Margot Bar and Restaurant: Newtown’s small plates darling

Down a side street in Newtown, you’ll find Margot. She’s not a person, but a place — a restaurant to be exact — but it’s not hard to imagine the woman behind the name.

With a striking red awning, big open windows, and a warm atmosphere spilling onto the street, Margot is a welcoming aunt, your chicest friend, and the ultimate dinner party host. In short: she’s someone you want to meet and a restaurant you want to visit.

Behind a bright red front door, the 26-seater space is intimate and welcoming. Above the door, a sign from the venue’s previous life reads “come as you are”. It’s still a fitting sentiment for the homely feel and eclectic mix of locals and visitors that keep Margot bustling each night.

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Margot’s menu changes often, championing local produce in often simple ways, but always to delicious effect. Co-owner Juno Miers describes the fare as “rustic, European-inspired share plates. Organic produce and ingredient-driven dishes that will make you feel like you’re on holiday in Europe, but also right at home.”

Plates like the steak tartare and homemade crisps keep the European spirit alive, while fresh raw fish plants you back in Aotearoa. Vegetarians are well looked after, reimagining produce in exciting and delightful ways.

“Organic produce and ingredient-driven dishes that will make you feel like you’re on holiday in Europe, but also right at home.”

Juno Miers, Margot co-owner

Juno and her husband Tom Adam are the self-described “hospitality nerds” behind Margot. Between them, they cover the front of house and kitchen. Owning a restaurant has been a long-term dream for the couple. After 16 years working in some of Wellington’s most beloved institutions, they’re thrilled to be at the helm of their own special spot in the suburbs.

Margot’s inspiration came from a combination of the couple’s travels and the hospitality heroes they met along the way. “Margot is a personality and persona we wanted to create. It’s a way for us and our restaurant to follow in these awesome, caring hospitality professionals’ footsteps,” says Juno.

Margot’s welcoming spirit is evident not only in the food and wine list but also in the restaurant’s fit-out. Juno and Tom have allowed the heritage building’s character to shine while adding their own cosy flare. Colourful glass pendants frame booth seating and an eclectic mix of art and plants give it an approachable simplicity. Margot wouldn’t feel out of place in a chic European city — and makes you feel right at home.