Review Chocolate Fish Cafe - Wellington

Food here was so good we had to come back the next day! The whitebait fritter sandwich and tomato soup is a must try! We also had the black pudding sandwich, coffee and chocolate milkshake which were good as well. Big play area for young children on the side of the cafe.

The Flash Sammies were really good - got the White Bait and Crayfish. The 3B burger was "one of the best burgers I've had in awhile" - said my friend who came with me. Winner though was the Cheese Scone - buttery, fragrant. Loved it. !!!

One of the homeliest and most comfortable cafes in Wellington!! All the staff are all incredibly lovely. These guys know how to do Kiwi well. Highly recommend the crayfish sandwich, came on soft white bread with heaps of mayo, butter and

It's great to visit on a sunny day with your young child during the weekend. Keep in mind that parking might be a bit challenging due to the large number of people. However, the food doesn't take too long to come out considering the crowd. I highly recommend this place due to its pleasant atmosphere and convenient location.

OMG! This place is amazing, from the views, to the food and drinks. I was blown away (literally… it was so windy) I definitely recommend sitting away from the sun but the views of Wellington are incredible. The service was great and the food came out quickly despite how busy it was. I had roast tomatoes on vogel and it was delicious. The coffees were great too. Such a great place to bring kids as they have a playground and toys. Definitely recommend stopping by!

I'm a big fan of this place. The standard fancy fish sandwich is lovely, the potato cake is fluffy on the inside and crisp on the out. My partner said his choc shake was delicious and scrambled eggs were soft and tasty. And the coffee was divine. On a nice day you can sit outside and admire the waterside view. This place is super kid and dog friendly as well.

Warm friendly and patient service. Outstanding paua, bacon and black pudding burger. Banana a date smoothie (dairy free, vegan) was delicious. Carrot cake (nut free) beautifully spiced with a zesty orange icing. So good to be back again after 22 years. I won’t leave it so long for my next visit!

Great Mocha, open steak sandwich was just awesomeness.. the chef had the steak to perfection. Staff were wonderful and the owner was soo nice..

A great little place to get a meal away from the busy centre of Wellington. We had breakfast here on the way to Weta Workshop and enjoyed it immensely. The decor - in particular the hand painted seats - was quite charming and homely. We had the fish of the day sandwich and the breakfast bagel - both tasty. Numerous signs apologise for the wait for food due to understaffing, but on a quiet Sunday morning we barely had to wait at all.

Very close to Camp Wellington where we stayed last month. It was recommended we visit and have a taste of what they have on the menu. Didn't disappoint. We had light meals, but it was perfect. Lots of parking space outside. They also have a play area for the kids to enjoy. Amazing view at the front. A cool place to chill after a long drive from Auckland. Definitely will be coming back to try other menu offerings.

Awesome outdoor seating. Went here with some work colleagues and it was a bit windy but you can’t beat the nice views. <br/><br/>Service was really quick.<br/><br/>Do feel it is a little overpriced for the portions they give but would still go back.

super blown away by this cafe. it was our first time going there & it was packed with people due to the beautiful weather, yet the service was still super fast. i had the salmon bagel & i was pleasantly surprised by the smokiness of the salmon. my partner got the pork belly sandwich & raved about it. super interesting menu with a huge variety.

Very busy Sunday afternoon the place was rocking, lovely friendly staff, organised kitchen, the food was great loved the fish and orange salad and iced coffee the food came out in record time considering they were fully packed will be back for sure

Went here because I had been told it was a great place for kids.  And sure enough my 3yo twins loved the play area outside.  Things went downhill pretty quick as soon as we tried to head in for some food.  Before we were even in the door we were assaulted by one of the kitchen staff.  I hadn't realised that one of the kids was still clutching a bike from outside but rather than just asking me to put the bike outside, he started talking down to my son.  Next he turned on me and explained as if I was three myself that this was a place for grandparents, not kids.  I was left a little bemused at where I fit in this picture, and my kids we so freaked by the whole thing they both wet themselves.  Left feeling confused and unwelcome.

Dinky little cafe out by the seaside. Space is rather limited but that is in no way a reflection on the great food and service the provide here. Decent coffee as well.

Came here for a late brunch and it was very busy <br/>The staff are very friendly and we took our dog as well as we were eating outside.<br/>Dog bowls are available and fresh cold water as well, a male staff member even gave our dog a biscuit.<br/>My wife had the Fish Cakes and my daughter had the Vegan Burger and I had the Reuben Sandwich which we washed down with a bottle of Pinot Noir.<br/>We will definitely come back as the staff made us all feel welcome.

We make the drive out to Chocolate Fish often as its just the most beautiful location and the plentiful outdoor seating really makes the most of it. The food is always fantastic, the decor is super cute, and the set up outside is very child friendly. Best place to be on a sunny day

hi, i went to chocolate fish today and did not enjoy. the salmon was too small (mine was bigger ) and did not taste good .my mums is better. way too expensive the coke was best thing on the menu. the sugarless half donut was a joke as well<br/><br/>i did love the salt however keep up the good salt regards

Went here on a busy Sunday lunchtime and the service was fantastic. Good parking space available too.<br/>The man behind the counter was really friendly, explained the menu to us and even showed us examples of the food on the menu that was being made in the kitchen as he spoke. Enough staff on to cater to the busy Sunday afternoon which was nice. All friendly too.<br/><br/>The food was very tasty. Lots of variety on the menu. Reasonably priced. We ordered three kitchen meals and they all came out much quicker than we expected. I got the smoothie bowl but swapped it from the plum smoothie on the menu to the “green colada” one instead which was tasty. Loved they had so many dairy free/gluten free options and were happy to swap things around for me. <br/><br/>We sat out on the patio bit out the back which was nice. Still outside but not out the front where all the families and young children were running around which worked for us.<br/><br/>Highly recommend, will definitely make this one of our go tos.

I came in today and ordered coco pops for my 5 year old (and can I say genius move to put that at the top of the kids menu, once she heard coco pops there was nothing else that she wanted) and the Angus burger for me. We were seated right next to the trampoline. The little one went to the trampoline and the burger and coco pops were brought out, I went to tell my child that she should come back to eat and when I turned around there were about 6 seagulls on my burger, that was an oversight on my part. I’m not the type of person to complain so I sat down and helped my little one eat the coco pops and I drank her juice, some of the lovely patrons at the table next to me noticed I wasn’t eating and urged me to take the burger back, I did and there was no fuss, the burger was replaced no questions asked. I really appreciated that and the burger was delicious, great kids menu at great prices and what a beautiful view. Chocolate fish cafe is a hidden gem, definitely come and check it out if you’re over this way.

Love coming to the chocolate fish knowing the gluten free food is both safe and delicious 😋💞 Great service and plenty of great gf options. Personal fav is potato & parsley sandwich

Location is outstanding! service was great! it was worth the drive<br/><br/>pro tip: make sure you order their hot chocolates, as they are DELISHHHHH!!!<br/><br/>ig: Wellymunchers

Super disappointed with the Angus beef burger. $20 got me a burger and side salad. Thought there would be fries for that price. Didn’t enjoy my burger as the bun was cold and soggy from the water from the salad and had way too much spinach and onion which over powered everything. Hadn’t been to Chocolate Fish cafe in years and was looking forward to it, but after this I don’t think I’ll be back again. However, service was super friendly and everything clean and tidy. I did enjoy my tea though :)

Great ambience, the outdoor area was great, lots of heaters pillows and lights, nice and tidy too! Had the seafood chowder which was amazing, was pretty filling as well, full of flavour and not too creamy. My friend had the beef burger she said was okay, would have been better if she knew she had to ask to get her meat cooked more then rare, lastly we had the chocolate fish shakes, perfect kiwi classic!! Thanks guys

if you love eating fresh food while enjoying the sun and have the kids playing around safely while you enjoy your cuppa, do check this place out. the salmon fritter is divine and the cakes from the cabinet will not disappoint. also highly recommend the almond cocoa smoothie if you want something sweet but not too heavy.

Easily the most unique location and set-up I’ve seen in Wellington. And the food is so fresh it makes it even better. <br/>We had a Green Colada and Mango smoothie, fresh and chilled on a bright sunny day on the lawn chairs. The fish cakes were so flavourful with kaffir lime and cooked to perfection, the fish burger equally great. Save some room for a slice of their fresh baked goods, there’s plenty to choose from. We went for the Black Doris Plum and Coconut cake and the Lemon Almond Cake. The sheer amount of food we ate should tell you we were left satisfied and it’s officially on the regular-spot list.

Excellent location, great menu with friendly efficient staff. Well cooked beef burger and coffee, great place to chilli on a hot day with sea views too. I'll be back to try more.

I'd been going to the cafe since it was based at Scorching Bay, but it'd been a few years since I'd been, so was pleasantly surprised to find it was still much the same in all of its kitschy glory. It was a sunny day so naturally it was completely rammed, but staff were pulling out all the stops and service was never lacking. They warned us there would be a delay on the food, but I personally didn't find it took any longer than normal to come out. My partner and I both devoured our sandwiches (he got a reuben, I, a mussel fritter), coffees were awesome, big menu, definitely coming back soon.

Great if your into seafood unfortunately I am not so I got a burger and that was great , great service. Love tht you can sit outside across the road.

We had a late lunch at chocolate fish and realised after ordering that we were running late for our plane. The chef quickly cooked our order and we made it to the airport in plenty of time. The chicken liver pate was sublime and I added a piece of fish of the day which was cooked to perfection. Tried my 1st ever tumeric latte. Ok but not sure I'll order another! The service and level of quality at Chocolate Fish is second to none. With an eclectic interior and immense menu there is something for everyone. Highly recommend.

I also went there yesterday and got a Bacon & Egg flash sammy and must say it's the best sandwich I've had. So flavorsome and the bread/bacon was done just right without being burnt! Have been here before and it's always a pleasure to eat at. As an added bonus it is a great place to be at on a nice sunny day.

Love this place! Pet and children friendly. Always my go to summer cafe.<br/>Great atmosphere with no distractions except the amazing views of Wellington Harbour

The food, staff, location and atmosphere are awesome. This is a great spot to stop on a weekend walk or ride. Although they are often really busy, i have never had to wait long, and the food is always as expected. Although, I do tend to stick to my favorites! Try the corn fritter sandwich and the Doris Plum Smoothy!

Delicious menu! I always head here to get my fix of whitebait fritters when im craving them in the off season. Yum! Very cool location right near the water as well!

Spent a heavenly lunch time at Chocolate Fish recently on a shocking Wellington Day.  Our meals were out of this world - Beef Burger was the best burger I have ever had and my husbands all day brekkie was perfect.  Staff are wonderful, very friendly and excellent service.  If I lived closer, I would lunch here every day.  Iconic Kiwiana Cafe that is award winning.

This place doesn't only have good food but is an awesome experience of the Wellington summers. The comfortable relaxed seating overlooking the ocean and the city on the other side is like finding your quiet being in the city itself. Visited there with my family and every moment is a memory. will visit again. a must place to visit when in Wellington.

Iconic place. The owners still work there and probably the most hard working. When they moved from previous spot to the current location they couldn't get a license for cooking or something similar so most of their food are BBQed. Coffee is always great. They even have a container to sell ice cream. Children & pet friendly place. When weather is sunny you will see many people there. Recommended!

The service was unbelievably fast. The food was fantastic. I had the whitebait fritter and salad. My wife had the fish of the day in a sandwich. Both meals were excellent. The variety of drinks and food was awesome. The price was extremely reasonable. A small downside is no fries. However, despite that we will be back.

I always enjoy my meals here, just like I enjoy the atmosphere and the service. But today was different:<br/><br/>I ordered the grilled fish with green beans and roasted tomatoes. The fish of the day was tarakihi; perfect, my favourite.<br/><br/>Sitting in the sun, making use of the spare sun hats on offer and watching kids of all sizes playing on the bikes, adults sprawled on the bean bags and the yachts on the harbour. Idyllic.<br/><br/>I was really looking forward to the tarakihi and I was not disappointed. Perfectly cooked, moist and beautifully fresh. It was mouthwatering. A good sized serving of green beans, just snapping to the bite, sat alongside and was accompanied by thick sliced roast potatoes generously coated in a divine creamy sauce. Could it get any better?<br/><br/>In fact it did. Also on the plate were three roast tomato halves. What they had done to them I do not know but I have never tasted such sweet tomatoes in my life. I always say that tomatoes like those in the Mediterranean do not exist in NZ. Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! These were sweeter than anything; perfectly cooked so that they were still intact, the skins super soft and the contents only just held together on my fork.<br/><br/>Thank you Chocolate Fish. You sent me to heaven today.

Without a doubt, best sandwiches. Made as soon as you order it so it's made fresh! Personally I didn't like my berry smoothie but my friend enjoyed her dairy free smoothie, so nice to have that as an option. I recommend the scallop sandwich and also the egg and parsley!

Great place n I guess it is Wellington on a plate. Awesome views and very relaxed atmosphere. If you are looking to just chill or read a book in the sun or something this is the place for you. Staff is friendly, food tastes delicious and its not over priced, what else could you ask for? A must visit if you are in Wellington. <br/><br/>We ordered Corn fritter sandwich with bacon (no other way to go) and fish of the day with coffee n mixed berry smoothie. The service was prompt and inspite of being busy there was not much of a wait. Yummy food too. Overall a great experience.

Love this place! Great relaxed vibe, yummy food and coffee. Awesome weekend spot and great for the family with good indoor and outdoor seating options. Decent kiddy menu, no deep fried wonders! Oh and they do spiders! Only marked down for service which was a tad disorganised.

One of the best places in Wellington on a nice day! Love that you can see the chefs cooking fresh fish and meat on the BBQ out the front. Great range of gluten free options. Some really nice paleo options, some newer smoothies and delicious tumeric coconut latte! If the weather is not as nice then inside with heaters and rugs works too!

Another enjoyable lunch at Chocolate Fish. On a fine day, a great family location, service is always friendly and food is more creative and tasty than. your average cafe. The kids had the bacon and egg Sammie, Cheerios and iced chocolate. I ordered the crayfish fritter sandwich and my favourite, the marinated fish which is essentially a ceviche. All washed down with an Emerson's pilsner.

Really great friendly staff and awesome atmosphere. Food was delicious and they were extremely accommodating of our coeliac daughter. It's a rare occasion for her to have so much to choose from. I got the salmon bagel and a flat white, my partner got the pork schnitzel and a Pilsner and our daughter got gluten free cheesy bangers and bacon and a ribena all for $57 is a great price. Will definitely be back again.

We came as a group of 5 adults and 7 children on a sunny winter morning. The kids were all kept busy on bikes and a playhouse which left us enjoy coffee on one of the many tables scattered outside. <br/>The menu was great as there were lots of options for everyone including vegetarians and the kids loved being able to get coco pops. The food and coffees came out quickly despite the amount we ordered. <br/>Everyone was satisfied with the food when it came out and all agreed that we could see why it was so busy especially in summer.

Best place to come and chill. Love the vibe. Love that it's right by the ocean so peaceful watching the waves 😄 staff are so friendly too 😊

Great place to grab a bite out of the "city" or on your way to the airport. Fresh and simple food, awesome playground for kids and family during summer. Scallop toast sandwiches to die for! 😍😍

Very nice food, delicious drinks and I certainly reccomend the chocolate fish shake. Would certainly visit another time and reccomend to all!

Absolutely amazing. The ride to the cafe was beautiful with such beautiful scenery. It was really packed when we arrived but we managed to grab a seat at the deck. The seats inside, on the deck or on grass area offers you heaps of choices. We dont have any kids but this is the cafe we will definitely come back to with our kids. You can see so many kids enjoying their bikes and scooters while their parents are enjoying their brunch and the view. Our drinks took a little while to come out and food as well but they were busy so I can understand that. My seafood chowder was very very nice but my husbands burger was very tiny. It is pretty pricey so we expected something a bit bigger but he said it was nice.

Stopped by here today on our way for a nice drive around the bays.<br/>Wow, where to begin.<br/>A great selection of food choices on the menu, and also some tasty delectables at the counter.<br/>I ended up choosing the crayfish fritter and the Black Doris plum smoothie, and my friend ordered the Vege burger and the Almond Cocoa smoothie.<br/>Our smoothies came out promptly and mine was a good size for a large, my friend got the small size but that was still decent and not too small. They both tasted amazing, mine was creamy and thick with the plum flavour really coming through. My friend said hers was extremely tasty as well and should have ordered the large!<br/>Our food arrived not long after which was a pleasant surprise as there were quite a few people there also enjoying the lovely weather.<br/>My fritter was seasoned to perfection and had a good amount of crayfish in it with some leafy greens as well. If I wasn't so full I would have ordered another one!<br/>The Vege burger was nicely presented and came with a side of kumara chips and relish as well which was a nice touch, again perfectly seasoned and the flavours all worked really well together.<br/>We will definitely be going back to try something else, and we really can't find fault with anything.<br/>A beautiful location, friendly staff, plenty of seating and things for the children to be occupied with as well, I can't recommend this cafe enough; one if not the best cafe I have been to in a very long time.

Expectations were high given the Zomato score and boy, I was NOT disappointed at all. In any aspect! We placed our order with the friendly man behind the counter and then chose a seat out the front. <br/><br/>We ordered off the menu and given that the place was busy we weren't expecting to get our food right away and we were totally cool with that - we helped ourselves to the complimentary water and just enjoyed the view. BUT within five minutes our drinks arrived, and only five minutes after that our food! How awesome is that...the speediest service ever! The waitress was friendly and attentive too. <br/><br/>I ordered the veggie burger and it seriously looked like a work of art...not to mention that it was cooked to perfection and soooo filling! I recommend doing the Massey Memorial Walk after dining here, haha. <br/><br/>I can't rave about Chocolate Fish enough, and will be back again and again and again! Yes, the cost of food from the menu option is mid-range, but my goodness it is worth it. I've never said that about a cafe/restaurant until now. I am budget conscious but I wanted to treat myself to something special and I got all that and then some at Chocolate Fish. <br/><br/>Granted I do bitch and moan to anyone who will listen about bad experiences (yes, I'm THAT girl) but in turn I also rave about fantastic dining experiences, and I'll be recommending Chocolate Fish to all!

The staff were really nice upon entry, I was starvin so ordered a cacao almond smoothie which came out within seconds - must've been pre made - and it was really tasty! I then ordered a gf vegetarian burger which had halloumi and aioli and came with kumara pieces on the side. Interesting that a fish and chip based cafe doesn't offer any sides or make chips at all... BUT in saying that it's nice because everything is made on the BBQ and is then seemingly pretty healthy! Also great place because vegan, vegetarian and GF options on the menu are made known. <br/><br/>The interior is a bit niche and old-school/uncomfortable but if it's a fab day and you sit outside this place could be a five star!<br/><br/>Will be back. Sean Heyman

This really is a kid's paradise and a fantastic venue for the family. The coffee is good and the cabinet food is very good; however, the a la carte can be a total hit and miss depending on how busy this place gets, particularly on a sunny day. Not the best place to go on a windy day (but when is it never windy in Wellington??). Always worth the trip with kids!

Great food, and the relaxed and fantastic use of the outdoors to capitalise on ocean views and the sunshine make it a fabulous place to drop in on. BBQ is used for the grill and great selections of meals, drinks and desserts... Great experience!

Only stopped in for a chai while out for a drive and I instantly liked the vibe of the place. They have a rather large floor space, a nice selection of food on offer and some comfy looking outdoor areas for a nice day. The view they have going on is pretty tasty in itself. <br/><br/>The decorations were cool, from Charlie Brown seats to the funky art on sale on the wall. A create place to go for a lunch on a nice day if you are in the miramar :)

Today was probably one of the best day to go and chill there, as I was told to go for a great number of times. First of all the location is priceless: vast outdoorsy place with numerous bean bags and seats, ocean view (breathless, Wellington is so beautiful), second of all its well thought, plenty of bicycles for kids to give their parents (and other customers !) a break. Staff is friendly but quite pushing you on a second drink even though you're still enjoying the first one.. The burgers were really nice BUT 20$ for a tiny burger and a "salad" (2 leaves) is overpriced and slightly disappointing. I do hope they will start to fill their plates a bit more... The cake we had was really delicious. Nice place to chill.

Ok, this is hard. Location is great, wonderful sea views, service is ok and apparently is a great place to go with kids, but the food is ok, just ok. Burgers are pretty small for $20, beer/ciders around $9 (normal).I know, people love the location and the service use to be really friendly, but the food is ok, just ok.

This really is my favourite place to eat in Wellington.  Great staff, consistently amazing food, who would have thought sandwiches could be so so good!  Seriously they are amazing!  Pork Belly is a favourite, but you really cannot go wrong, everything on the menu is fantastic.  Don't forget to add a chocolate fish milkshake!

Lovely restaurant for children, funky seats and ride on toys galore. We dined on a Saturday and it was very busy. Our waitress provide us with a highchair and blankets to prop our boy up. The menu was limited but there was a large wall selection, but not really to our fancy. However there was a great kids menu and that was very cheap. Potato cake add on was lovely but needed to be a filling meal. <br/>Wouldnt visit again

First visit here and was already quite busy. We found a seat in the heated courtyard which was nice. Ordered the fish of the day sandwich, crayfish fritter special, chicken pate with beetroot relish, creaming soda spider and black Doris plum smoothie. Cannot say enough good things about the quality of food. Fresh, well seasoned, beautiful sides and quick service for number of people dining. I loved the patè - was delicious. The smoothie was thick, creamy and tasted like plum. I definitely can recommend and will be back to try more deliciousness!

This you must visit if you are in the Miramar area on a nice sunny day. Unpretentious and great tasting food with a smile. During lunchtime they do BBQ as well. Right opposite the sea or Peter Jackson's studio, the location is gorgeous. Its a bit tucked away. So unless you know where it is or on your way to the beach or just stumble upon the place, you may miss it altogether. But if you find it, try it. Highly recommended. Food 4/5, Price 3.5/5, Service 4/5, Portion 4/5

Came in today for lunch - really great food and friendly staff. All menu items looked yummy so was a hard choice. Had the chickpea salad with haloumi, had just then right amount of cheese which was great. Only criticism would be a teeny bit less of the dressing (however this is coming from someone who isn't a massive fan of salad dressing). Overall really good cafe - Will definitely be coming back!!

Love calling in here to bring my overseas visitors, on the way to the airport. They just love it and impressed by the tasty food selection. Heaps to keep the kids occupied and a water bowl and cookies for the dog. Gets super busy on a beautiful days<br/>, such a good spot with heaps of parking.

Favourite place to eat in Wellington bar-none. Real kiwi feel, massive outdoor area overlooking the harbour with bean bags, tables and chairs galore with plenty of things for the kids to play with. Service is always with a smile and the odd yarn. Personal favourite is the Bacon and Corn fritter sandwich with chilli jam and mint yoghurt sauce. Just show up, order and park ya butt outside on a nice day and it'll soon be your favourite spot too. They'll even provide the hats and sun block.

On a weekday in summer, when the sky is deep blue and the harbour is beautiful, Chocolate Fish is one of the nicest spots in Wellington. Like a seaside bach, the restaurant exudes an atmosphere of beach holiday. Relaxed and quirky, its perfectly sited to make it feel that you're away from civilisation, but in fact only a few minutes pleasant drive from the airport. <br/>In this seaside setting CF had the brilliant idea of selling seafood sandwiches, and although the rest of the menu is reasonably large (sufficient to cater to those with seafood allergies), its the paua, crayfish, whitebait and mussel sandwiches that I invariably veer towards - they are great.<br/>Service is very friendly, I've never had a bad experience and the restaurant is good for all ages. <br/>If the weather isn't  good, there's plenty of inside seating, but in summer, folk usually eat outside in the courtyard or on the lawn (with the kids bikes) out front. Personally I think its nice to buy the sandwiches and go find a spot along the coast  - with a bottle of wine and good company it becomes a special meal out.

Lovely cafe with an amazing menu in a cool location. Love the view and the fact that it is probably the most kid friendly place in town (so many trikes!). We had delicious seafood there - an interesting scallop and black pudding burger and a Kiwi classic in the whitebait fritter. Good coffee too.

A spot to take your visiting relatives or to sneak out to on a work day when school is in. <br/><br/>The food is good, if I think a tad overpriced, but you get what you pay for right? Sandwiches are the order of the day along with cafe treats and other specials. <br/><br/>The location is special, old Shelly Bay, looking back toward the city and it is worth taking the time to drive around the peninsula. <br/><br/>Service is great and even on a day with very big crowds, you won't be waiting long.

Average food, very expensive. But such a great location! Placed just right for a summers day snacking in between running and swimming. <br/>And oh the outdoors area when it's nice and sunny, that's the life<br/>

Good food, good coffee. They do one hell of a bacon and egg sandwich. Great atmosphere and absolutely brilliant for and with kids, great wee presentation for kids items (bamboo boat things) and bikes for kids to zoom around on. It has an adult dining area too which is nice because it looks out for those without the little sprogs.

A Wellington institution! Have had a number of things off the menu and love the seafood sammies. Date scones are some of the best in Wellington! Just a shame it is a bit of a drive or else I would be here more!

An absolute classic Wellingtonian cafe! This place knows how to do great food!

I'm a regular here with friends - almost every weekend we'll be there, often with a baby, toddler, and pre-teen in tow. <br/><br/>It's both unique, and classic New Zealand at the same time. Located in the former airforce base, they started off not having a full kitchen so everything is cooked on a BBQ, under a verandah including the famous fish sandwiches, mussel fritters, eggs, fish, and bacon. <br/><br/> Very child-friendly, lots of ride-on toys, lots of spaces inside and out. They have a big range of magazines, a view of the harbour, beanbags, blankets for cool days, hats and sunscreens for hot days. <br/><br/>Very high quality food, great coffee, with a mixture of cabinet and made-to-order. <br/><br/>Even when super busy they have strategies to keep the queue going.

By far my favourite little spot in Wellington. Without fail every time we go we are greeted by the owners, if it's a chilly day they offer blankets and if it's gorgeous and sunny we're offered sunhats and sunscreen. The owners are just so, so friendly and caring.<br/><br/>There's so much space whether you want to sit on a bean bag on the grass out front and stare at the ocean, indoors at one of the kitschy hand-painted tables or out in the back courtyard, take your pick.<br/><br/>There's heaps of cool ride on toys in a safe old parking lot to the side where you can easily keep an eye on the kids.<br/><br/>That's all without even going into the food, I haven't tried a huge amount on the menu as I'm totally obsessed with the AMAZING bacon sandwiches, but what I have tried has been fantastic. Only thing I can fault is the consistency as to how the meals are cooked seems to change up a bit, not to say it's ever any less amazing, it's just when you expect something one way and it comes another it can be a slight bummer.<br/><br/>Service is super attentive and friendly without being over the top.<br/><br/>I will go back here time and time again, it's such a pleasure feeling like the owners and staff really do care about your day and about making sure you have a great meal and thoroughly enjoyable visit.

We went back to the Chocolate Fish today on a whim... hadn't been there for more than a year. A gorgeous, sunny day in the Capital and they were pretty busy, none-the-less we received an enthusiastic greeting from the moment we arrived, followed by smiley hospitality and a friendly chat with the person who took our food order (one of the owners I think). The food offering has expanded since our last visit, and the food was faultless (the asparagus and fish dish is a winner and loads of people seemed to be ordering it, as was the Doris Plum smoothie). The cafe itself has been renovated to make it larger, as well as the addition of outdoor bean bags, and tables and chairs on the grass - complete with sun hats, sunscreen and blankets for customer use (all complimentary). I even noticed a container of dog bickies for people who have their pooch with them (a nice touch). I was really impressed today. One of the Chefs at the BBQ even farewelled us through the window as we were leaving. We'll happily be back!

Location, what a view on most days and what a pleasant cafe all round.<br/>Great tasty food. The chefs obviously know all about the importance of not over cooking or grilling the scrumptious Salmon,whitebait and Crayfish sandwich.<br/> The Chickpea salad a winner.Quirky attractive decor.<br/>Service expedient ,even with most tables occupied.<br/> Atmosphere relaxing with plenty of happy guests<br/>Definitly very good value for money.<br/>My Australian guests ,my wife and myself were suitably impressed and will revisit.<br/>Not afraid to say this is one of the best run cafes in town.

Had a fantastic time at the Chocolate Fish on the weekend, we managed to snaffle a couple of the bean bags out the front (very rare) and enjoyed a couple of crayfish fritter sandwichs along with some mixed berry smoothies. The food is simple yet tasty. The staff are great too. A little slow to take our order, although there was a rather long line when we arrived. Perfect for a lazy afternoon in a beautiful casual location. Will be back for sure.

I can't decide whether I prefer the mussel fritter sandwich or the crayfish fritter sandwich, luckily my companion is a true gentleman and was willing to share. I like the knocked together ambiance of this place and am tempted to adopt their attitude to dish washing (paper plates &amp; plastic cutlery). A simple unpretentious menu of traditional domestic kiwi fare at a funky unpretentious location, what's not to like?

This cafe has recently moved to Shelly Bay and now offers a limited, but good, menu. Great corn fritters! Hot food is cooked to order on a bbq. Child friendly and dog friendly (even provides dog biscuits and water/. Graba a bean bag and relax out front on the lawn. Only problem is it is so good there is often a line waiting to purchase coffee and food.

Great food and great service. Good selection of Gluten Free options too.

Great location basic but well executed menu kids and dog friendly outdoors setting with great views over wellington. Add in their cherry staff and you have the makings of an excellent summer weekend luncheon spot

how do i love thee, let me count the ways ... <br/>i love to loll on a beanbag looking out to sea with a latte in one hand and a giant brown sugar meringue with cream in the other...<br/>i love the way my 3 year old nephew can't wait to get here and rushes with delight from one vintage trike to another ...<br/>i love the delicious diiemma of having to make a choice between a whitebait fritter sandwich or a mussel fritter sandwich... <br/>i love being able to bring my mum here where she can get a perfect cheese scone and cuppa...<br/>i love the friendly relaxed staff and the mixed crowd -hipsters sprawled across beanbags on the lawn, kids squealing with delight in the impromptu bike park, golden oldies inside chatting and tucking into insanely good cake and coffee...<br/>all of life on a summer's day<br/>Service: 4/5<br/>Ambience: 4/5<br/>Food: 4/5<br/>Value for Money: 5/5

This is another story of how losing your way takes you places. I was looking to head to Miramir and a wrong exit at a roundabout brought me to this treasure hidden beneath the hills. I walked towards this shed that had an unassuming aura about itself. I felt like I was entering a playschool as I walked past something that looked like a car park for baby tricycles. The assumption was soon dismissed as the sweet sweet smell of bacon overwhelmed me. I had attained nirvana with the muffled sound of the wellington wind and the intoxicating smell of bacon. <br/><br/>It felt like a different world when I walked in as I was greeted by a cheerful bunch of people who had decided to spread joy using food as a medium. I tried the daily special which was Smoked Marlborough Salmon and it was possibly the best meal that I chewed upon in Wellington. <br/><br/>I'd give this place a 5 for ambiance, 4.5 for the food and would definitely find my way to this pot of treasure every time I land up in Wellington.