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“Fabulous dining experience.”
Review of Capitol Restaurant

Capitol Restaurant
Ranked #25 of 922 Restaurants in Wellington
Price range: R 170 - R 698
More restaurant details
Restaurant details
Good for: Romantic, Local cuisine, Special Occasion Dining, Business meetings
Dining options: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, After-hours, Reservations
Description: Capitol's menu has a strong focus on local seafood and seasonal, ethical produce. Our food is fresh, pure and uncluttered, our service warm, inviting and knowledgeable, and our dining room filled with a happy mingling of locals and visitors to Wellington.
Reviewed 12 December 2018 via mobile

My family and I recently visited the Capitol Restaurant whilst in Wellington for a surprise weekend for my mother. We were dining fairly early prior to attending a show.
I honestly can not recommend this restaurant highly enough. The service was outstanding. Our waitress really knew her stuff which stood out from the time we arrived.
The flavours, presentation and quality of all the dishes we ordered were excellent.
The restaurant is located on a corner in very central Kent Street and has a great vibe. It does get very busy so booking is a essential.
For a pleasurable dining experience with beautiful food and excellent service look no further. I shall definitely return when next in Wellington.

Date of visit: December 2018
2  Thank Angela L
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KateH3811, Owner at Capitol Restaurant, responded to this reviewResponded 3 January 2019

Hi there

Thanks so much for your kind review. T'is mana to my ears to hear that the team did such a great job. It's what we aim for, and they work hard to create this food and service. So, thanks again; we will look forward to seeing you next time you're in Wellington. Kiind regards, Kate

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Reviews (434)
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88 - 92 of 434 reviews

Reviewed 5 December 2018 via mobile

I guess I dine at Capitol 6-8 times a year. I have never had a bad experience. But never have I had an absolutely fantastic experience. Maybe I can’t help contrasted it it with Ortega just around the corner.

My most recent visit is a case in point. There was a menu change. “New Zealand Snow Peas” were replacing the beans that were on the menu. Never having had this New Zealand version I ordered the dish. Well, they were not like any snow pea I have eaten anywhere else. These were peas still in the pod. You had to eat them by sucking them of the pod. Flavours were fine but there was a lot of work required for very few peas. I wonder whether peas were delivered instead of beans by mistake? If so, the chef did a good recovery but these were very strange snow peas.

Menu is limited but good. Food is usually very well cooked. The wine list is good. I have had the same waiter on the last two visits. She was good, apart from a long delay on arrival.

I recommend that you book. There is a good system on their website that makes this painless.

Date of visit: December 2018
3  Thank Chucky111
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KateH3811, Owner at Capitol Restaurant, responded to this reviewResponded 3 January 2019

Hi Chucky

Haha! Those were indeed peas, which were mis-identified by a junior in the kitchen. I noticed on the night and we updated our specials. They did indeed need podding and I agree, it's a matter of taste whether you like to do that or not. We are grateful that you come to us a few times a year. One of our favourite things about this job is the relationships that we build with our regulars. It makes the job super enjoyable.

All the best and see you soon, Kate

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Reviewed 29 November 2018

Back again at Capitol for Christmas work function.
Familiar staff with excellent skills in menu memory and ducking and diving between full tables. Patrick, as ever, co-ordinating the whole with grace and precision.
The food; groper on fennel and celeriac, superb. Fresh tasting, moist tender fish, lovely flavours. The veal looked equally tender and the bone marrow was literally sucked dry by the enthusiastic diner. The dessert of sticky date/toffee pudding never disappoints, and even though mine was quite hot, better that than cold.
The strawberry creme brulée, no comments made but they disappeared in double quick time so no complaints there.
Definitely be back.

Date of visit: November 2018
    • Value
    • Service
    • Food
Thank GillBee2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KateH3811, Owner at Capitol Restaurant, responded to this reviewResponded 29 November 2018

Hi Gill
Thanks for your kind review. I’m so pleased that you had a good work function and I’m gratified by your description of the team hard at work. I hope you have a safe and happy holiday season. Merry Xmas, Kate

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Reviewed 28 November 2018

We were a large group of friends dining after a theatre show. We had booked in advance and agreed to a late sitting and set menu ($70/person), no problem, understandable (ex-restaurateurs and caterers in group).

When we arrived we were offered a wine list and attendant waiters continually topped up our glasses for the next 65 minutes with no food order taken nor nibbles offered - VERY poor host responsibility!! How much would it cost to offer a little bread?!

Our $70 menu offering gave us a very limited choice of two entrees, two mains, two desserts - not much effort for a hefty price tag!

Small squid entree arrived luke warm and gluggy with flour, no garnish or accompaniment, not even a slice of lemon!

Main arrived one hour and 45 mins after our arrival - shameful timing!!!!!! My eye fillet steak was good quality and cooked med/rare but again luke warm and lacking in presentation/accompaniment.

Dessert was a chocolate pudding that was also luke warm and about as interesting as a supermarket muffin.

I came away from Capitol feeling that I had just been fleeced. I had not enjoyed anything other than the wine and the company. It cost a not-so-small fortune and I would have eaten much better if I had stayed home and cooked for myself.

I'll never return.

Date of visit: November 2018
    • Value
    • Service
    • Food
Thank ludvigcook
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KateH3811, Owner at Capitol Restaurant, responded to this reviewResponded 29 November 2018

Hi Ludvig Cook

Wow. It sounds like you had a horrible night with us. This is rather disappointing as we work hard to give our guests an enjoyable evening. We advised your friend who booked a large table that 18 people is a restaurant that only seats 40 would slow us down, and your friend accepted this, however I wonder if you have exaggerated a little. It’s not very likely that you waited 1 hour and 5 minutes to have your order taken. Even if we’d been totally slammed, this just doesn’t happen at Capitol.

With regards to your comments about our food, I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy it. Our clientele come to us with widely varying palates and we recognise that it’s imposdible to please everybody. Also, once you’re already unhappy about any delays, it’s possible to approach your meal with a jaundiced eye. Perhaps you should call me at the restaurant so we can discuss your experience face to face.

Thanks for your feedback, Kate

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Reviewed 26 November 2018 via mobile

I can highly recommend this bustling restaurant. A Monday night and it was full which was a good indication. I had the mozzarella followed by chicken and we shared the chocolate pudding. All were delicious. Others in our party of four chose different dishes which were also thoroughly enjoyed. Great service and perfect ambience. Top of the list for dining in Wellington.

Date of visit: November 2018
Thank jenny H
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KateH3811, Owner at Capitol Restaurant, responded to this reviewResponded 29 November 2018

Hi Jenny
Thanks for your kind words. We feel so lucky to be here in Wellington with what must be the loveliest diners in the world! You make our job a treat!
Thanks, Kate

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