Review Chow Tory Street

Dr James Pratt

Absolutely amazing place. Food is so fresh, and I love the idea of sharing plates. You get to try everything. Save some room for their gorgeous cocktails, so refreshing. Chow never disapoint. Prepare to be impressed!!

Isabella Clague

The staff here are incredible. We went on a night when pretty much every seat was full and everyone was run off thier feet, yet we still received fantastic service from our waitress. All the food arrived in a timely manner and was delicious. We particularly loved the squid!

Emma Guy

Good service, the staff were really friendly. Bit overpriced for what you get in portion size. Food tasted good but average. Might not be ideal for dinner, but I would come back for lunch or just casual Friday night drinks.

Ashley

My partner and I were lucky enough to win the date night at Chow! We had been wanting to visit since we arrived in Wellington and the food, service and atmosphere did not disappoint! I absolutely loved the Baos and the cocktails were to die for!! We loved it so much we are coming back this Sunday with family 🥰

Leon Kingi

What a great night! Place was packed but the food and drinks still came fast and was delicious! The staff were impressive to watch, all focussed and moving fast but still taking time to serve us all with a smile. Great food, cocktails, and service. Looking forward to my next night out.

Marama

One of my faves but this night didn't make the right choices in dishes. Should have stuck to the tried and true. Great cocktails and always love the service.

Tim Robinson

Chow has been consistently my go-to sharing plates restaurant for the last 20 years. The dishes are always good, there's a wide selection, including for those with dietary restrictions, and it's reasonably priced. Some of the tables are quite narrow, but I guess that helps to fit more people in.

V F

Great little place to celebrate and try a variety of dishes. We had dinner to celebrate a mate graduating on Tuesday and they had 2 for 1 cocktails (Rosebud) which was great especially on a work night to share amongst the group. Between the four of us we spent approx. $75 each for food and drinks and we still had some of the food left😊

Rachel Bassett

Had a lovely time on my own at chow, lots of veggie options! I had the Edamame, jackfruit bao bun and the cauliflower! It was maybe a bit much for one person but was all delicious:) also 2 for one cocktails on a Saturday!

Aimee Davis

Food was cooked well, with an outstanding menu on offer. I'm not sure the Indian fusion dumplings worked, however. The tempura cauliflower was the best! Means came out together, making it a crammed table for two. Cocktails were tasty and well worth the dollar. Staff were knowledgeable, helpful and very efficient.

Jean-luc Lawlor

Food was delicious and reasonably priced ish. Portions of the sharing plates are enough to feed one person themselves as a meal but multiple would be good for groups to pick at and try lots of different things. I had the roti chenai and the pork pancakes sharing platter and i found it all to be very delicious. The satay sauce is a must try regardless of what dish its with. Highly recommend for both solo diners and groups, but this place is perfect 1st or 3rd date material. So good. Will defi be back when im next in welly

Samuel Dromgool

Such a lovely experience dining here last night. Staff were really helpful and friendly, drinks were amazing (2 for 1 rose bud cocktails on Thursdays !) and all the food was really really good. Highly recommend the edamame and the dumplings.

Semesi

The restaurant was awesome. Was abit dubious when I came up the stairs but was pleasantly surprised. The decor, lights ambience was great. Waiter very attentive and cocktail rosebud special were delicious. 2 for 1. The food was tasty, the sauce packed a good punch in the burger. Huge disappointment were the verges that appeared to be from frozen with a drizzle of sauce. Would not recommended and detracted from giving it 5 stars.

Detlef

Having been back at Chows after years and been at a similar place the day before in direct comparison it falls behind. But this is a really great place with great food. Great quality and flavors. The pork pan cakes like Peking Duck are really good. The sauce seems to be a standard one, and that is what makes the difference and only 4 🌟 at the end.

tam peters

Was lucky to have my Belated Mother's day lunch here & it did not disappoint! Coconut rice,Rice paper rolls, Fish cakes,Coffees, Vegetable curry,Corn fritters (almost all with either dipping sauces or added extras) Fav would have been the Fritters and Curry, 🤤😋 Fast lunchtime service Nothing Boring or Beige here! Always a deal to be had Clean Friendly efficient staff Nice n light seating with many options available Good coffee Thanks Highly recommend!!!

Harmony Paea

Service is always good they are quick to seat you if you have booked in advance. Food is pretty good it is sharing plate type of restaurant so you usually buy a few different dishes. Very yummy and always delicious.

Tara Robinson

The food was great, I have coeliacs and our waitress was super helpful in picking something that would be safe, recommending the chicken salad which was amazing. Great drinks, service and a great time. Waitress (young American girl) needs a pay rise.

JamesNZ

Had dinner here here in September. Awesome staff and waiter/waitress. So many good options - just a little pricey :)

Crystal

Friendly staff and excellent range of dish choices. Would definitely go again!

Maree Johnson

Always fast efficient service and wonderful food

Sei

Had the $15 menu - it’s a nice quick way to pick lunch options. Smaller portions but collectively it’s just right. The Tom yum broth, salt & pepper squid & vegetable curry with coconut rice was delicious. Small seating spaces so can feel squished tho.

Kate.mcpherson123

Delicious food a drink, can be a bit of a wait to get a table especially on nights where they are offering deals. Bao buns are very good, especially the pork, and the pork belly salad is outstanding.

Gabby

Good service, nice atmosphere, yummy food and perfect place for a date. We came here on a Tuesday night, where they were doing a 2 for 1 deal on any dish, so we ordered 6 plates between myself and my boyfriend. We finished everything and took the chicken salad home. Every dish we ordered was delicious! My favourite was the peking duck lettuce cups and the pork belly pancakes. The pork belly was super crispy ❤

Hilary Longshore

LOVE LOVE LOVE CHOW The food is always hot and fresh, flavorful and well presented, Wellington does have a lot of diversity in the eateries available but honestly, after living here for 14 years, it seems like handwork for most places to deliver hot, good food that's actually worth paying for. The staff are pleasant enough, cocktails are a bit overrated but the food is wonderful. Never lose these chefs!

Charles

I order delivery from Food Ninja, the food arrive in hot and delicious. My favorite food was Cross-cut beef rib, the taste is always satisfying. I usually order Chow's Food from Food Ninja because of the quality of service and price, Delivereasy charge a higher price but the service is suck.

Steff.ho

The food is nice enough but overpriced for what you get. Definitely go on a Monday where you can get 2 for 1 dishes. Also they never change up their menu which is a bit of a shame I think their $15 weekday lunch is a good deal though, you get two dishes and a soup from a select menu. I had kale and broccoli dumplings and the red curry, which was pretty spicy but very tasty

Crumpet King

Went for their two for one (2 4 1) deal on Mondays. We ordered the Pho, beef spare ribs, pekin duck gyoza, and crispy pork salad. Two for one was great value. The food isn't authentic but it does carry flavour in its own right. Beef tasted great but was tricky to eat with chopsticks as it was a little chewy. Great service and presentation and value for money on a Monday.

Eating My Way Around

Very busy the night I visited but service was good and fast. Tried a few vegan plates, all yummy and filling. Washed down with a lovely mocktail. A bit on the pricey side but the weekly deals help

Crackerjacker

I do find their prices a little expensive but they do have quite a few deals you can get each day of the week. I tend to go on Monday’s and get 2 for 1. My go to is the jungle curry and the prawn dumplings

Kirsty Brownlow

Only giving 1 stars because the staff are usually great but otherwise would give 0 stars if I could. I’ve actually been here many times because of the hype, but have been very disappointed with the food. I will no longer go here. I’ve been served undercooked mussel fritters three times and the food has been mostly greasy and tasteless. So over priced and over rated.

Dave

Nice food, nice staff, nice place, nice atmosphere. This is a go to restaurant for us and it always delivers a great night. Will definitely be back again

Thomas O'Leary

Great ambience. Prompt friendly and personable service meets Asian fusion craft beers and cocktails. Booked online. Seated immediately. Not a place for us for dessert. Limited choices but plenty of options otherwise. Overall a really good experience. Pricing was good too and drinks were excellent.

Yuha

Two vegetarians at chow for lunch. 2 for 1 on Monday so half price ish. Was public holiday which they do 15% surcharge. They kept our big bags for us (travelling back home after chow). Food is alright. Perhaps the tofu skewers and cauliflower were the faves but deep fried is always going to leave you full as. Staff left us be which is good and kept topping up our water.

Vivek

Its an asian fusion restaurent with a good variety in food, drinks and desserts. We preferred to 'd lunch here to avoid the dinner madness(friday). Service is good and staff is quite helpful. Interiors are stylish and seating arrangement is nice as well. Would love to come here again.

Danaé St George

Came here with my partner and friend for dinner. We ordered the Prawn summer rolls and beef pho. The summer rolls were very bland. The beef pho was very disappointing, the beef was chewy and the broth was so flavorless it may as well have been water. The highlight of the night was the "Pho Money, Pho Problems" cocktail, botanical and spicy. However, the service and atmosphere was very warm but unfortunately the food does not match.

N Simadri

Food is amazing here, loved the coconut rice and rich creamy duck curry. Would come again but a bit of a downer due to the 2hr seating restriction. Still 5 stars, didnt take any photos because I was starving but this place was impressive....try it out for your self.

Hev

Love Chow!! Recently we ordered Chow with delivery and on a 2 for 1 Monday I was expecting and happy to wait the 50min wait time. 30mins later our order had arrived! Amazing! Food is ALWAYS beautiful, fresh and delicious and takeaway was just like we’d dined. Packaged beautifully :)

Awilkes134

Would only recommend going on a Monday. One dish is not enough to satisfy and so their 2 for 1 specials are much appreciated otherwise it would be rather expensive. Downside to that is it is very busy and you are left waiting quite awhile as it’s very busy, even on a really stormy night. Would suggest drinks are ordered without ice because they fill half the glass with it otherwise. Meals were nice enough, definitely something different though I found the fried options such as the parcel and the rolls a bit greasy. Overall a nice experience.

Lisa

I was lucky enough to try Chow on a Monday night, their weekly special makes the place exceptionally busy. Ordered a mixture of tapas, all were so moreish and delicious. Salmon parcels and gyoza were great, the salt and pepper calamari needed more seasoning, but all in all food was good. Definitely a winner in my books, need to go back. Only down fall was I asked for soy sauce from 3 different waiters/waitresses and I never got my soy sauce.

Caline

Arrived to Wellington late at night and had dinner at Chow. Everything was perfect. I ordered the Salmon Parcel with a side dish of seasonal vegetables. The place is very cozy. YOU HAVE TO ORDER THE ROSEBUD COCKTAIL🍸 one of the best cocktails I ever had!! However, the portions are a bit small but delicious.

Nicole Rutherford

Absolutely love the food and the service and that I can get it delivered at home when I can’t go in! Chow has been around for many years and has never let me down! Although I do wish that the Vietnamese beef pho soup and free range chicken noodle soup would come back on the menu! Fingers crossed for that soon!

Mell Lee

Food was really good but our waiter was snarky (a bit too cool for school) and made our experience less than what it could have been. Highly recommend chicken curry!

Haley

Nice food and good range of choice on the menu. Service was a bit of a let down though. The staff were absolutely lovely, but it was slow, one of our dishes didn’t get put through (they didn’t charge us for this though which we appreciated), was very difficult to get the attention of any of the staff, a lot of other tables were looking around for staff but everyone was run off their feet. I understand it is a busy place but it just needed to be a bit more organized. A bit overpriced too for what you get.

Seeessjay

Love the weekly 2 for 1 specials. Menu has a good variety and caters to dietary requirements. Have to get more than one dish to make a meal out of it though. Love the jungle curry and have heard the salmon parcels and coconut prawn dumplings are delicious too. Chow make the best rosebuds and their cocktail menu is amazing!

Adi Wardoyo

Service is great. Food came fast. However the food were just so so. I realized its asian fusion but its too much western for me. The cocktails however were good. Great place for a drink and light bites

Heidi Chapman

Good place. Staff are extremely friendly and accommodating (valuable of you’ve never dined here before), the atmosphere is fun and lively with the option of indoor or outdoor seats so you can enjoy the sun. On Mondays they have a 2 for 1 deal which is a real steal! The food was top notch and excellent quality, but some dishes I found more mind blowing than others. The chicken satay and pho were delicious but not mind blowing, but the blue cheese and peanut dumplings and five spice chicken curry were to die for. Ultimately it depends on your personal preferences. The portions will be tapas size unless you order from the curries and noodle soups section, so best to order lots of mini dishes for everyone to share.

Jade Cocurullo

Visited today for $25 lunches, I never realised how big the restaurant is, it has such a nice vibe to it and awesome decorations! Our waiter was super helpful and explained the menu and took our order promptly. When our food arrived, we only received 3 plates instead of 4, the runner assured us that the other plate would be out soon. After waiting 15 minutes we flagged down a waitress to ask where the other dish was, she shrugged at us and went to the kitchen. She did not apologise for the wait, she just kind of plonked the food down and walked away. The same waitress cleared our water glasses before we were finished our meal (we would have liked more water) and overall just made us feel unwelcome. That said we did enjoy the majority of our food, only finding the mussel fritters a bit too spicy for us.

I Spy Plum Pie

On the first night on our recent visit to Wellington I manoeuvred us to Chow for dinner, and I’m so glad I did. The modern Asian menu is designed for sharing and full of vegetarian options, and the drinks list is equally impressive. We didn’t realise until afterwards just how popular Chow is – it was continually recommended to us for the rest of the weekend – so we were extra lucky to get a table right away when we arrived! The beer they had on tap was from where I was born, so Dad and I ordered one of those each while we perused the menu (Abandoned Brewery Pilsner, $13)

Little Borneo Girl

I love 'Chow'. A lovely Fusion Restaurant what we used to visit frequently years ago till we moved away from Wellington. Recently we visited and the food was just as good even though the management is different. We already had lunch and visited to past the time while waiting to go to the airport. It past lunch time and the bonus is the kitchen remain opened. We ordered a set lunch of a vegetable curry, satay with rice. Also had a desert to share. The satay was nicely grilled and the sauce was to 'die for'. The curry was yummilicous. The desert was not too sweet and nicely presented. A great place to have Asian food with a European twist (or the other way round).

Jenna

One of my favorite places for a light lunch after shopping or for dinner and cocktails with friends! Have been there multiple times and I’ve been happy pretty much every time.. Salt and pepper squid is one of my favorite dishes, but the jungle curry with the coconut rice has to be my favorite! consistent quality! Very good service! in the middle of Courtney, so one of my favorite restaurants!

Hannah.milne11

This is my 4th time at Chow and obviously I'm always keen for more! The service is wonderful and inviting. The food is superior especially on Monday 2 for 1 night! So much variety and all tastes amazing!

Hanna

Great atmosphere, amazing decor and service. Sadly, mediocre asian food. I would go back for the atmosphere and place but definitely not for the food and especially not at those prices. You can find better food at the Wellington Night Market honestly.

Ali White

If you're in Wellington on a weekend be sure to check this place out! With 2-for-1 cocktails on a Saturday and an incredibly reasonable $25 set lunch menu means you get to try an array of what Chow has to offer and indulge in a cocktail...or two. This is a must visit for anyone travelling to Wellington. With The Library Bar next door (AMAZING desserts) and Motel Bar too (Check my other review) makes Chow the perfect place to start a night out too. Staff were incredible too, I can't fault this place.

BeasT LeathafacE

Awesome atmosphere, perfect place for a date or just a meal.Portions are quite small so it pays to get a few dishes to share and to eat quickly as dishes come out fast and space on the tables are very limited. Everytime I've gone to Chow the food has been consistenly amazing with my go-to's being Crispy Fried Chicken, Salt & Pepper Squid, Five Spice Curry and the Salmon Parcels. My sister-in-law is pescatarian so it was great that the menu also catered to her nutritional needs.Staff have always been friendly and very helpful for first time goers to Chow. They also offer two-for-one cocktails on Saturday nights.An average spend here for two people (with above average appetites) is about $90+

Alana McConnell

Chow was cool, it had a modern design and nice friendly service. The menu was really unique and there was something for anyone. We made the mistake of ordering a lot of fried food and I ended up feeling pretty sick. I'd recommend getting a balance between the fresh and the fried. Definitely want to come back on Monday when they have 2 for 1 mains!

Aimee R

Came here after eyeing up this place for years. It was packed so booking is a must! Our waitress was super friendly and informative, she asked if we'd been there before, answered our questions about the portions and had good recommendations. The drink selection was great and we received these fairly fast. The wait for food was ok considering how large the restaurant is. We had the chicken noodle soup, chicken satay, chicken salad and fish cakes as mains. Everything tasted great, we had the brownie for dessert and the mint ice cream was amazing. Would recommend for anyone who is keen to try Asian but not full on Asian, if that makes sense! I'd give chow another go for sure :)

Chuchueats

Cute dining, nice atmosphere and quality food! A bit spicy for me but the food was yum! Great flavours overall and good service ! Thanks for a good night

Angie Liu

The customer service was AMAZING, all staff members were friendly, my partner and I came half an hour early bc our movie had finished and we had time to kill too cold to go for a walk so we headed over and the staff showed us to our tables no problems. Food was delicious and fast, I appreciate the fact that we were told it's Thai fusion and the portion sizes are small! The only thing I would fault is its very small tables and our dishes were overflowing onto the next table so felt a little bit crammed and the second thing was the sweet chilli sauce paired with the spring rolls didn't go well. Other than that had an amazing time the cocktails were amazing as well will defs be back and recommend to others!

Hayley Wano

I love going to chow! The tiger prawns and rose buds are my favourites but everything on their menu is yum. Everything is so flavoursome. And the staff are always attentive and helpful.

David

Had heard a lot of hype about this place, sadly didn't quite live up to it. Service was the highlight, friendly and welcoming, everyone was looking for an opportunity to help. Jungle curry had fantastic flavours but on the smaller side and, as other reviewers pointed out, rice is an extra cost on the side. Pricy for the portions, probably more worth it when taking advantage of the 2 for 1 deal.

TinaS

Dined here for dinner - ordered Vietnamese spring roll, asian green, red duck curry, deep fried tofu, seared tuna and couple of desserts. Atmosphere: Good ambience. We were at a corner and it was not too loud that we have to yell at each other for conversation Service: Pretty good. Had to wait a bit for a table but there was the option of going next door to The Library for some drinks first. The staff are attentive Food: In general the food tastes good. But I have dined at few Asian-fusion restaurants, and Chow lacks the "wow" factor or originality. I feel I can get similar dishes elsewhere. Price / Portion: Not too pricey for the savoury dish portion but the desserts are rather small.

The Food Snob

Chow's menu has some tasty treats, and the cocktails are fantastic. The curries are super tasty and the ingredients are good quality. My only criticism of this place is the service which can feel quite rushed even when they're not particularly busy. It is consistently good quality asian-fusion and I have dined here a number of times and really enjoyed the experience. This is a fun place for a group of people who like sharing plates, I think that's the most satisfying way to dine here - trying a little bit of everything.

Pamela Mansell

I've had takeout from here twice, the first time I had the duck lettuce cups and the chicken satay. The satay were great but the duck was minced - I would have expected it to be shredded. Other than that it met my expectations. The second time I had the beef salad and the pork dumplings. The salad was delicious, the beef was tender and the salad was fresh and spicy. I didn't enjoy the pork dumplings at all though, I'm not sure what it was but I didn't like the flavour.

Linda

Recently ate here as it has lots of food dairy free choices. Most dishes are really good. Vietnamese rare beef pho was simply awful. 2 people ordered it and both asked for it to be taken away and a different meal was ordered. Beef wasn't rare in fact it was cooked well done and the dish tasted weird. Everyone tried it and agreed. However the waiter did not ask any questions so it seemed no one cared. Restaurant was busy and service was slow.

DrJ G

My son and I tried their $25 lunch deal and it was quite good. I chose Malaysian Style Prime Angus Beef Satay and Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls, and also ordered for Coconut Rice. The rice was delicately flavoured with coconut milk which went well with the skewered beef (done to perfection). The place was clean and quiet with only two more occupied tables although it was a bit past lunch time. Staff were nice and the food was served without a long wait.

Monty88

We really enjoyed our dinner. We ordered pekin duck, pumpkin fritters, yellow chicken curry, chicken salad, udon noodles and jasmin rice. My favourite dish was the yellow chicken curry, it was rich and full of flavour. My least favourite was the chicken salad. The ingredients were nice but I found that it lacked flavour and needed a better dressing. The service was fantastic and there was a good selection of cocktails and drinks.

Daisy Smith

Loved this place! So many options of food to choose from and reasonably priced as well. I orders the pumpkin and cashew fritters with rice, and oh my I loved it! The staff were really lovely too. Will be back here again soon!

Christian

This place serves great fusion food -fresh, tasty, and well-presented. But as I do found these dishes are more on the "conservative" side and lacks adventurousness. Have said that, it's a great place to socialise with a good bunch of friends.

Meg McGimpsey

We came here for lunch and it was divine. Everything we tried was so good but the highlight was the grilled salmon parcels. The staff are so friendly and gave us really good recommendations if dishes to try.

Hungusmcfatty

The chicken noodle soup is comfort in a bowl. The red curry adds a kick to fire up the insides and clear up the head. Perfect for the day following Beervana.

Mana

Went in at long last with a group of friends to see if it was as good as normal chow and it was! Made a reservation for six but adjusted for eight last minute which was quickly accommodated for. Restaurant offered two menus, one was set and the other was shared tapas styled dishes. Although for $35 it would seem unnecessary if you don't want a dessert. So we opted for the shared dish. The plates were quite small but all really nice and flavoursome. We ordered a couple chicken satay plates, udon noodles, Jasmine and coconut rice, blue cheese and peanut wonton and a few drinks. The overall experience was very relaxed and the environment was very warm with the wait staff being super helpful with explaining the menu and plate sizes. If only the size of the dishes had been better explained to accommodate for eight people. If in the future I have a big enough group I'd definitely come back here.

Charlie

I love chow!! Been here many times and the food is always fresh and tasty with lots of flavour. Would recommend the fresh rice paper rolls, jungle curry, salmon salad, blue cheese and peanut wontons and the cocktails are great, with so many unique flavours. My friends also love the duck lettuce cups. All the things I have tried have been delicious and arrive relatively quickly. Would recommend going for the $25 lunch!!

Brainless Foodie

Great place for lunch with awesome food, always nice service. Great variety of food on the menu. Mondays 2 for 1 are almost a weekly treat when you live in Wellington!

Jasonbr67

Very nice food and drink, the udon noodles, crispy chicken and the many drinks are delicious! Would return and I highly reccomend!

Amorita Maharaj

My workmates and I decided to have lunch at Chow one Monday. Every Monday its the Two-for-One specials and I highly recommend this place to anyone deciding to have a group lunch or dinner. The cocktails are delicious also. Must tries are the prawn dumplings, chicken satay, beef ribs and the mussels. Very delicious food, worth another trip there.

Mallory

Saturday nights are very tasty buy one get one cocktails. It's kind of a steal. The staff is pretty great, and the food is nice. Definitely pop in, at least to share a drink with a friend.

Rosie

Had lunch here on a 2 for 1 Saturday. couldn't fault the service, staff members knew what they were doing, food was amazing, a bit small in comparison to the price. The atmosphere was extremely homely, and the mocktails were to die for!

Andrea Gregor

Best place for a bit of dinner! On Mondays (2 for 1 food) and Saturday (2 for 1 cocktails) the value for money is awesome and service is always fast. The five spice yellow chicken curry is my favourite dish, followed closely by the salt and pepper squid. Hazelnut sour is the cocktail to go for, tangy and packs a punch

Katis_32

Absolutely loved this place. Great atmosphere open late for a late night dinner staff great amd attentive. Reasonably priced and the currys and stirfrys are ro die for. Of in wellington check ot out

Cam Gray

Amazing place to eat and atmosphere to be apart of! Food was delicious... went with three of us and the sharing plates were perfect. Very long wait for a table and service once seated was quite slow!

Kaushik Som

The beef ribs were the only highlight. If u r goin for ambience then go. Otherwise avoid. Overrated and some of the food lacks basic taste. Literally no seasoning in the pork dumpling. I startle to think how people can get that wrong. Masaman curry tasteless. Portion size of the curry suspect.staff good. But if u r connoisseur of food don't waste ur time n money.

Siobhan

Tried out Chow again last night with my family from overseas. I thought my first experience here might have been a one off but I'm still not a fan. We appreciate that our table was ready as soon as we arrived but everything was so so. Service and food were average. The dumplings were particularly bland and although the ribs were tasty, the meat was tough. Furthermore, we were hoping to have the set menu and were told that they need 48hours notice for this (but where is this stated on the set menu advertised on their website??). 2014 review: I don't see what all the hype is about. First of all they mucked up our booking because the day manager did not relay to the night manager (her words) that we rebooked so we were without a table. Then they offered us bar seating but there were only 4 stools for the party of 6. Next we were seated at a cramped booth that could fit 4 max with a column encroaching the booth seating. We then made our food and drink orders. We came for the 2 for 1 cocktails and some of our drinks came out as 2x per order and others were 1 each. Why did they not clarify their system of dispensing these? We were eventually moved to a suitable table in time to eat our tiny and underwhelming plates of food. Such a disappointing start to a girls night which we were looking forward to

Bean XO

amazing food and amazingly yum cocktails! love the 2 for 1 deal as well. also, so happy with how quick the food & service was considering the entire restaurant was booked out (and it's huge).. WELL DONE :)

Georgia Dobbs

amazing!!! best cocktail of my life - vodka, passion fruit, bitters, ginger beer and something else, so so so good! I also shared the blue cheese wontons, the summer rolls and the jungle curry, the highlight being the jungle curry! the wontons were good but could have used some more filling, and the summer rolls were fresh and very tasty! highly highly highly recommend for some very yum dishes and great vibes

Grace Brown

Chow.. Cool location and great music. Not impressed that they think it ok to charge an extra $3 for rice with a curry. With a curry?! I know it's only $3 but that's basically day light robbery. I'm sure if you looked up the definition of "curry" it would say something along the lines of.. An Indian spiced flavoured sauce dish served with rice!! So if I said no rice thanks I'm not gonna pay an extra $3. I'd be eating straight soup :-/ the food was what I'd call "wannabe Thai street fusion" so very westernised. Unimpressed.

Pankaj Kini

I AM BACK :) So - Chow had been hyped up a lot by my work mates so last week when I was in town for business, we decide to go to Chow for dinner and surprisingly it loved up to the hype. So we ordered a $80 bottle of pinot noir and 5 different nibbly dishes. Unfortunately, I don't know the name of the dishes we had since I didn't order so beat with me - Pork spare ribs, mushroom pork steamed dumplings, blue cheese wontons, chicken wrapped in some leaf, calamari and mussel fritters. They were all delish! Food was great and the service even better but what was best is just the vibe at this joint. They have a wicked bar with tables all around and with the place full of people its just the place to catch up with mates with drinks and finger food and enjoy an evening of laughs. It wouldn't be my choice for a date night but defo a place to meet up with a group of mates. Now thats just me 2 cents worth!! Let me know what u think. Ciao!

Ines

Had a good food there. Plenty for everybody was decent price too and the service was really fast. Would probably go back on some occasions to try what I hadn't a chance to before.

Maggie Cheung

Went to Chow for the first time with my sister for lunch on Saturday. We both had the $25 lunch set with a drink, 2 dishes plus a rice each. We ordered the beef satay, salt & pepper squid, pork & shiitake dumplings and the orange & pistacho salad to share. This Asian fusion meal was simply delicious! The salad was really fresh and tasty, the dumplings were nice and juicy, and the squid were super crispy. The satay sticks were a bit overdone so the beef was a bit too chewy. However, the satay sauce was really fragrant - just yum! Real quick service and very friendly staff, would definitely go back again.

Ohhh Neil

just not a fan of some of the dishes here. people do rave about it about it but the meals are nothing spectacular. on the plus it is opened late, which is useful if you need a late meal.

Philip Reeve

I love CHOW. The freshest of ingredients and teh most efficient of service combine to make it a winner in my books. Sharing the plates gives you the opportunity to sample a good range of dishes. Personal favourite if the Cumin Scented Pumpkin Salad - delicious. I have never had a dud meal here and I recommend the place unreservedly. Keep an eye out for their special days too (2-4-1 cocktails etc). Enjoy!

Bopnbeep

Great cocktails but the drinks service was incredibly slow when we came on Saturday night. Took over 30 minutes to get the first round, we had two rounds and some fried chicken to nibble on. The rosebud was delicious! However a few minutes after they delivered our second round, they turned off the music and switched on the lights. It was near closing time but seriously you could give us a few more minutes to enjoy our drinks given how long we had waited for them.

LucyGoosey

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, looks really can be deceiving. This place has a great atmosphere and decor; clean, contemporary and sleek. But the food is below average. We ordered the two for 1 cocktails and were told the cocktails had to be the same in order to get the deal. I found this unsatisfactory. However, the cocktails were absolutely delicious! They have got a good thing going on at the bar. Unfortunately, things aren’t as hot in the kitchen. We ordered a bunch of things to share. Fried chicken, prawn and coconut dumplings, salmon parcels and Thai fish cakes. The Thai fish cakes had the texture of polystyrene and I couldn’t pick up the coconut in the dumplings. I enjoyed the chicken and salmon slightly more than the formerly mentioned dishes but overall, I found all the food unrefined and not very fresh. Where were the fresh herbs and were was the pepper? All the sauces tasted like they were straight out of a bottle. The service was casual but friendly. I would definitely come back here for cocktails but would pass on the food in future.

Elena Van

We were kicked out! As Chow failed to accommodate one more person we had joining us. We didn't have a booking and had no clue that it was going to be very full. We were sat at the last table for two which was available. As we ordered food and drinks, one of our friends was close by in town as we have not seen each other for a very long time so we thought it would be nice to have dinner together. However apparently it was a BIG no no for the rude staff at Chow. We were given a statement from the unfriendly staff "I am not happy with this set up!". Giving us an option of to go back on the waiting list to wait 30-45mins (we had movie line up in 1 hour) or not to have our friend joining us. A quick decision was made that we cancel our food and go somewhere else. Before the staff member could make it back to us, our food has arrived which has made it too late to leave. We would have had to pay for it but would have had no chance to eat it. So we decided we will finish the food and leave. Our friend was not even offered any water for the 10 minutes that he was there. And as we were being stared at by the staff member the entire time. The same staff member returned to let us know that we could move to the balcony and that he was "very unhappy with this set up!" By that stage I told him we will see ourselves out in a few minutes as we felt very upset and un-welcomed. This wouldn't even be a problem if they dealt with the situation professionally and with experience. Some quick easy changes of the tables would have solved everything. A classic example of inexperienced staff that cannot work under pressure.

Michele

I always make sure I come to chow whenever I'm in Wellington. Consistently delicious & such a good range of options - and there's vege & gluten free, so a good safe bet if you're with someone with specific food requirements! Last night it was 2 for 1 cocktails, so we tried 4 different ones & none disappointed. Really loved the Gambatte with plum wine.

Muffin Mum

We left Chow wondering why we haven't been going regularly. We had the set lunch menu and loved all of our selections which were- Five spice yellow chicken curry with cherry tomatoes, peas, beans & coconut cream. Vietnamese rice paper rolls with vermicelli, mint & coriander. Orange & pistachio salad with thai basil, mint, coriander & chilli. Malaysian style prime angus beef satay with cucumber sticks & spicy peanut sauce. We were particularly taken with the orange salad. Mr Muffin even uttered the words, 'pass me the salad I would like some more'.

Julian.paxton

Good quality food fresh and tasty. Restaurant was busy and service a bit slow. Prices a bit on the high side. Modern contemporary vibe. A good dining out experience but not great.

Georgia Stewart

Decided to try this place out for dinner last night. As it was a Monday with the 2 for 1 deal it was packed but wait for a table wasn't too long. Staff were very attentive and helpful. We ordered our meals and they were out within 15 mins. We ordered chicken satay, free range chicken salad and the Asian greens. The food was divine - amazing flavours and so fresh! Unfortunately they had run out of one of our dishes which was to be free with the deal. The waiter was amazing and went out of his way to sort us out a deal so we didn't leave disappointed. Highly recommend this place - the food and staff are amazing! Thank you chow!

Emily

Went in here with family members and the food was way too spicy. It would have been enjoyable if the dishes were less spicy. The crispy chicken wings we ordered were burnt and the sauces were too spicy. Don't think I will be coming back anytime soon.

Eleanor Purdey Smith

So, being Chinese, Asian fusion is always an interesting choice for me: many places charge exorbitant prices for small dishes which you would find waaaay cheaper and better at proper Asian restaurants. Chow certainly serves up some great fusion food with decent portions. The cocktail list is always top notch and chow has regular weekly deals. We three ladies went on a two for one cocktail night and ordered five cocktails and ten dishes which came to $66 each. Pretty good considering we were there for four hours till close at 12am. I have been coming here for almost ten years and it's still a firm fave.

Miss Persistant

Been coming here for years now and quite frankly I'm getting bored now - the blue cheese and peanut wontons used to excite me but 5 years on its still the same menu. Not that I dont enjoy the food it was still tasty. Place is still busy staff run off their feet. Duck Lettuce cups were good and we seem to always get the chicken cause that's a given. Had a few more plates but they were bought out in twos almost 10mins apart I didn't bother to take any more photos as I was already in the eating zone.

Shannon Fox

Chow is delicious! I have always had delicious food when I visit and the staff are really lovely. As a visitor to NZ, I ate there alone today and felt totally comfortable.

Trina Trina Trina

great food & atmosphere. Went on a two for one night with colleagues. Great cocktails & my fave dish was probably their summer rolls - divine! Only complaint is that I ordered a chicken salad for main & it never arrived. Everyone had finished their meals & I was still waiting for mine. We enquired about it when the waitress came to clear our table & she went to the kitchen only to come back and say they'd forgotten it but would I still like it. Will go back despite this as the food is great.

Nirvanamajid94

The food is very nice and tasty and also the cocktails are pretty good, got to love the buy one get one free deal you have. Went there for a work Christmas dinner, service was good and I did enjoy the experience there.

Stephy_NakiGirl

My 2nd visit to Chow & just as good as the first. Stopped in for a quick bite to eat & tried the prawn dumplings, edamame & struck the 2-4-1 cocktail special ordering a Rosebud. Service great - welcoming & friendly without being OTT. Previously had tried the chicken satay, tofu, rib of beef, Gyoza as well. All good particularly the satay which can sometimes be bland elsewhere. All dishes presented well & perfectly balanced. Only suggestion for today's dumplings is to have the option of soya sauce as an alternative although the sauce was good. Edamame is a standard now at most Jap/fusion restaurants but Chow offer salt & spices on the side so you can flavour to taste which is a nice touch Their cocktail list is a standout & the rosebud is a must. Recommended & will be back to explore more of the menu.

Food Mm

The curry is a favourite, love sharing the dishes and on Saturdays we have 2 for 1 cocktails. Efficient staff and quite a busy place. Superb choices for vegetarians and children too. Great vibe and a family favourite.

Dale Gauld

Awesome environment and great food. Cheap cocktails in the heart of Saturday night. Very impressed by the staff member who goes by the name of Cohen Nichols (namesake Leonard Cohen).

Brooke568

Absolutely amazing! We arrived late Saturday night as a group for 2 for 1 cocktails and a small bite to eat. The hazelnut sour cocktail is one of the best I've ever had and the blue cheese wontons with berry coulee took the cake! The salmon parcels were a big hit too with the buzzing atmosphere a bonus addition - highly recommend

Stacy Heyman

I LOVE chow! Not only is everything delicious - especially jungle curry, salt and pepper squid and Vietnamese rice paper rolls - but it's usually pretty quick to come out unless it's a Saturday or Monday - then it's a 45 minute wait for a table. Lots of vegan, DF, GF options, definitely paying for quality and it's worth it.

Brooke

Went there tonight and got the 2for1 takeaways, best decision ever. Always leaves me feeling satisfied and it's absolutely Devine! Super good service and a wonderful experience!!!

Christine

Absolutely stunning. Every mouthful was a taste sensation. There was lots of choice on the menu and it was hard to choose but in the end we were extremely happy with our choices! You share plates which is an excellent idea. The orange and pistachio salad was divine as were the satay chicken skewers and crispy chicken - that sweet chilli sauce was the best I have tasted. Also really enjoyed the sticky rice and pineapple for dessert - really delicate flavours. We had to wait about 30 minutes for a table so j would recommend booking a table, but even so it was worth the wait!

Luke Alexander

We were seated promptly in the heart of the ambience, which was unfortunately ruined by the fact that the low-hanging lamp completely obscured my view of my dining partner. This, coupled with the gauche social media push, made me wish we had opted to takeaway instead of dine in. I really don't need the Facebook and Instagram logos staring down at me from every corner of the room. The menu is really comprehensive, with clearly marked vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options. The prices are reasonable, though the quality is variable - our jungle curry contained only two minuscule pieces of tofu and a mere three coriander leaves. When asked questions about the menu, the best the waitress could come up with was a blank stare. She also proceeded to ignore us for the majority of our visit, despite multiple attempts to grab her attention. We ended up deciding to head elsewhere for more drinks and dessert as a result of this as it felt like she really could not have cared less about our dining experience. Tuesdays and Saturdays are two-for-one cocktails, which I recommend taking advantage of given how dilute they are. REALLY liked being able to book online (no one likes talking on the phone!)

Rhodri Williams

One of the best dining experiences in wellington. The decor is warm and welcoming, the staff are great and very helpful. The menu accommodates for people sharing or even people with a big appetite. Chopsticks are the way forward, or at least they will be with a bit of practice. Outstanding cocktails on selection as well. Exit through the library? Any excuse for a drink ;)

Kate S

if you love fresh healthy herbs and veges then chow is good for you. the food is tasty but not sickly oily or fatty. I enjoyed the salmon salad and the prawn dumplings. I would like to take advantage of the 2 for 1 deal as I like to try different things. Im also glad that there is a takeaway option. A little bit expensive for the portion size but very diet friendly.

M

Surprisingly lovely. Loved the ambience and the food was quite good. I had the $25 meal (salt and pepper squid, and mussel fritters) which was quite nice. I'll definitely go back :)

Jessica Teasdale

Chow is one of my favourite restaurants in Wellington! Been here many times because the food is always so good!! The Pekin lettuce cups are amazing, the duck is so tender and the sauce is so delicious! Also got the pumpkin and cashew fritters which were the star of the meal in my opinion! Would definitely recommend if you like a 'nutty' kind of taste. Also had crispy fried chicken and salt and pepper squid, both were great! Chow is a definite go-to if you've never been to Wellington or are just looking for a good meal! They also have 2-for-1 on Mondays which means it can be quite a cheap eat!

Amy Chattington-Harris

Very very lovely. Such a nice restaurant, very good looking male staff which made dining evening better. Provided a clip on highchair. Explained the menu in great detail and how to order and how much. Two for one cocktail were Fantastic !!! Brilliant place

Tyler Conelly

Came here for dinner.. 2 for 1 cocktails on a Saturday night went down a treat! Ordered a bit of food which was great! The dumplings were packed full of goodness.. Especially the coconut prawn variety.. Fried chicken was not too bad. The bbq squid was awesome. Good evening all round!

Smileplease

My partner and I dined here last Saturday and were pleased with both the service and the food. The pekin duck lettuce cups were a stand out for myself and for my partner was the free range chicken dumplings. The yellow seafood laksa was o.k. but we thought it lacked a lot in flavour. Service was faultless. Not too hard on the wallet compared to a lot of other restaurants out there for the same type of quality. We will be back again.

Britt

Chow was packed when we arrived. The service was great. I ordered the orange and pistachio salad and the satay beef. Both were really delicious, especially the salad. For desert we shared a brownie and the rice pudding. Both were yum. This was a great place for gluten-free people. All the deserts were gluten free which was a treat!

Mind The Crumbs

I used to be a two for one Monday regular, but lately I’ve been more of a sporadic visitor. You get great bang for your buck. But handy tip – to beat the rush arrive before 6pm or after 8pm. Or else put your name on the waitlist and enjoy a drink next door at The Library (although you can’t join the waitlist unless your entire party is present). Their food is fresh and full of flavour, and their sweet chilli sauce is made in-house giving it a slight variation of spice each time you visit! Most of the salads have a bunch of fresh mint and coriander which is great for summer, and then they have warming soups and curries for winter. They have a great range of gluten free, vegetarian and even vegan options! All clearly labelled on their menu. Dishes not to miss – Banana leaf wrapped tarakihi, free range chicken satay and the rare prime angus beef salad. For winter you can’t beat the free range chicken noodle soup. I also have to mention their two for one cocktails on Wednesday and Saturday, where you have to try their famous rosebud, or for something a bit different try the Apocalypse Meow (the name alone is awesome). Sarah Reynolds #challenge

Paola Gee

Visiting Wellington for a couple of days, a friend took me here for dinner as they had a 2 for 1 deal. We got there at around 6:30, and there was already a huge wait for tables and we had to wait for a call when our table was ready and come back in an hour. Though a bit disappointed as I was hungry, I was very excited because this must be a great place to eat judging from the demand and wait (despite it being being quite a big place). Finally seated, my friend and I got a bit carried away and ordered 6 dishes between us. I wasn't able to take good photos as the the lighting they had was dim (gave a good ambience however). We got prawn summer rolls, red duck curry, coconut prawn dumplings, banana leaf wrapped chicken, rib of beef and 7 spice tofu. On top of this, we had edamame beans and rice as well. It was one delicious feast. The prawn rolls were fresh and crisp, the rib of beef had an amazing flavour with its marinade and sauce and the banana leaf wrapped chicken succulent. One thing present among all dishes and deliciously consistent was its spice, seasoning and sauce. It was the right amount of everything. Service was great- despite the amount of people dining, food came out relatively fast although the waitress we had took two of our orders wrong but it was alright as the right dishes came out in no time. Not sure if the food would have been worth it without the 2 for 1 deal however judging from the portions but it was a very delicious and satisfying experience.

Cheyneismyhero

Great service. You neec to Indulge in their long plates to enjoy Chow at their best. The blue cheese wontons are a must. Best enjoyed with friends.

Mueslilo

Came in this evening with a friend. Such yummy food!! And a really great array of vegetarian dishes which suits me perfectly. Loved the five spice tofu and fish cakes especially - however everything we ordered was great! Staff were friendly and efficient. Cocktails were really nice! Would definitely come back!!

Tyler De Vries

Dinner for 5 was fantastic. Great selection of food, and cocktails were good! Only downfall was the server could not divide out bill equally so we all had to pay different amounts!

The Wanderer

I have been a regular at Chow for many years now, and have dined at all five branches (back when there were five, of course) in Wellington and Auckland. I enjoy the fresh style of food at Chow, especially with the sharing (Tapas) aspect that it lends itself to. It's good to enjoy the variety that comes with every meal and in a lively yet casual environment that is beat shared with some good friends. There is also a broad choice of drinks, and special offers for them too. Overall the service is good, but that can fluctuate from time to time. Not enough to put me off a great meal though.

Marie Sheffield

This is not really your typical Asian restaurant. Dishes come out as sharing plates so you would be wise to know that when ordering. 4 dishes plus rice is a fair amount for 2 people. The food was good and arrived pretty quickly although it doesn't all come out at once.We enjoyed the cocktails, especially the Pina Chow Lada and the beer was good and cold. A trendy looking restaurant with friendly wait staff. Would defiantly go back but next time we want it spicier.

Sean P E Fleming

It's been a while since I've visited Chow. As a fan of Asian and Asian inspired food, I enjoy their menu. There’s a good selection to choose from. It’s good, tasty food at reasonable prices for a restaurant. I like the modern Asian styled decor of exposed, stressed concrete with contrasting sharp reds. It gives the place a nice ambience. On this most recent visit I popped in to the Tory branch for a quick bite before an evening class. I asked for a table for one, and was offered a seat at the bar. I wasn't initially keen but understood why, as I was alone, and it was ok in the end. I ordered the Five spice yellow chicken curry with cherry tomatoes, peas, beans & coconut cream - $18.00, a jasmine rice - $1.00 and a diet coke - $5.00. The coke was a glass with a lot of ice and then coke from the nozzle. I thought it that was very expensive for what it was. All up $24.00 The curry was tasty. I hadn’t tried that particular dish before. Initially I thought the sauce may be a bit think but it as fin. The chicken was marinated or roasted which added a nice dimension to its flavor. I enjoyed it. I think Chow is best when there are two or more of you and you can order several dishes and share. But for my first sole outing, I still enjoyed my meal.

Elise Hopkins

Pretty good but nothing spectacular. Enjoyed the food and the cocktails were good but probably won't be going back on my next trip to Wellington. Great that Asian tapa restaurants are popping up though!

Claz

If you're unadventurous with your food and can't tell the difference between a RTD and a cocktail then Chow is for you. Chow attracts 18-22 rich kids who rather than seeking good food are more interested than being seen in a Instagram at 2 for 1! The meals are small and are yet again a terrible westernisation of Asian food (which should be beautiful). If you are happy with water or RTDs, what Chow does have is a central location with a balcony that gets soaked in sun in the summer (and is sheltered from the wind!).

Brianna Huddleston

Best place to go for dinner and cocktails. 2 for 1 food on Mondays is great and cocktails on Wednesday and Friday! Rosebud is the nicest cocktail I have ever had and the salt and pepper squid, blue cheese wontons and mussel fritters are amazing! The fritters are not an obvious choice but have the nicest sauce of all time, definitely worth a try. Come zero is good from chow, comes with a slice of lime. Service is good but can be slow on busy nights.

Duncan Galletly

Its not obvious from the street but up the stairs next to Burger Fuel, Chow is still, after some years, a very cool restaurant with a modern, cosy ambiance created by the lighting, booth seating and partitions. Despite concrete walls the acoustics are not too bad, but certainly on a busy evening it can get quite loud. Staff change reasonably often and service can therefore be a bit variable, usually its helpful and accurate. There are two dining areas separated by a bar which deals out a large range of sophisticated cocktails. Its clearly better to book, but Ive found that there is often a table when going in on whim, and if there isn't you can sit at the bar or go through for a drink in the Library. The concept of shared plates is pretty standard now and this is something that Chow was an early practitioner of. Its plates were devised initially I think by Ming, one of the cleverest fusion chefs in Wellington who had the Orange dining room, and more recently went on to Ancestral. The menu is large, as is the wine/cocktail list. Some of the plates are so popular they've been on for years. However some of the ones I (and the family) think are particular good and always order are the mussel fritters (at least two), Pekin duck lettuce cups, Mussaman curry, Leek and ginger gyoza, Beggars purse and octopus balls. The 2 for 1 nights are good value - food on mondays and cocktails on wednesday and saturday. When you can't think of where to go Chow is a good, safe option.

Meenu Daniel

Loved the food and the ambiance! Had cashew and pumpkin fritters, coconut prawns dumplings,salmon fillet salad and lamb curry and all of it except for the dumplings was just delicious! I would definitely go there again.

JoJo

Amazing food every time!! The Salmon parcels are gorgeous- and now they offer them grilled too - yum! Hard to go on any other day of the week other than 2-4-1 Monday's. Wish they'd open a second venue since Woodward St closed.

Crystal

love it so much！ favorite dash：rib of beef and chicken curry！！ love the cocktail in chow！！！！！！！！ outside looks just soso..but inside was lovely！

Mel B

A firm favourite for girls' cocktail nights. The food is tasty, healthy and light and the cocktails are delicious.

Jenjaroo

Me and my partner visited chow on a very busy Thursday evening. The drinks were amazing and I'd gladly go back for a night of cocktails with their extensive menu. We got a selection of amall plates to share and some wrre better then others, the tofu definitely being a stand out dish for me with just the right amount of kick. The pumpkin fritters were also a favourite of the night.

Sage

Love this place. I have been here twice and loved the restaurant set up, the delicately put together dishes and customer service. I only wish the portions were a bit bigger. I always leave a little peckish.

RaeRae

Recently went to Chow with a group of eight. Unfortunately the restaurant really isn't set up for larger groups so we were a bit cramped in a booth. The whole small plate concept frustrated a couple of the big eating men but food was good and interesting if you want something a bit different from classic Asian cuisine. It was a busy night so service was variable and one of our group played waiter when we needed water.

Lisa Tong

Went there for 2 for 1 mains on a Monday. Great service, friendly and fun staff, really delicious food. Sharing platters so don't take a hungry teenage boy or it will costs a lot but great for normal stomachs. Ask the staff what is most popular and order that, though it is all delicious!

Sheena McIntyre

I have been here on multiple occasions and absolutely love the food here :) There is always a bit of a wait on Mondays when it is two for one but it is totally worth it! Service is generally prompt, friendly and efficient. And the atmosphere is usually good here but can be a bit loud especially when it's really busy, and it can feel a little cramped with the closeness of some of the tables. Overall its a great place to eat though! And I haven't tried one thing on the menu that I wouldn't order again!

Crissy

Interesting asian fusion food. Highly recommend their salads and their blue cheese wanton things. DELICIOUS! A good place to go with a group so you can order a lot and share because it's tapas style servings. They also do 2 for 1 Mondays which is such a good deal but be sure to go early or late in the night because we were on the waiting list for over an hour. They don't do reservations for this night.

Chris Carabine

Got here pretty late. About 10pm. Restaurant was pretty empty as it was a Sunday night. Got seated and ordered pretty quick. They didn't have A LOT of things. I ordered two dishes and after about 15 minutes the waitress came back and said they didn't have that dish either! Alas. The food that they did have was lovely and the service wasn't too bad either. I'd definitely go back but I think they need to work on their stock levels. :-)

BKL

Cocktails at Chow are such a treat after a long day and the food is superb! Staff are always friendly and the bustle of other diners and waiters in the faintly lit red room makes for great ambience!

Terrence Williams

The food overall is very good here. Just don't buy the rice. The coconut rice does not taste like coconut at all. The sticky rice dessert is not made with glutinous rice (aka sticky rice). It essentially tastes like rice cooked with extra water and left to sit for a while.

Connie Consumes

This is always a fun place to have a few drinks and nibbles! The modern-asian dim sum type dishes are fresh and flavourful, but are reasonably small so when there's a group the bill can very quickly add up. Make the most of 2 for 1 Mondays where you can go nuts and order as much as you like and Chow will take half of the dishes (cheapest ones) off your bill!

Sophia

Chow is one of the most popular restaurants in Wellington city, not only due to its fantastic weekly deals (2 for 1 food on Mondays and 2 for 1 cocktails Wednesdays and Saturdays) but its amazing but reasonably priced Asian fusion cuisine! I absolutely love how creative they are with their variety of dishes, and I have been here way too many times. The ambience and atmosphere is always amazing; it's always so relaxed, cozy, intimate, warm and inviting. The food portions aren't the largest, but are always well presented and filling. My favourites from Chow are the pumpkin salad, teriyaki squid, prime angus beef salad, and coconut sticky rice. One thing I always find with Chow is that their dishes taste very fresh - you just can't help but feel healthy when eating here, and there's an excellent variety for vegetarians with its many salad dishes! Their cocktail menu is amazing too; I have been here several times on 2 for 1 cocktail night, and I love the variety. I like the Geisha Girl's Grog, Hazelnut Sour, and Fortune Cookie - all fabulous and delicious cocktails. Overall, I enjoy the prompt service, variety of Asian fusion cuisine on the menu, taste and quality of each dish, the delicious cocktails, and the creativity and heart that is Chow. Love this place and will always return! :)

Vikki Samuelson-Sandvid

My favorite place in Wellington to eat!! Amazing food and always capable staff, never over friendly but they do their job well. It's not cheap to eat there but the two for one Monday is great value as is there lunch time special. A must visit!

Fleur

The thing I love the most about this place is 2 for 1 on Monday, however, it's also the thing I like least about it as it means I can only ever bring myself to eat here on a Monday as why pay full price on any other day?! I can't go past the salmon parcels or the blue cheese wontons and other favourites include the yellow chicken curry and the thai beef salad. The service is efficient but not very memorable, but the decor is cool and the vibe is fun.

Emma Eames

We went this Saturday to celebrate a joint birthday for two of my friends. Half of us are vegetarian and we were pleased with the variety of vegetarian friendly dishes. The pumpkin & cashew fritters are a must and the leek & ginger gyoza are to die for. We were also pleasantly surprised by the waiting staff, unfortunately the entrance is a little chaotic but they dealt with it well. They were attentive and kind. Oh, 2 for 1 cocktails and mocktails on Saturday! Such a fun idea, as non-alcoholic drinkers there were plenty of great options for us that were cheap and tasty.

April Whitehead

Enjoyed getting gluten free vegan food. Tofu and edemame were very tasty. Wait staff were friendly. Next to noisy construction but at no fault of theirs.

P K

Excellent food and service, the staff are always friendly and we always enjoy our meal when we go. Rib of beef and the salmon fillet salad are amazzzinggg gotta order it! Portions can be quite small so 2 4 1 Mondays are a must! :D

Ali Brooks

Cocktails = Delicious!!!!!! We chose a great evening to sit out on the balcony and share a variety of fresh healthy dishes. Enjoyed the brulee for desert and the wait staff member for our table was awesome!!! Infact, I found all the staff very attentive and friendly. Did I mention the cocktails?!

Jimon007

I went there believing some of reviews here but turned out to be a wrong place to go. 1. On my arrival, no one paid attention until I had to find someone to greet us. 2. The waitress was not friendly and more like a robot. She should be work as a manager so she can tell other people what to do. 3. Food: expensive considering portion. We ordered sapporo tap beer $8 (in a small glass - be aware!), rib of beef (this is a joke). Badly marinated and just sweet. I guess the chef mimicked Korean style rib of beef but badly done. Just used soy sauce, msg and plenty of sugar!!! And expensive too. Small portion for $17?), Malaysian beef satay - please don't try.. beef is so stiff and rough. Not tender at all. Shame on you putting Malaysian there. Once again too expensive for the small portion and taste - $18). Crispy chicken (it was good and $11 so it was only thing we liked). When we completed the food and paid I told the waitress that the marination should be done better as a piece of suggestion when she asked me everything was okay. Then she told me "well this is fusion so different" what a convenient way to twist what I told her! Well, all of our family decided never go back there every again. If you want to go there please avoid what I ordered (rib of beef, and Malaysian satay beef) and perhaps order something else. However, be aware.. food can be very expensive as the portion is small and you will need to pay for rice too (not too expensive though) and had to be lucky to find good food with good price there. We will never go back and the owner, you should make that waitress as a manager so she can be bossing around! Also there were many staff were not working and having a good time... bad people management there too.

Alli

Another great night at Chow Tory - 4 stars guys, ace cocktails : )

Chelsea Pronk

My partner and I went to Chow for after dinner drinks. When we arrived, we were served by a nice waitress, rather promptly. This good first impression was somewhat diminished when she had to come back and ask us what we wanted, because she had no idea what it was. Then she apologised, saying they were due for wine training and the menu was new. Fair enough. However, having finished our drinks and keen to order another, we were overlooked for 15 minutes. Our empty glasses weren't even cleared. When I got sick of waiting to be acknowledged, I went up to the bar to get it myself. I was again ignored by a bartender more intent upon polishing glasses. I gave up, sat back down and waited for my partner to return from the bathroom to tell him we were leaving. As I stood up to attempt the bar again, a waitress speedily came over and cleared my glass, but didn't bother to ask if I wanted another, so I interrupted her and asked if I could please have another. When she spoke to me, she was very polite and enthusiastic. I'm just not sure this makes up for the horrendous service beforehand, especially noticing all the waitstaff walking around with bored, unhappy faces and no sense of urgency. I like Chow, I do. But I won't be returning in a hurry if I can't relax and get some decent service.

Christy Saint

Great fresh food fast. We booked which was lucky because it was really full. Shared a whole load of different dishes with the blue cheese wontons deserving a special mention for yummyness. Thanks chow.

Bradoncoast

Had a meal out with extended family including some very young kids on Sunday night. Wait staff were very accommodating. Food was excellent as always. Enjoyed by everyone, despite their varied tastes. We have some food intolerances too, so having this all laid out on the menu with lots of options was great. Looking forward to the next visit!

Mark Samways

A great menu, well designed and perfectly prepared. Given I was dining solo your staff were incredible, neither giving me over whelming attention but professional and engaged. Amazing food, convivial atmosphere and incredible staff

Robert Perry

Had a really memorable night here recently with 3 friends. Great food, nice ambiance, knowledgeable and friendly staff and the food selections were all really good. The cocktails were also tasty and creative. All in all really happy we chose Chow and would definitely come again on future visits to Wellington!

Linda Boland

Went to Chow for a pre Christmas lunch. As we went on a Monday it was 2 for 1 and it was just great. Food primo, staff primo, price primo - what else could you want?

Paul Upston

Great place, nice twist on asian food. Great price and good for a bunch of friends. My first choice for a casual dinner with mates.

Pim R Muter

Food was amazing absolutely no complaints there, service was also very good apart from staff needing some beer education. Firstly we were sitting in Library where I ordered the Emerson's bookbinder (great beer) when we moved to Chow I asked the waitress if they had the same beer, she promptly brought me an Emerson's london porter (also a great beer but totally not what I wanted). Later my friend ordered the stoke gluten free beer not realizing what a gluten free beer is (terrible and only to be consumed by those people with celiac disease) I seriously think wait staff should ask customers if they are gluten intolerant when they order this beer. I suggest a little beer masterclass would do you staff and restaurant wonders. All in all we still walked out very happy. Thanks Pim Muter

Nigel Higgington

Had vegetarian starters, mains, and desserts at the two-for-one Monday night and everything was excellent.

Anna Webster

We had a lovely time here last Saturday. The staff were friendly and attentive and the food came out quite quickly. Our meals were cooked/made beautifully and the flavours were great- my hubby and I are gluten free and we felt the food/taste didn't suffer just because it had to be made with a few ingredients altered to allow for that. We even got our hands on a gluten free beer!! The atmosphere was lovely. Great for a couples night out or night out with friends and family. Highly recommended :)

Pete G

Good service but not great. The staff are approachable, demonstrate competency over the menu offered and also warn about their serving sizes upfront. The menu is large enough to entice diners to try out different dishes. However the cost quickly adds up. Of the times we visited this place, our bill for two was well over three digits and having to find more food elsewhere is always the kick in the gut. The sort of food they serve is something one could create at home. Not good value for money.

Laura W

We came here for a meal with family. Wait staff were friendly enough but gave the impression that they didn't really know what they were doing. All up, our meals took half an hour to arrive, ten minutes after the first meal the second and third came out, it was a full twenty minutes before our fourth meal came out - a pistachio nut and orange salad. Twenty minutes for a basic salad is extreme, and as we waited until everyone had been served before eating, our meals were cold.

Nat M

Took two of my friends (They are from melbourne) for lunch here before they left and they loved it the food was amazing it tasted fresh and was presented beautifully the waitress was great she advised how the menu worked and the overall service was great we also liked the layout of the booths 5 of us fitted in nicely will be comming back :)

Ron

Have been to this restaurant a number of times over the years (it used to be a favourite) but it is getting progressively worse. The meals are small, getting smaller each time we have visited and are well over priced compared to other restaurants in the immediate area. The meal we had recently was lukewarm and had to be sent back to be reheated - rice (a very small bowl) was extra in price whereas it used to be part of the curry meals. We will not be coming back.

Dan Whittington

Great staff. Wonderful selection of food. A little like Wagamamas but the food seemed "fresher" and the tastes just bounced around your mouth. The staff patiently explained all the different options to us newbies as the meals were a little more than the meat and three vege variety. I don't get to Wellington often but will certainly dine at Chow again. Our little group had a great night.

Tani Cui

I dined here last month on 11th April. Food was nice, I especially enjoyed the curry and the Vietnamese summer rolls. Service was particularly bad in some areas, such as taking 20 minutes to bring out my friends cake, after asking for it twice. When the cake came out they didn't even bother to take it out of the box. Entree plates were not cleared from the table until after mains were served, and I had to order soy sauce for $1 (which came out probably about 10ml worth). Had to ask for an extra jug of water for the table (how do a dozen people share a single jug of water, especially on an oblong table?) Bonus was the two for one cocktail evening. I didn't know that they offered this so it was a nice surprise. They have an interesting choice of music being a fusion Asian restaurant. From Cafe del mar to Police's Roxanne.

Joy

Love, Love, Love, Chow"s. The lime posset is amazing as are the prawn dumplings and Tarahiki fish cakes. I also love the pomegranate fizz. I'd eat there every day if I could! I'm in Boston now and can't wait to get back to Welly for Chow's

Jan

Great atmosphere, really helpful staff, fabulous food, great prices - particular when you get the 2-for-1 deal! Highly recommend Chow and will definitely go back.

Jason

Excellent staff - friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. The food was superb. We pretty much followed the advice given by our waiters and were not disappointed. Super value for money and an outstanding eating experience. Start in the 'Library' next door for a cheeky drink before enjoying dinner. That makes for a great evening out.

Vincent G

Pretty good, have been a few times now. The food is always good, prices are reasonable and staff are good. Good for functions too

Norm Cox

Had our World Festival of Magic NZ Tour 2011 dinner here and the food was AMAZING, the staff was TOP NOTCH above the "norm" ! The drinks "I want more" We will def be coming back there next year. If you are wanting a place that is friendly environment, great food (presented perfectly) and fast with a bar that knows their drinks and a price all can afford. This is your place!

Frank

If the Monday night specials are still going - Make sure you book or get in early! This place is popular for all the right reasons!! Used to be a frequent customer (only due to moving out town this has changed). This is a Yumcha experience with fantastic asian cuisine like no other. Despite the casual Soho approach, the customer service is superb. The atmosphere gives a vast contrast. This place plays delightfully well on your tastebuds! Would fully recommend this place to anyone (especially if you're a fan of mussel fritters!). The only gripe that takes a star away from the rating is that it would take quite a bit of food to actually feel content. Unfortunately, this can be a costly place if you're not entirely familiar with the food or looking to have your hunger well fed - This would actually be the better reason for looking towards the 2for1 deals.

Ashleigh Horman

Fabulous food so tasty, the 2 for 1 menu is a fantastic idea! Pitty that when it is a busy period you wait quite a while before even being served. Drinks also take a while to come out too.

Anita

So happy! This food is define, love it! Saw it in nz best dining at airport and have never been so pleased with the menu. Had the most amazing chicken salad with mint and corriander and cashews. My trainer is even pleased with the menu, healthy and fresh. Staff relaxed and friendly, well done chow x

Laura M

Attentive waiter, comfortable seating although very close to other diners, not the place to have a private conversation. The food would suit someone looking for a light meal, you need to order several different things. It's not my sort of food admittedly but the execution was average.

Nicky Owers

I went for dinner with friends and my food was bordering on tasteless, and unless you ordered a side dish at another nine dollars, you didn't get any vegetables at all. I also really object to music so loud that you can barely have a conversation. It's almost like the diners don't exist and the staff suit themselves. Finally the music was turned down after repeatedly asking for this. Secondly, I don't like waiting staff behaving like they are my mates -- my mates are the people I'm there with, not the Chow staff. Plus, all our various waiters also had no problem with waltzing up to our table, and without waiting or any regard for conversations that might be going on, just started talking over top of everyone -- so conceited! Not worth the visit on any count, and the decor is depressing and pure grunge, not to mention lighting that is so low that you can hardly read the menu.

Kirsten Cunningham

Great casual dining, really good food, good service, would definitely come again! 2 for 1 Mondays an awesome deal! Decent sized servings, as a non Asian food fan I'm sold!

Fiona Cowan

Enjoyed an exquisite lunch yesterday. Excellent service and we were very pleased to discover that lunches were all 2 for the price of one. As always the blue cheese and peanut won tons were a hit, Vietnamese rice paper rolls were beautiful, dumplings were delicate and the chicken noodle soup was perfection. A flawless meal as we always have here. Chow offers fresh, modern, beautifully presented food.

L

The food was divine...the blue cheese won ton's are to die for! Excellent service with warm, attentive staff, we walked in on a busy Friday night without a reservation, and were able to get a table within 10 minutes of waiting at the bar. Great ambiance and music too!

Sarah Wong

I've been a regualar at both Chows in Wellington for quite sometime now, but always preferred Tory St. The $25 lunch menu is value for money, but needs the wontons added :-) The staff there are always lovely, and the vibe is always welcoming.

Andrew Truman

Generally I'm not a fan of Asian cuisine, but I'm glad I was convinced by my group to come to chow for dinner. We sat down strait away, and as instructed by our waiter we ordered our food to share. The food came out relatively quickly, and we demolished the lot. My favorites being the banana leaf chicken and coconut prawn dumplings. Service was attentive throughout the night but not over the top. The music was a little loud but added to atmosphere. Overall a great experience. Thanks

Georgie Simms

I've dined here a few times but never given 1+1 Wednesday cocktails a go. The restaurant was busy, but like always I was greeted by a friendly staff member. I had to wait a while at the bar for a table but the rosebud cocktails made it worthwhile. We indulged in our regular favourites on the menu but were pleasantly surprised by the spicy goodness of the smoked fish salad. service was efficient considering the amount of people in the restaurant, and the ambiance and music were perfect.

Maree

I try to dine at Chow as much as I can. The food is amazing (blue cheese wontons!) and I am always greeted with a smile. The staff are lovely and make dining there a pleasure.

Al Tan

The staff need to up their game - these reviews are increasingly becoming a benchmark for diners to assess where we will spend our discretionary dollars - unfortunately with the staff displaying a cavalier ambivalence to a simple mistake they made and an even simpler solution they wont be getting my money ever again - worst part was I had been told it was average but still gave the benefit of the doubt. I don't like writing reviews without giving the staff a chance to hear my complaint and attempt a fix - no chance here, we were totally ignored

Ian Stronach

Reasonable meal for three in a relatively empty restaurant last week, spoiled by the waiter being unaware they'd forgotten to serve the initial part of their fixed price lunch deal. We did advise that we were full by that stage and it didn't matter,instead we enquired if we could get a coffee as a replacement - sadly no. Then assumed they'd make a deduction from the final bill in recognition of not getting what was paid for - again no - full price was charged. Here was a good opportunity to recover from a pretty basic slip up on a day when the place was far from busy, but rather than provide a reduction or a replacement coffee, we were met with indifference.

Dee

food was good but overpriced for the size, so best time to go is monday when they have the 2-for-1 deals. service is good as well.

Georgina Guscott

Anyone who enjoys modern Asian-fusion will find this place interesting, but not overly challenging, which makes it a good place to take friends wary spicy food and foreign-language-littered menus. It is worth noting that the idea behind the menu is to order more than one "long plate" or side or one of the larger mains, and for that reason the price rating on this site is misleading. Therefore, those wishing to enjoy large quantities of food may find Chow harder on the pocket than they might have expected. The atmosphere is modern and polished and the service is excellent. I've been here a couple of times and so had most of the members of the group I dined with. We agree it is a consistently enjoyable dining experience.

Review Chow Tory Street - Wellington