Te Papa cafes
Discover two vibrant and cosy cafes tucked among Te Papa’s taonga (treasures). Every purchase supports the mahi (work) of Aotearoa New Zealand’s national museum.
Kai-kōrero: Burger Wellington at Te Papa Cafe
Inspired by hōtoke, smoky flavours, and shared stories, Kai-kōrero is Te Papa Cafe’s entry in Aotearoa New Zealand’s most hotly contested culinary competition.
When | Āhea
Mon 03 Aug to Sun 23 Aug, 9am–3pm
Where | Ki hea
Te Papa Cafe, Level 1
(note: the kitchen closes at 3pm each day)
Cost | Te utu
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible
Low and high seating
Te Papa Cafe is the reigning champion of Burger Wellington, a hugely popular competition that is part of the Wellington On a Plate food festival.
Each year, more than 200 local eateries vie for the title of best burger, with tens of thousands of burger lovers rating their favourites to find the best thing between two buns.
In keeping with the Word of Mouth theme of this year's festival, the smoky flavours of Kai-kōrero are a reminder to gather together around the fire and share stories with friends and whānau.
The inspiration behind Kai-kōrero
This year the Wellington On a Plate festival spans two months in the Maramataka, Hōngongoi and Hereturikōkā, which are named for crouching and huddling together, and gathering around fire. It is a time to stay indoors and wānanga as a way of preserving oral traditions and history.
Kai-kōrero is inspired by how we keep each other well in hōtoke by resting, keeping warm, and sharing kai and kōrero together.
What is in the burger
Kai-kōrero features a smoky pulled beef brisket patty with charred cabbage, slow-cooked onion, Pagro Farms watercress, smoked kūmara and parsnip cream, aged cheddar, kawakawa jus, and truffle aioli in a Brezelmania rēwena bun.
A vegetarian option is also available, with grilled halloumi served on a mushroom, black bean, and beetroot patty infused with kawakawa, horopito, fresh parsley, and crunchy walnuts.
The sides
The burger is served with crispy agria scoops dusted with chilli horopito seasoning and a kūmara brûlée with a caramelised crust, all for only $29.
How to order
Walk-ins are welcome, and takeaways are available. Please note that the kitchen closes at 3pm each day.
To make a booking, please contact the Te Papa Cafe team on 021 878 482 or tepapacafeandespresso@tepapa.govt.nz.
Gluten-free options are available on request.
In keeping with the Word of Mouth theme and the commitment of Te Papa to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, visitors are encouraged to order in te reo Māori during Burger Wellington.
Wellington On a Plate at Te Papa Cafe, 2026. Photo by Beeline Creative. Te Papa (279610)
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