Welcome to Lyall Bay's new eatery - the Hotel Catalina
Thursday, 5 March 2026
While swimming in Lyall Bay may be risky at the moment, there’s plenty to eat and drink in the beachside suburb.
Hotel Catalina is Lyall Bay’s newest eatery, replacing longtime restaurant Spruce Goose in the former Aero Club building.
The eatery opened on Monday and will be open daily, morning until late, with oysters, pizza and more all on the menu.
Hotel Catalina is owned by Jamie Williams. The restaurateur also owns Puku Pies and Kai, which opened a fourth store, in central Wellington , on Wednesday. There is a popular Puku Pies cafe in Lyall Bay Junction.
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When asked about his success in the hospitality industry ‒ Hotel Catalina is the fifth restaurant Williams has opened over the past year ‒ the owner said it was important to invest in Wellington’s hospitality scene.
Williams said he remembered when Prime Minister John Key said Wellington was dying in 2013.
“When that happened, we went out and invested on purpose … Everyone's got to play their part in the ecosystem that is Wellington business. You start spending money, and then people generally come out and support.”
It appeared the hospitality industry was improving, Williams said, although operators and customers still appeared fatigued following last year’s economic dip.
So far this year Wellington hospitality has lost Underworld Tavern, Leuven Belgian Beer Cafe, Spruce Goose, and the Chocolate Fish Cafe; it’s gained Lucky 8 on Courtenay Place, and will soon have a new cafe in the soon-to-be opened Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui Central Library.
Hotel Catalina’s beachfront location is owned by Wellington Airport ‒ the same as several units in the nearby Lyall Bay Junction, where Puku Pies and Kai is located.
Wellington Airport commercial general manager Richard Dalby said Lyall Bay already was a great place to spend time in Wellington, and Catalina added another reason to visit.
“From the balcony to the extended evening hours, it’s designed to be enjoyed from morning through to dusk,” Dalby said.
“It’s been a tough few weeks for Lyall Bay but we really encourage people to get out and support local businesses like Hotel Catalina and others in the area.”