50-50

A small, seaside restaurant on the Kāpiti Coast, 50-50 has quietly become a favourite with locals for its relaxed charm and thoughtful, seasonal cooking. Chef-owner Helen Turnbull is deeply involved in every part of the kitchen, refining dishes with a meticulous, hands-on approach that ensures everything served feels considered and precise without ever being overcomplicated. That same warmth and attention to detail extends to the front of house, creating an atmosphere that is friendly, unpretentious and easy to settle into. The menu changes regularly and is driven by what’s fresh and in season, with creative combinations that stay grounded in local produce. Dishes such as parsnip dumplings with pink peppercorn oil and feijoa salt, or a pear and elderflower terrine with sorbet, pine nut milk and hibiscus, show a playful but balanced approach to flavour. A progression of wines chosen to evolve with the menu is also a key part of the experience, designed to change how each dish is experienced. Honest, seasonal and full of care, 50-50 is the kind of coastal restaurant that feels both special and genuinely welcoming.