Cuisine: A La Carte, Gastro Pub Food
Price Point: Mains from $25 - $35
Enjoy fresh New Zealand fare with a political twist at The Backbencher!
Offering a unique dining experience, The Backbencher is renowned for its outstanding food, drinks and sense of humour. Think satirical artwork, contemporary puppets and a cheeky menu named after past politicians!
In the kitchen, their talented team serve all your Kiwi favourites, from stunning meats and fresh seafood, to seasonal vegetarian fare. Try Twyford’s duck croquettes and Clark’s calamari, before moving onto mains like the G Robertson scotch fillet, or try the Sir Winston’s lamb rump.
Located opposite The Beehive in Thorndon, this iconic pub is settled on the grounds of one of Wellington’s oldest masonry buildings. After two devastating fires, The Backbencher was renovated in 2013 to reflect the location’s unique history.
As well as their stylish decor (including a 1000 wine glass display), the restaurant is adorned with satirical art. Take a walk through their humorous walls and enjoy politician puppets and original drawings by Tom Scott.
A unique socio-political food and bar experience, make sure you grab a table quick at The Backbencher!
The Backbencher Gastro Pub
34 Molesworth St
Wellington 6011
Open Hours:
Monday - Friday 11am - 10pm
Saturday - Sunday 9am - 9pm
Phone: 04 472 3065
Website: www.backbencher.co.nz
Click on menu to enlarge.
Barbara Woods - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 23 November 2019
A quirky getaway inside the realms of parliament.
Attentive waiters, delicious food, the sticky toffee pudding is to die for.
We'll certainly be back for more of Jacinda Ardern's DJ sets.
Katherine Mitchell - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 7 September 2019
Warm and inviting atmosphere. Really enjoyed our food. Would return.
Simeon Alloway - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 1 October 2019
Food was nice basic service with no meal checks after meal delivery but enjoyable dinner. Thank you. Clean and tidy venue handy location also.
Anne Morel - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 22 September 2019
Great food & service. Even went the extra mile to tell us I’d forgotten to put my handbrake on & my car was rolling down the hill outside
Kim Thomson - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 3 August 2019
Great service, great food, can’t go wrong
Gerry Williams - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 28 July 2019
Outstanding service! Great menu with plenty of options
Dion Neill - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 7 July 2019
We both enjoyed our meals and thought the service was great... very polite and friendly staff.
Suzi Bell - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 2 July 2019
Food was nice, tasty, good sized serving and quick to table. The service was lovely. They didn't have the duck (which is why I picked them) but the pan fried fish was a great substitute. The agria potatoes in duck fat were so delish - I highly recommend.
We also brought our 12 year old and 5 year old and the didn't have time to get bored or play up which was perfect.
Anahera Brown - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 16 June 2019
We have always had superb meals at the Backbencher, but things weren't the normal high standard on this particular night. On a good note, the pate was absolutely delicious! About half of the food on the drinking platter was nice but the taste on the chicken wings, drumsticks, calamari and fish fingers were bland. Chips and sausage was good. The serving of the platter were not very aesthetic, just served in a big wok. I'm not sure if this is the norm now as there was a large function in the main dining room and so maybe this was a one off - I hope so, because we usually love this place. The waiters were all nice, except one lady who looked quite annoyed when we tried to order and then served us without a word or even a change of expression. The other waiters were lovely but I think the function was taking up a lot of resources as they were very absent when we wanted to order.
Clare Ladyman - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 11 June 2019
We had a fantastic First Table experience at The Backbencher. The wait staff were attentive and made excellent suggestions for both food and accompanying drinks. The atmosphere for a Saturday night was relaxed and the venue was clean and well managed. We’re looking forward to our next visit to Wellington so we can return and sample more of The Backbencher’s generous meals.
Nick Chamberlain - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 25 May 2019
Great place. Good atmosphere. Will be back!
Rowan Booker - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 19 May 2019
Our experience was fantastic front the time we walked into the restaurant! Great waiting staff.. excellent service.. but the food... was exceptional! Loved it! Will definitely be going back..
Michelle Scholtz - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 18 May 2019
Great food and service staff were on the ball
Annmarie Mead - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 27 April 2019
Great service and the meal was amazing first experience for us. We are from Southland had a fabulous time
Joanne Excell - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 13 April 2019
Great atmosphere lovely meal.
Aroha Obrien - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 7 April 2019
Nice dinner out....good choice of food and friendly staff
Adrienne Slater - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 6 April 2019
Clean comfortable Music not intrusive. Staff friendly and unobtrusive which is great when you want to have a quiet meal
Food excellant as usual
Margaret Hadley - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 10 March 2019
Great pub type meal. Waiting staff and bar staff were very friendly and welcoming. Definitely recommend.
Pat Fairhall - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 11 March 2019
Yummy food nicely presented. The passionfruit brûlée was so good. The hand cut chips were charged up at a higher price than what the menu says though.
Corrina Nielsen - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 24 February 2019
Such fabulous mains with a pleasant atmosphere and friendly staff. Would recommend if visiting wellington or a local resident
Anne Morel - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 9 February 2019
Amazing food and drinks. We had a main each and a few drinks plus shared a dessert. We will be back again
Grace Goris - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 28 January 2019
My brother and I had a lovely evening at Backbencher, the food was tasty , well presented and good portion sizes. My brother had the pate - his first experience of Backbencher pate and was completely blow away by how lovely it was. My steak was redone for me by the chef and was one of the best I have had in quite a while. Our server was helpful, friendly and knew her job, She was a pleasure to chat too and was extremely helpful. All in all a great dinner and an enjoyable evening for us both
Jeanné
Jeanne Hyde - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 15 January 2019
Joined first table for opportunity to try all different restaurants in Wellington without spending a fortune - great opportunity to fine favourite places and have never been disappointed at any - been waiting for some time to get a table at Backbenchers and it was definitely worth the wait - food was varied tasty and freshly cooked and beautifully presented. Attentive staff who were ever intrusive - I’ll be back asain ASAP !
Margaret Hadley - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 13 January 2019
Fantastic food, exceptional service! A+
Sara Madsen - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 12 January 2019
Dinner for an early family catchup. The food was great, delicious and nicely presented, and the service was friendly and attentive. Good range of wine and beers, with quality craft beers on tap. If there was a downside, it was that they were out of stock of their particularly enjoyable Prosecco. Would go back ...
Grant Robinson - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 11 November 2018
Had a lovely meal and great service
Kay Wilton - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 21 October 2018
The food was delicious and the service was fantastic.
Andrea Martin - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 16 October 2018
Food was amazing and delicious. Staff were polite and friendly and would definitely recommend going there
Char Harding - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 13 October 2018
Great food and great atmosphere
Siegmund s Visser - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 29 September 2018
The decor and puppets of notable politicians create a pleasant environment for socialising. Both the wine list and the menu provide an excellent range of choices at a corresponding range of prices. We enjoyed our selections. The service throughout our visit was excellent. We will go back and enjoy more hospitality from The Backbencher.
Michelle McConnachie - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 6 October 2018
We had a great time. The food, service and atmosphere was great. There was plenty of choice and is a great place for all ages.
Lynda Stevenson - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 1 October 2018
Our first experience with Firsttable and it was great. We both had a really meal and the service was great.
Jane Wickham - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 24 September 2018
Buzzing... it was a Sunday evening and there were quite a lot of people there but it was such a ‘neat’ place to go. Service was excellent, young courteous staff, the meals were plentiful, hot and were very well presented. Great Wall art !! A must to go if you are in Wellington!
Kathy Hardy - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 23 September 2018
Great food - delicious, great service too
Hayley Henton - dined at The Backbencher Gastro Pub on 2 September 2018
35 reviews
Perfect atmosphere before the Phoenix game. Food was super yummy but we couldn’t fit it all in. Will definitely be back.