The Arborist is a rooftop bar and eatery on Willis Street in Te Aro, Wellington, offering a selection of nature-inspired seasonal dishes and cocktails. Described as a must-see venue in the city, it combines a downstairs eatery with an upstairs rooftop bar, giving visitors a couple of different ways to experience the space.
The rooftop bar is known as one of the best spots to visit in Wellington, sheltered from the city's prevailing wind, making it a good place to settle in with a cocktail and some food while watching the sun go down. Downstairs, the kitchen covers everything from brunch through to lunch and dinner, built around a selection of modern New Zealand share plates, with the team aiming to cater for all dietaries.
The Arborist also caters for celebrations and events, from smaller group bookings through to private function spaces, so it's a option worth considering for anything from a casual get-together to a larger private event.
On Willis Street in Te Aro, The Arborist has built a reputation as a must-see venue in Wellington, pairing a downstairs eatery with a standout rooftop bar upstairs. The whole space is built around nature-inspired, seasonal dishes and cocktails, giving visitors a reason to come back as the seasons — and the menu — change.
Wellington isn't known for calm weather, but The Arborist's rooftop bar is specifically sheltered from the city's prevailing wind, which is part of why it's earned a reputation as one of the best spots in town. It's the kind of place to find a peaceful corner, order a cocktail and something to eat, and watch the sun go down over the city. Worth noting: the rooftop is only partially covered, so opening hours up there can vary depending on the weather — best to check ahead if conditions look uncertain.
Downstairs, the eatery covers the full run of the day, from brunch through lunch and dinner, built around a selection of modern New Zealand share plates designed to be enjoyed with company. The kitchen aims to cater for all dietaries, so there's flexibility for different groups sitting down together. The menu itself spans separate Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Rooftop and Drinks sections, giving a sense of just how much ground the kitchen and bar cover across the day.
Among the dishes that show up on the table: a brunch plate of toasted bread topped with beans, sprouts and a poached egg; a stacked Lumberjack Burger loaded with beef patties, cheese, pickles and red onion on a sesame seed bun; a seafood platter with oysters and grilled shrimp skewers finished with lemon and microgreens; a charcuterie board of sliced meats, cheeses, crackers, nuts and fruit for sharing; and a glazed meat dish topped with shredded cheese, spring onion and sesame seeds. It's food built for grazing and sharing as much as sitting down to a single plate.
Beyond the everyday menu, The Arborist also caters for group bookings and events, from smaller gatherings to larger private function spaces. Whether it's a birthday, work function or just a reason to get a group together, the venue positions itself as equipped to handle it, with enquiries taken directly through the website.
The downstairs eatery is open Monday to Friday from 7.30am until late, Saturday from 8.30am until late, and Sunday from 8.30am to 2pm. The rooftop bar keeps slightly different hours: Monday to Thursday from 3pm until late, and Friday to Sunday from midday until late — again, weather permitting given the partially covered space. The Arborist is located at 166 Willis Street, Te Aro, Wellington, and can be reached by phone on +64 4 888 0305.
The Arborist currently runs a voucher promotion: buy a $200 voucher and receive an extra $100 for free, for a limited time, with terms and conditions applying. It's a solid way to bank some value ahead of a future visit, whether that's for a rooftop sunset session or a full share-plates dinner downstairs.