Monsoon Poon

southeast asian restaurant — Mount Victoria · Wellington

About Monsoon Poon

Established in 2001, Monsoon Poon Restaurant & Bar has been a vibrant staple of Wellington's dining scene for decades, situated on Blair Street just off Courtenay Place in the heart of the capital's theatre and entertainment district.

The restaurant draws culinary inspiration from across Southeast Asia and the subcontinent, showcasing beloved dishes and bold street-food flavours from Thailand, Malaysia, India, China, and Indonesia. With a loud, colourful, and high-energy atmosphere, Monsoon Poon aims to transport guests directly into the sensory bustle of classic Asian night markets.

Alongside extensive all-day and evening dining options, Monsoon Poon features a dedicated bar serving craft beers, curated wines, and creative clarified cocktails. They also cater to CBD office workers with a weekday lunch tiffin delivery service and accommodate larger groups across two private dining rooms.

A Flavour Tour of Asia in the Heart of Te Aro: Inside Monsoon Poon Wellington

Since opening its doors in 2001, Monsoon Poon Restaurant & Bar has been spicing up the Wellington dining scene from its lively home on Blair Street, right off Courtenay Place. Designed to capture the vibrant, sensory experience of Southeast Asian night markets, the venue combines bold pan-Asian street flavours with the buzzy hum of the capital's premier entertainment district.

From casual weekday lunches to celebratory banquet dinners, Monsoon Poon operates as an unapologetically loud, warm, and energetic gathering spot. The dining room balances colourful Asian trading house aesthetics with an inviting layout suitable for intimate tables, lively family meals, or large corporate gatherings.

Pan-Asian Flavours and Street Food Traditions

The culinary philosophy brings together standout regional favourites from across Thailand, Malaysia, India, China, and Indonesia. Diners can move across borders in a single sitting, whether pairing Malaysian satay skewers with fragrant curries, aromatic noodle broths, or freshly baked naans.

For lunchtime diners across the Wellington central business district, Monsoon Poon is particularly famous for its signature weekday Tiffin service. Meals are packed piping hot into traditional three-tier stainless steel reusable tiffin carriers complete with rice and salad, then delivered straight to office desks, swapping out tins with every subsequent order.

Handcrafted Drinks, Craft Taps, and Private Feasts

Behind the bar, Monsoon Poon complements its spice-forward menu with an extensive drinks program featuring clarified cocktails, New Zealand wines, regional Asian lagers, and local Wellington craft brews from nearby breweries like Garage Project and Parrotdog. Unique modern sharpener aperitifs—such as clarified Mai Tais and cosmopolitans—offer crisp, refreshing preludes to aromatic dishes.

For private celebrations and functions, the venue houses two dedicated private dining rooms accommodating groups from 8 up to 80 guests. Backed by allergy-conscious menus, children's selections, and dedicated banquet options, it remains an essential Wellington destination for everything from relaxed walk-ins to milestone banquets.

Signature items

  • Clarified Mai Tai
  • Lunch Tiffins
  • The Tiger
  • Mango Lassi
  • Lombok Lager

Menu

Asian Beer

  • Tsingtao — Classic Chinese lager
  • Chang — Traditional Thai lager
  • Singha — Full-bodied Thai lager
  • Tiger — Singaporean pale lager
  • Tiger Crystal — Cold-filtered Singaporean lager

Sharpeners

  • Espresso Martini — Thunderdonk caramel whiskey, Mr Black and Kiwi distilleries coffee liqueurs, and cold brew
  • Clarified Mai Tai — House-blended gold rum, orange liqueur, almond, pineapple, and lime clarified for a modern twist
  • Clarified Cosmopolitan — Finlandia citrus vodka, strawberry liqueur, and cranberry sharpened with lime

Children'S Menu

  • The Tiger — Creamy butter chicken served on a bed of steamed rice with mini naan bread and grated carrot
  • The Monkey — Chicken satay served on a bed of steamed rice with mini naan bread, peanut sauce, and grated carrot
  • The Panda — Baby pho bo Vietnamese beef noodle soup
  • Mango Lassi Popsicle — Chilled mango lassi dessert on a stick

Tap & Craft Beer

  • Lombok Lager — Lager brewed by Sunshine Brewery on tap
  • Panhead Supercharger APA — Upper Hutt American pale ale
  • Parrotdog Thunderbird Bright IPA — Locally brewed bright IPA from Lyall Bay
  • Parrotdog Birdseye Hazy IPA — Hazy IPA brewed in Lyall Bay
  • Garage Project Hatsukoi — Neo Tokyo style lager from Te Aro

Non-Alcoholic & Specialties

  • Mango Lassi — Traditional spiced Indian yoghurt drink
  • House Infused Iced Tea — House-made iced tea brewed with custom spice blend
  • Kombucha Bros — Fermented tea available in Yuzu & Blueberry, Hibiscus, or Dragonfruit + Pineapple
  • Otakiri Sparkling Mineral Water — Bottled New Zealand sparkling mineral water

Frequently asked questions

Where is Monsoon Poon Wellington located?
Monsoon Poon is located at 12 Blair Street, just off Courtenay Place in Te Aro, Wellington.
What cuisines does Monsoon Poon feature?
The menu showcases favourite dishes from Thailand, Malaysia, India, China, and Indonesia.
Do you need a reservation to dine?
Bookings are taken for lunch, late afternoon, and early evening dinner sittings, but walk-ins are always welcomed at the bar for pre-dinner drinks.
What is the weekday Tiffin lunch delivery service?
Available Monday to Friday, tiffins deliver hot meals to Wellington CBD offices in reusable 3-tier stainless steel containers with a refundable initial deposit.
Are there facilities for private events or group dining?
Yes, the venue offers two private dining rooms suitable for events of 8 to 80 guests.
Is there a children's menu available?
Yes, there is a dedicated kids' menu designed to meet the Heart Foundation's Kids' Choice guidelines for children aged 12 and under.

Tips

  • {"body":"Walk-ins are welcomed warmly; if a table isn't immediately ready upon arrival, grab a craft beer or clarified cocktail at the bar.","title":"Enjoy Pre-Dinner Drinks at the Bar"}
  • {"body":"If working in central Wellington, take advantage of the 3-tier stainless steel lunch tiffin delivery for hot desk-side curries.","title":"Try the CBD Weekday Tiffin Service"}
  • {"body":"Early evening tables and lunch slots fill quickly in the Courtenay Place entertainment precinct, so reserve online in advance.","title":"Book Ahead for Peak Times"}

Good to know

  • {"family":"Children's menu available meeting Heart Foundation Kids' Choice guidelines.","dietary":"Dedicated allergy menu and dietary-friendly options available."}