Hanging Ditch — Restaurant in North Island

100% recommend! We were visiting from Auckland and went to a few different bars, and this was by far our favourite! In fact, we loved it so much that we visited twice in one week (during the pouring rain, and got soaked there and back due to our dedication!)

For food we had their grilled cheese toastie with tomato and basil soup- honestly the best soup and cheese toastie we’ve had. It wasn’t overly complicated, but in a good way. A classic cheese toastie, to the point, but you could taste the freshness in the produce and tell that lots of it was house made. Fresh chives, Shelley Bay bread, house made butter. Everything was fresh and just delicious.

We tried a range of their cocktails, including their more ‘simple’ ‘ditch’ cocktails, they were all amazing. The flavour profiles were well balanced and carefully crafted, each unique and delicious. The prices were all reasonable considering the quality as well.

Everyone that served us (we had 3 different servers over the two visits) were warm, friendly, and clearly cared about their job. They were quick and efficient, but gave us the time of day as well. Continually topped up our water and checked if we needed anything any time our glasses or plate was empty.

The atmosphere of the place was lovely! Thoughtful and considered, classic yet original decor. The hanging bottles were the best touch! And the lighting was dim and romantic, with real lit candles everywhere.

All in all, favourite bar in Wellington!...

Dont usually do this, but CANNOT recommend this place to anybody. We arrrived in 5 of us 2 men and 3 women, and I'll be 60 this year as it was recommended to us to visit on our travels. I ordered a Bourbon cocktail form the menu and when our drinks came down mine came in champange glass and we joked about it being a girlie glass. A few minutes later a " manager " came to our table to say he had a complaint from a member of staff who said they had been touched and if it continued he would have to ask us to leave, I am sorry we did not leave there and then, instead we finished our drinks PAID for them and left. This was not the welcome we expected on our travels from Ireland. We did'nt even get the opportunity to question what he was on about, it was his story or none. I would NOT even give this 1 star but had to in order to leave...

Great place! Friendly bar staff, cosy atmosphere, quaint and a little quirky interior decorated with leather Chesterfield couches, wooden furniture, bookshelves, whimsical art and warm lighting- the hanging bottles over the bar is the coolest feature of the room that really draws you to the spot. The signage hangs over the doorway to the Hanging Ditch and its a symbol of a hanging bottle tucked slightly away from the main Leeds Street up a small flight of stairs- was a little hard for me to find so look for the small chalk board placed near its entrance. I love the discreet location :) will definitely come back. We hosted an event here and it was the perfect spot to hold about 50 people. Food could be ordered from Pizza Pomodoro nearby and we ordered the cheese plates from Handing Ditch. All was...