Frequently Asked Questions

Hungry for answers? Here's a shopping list of frequently asked questions. 

About the Festival

What is Visa Wellington On a Plate?
Visa Wellington On a Plate is New Zealand’s largest and tastiest food festival that serves up two tasty editions.  Festival Events, Pop-Ups, Dine and Cocktail Wellington take over the capital from 5 - 21 May, 2023.  Burger Wellington presented by Garage Project returns 11 - 27 August, 2023 along with Beervana. 

How can I get amongst the festival? 
When it comes to your favourite Dine Wellington menus and Festival dishes, check the listings, book yourself in and enjoy.  If you fancy tasting a tantalising tipple, try Cocktail Wellington. To secure your spot at one of the popular Festival Events, head to the Festival Events section to see what's on. Some  Events sell out in minutes so book early to avoid disappointment. If burgers are your thing, Burger Wellington will keep you very busy and full this coming August.

How big is the festival?
The 2023 events programme is shaping up to be as fantastic as last year with something for every one and every budget with more than 100+ Festival Events and Pop-Ups, 70+ Dine Wellington menus and 70+ Cocktail Wellington tipples to try.

How long has Visa Wellington On a Plate been running?  
2023 will be the 15th Visa Wellington On a Plate! It all started in 2009 with just 35 venues, and has grown in leaps and bounds to more than 100 venues this year. 

Can I use a discount card or voucher for my Visa Wellington On a Plate menu? 
You can only use official Visa Wellington On a Plate issued vouchers for the restaurant, but no discount cards/discount vouchers/coupons can be used for on any Visa Wellington On a Plate menus or events. 

How can I keep informed about the festival?

Festival Events

NB: All festival events must be booked through this website. Venues do not sell tickets directly to the public.  

When do tickets go on sale?
There are two ticketing releases for 2023: 

  • Visa Presale (just need a Visa credit or debit card) - Monday 20 - Wednesday 22 March, 2023
  • General tickets on sale - from Thursday 23 March, 2023

What’s the difference between Presale and general sale?
Visa Presale is for Visa cardholders (debit and credit cards). You can also use Visa Prezzy Cards to purchase tickets during the Presale. 

If you miss out or don't have a Visa, there’s another chance to purchase tickets during general ticket sale starting from 23 March (available until sold out or the day prior to the actual event). 

Will events sell out during the Visa Pre-sale? How can I tell? 
Presale allocations can sell out, BUT for every event and every session, a portion of all tickets are kept for the general ticket sale. 

How come events sell out so fast? 
Unfortunately events don't have the capacity of say, a music concert and instead there are on average only 30 tickets per event, with hundreds of people trying to purchase them (imagine packing 10,000 people into Logan Brown!). This means they can sell out very fast, but with over hundreds of events to choose from, we're sure there's alternative options to suit your appetite.

What about Beervana? 
Beervana does have thousands of tickets available, but this is split into four sessions. In 2022 two of these sessions sold out - so if beer, music, food and a great time takes your fancy, join the beer wonderland and grab yourself a ticket before your chosen session is gone! 

What events can I purchase tickets to?
All events are ticketed, aside from Pop Ups - tickets are not required and you pay on consumption.  Note some venues will take bookings.  

I want to buy all of the tickets!! How many tickets can I buy to each event?
We love your enthusiasm, but to try and keep things fair there’s a purchase limit of maximum 10 x tickets per Festival Event.

If there are no more tickets to the Festival Event I wanted to go to, what can I do?
You can go on the waitlist by filling out a form that will be made available from 23 March (after General Release). We can then advise you first, if the Festival Event decide to add extra sessions or up their numbers. Festival Events may put on extra sessions if there is demand, keep an eye on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter or sign up to our What's Fresh newsletter.

Can I get a refund or change events once I’ve bought a ticket?
Just like other major events, Visa Wellington On a Plate has a no-refund policy for Festival Events in the event you change your mind. If an event is cancelled by the event organiser, standard refund policies apply.

Please note: photographs and/or video footage may be taken at any event in the Visa Wellington On a Plate 2022 programme for marketing and promotional use including and not limited to Visa Wellington On a Plate's social media channels, website, printed material and/or third-party publication. If in attendance at an event, media will be clearly identified with official Visa Wellington On a Plate staff passes. 

Dine Wellington

Dine Wellington runs for the duration of the Festival (5 - 21 May) and features the Festival Dish - the ultimate showcase of the best produce and chef talent in Wellington. Since 2021, this year Dine Wellington dishes are inspired by our 2023 festival theme 'Breaking The Mould'...

Do I have to book in advance at restaurants?
Many restaurants require a booking - please check with each individual venue for info. You can visit their venue info page on our website for contact details. 

Where do I send my complaint if I am not happy with a meal/service at a participating restaurant?
If you have a complaint please talk to the manager at the restaurant first and foremost. You can also let us know about your complaint by writing to info@wellingononaplate.com and we will be in touch.

I have special dietary requirements. Can I request specific 
Restaurants have included dietary accommodations to various dietary requirements on their listings. If in doubt, please contact the participating venue directly to discuss your needs. 

Burger Wellington presented by Garage Project

Burger Wellington presented by Garage Project runs from 11 - 27 August. Venues compete to produce the most original, tasty or unique burger showcasing Wellington’s regional ingredients.

Do I have to book in advance to enjoy a burger, and can I book online?

Many venues require a booking - please check individual venue listings on this website for details on how to book. 

I want to eat as many burgers as possible. Can I share a burger with friends?

Our restaurants love great customers and reserve the right to require diners to order one dish per person. If you are unsure, check with staff first and please support our local eateries as best you can.   

Cocktail Wellington 

Wellington’s finest bartenders create the perfect cocktail and tapas match for Cocktail Wellington which runs from 5 - 21 May, so you can have a tasty tipple before, during or at the end of your Visa Wellington On a Plate night out, or for your casual after work adventures.

Will there be non-alcoholic options?
Yes! For 2022, we've introduced the NA badge for the non-alcoholic cocktails and the cocktails that have a non-alcoholic cocktails. Check out the full Cocktail Wellington line-up.

Restaurant bookings for Dine Wellington, Burger Wellington and Cocktail Wellington

NB: All event tickets must be booked through VisaWOAP.com Venues will not be selling tickets directly themselves. 

Many restaurants require bookings for Dine and Burger Wellington. Some establishments do not require bookings, so you can walk in without a previous reservation. For those that do require bookings, this must be made directly through to the restaurant or bar themselves. You can find the restaurant's contact details on their restaurant venue page listing on our website - an example of this is below:


The printed programme guide

The official 2023 programme guide will be available from 7 March in both print and digital versions. 

Once the guide is live, we'll update this page so you can download a digital copy. 

If you're after a printed copy of the programme guide, you can pick one up from the following locations:

  • iSITE - Wellington City, Upper Hutt and select national locations
  • Te Papa
  • Wellington libraries
  • Moore Wilson's 
  • Thorndon New World
  • Wellington Airport
  • Lower Hutt City Council Administration building
  • War Memorial Library – Lower Hutt

Guides may not be available straight away so please check with the venue if you can't locate one.

The programme guide will also be available at participating venues, delivered to Dominion Post subscribers, Dish Magazine subscribers and at partner hotels.

Creating an account, saving to favourites and wishlists

Want to curate your own programme? 

You can create your own profile and build a wishlist of all your favourite events, Dine Wellington and Cocktail Wellington selections. You can even arrange these into your own personalised lists; date nights, day trips, events to splurge on etc. and share them with your friends. Create an account (or login to an existing account), create a list and get busy clicking the lovehearts!

Something else...?

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My question wasn’t answered here, who can I contact to find what I need?
Please send any questions to info@WellingtonOnaPlate.com and we will endeavour to respond as soon as possible.