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People's Choice Awards 2020

November 5, 2020

Every year, the Visa Wellington On a Plate team is blown away by the culinary creativity and talent shown by the Wellington hospitality industry. From casual eats, pop ups to fine dining, Wellingtonians and visitors from far and wide are spoilt for choice. 

And every year, we're blown away by their ability to get out and about and try as many Dine Wellington festival dishes, Burger Wellington burgers and Cocktail Wellington cocktails as they do. Not only is it a great way to experience Wellington's culinary talents, it's a wonderful way of getting behind the hospitality industry and support local. 

This year, we decided to put our annual rating process to the side, as the hospitality industry had done it really hard in 2020, and there was a general feeling that a rating system might be another added pressure on top of a year, which had already dished up a lot of pressure. 

However, we know that a huge part of the appeal of going around the Wellington region, trying Dine Wellington dishes, Burger Wellington burgers and Cocktail Wellington cocktails, is sharing what ones you most enjoyed. And many in the hospitality industry were curious to see how they'd gone!  

So in 2020 we put it to the people for People's Choice nominations, in which we asked for your Top 5 in each category... and the results are in!! 

Thank you to all who enjoyed the Festival and made nominations - and of course, thank you to the Visa Wellington On a Plate participants, who are all winners in our eyes. 

Burger Wellington - Top 25 (in no particular order)

Apachè - Rise of the Phoenix

Arborist Rooftop Bar & Eatery - "Say Cheese" said the Rarebit

Atlas - Wagyu, Truffle and Bordelaise

Beach Road Deli - Ngā hua o Aotearoa

Bethel Woods - Dippy McDipperson

Boneface Brewing Co. - The Kiwi Stacker

Burger Liquor - Early Bird

Dirty Burger Cuba Street - Bacon Drunken Love to You

Dirty Burger Petone - Alexis Texas

Egmont St. Eatery - La Grande Gordita

Fork & Brewer - The Brisk-Taker

Fryday Donuts - Meatloaf - The Burger Not the Singer

Gorilla Burger @ Fortune Favours - The Fortunate One

Greytown Hotel - The Top Pub - El Toro

Honey Badger Saloon - Smashed Badger

Lashings HQ - Everybody Loves Dessert

LUCKY - Tandoori Glory

Master Kong - Chook Norris

Pickle & Pie - Brisket Twice, Pickle Once

Seoul Salon - Honey Bunny

Soul Shack - Swamp Thing

Sweet Release - The Eden

Thistle Inn - Beefcake

Wilson Barbecue @ The Third Eye - Hot Mess

Winner Winner - An Ode to Big Bob



Dine Wellington - Top 10 (in no particular order)

1154 Pastaria - Mac N’ Steeze

Apachè - Barry's Bun Cha

Boulcott Street Bistro - Crayfish Frites

Charley Noble Eatery & Bar - The Barbeque

Master Kong - Kohuatia - Boil Up

Olive - A Wellington in Wellington

Pickle & Pie - The Wellington Pie

The Botanist - Earth's Bounty

Viva Mexico Left Bank - Waho-moleh

Zelati Dessert Cafe - Halo-Halo (Mix-Mix) Sundae



Cocktail Wellington presented by Seedlip - Top 10 (in no particular order)

Arborist Rooftop Bar & Eatery - The Gathered Clover Club

Birdcage - Welly on a Bad Day

Boulcott Street Bistro - Oyster Martini, Martini Oyster

Burger Liquor - But first… Coffee

C.G.R. Merchant & Co. - Snickers Affogato

Charley Noble Eatery & Bar - Big Smoke

Crumpet - Planter's Brew

Dragonfly - Seoul Sunset

Hanging Ditch - Expresso Martini #83'

The Library - Jacinda