After eight years, Bellamys at New Zealand's parliament buildings has closed to the public, but will still serve MP's and guests.
Bellamys, New Zealand’s parliamentary restaurant, has announced it will no longer be open to the public.
First opened in the 1850s in Auckland before moving to Wellington, the restaurant only opened to the public in 2018.
In a statement, Bellamys thanked the public for its support and said it has been proud to serve premium New Zealand cuisine and provide a unique dining experience for all of its guests over the years. The restaurant will still be open for private bookings.
Based on its British namesake, Bellamys was originally intended to serve as the main social gathering hub for male Members of Parliament and their guests. Women were first allowed to dine in the restaurant in the 1930s, and parliamentary staff had to wait until the 1990s to be able to dine there.
In 2024, the restaurant moved to its current location in the East Foyer of the Beehive. It also updated its menu to include dishes such as butter chicken doughnut. The relocation came as part of a larger redevelopment of the Executive Wing, and continued the restaurant’s tradition of reinventing itself. It was based in the Parliamentary Library until the 1907 fire, and moved to the now-demolished Government House for a period before finding its home in the Beehive.
Over the years, Bellamys has immersed itself in quintessential New Zealand ways, such as introducing its high tea inspired by classic Kiwi flavours like Jelly Tip, L&P, Pineapple Lumps and onion dip. It also participated in Wellington on a Plate, and has become a must-see attraction for visitors to the capital, especially with frequent sightings of prolific politicians and Prime Ministers from the past to the present.
Bellamy’s will continue its long history of serving Members of Parliament, but for now will remain generally closed to the public, except for private bookings.
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