Rata's Kitchen is a modern fusion restaurant on Jackson Street in Petone, Lower Hutt, run by chef-owner Rata Larpnateewijit, who came from Thailand, and co-owner Thomas Doloy, a sommelier from France. The cooking brings Thai and French influences together, and the menu changes with the seasons, so a return visit can look quite different from the last one.
Rata and Thomas started the restaurant as a food truck in Russell in April 2022, after Rata had spent 12 years in Queenstown and Thomas had been exploring New Zealand for nearly five years. Their food won over locals and visitors there before the business settled in Petone.
Diners who have eaten here often single out the French onion soup dumplings, the most talked-about dish on the menu, along with the beef croquettes, the bone marrow dish and the lamb rump served with duck fat potatoes. Guests describe the lamb rump as tender, with flavours that work well together. The wine list is built to match the food, and several guests praise the orange wine. The staff are described as warm and welcoming, and Thomas is remembered as a fun and engaging host.
The restaurant suits a long, unhurried dinner with friends, a meal over several courses, or a small celebration. Daytime private events can be hired, which makes it useful for group lunches or work gatherings. Gift cards can be bought online through rataskitchen.co.nz, an easy choice for someone who enjoys good food and wine.
Our pick in Petone for a slow dinner with good wine.
Rata's Kitchen was born from the meeting of two very different journeys. Rata Larpnateewijit, a chef from Thailand, had spent 12 years living in the stunning town of Queenstown before the restaurant's beginnings. Thomas Doloy, a sommelier from France, had been exploring New Zealand's shores for nearly five years. The two met in New Zealand, and that meeting would eventually lead to Rata's Kitchen.
In April 2022, Rata and Thomas took a leap of faith, leaving Queenstown behind for the charming coastal town of Russell. There, they started Rata's Kitchen with a humble food truck. To their surprise, their flavours quickly captivated both locals and visitors, and the support they received from the people of Russell in those early days was, as they describe it, heartwarming.
Rata's Kitchen now operates from Petone, in Lower Hutt, Wellington, describing its style as modern fusion cuisine. The kitchen follows the rhythm of the seasons, with the menu evolving often depending on what's fresh and inspiring at the time. Rather than a fixed, unchanging menu, diners can expect the offering to shift as ingredients and inspiration change through the year.
With Thomas's background as a sommelier, wine plays a central role at Rata's Kitchen. The drink list is described as being crafted to match the dishes on the plate, reflecting a considered approach to pairing food and wine rather than treating them as separate parts of the meal.
For those looking to host something a little different, Rata's Kitchen offers private daytime events. Guests interested in planning a special occasion are invited to get in touch to discuss the possibilities and start planning their event at the restaurant.
Rata's Kitchen also offers gift cards, available to purchase online for those who want to share the experience with someone else. The restaurant can be found at 274C Jackson Street, Petone, Lower Hutt, Wellington 5012, and can be reached by phone at +64 4 650 1052. Rata's Kitchen can also be followed on Instagram and Facebook for updates on the ever-changing seasonal menu and upcoming events.