Dine with me: Where designer James Bush gets a ‘Parisian’ burger in Wellington

Saturday, 22 June 2024

Wellington’s eateries are doing it tough so The Post has launched a new series through winter to throw our support behind them. Each week we’ll ask a Wellingtonian where we’re likely to spot them eating. This week, designer James Bush weighs in on the best cafe, even for a non coffee drinker.

Read Dame Miranda Harcourt’s recommendations.

Best coffee in Wellington? (and what's your order? with or without a pastry?)

I don't drink coffee so I always struggle with this one! That said, I do sometimes swing past Customs on Ghuznee St, it has a great vibe and their savoury toasts are delicious. They're often topped with unexpected ingredient combos which are a nice change from the ubiquitous date scone.

What’s your favourite dish at a Wellington eatery?

I spend way too much time at The Ram on Cuba St (the bar, not the restaurant). They do the best French fries in town, a smashing Parisian hamburger and have genuinely lovely staff. What's not to like? [Editor’s note: We sought to find out what a ‘Parisian burger’ is, falling down a Google rabbit hole where we discovered a French burger might feature blue cheese, caramelised onions, a baguette-like bun or other typically French ingredients. In fact, after clarifying with James, he meant The Ram’s brioche bun “and the fact it's also just a dirty hamburger which, hilariously, are a mainstay of Parisian fine dining”.]

Finally, where do you take an out-of-towner to wow them?

Wellington's best wow restaurant is surely Rita. It does minimal NZ chic, with delicious, contemporary food in a very stylish setting. 10/10 for that one.