A new multi-purpose venue has opened in Te Aro, and I’m still not entirely sure what to call it. It’s a record store, café, yakitori restaurant, and listening bar all under one roof. After two failed attempts to visit—mostly because I hadn’t checked my calendar properly—I finally made it there.

During the day, Octo operates as a record store, taking over from the former Herbs Records space, and also serves toasties. In the evening, it transforms into a yakitori restaurant and bar.

We visited at night to try the drinks and yakitori. To start, I ordered the High Tea and the Verjus Spritz, their non-alcoholic cocktail. Both were incredibly easy to drink and set the tone for a great evening. The High Tea tasted exactly as described on the menu—Earl Grey tea with milk—while the Verjus Spritz delivered a bright citrus zing that made for a refreshing palate cleanser towards the end of the night.

As a party of three, we decided to order every skewer on the menu, along with the rice ball, fries with wakame and chilli, charred tomatoes, and the karaage chicken.

The karaage chicken arrived first and was a great way to start the meal. The chicken was perfectly seasoned and fried, complemented by Kewpie mayo and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. The charred tomatoes arrived shortly after and ended up being one of my top three dishes of the evening. They were beautifully charred, with a pleasant zing from the balsamic that paired wonderfully with the creamy burrata.

Next came the broccoli and mushroom skewers, both of which were well-seasoned and cooked perfectly. The beef sirloin was nicely seasoned and had a great charred, smoky flavour, although I would have preferred it cooked slightly less. The chicken thigh was incredibly tasty thanks to the aged tare, and I particularly enjoyed the chicken hearts and chicken wings as well. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to try the satay skewer due to my peanut allergy.

The rice ball was another standout. I already love unagi, but the addition of charred edges and crispy rice pieces elevated it even further. The tofu, however, was slightly disappointing as it was over-seasoned.

The fries were also a real winner, topped with wakame, chilli, and furikake, which added plenty of flavour and made them highly addictive.

And finally, the s’mores — what a way to end the meal. A giant toasted marshmallow served with rich chocolate sauce and crumbled biscuit pieces. It was indulgent, messy, and absolutely delicious. Honestly, I would come back just for the s’mores.

Overall, there were several standout dishes, with the charred tomatoes, rice ball, fries, and s’mores being particular highlights. The drinks were excellent, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and I love how naturally the restaurant fits into the Aro Valley vibe.

It’s a small, intimate space that works incredibly well, creating a relaxed and enjoyable dining experience. The food is some of the best I’ve had in Wellington in a long time. I enjoyed it so much that I’m already planning a return visit with a group of friends so we can work our way through even more of the menu.

Instagram: Octo

Address: 102 Aro Street, Aro Valley, Wellington 6021