Rosie's Red-Hot Cantina brings a loud, informal streak to Wellington's waterfront, taking its visual and culinary cues from California's coast and the Los Angeles street scene. The Queens Wharf venue runs from lunch into the night, with an atmosphere built for dropping in rather than dressing up. Its formula is deliberately flexible: share a few snacks, settle in for burgers or tacos, or make the visit revolve around a cold drink and the harbour-side energy.
The opening plates lean into heat, crunch and sharp pickles. Habanero tenders arrive with buttermilk ranch and dill pickles, while chilli cheese dip piles corn chips with jalapeños, pickles and Flamin' Hot Cheetos. A crushed avocado plate offers a fresher contrast through poblano, Tajín, salsa roja and pink onions. Those choices make it easy to start communally, moving between cooling ranch, creamy avocado and stronger chilli before committing to a larger dish.
Mains continue the broad Calexican approach without confining every diner to the same format. Birria tacos pair white corn tortillas and melted Colby jack with onion, coriander and a broth for dipping. The smash burger turns to American cheese, pickles, street sauce and shredded lettuce, while the harissa-roasted cauliflower salad combines romesco, kale, salsa verde, pickled cauliflower and hazelnut. A group can therefore mix rich, handheld food with a vegetable-led plate that still carries plenty of texture and spice.
Drinks are part of the cantina's identity rather than an afterthought. Beer sits beside a rotating margarita programme that moves from classic lime and agave combinations to fruit-led twists and frozen serves. Regular promotions and events reinforce the venue's sociable, late-running character, while table reservations and takeaway ordering add practical options. Families should note that it is an age-restricted venue, with anyone under 18 required to attend alongside a legal guardian.
Address: 4 Queens Wharf, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Moved or closed? Tell us: Moved·Temporarily closed·Permanently closed
Rosie's Red-hot Cantina – Wellington Menu
Share Plates
V vegetarian | VO vegetarian optional | VG vegan | VGO vegan optional | NGA no gluten added | NGO no gluten optional | DF dairy free | DFO dairy free optional. Please speak to our team if you have any dietaries. We try our best, but our kitchen is not completely free of gluten and some items share a fryer.
House Fries
aioli, ketchup | V
Load 'Em Up
add birria beef OR adobo chicken, both with chilli con queso, jalapeño crema
Guacamole
crushed avocado, poblano, Tajin, salsa roja, pink onions, blue & yellow corn chips | VG
Chilli Con Queso
chilli cheese dip, corn chips, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, pickles, jalapeños, coriander
Rosie's Best-In-Town Chicken Wings
Calexican buffalo sauce, sesame, radish, xiannaise
Koreatown Fried Chicken
schmaltz-dipped habanero tenders, buttermilk ranch, dill pickles
Sweet Corn Ribs
chipotle mayo, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, shaved parmesan, coriander | V
Crispy Pork Ribs
chipotle honey, lime, garlic, smokey paprika, pickled red onions | DF
Red-Hot OG's
V vegetarian | VO vegetarian optional | VG vegan | VGO vegan optional | NGA no gluten added | NGO no gluten optional | DF dairy free | DFO dairy free optional. Please speak to our team if you have any dietaries. We try our best, but our kitchen is not completely free of gluten and some items share a fryer.
Monster Nachos
corn chips, chilli con queso, melted colby jack cheese, pico de gallo, pink onions, coriander, avocado crema, salsa roja, chipotle mayo, jalapeños | NGO. CHOOSE birria beef, chicken or jackfruit
Quesadilla Pizza
12-inch quesadilla, chilli con queso, onion, coriander, chipotle mayo, jalapeños, salsa roja, pink onions, avocado crema. CHOOSE birria beef, chicken or jackfruit
Cali Burrito
grilled marinated steak, pico de gallo, colby jack cheese, chipotle mayo, guacamole, pickled radish, shredded ‘berg, fries, chipotle queso | DFO
Tacos!
all tacos served on white corn tortillas. $11.0 each. V vegetarian | VO vegetarian optional | VG vegan | VGO vegan optional | NGA no gluten added | NGO no gluten optional | DF dairy free | DFO dairy free optional. Please speak to our team if you have any dietaries. We try our best, but our kitchen is not completely free of gluten and some items share a fryer.
Carne Asada
marinated sliced steak, coriander verde, avocado, lime | NGA/DF
Baja Fish
Baja battered fish, chipotle herb crema, cabbage, coriander, pico de gallo, lime | DFO
Cauliflower
roasted cauliflower, pickled red daikon, jalapeño salsa verde, avocado, toasted pumpkin seeds | VG/NGA/DF
Cheeto Chicken
schmaltz-dipped habanero tender, shredded cabbage, Calexican mayo, electric pickles, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, coriander
Pork Belly
jalapeño crema, pibil sauce, crackling dust, jalapeño-pickled pineapple
Baja Prawn
grilled baja prawns, charred corn salsa, smoky chipotle crema, crispy shallot, fresh lime | NGA/DFO
Birria Tacos
Legendary STREET TACOS / 2 for 25.0. ADD birria beef / birria chicken +7.0. V vegetarian | VO vegetarian optional | VG vegan | VGO vegan optional | NGA no gluten added | NGO no gluten optional | DF dairy free | DFO dairy free optional. Please speak to our team if you have any dietaries. We try our best, but our kitchen is not completely free of gluten and some items share a fryer.
Birria Beef Brisket
colby jack cheese, onion, coriander, white corn tortillas, birria dipping broth | NGA/DFO
Pulled Adobo Chicken
colby jack cheese, onion, coriander, white corn tortillas, aromatic chicken broth | NGA/DFO
Jackfruit
colby jack cheese, onion, coriander, white corn tortillas, pickled vegetables, chilli cheese queso dip | V/VGO/NGA
Burgs
SERVED IN A BUTTER SEEDED BUN WITH house fries, KETCHUP & AIOLI | NGA BUN AVAILABLE ON REQUEST. ADD BIRRIA BEEF / BIRRIA CHICKEN +7.0. V vegetarian | VO vegetarian optional | VG vegan | VGO vegan optional | NGA no gluten added | NGO no gluten optional | DF dairy free | DFO dairy free optional. Please speak to our team if you have any dietaries. We try our best, but our kitchen is not completely free of gluten and some items share a fryer.
California Love
thick boi smashie, American cheese, Alderson’s pickles, street sauce, red onion, shredded ‘berg, ketchup | NGO/DFO
MCA
hemp & chipotle patty, vegan cheese, Alderson’s pickles, street sauce, red onion, shredded ‘berg | VG/DF
DoggyStyle
schmaltz-dipped chicken, habanero dust, American cheese, Alderson’s pickles, street sauce, shredded ‘berg, red onion, buttermilk ranch
Salads
V vegetarian | VO vegetarian optional | VG vegan | VGO vegan optional | NGA no gluten added | NGO no gluten optional | DF dairy free | DFO dairy free optional. Please speak to our team if you have any dietaries. We try our best, but our kitchen is not completely free of gluten and some items share a fryer.
Roasted Cauliflower Salad
roasted cauliflower, charred corn salsa, avocado, pickled red onion, cherry tomatoes, jalapeño salsa verde, toasted pumpkin seeds, coriander, mint | VG/NGA/DF
Ceviche De Pescado
line-caught market fish, tomatoes, cucumber, kiwifruit, jalapeño, coriander, chilli lime dressing, smoky chipotle crema, blue tortilla chips | NGA/DFO
Cali Chicken Caesar
kale, shredded berg, parmesan, schmaltz-dipped chicken, bacon sourdough crumb, soy marinated egg, anchovy dressing, white flour tortilla shards | DFO. Add extra chicken +8.0
Baja Prawn Street Bowl
Tajin grilled prawns, cabbage slaw, chipotle mayo, roasted corn & black bean pico, guac, chilli lime dressing, coriander rice | NGA/DF. Add carne asado +8.0
Dessert
V vegetarian | VO vegetarian optional | VG vegan | VGO vegan optional | NGA no gluten added | NGO no gluten optional | DF dairy free | DFO dairy free optional. Please speak to our team if you have any dietaries. We try our best, but our kitchen is not completely free of gluten and some items share a fryer.
Chocolate Lava Cake
dark chocolate soil, berries, candied hazelnut, vanilla bean ice cream | V
Hokey Pokey Churros
crispy deep fried churros, cinnamon sugar, hokey pokey icecream, salted caramel sauce, honeycomb crunch | V
Fiesta Piña Sundae
vanilla ice cream, maple roasted pineapple, caramel sauce, coconut caramel pepita crumble, whipped cream, popping candy, red cherry | V
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Margarita Monday
IYKYK. FROM 5PM
Taco Tuesday
$7 Tacos | All day
Wings Wednesday
99C Wings | All day. When purchased with a Red Hot OG, Burg or Salad
Thank F*%K For Thursday
$25 Burger & Beer. California Love + Rosie’s Lager. All day
Friyay!
DJ ’til late. $12 Vodka & Red Bull. $12 Jäger Bomb
Sangria Sundays
$25 Sangria Jugs | All day
Beer, Cider & RTDs
On tap, bottles, RTDs, and low or no alcohol options.
Heineken Silver Low Carb
On tap
Heineken 0.0%
On tap
Rosie's Lager
On tap
Tuatara Regenerate Pilsner / Hazy Pale Ale / Interstellar IPA
On tap
Non Alcoholic
Coca-Cola / Coca-Cola Zero Sugar
Schweppes
Dry Lemonade / Tonic / Ginger Ale
Lemon, Lime & Bitters / L&P Ginger Beer
Wine – Bubbles
Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut
France
Moët & Chandon Impérial Rosé
France
Cloudy Bay Pelorus Brut
Marlborough
Cloudy Bay Pelorus Rosé
Marlborough
Agave – Blanco
Less than 2 months, neutral oak barrels. Young / Fiery / Citrus / Spice
El Jimador
Olmeca Altos
Cazcabel
Herradura Plata
Agave – Reposado
Min. 2 months, less than 1 yr in oak barrels. Warm / Vanilla / Cacao / Cinnamon
El Jimador
Olmeca Altos
Cazcabel
Herradura
Wine
Northrow
Marlborough | Sauvignon Blanc
Torea
Marlborough | Sauvignon Blanc
Jules Taylor
Marlborough | Sauvignon Blanc
Northrow
Gisborne | Chardonnay
Cocktails
+2% surcharge on all credit card and contactless payments.
Woo Woo
Taptails | vodka, peach schnapps, Angostura bitters, sugar syrup, cranberry juice
El Diablo
Taptails | Tequila, blackcurrant liqueur, sugar syrup, ginger beer, lime juice
Mango Mule
Taptails | vodka, lime juice, ginger beer, mango
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