Daisy’s latest Wellington restaurant to close

Wednesday, 5 March 2025

Another Wellington restaurant has fallen, as a Thorndon institution announces it will close at the end of the month.

Daisy’s on Tinakori Rd announced via an email sent to customers that March 29 would be its final day of service.

It rebranded from the long-standing Tinakori Bistro when restaurateur Asher Boote purchased the business out of liquidation in 2018.

Tinakori Bistro had existed in Thorndon for 30 years, and was known for its French cuisine and fine dining. Boote owns vegetarian restaurant Hillside Kitchen, also on Tinakori Rd.

In the email, Boote said it was no secret times had been challenging for restaurants, particularly in the five years since the Covid-19 lockdown.

Political and economic turmoil continued to impact Wellington and the hospitality industry, he said, and no-one could have predicted all the things that had happened.

It had all taken a toll on the owners, he said.

“It is time we look inwardly and prioritise ourselves, our family and loved ones.”

With the restaurant’s lease coming to an end, they felt it was time to step away, proudly and on their own terms with all their obligations fulfilled, he said.

They were proud to have celebrated all the amazing growers, suppliers and producers they had worked with over the years, as well as their “incredibly talented” staff, while representing Thorndon as well as they could, Boote said.

“It has been a privilege to be part of so many people's special occasions, as much as it has been to be a casual place to drop in for locals, we thank you so much for your support.

“We would really love to see you over the month as we wind things up.”

A flurry of eateries in the capital have closed their doors or change ownership in the past two years.

Restaurants Olive and Mabel’s closed, with Olive reopening as a new venue, and bakeries Pandoro and Myrtle announced their closure in 2024.

This year so far, music bar Plonk and Concrete Bar in the Wellington CBD have either closed or are closing soon, and People’s coffee have announced two of their cafes/retail stores are changing hands into new ownership.