Pomelo Kitchen & Bar serves authentic Asian flavours with a modern take from Oriental Bay, Wellington, with panoramic views over the bay and the city. The kitchen uses fresh ingredients and free range or organic meat sourced from local New Zealand farmers, with a menu built around sharing and an extensive wine list to go alongside it.
The restaurant's stated philosophy is simple: serve the best dishes using the freshest ingredients without compromising on taste or quality, with chefs doing their best to cater to dietary requirements and personal requests. A special dish is served every week, giving regulars something new to try alongside the core Food, Drinks and Chef's Set menus.
Pomelo has picked up positive press coverage, including a review from David Burton describing it as "a picture of refinement," and a Cuisine.co.nz review praising service that is "charming, friendly and well-judged." The restaurant is fully licensed and also caters private functions, including celebrations, corporate events and Christmas functions, accommodating up to 60 standing or 55 seated guests.
Pomelo Kitchen & Bar sits on Level 1 of 232 Oriental Parade, looking out over Oriental Bay and Wellington city — a setting that's become as much a part of its identity as the food itself. The restaurant describes its cooking as authentic Asian flavours given a modern take, built around sharing rather than individual mains, and designed to be paired with an extensive wine list.
Pomelo puts sourcing at the centre of its story, using fresh ingredients and free range or organic meat from local New Zealand farmers. The kitchen's stated philosophy is straightforward: serve the best dishes using the freshest ingredients without compromising on taste or quality. That extends to dietary requirements too — the team says its chefs will always do their best to accommodate specific needs or personal requests, so the dining experience works for as many guests as possible.
The menu is split across three main offerings: a Food menu, a Drinks menu, and a Chef's Set Menu, alongside a rotating weekly special. That special changes regularly, and the restaurant invites feedback on dishes guests particularly enjoy, with the possibility that a popular special could make its way onto the permanent menu.
Pomelo has drawn attention from local food writers and critics. David Burton described it as "a picture of refinement," calling it a standout debut restaurant in Oriental Bay, while a Cuisine.co.nz review praised the service as "charming, friendly and well-judged, neatly walking the fine line between discretion and attentiveness." The restaurant has also been covered by Stuff, in a review titled "Refined dining at Pomelo bar & kitchen."
Beyond regular dining, Pomelo is set up to host private functions — whether that's a birthday, a corporate event, or a Christmas function. The space can accommodate up to 60 guests standing or 55 seated, with the same panoramic Wellington views on offer, and the kitchen can put together customised menus to suit dietary requirements for group bookings. Anyone looking to book a function, or a table of 14 or more for a regular booking, is directed to the restaurant's functions form or email rather than the standard online booking system.
For a smaller gift, Pomelo also sells vouchers in person, available Tuesday to Saturday from 5pm onward, with other arrangements available by email if that timing doesn't suit.
Pomelo is closed on Sundays and Mondays, and open Tuesday to Friday from 5:30pm to 9:30pm, and Saturday from 5pm to 10pm. Online reservations are accepted up until 4pm for same-day bookings; after that, guests are asked to call the restaurant directly on 04-382 8088. The restaurant is fully licensed, so wine, and the rest of the drinks list, is available to enjoy alongside the food.
With its Oriental Bay views, sharing-style Asian menu, and a track record of positive press, Pomelo positions itself as a refined but approachable spot for an evening out in Wellington, whether that's a casual dinner for two or a larger private function.