghurt, house-made granola, fresh strawberries, banana & a drizzle of maple syrup.
Eggs Benedict — With house-smoked salmon or streaky bacon. GF option.
Buttermilk Pancakes — With bacon, banana & maple syrup, or stewed fruit, mascarpone & maple.
Avocado Smash — Creamy smashed avocado on 5-grain toast with crumbled feta, olive oil & dukkah; option to add poached eggs.
Toast & Spreads — Sourdough, 5-grain or gluten-free toast with raspberry jam, marmalade, peanut butter, honey, Vegemite or Marmite.
Goodness Bowl — Roasted kumara, crispy fried chickpeas, baby spinach, beetroot hummus, quinoa salad, pickled cucumber & dukkah. Vegan & GF.
Deluxe Salmon Bagel — House-smoked salmon, chive cream cheese, pickled onions & capers on toasted Shelly Bay bagel. GF option.
Mushrooms on Toast — Creamy roasted thyme mushrooms on 5-grain toast with parmesan. GF option.
Mince on Toast — Slow-cooked beef mince in rich onion gravy on toasted sourdough with rocket. GF option.

Light Meals (From 11am)

Cabaret Fish & Chips — Beer-battered fish, salad & fries with tartare and lemon; add extra battered fish.
Pan Seared Prawns — Chilli, garlic & coriander marinated prawns sauteed in lemon butter with toasted garlic bread. GF option.
Seashore Garden Salad — Mixed greens, carrot, red cabbage, cherry tomatoes, toasted seeds & house dressing. Add chicken, halloumi or salmon.
Thai Beef Salad — Marinated beef strips, mixed green salad, sweet chilli mayo & crispy noodles.
Super Nachos — Beans, spicy tomato salsa, cheese, sour cream, chipotle mayo & corn chips, or add chilli beef. DF & GF options.
Cheeseburger Royale — House-made beef patty, smoked cheese, red onion marmalade, lettuce, tomato & burger sauce on brioche with rustic fries.
Crunchy Chicken Burger — Buttermilk fried chicken, tangy slaw, smoked cheese, pickled jalapenos & chipotle mayo on brioche with rustic fries.
Halloumi Burger — Grilled halloumi, beetroot hummus, greens & aioli.
Fish Tacos — Crispy fried fish, coleslaw, pickled red onion & jalapeno sauce; three tacos.
Southern Fried Chicken — Buttermilk fried chicken strips with chipotle aioli.
Chilli Calamari — With lemon caper aioli.
Chicken Parmigiana — Crisped chicken breast with smoked ham, Napoli sauce & mozzarella, seasonal salad & fries.
Loaded Curly Fries — Sour cream, tomato salsa & cheese over curly fries, with bacon, chilli beef or beans.
Rustic Fries — With house aioli.
Curly Fries — With house aioli.

Dinner (From 4pm, Thu-Sun)

Garlic Bread — Classic garlic bread to start.
Bruschetta — Shelly Bay ciabatta with tomato, red onion & fresh basil salsa, crumbled feta, dukkah & olive oil; three pieces.
Famous Pork Ribs — Crispy honey & sesame glazed pork ribs with fries & house slaw.
Grilled Sirloin Steak — 220g sirloin with creamy mushroom sauce, baby carrots & twice-cooked hand-cut fries.
Market Fish — Pan-seared fish of the day with mashed potato, baby carrots, beans & lemon caper sauce.
Crispy Fish Burger — Battered fish fillet with seasonal green salad, pickled cucumber, lemon & gherkin.
Chilli Garlic Prawns — Chilli garlic prawns from the night menu.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a booking?: No bookings are taken before 4pm — just walk in. For dinner, groups of six or more can reserve by calling 04 566 6274 or emailing [email protected].
What time is Seashore Cabaret open?: Doors open at 7am every day. The cafe closes at 4pm Monday to Wednesday and stays open until 9pm Thursday to Sunday.
What are the specials nights?: Thursday is 2-4-1 burger night, Friday has happy hour from 4-6pm, and Sunday is 2-4-1 dessert night. All offers start at 4pm and are dine-in only.
What coffee do they serve?: Organic, fairtrade coffee from Good Fortune Coffee Co, which roasts on site at the cafe.
Are there vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options?: Yes — the menu flags vegan (VG), gluten-free (GF) and dairy-free (DF) choices, and many dishes can be made gluten-free. Ask the team about any dietary requirements.
Where exactly is the cafe?: On the Petone foreshore at 160 The Esplanade, in the Petone Rowing Club building, looking across the harbour at the Wellington city skyline.
Is there a surcharge for card payments?: Yes, a 2% surcharge applies to credit card and contactless transactions.

Tips

{"body":"Tables look out over the esplanade, jetty and harbour — worth staying until dusk when the city lights come up across the water.","title":"Time it for the view"}
{"body":"2-4-1 burgers run from 4pm, dine-in only, so arrive early if you're in a group.","title":"Thursday is burger night"}
{"body":"Happy hour runs 4-6pm on Fridays, and the full dinner menu — ribs, sirloin, market fish — is on Thursday to Sunday.","title":"Friday happy hour"}
{"body":"Five old-school pinball machines live in the cafe — a retro bonus after breakfast or dinner.","title":"Leave time for pinball"}
{"body":"Six or more for dinner? Call 04 566 6274 or email [email protected]; smaller groups can simply walk in.","title":"Book for big groups"}

Good to know

{"family":"Kids' breakfast & lunch menus, plus five pinball machines to explore.","dietary":"Vegan, gluten-free & dairy-free options marked on the menu; ask staff about requirements.","payments":"2% surcharge on credit card & contactless payments."}