The establishments on this list are placed in no particular order - apart from Loretta. They deserve to be in first place for as many reasons as they have menu items. Waffles with blueberry syrup and coconut yoghurt is one of those vaild reasons; as is the beef brisket and cavolo nero pie with lemon; and the roast cauliflower, broccoli, spinach and sunflower seed salad is a more than worthy reason why Loretta trumps this list. Actually, you can view all of these unique reasons on their special World of Wearable Arts menu, here: http://www.loretta.net.nz/assets/menus/menu-25.09.14W.pdf

When you visit a city you always want to know where the locals go - and that’s Nikau. In the quest to reveal Wellington’s most well-known dish (amongst my very passionate local friends anyway), it was Nikau’s kedegree with house smoked fish that had the majority of them salivating. But if you’re not a seafood fan (don’t fret!) they’re great at everything here and they really do care about what’s delivered to your table - which sits in a sun-drenched room next to the Wellington Art Gallery.

Talk about Wellington institutions - I’ve lost count of the times people have said to me “oh yeah, we were going to try that new place…but we ended up at Dukes again” when I’ve asked how the new restaurant was. That’s just reaffirming how consistent and reliable Dukes is and it all comes down to the words from Duke Carvell himself - “triumph through virtue.” And take note: Do try (but more likely share) the 600g angus grass fed rib-eye fillet, cooked medium rare, with pickled walnuts, watercress and bone broth. Nice one Dukes.

Sweet Mother's Kitchen is on this list out of pure respect. This is one of the establishments that makes Wellington so unique, and just another reason why the Capital is such a desirable dining destination. Head there for home-style cooking inspired by New Orleans, Cajun and Creole cuisine with a tasty hint of Mexican snack food on the side. It feels so good being in the hands of a team with so much experience and love for what they do, you’ll feel it once you get there. Important: Breakfast is served ‘til 5pm on the weekends (many a hungover patron has reaped the rewards) but if you’re not feeling the effects of the night before - or you want to keep the ball rolling/get back on the horse - then ask for their brilliant beverage list (particularly the beers!)

No list is complete without the presence of a top notch seafood shack, especially in a seaside city like the Capital. I choose Ortega! For the balanced atmosphere it achieves through its quirky decor, buzzing energy, and its effortlessly supreme seafood menu items. I can personally vouch for the chargrilled pork belly, with scallops, mango, pawpaw, radish and ginger wine dressing; or the roasted tarakihi with Malaysian coconut gravy, and a prawn, lime and coriander salad; and of course the fresh Pacific oysters. Take note too - it’s whitebait season!

$5 a slice, it’s good at 3pm or 3am.

There is more to Italian cusine than pizza and there is more than Pizzeria Napoli than pizza. Lucky they do both so well. Delicious pasta, salads and.....did I mention pizza?

This is the type of pizza you always end up burning your mouth on because it's so damn good you can't wait another minute for it to cool down. Massimo is a true pizza genius. $10 magarita Wednesday is the best deal around and they deliver for those....lesser functioning days.

After a big pizza pie? Dean Martin would have thought Scopa was amore at first sight if he'd been alive today. This is where you go for the whole dining experience - delicious pizza, pastas and the best hot chocolate in town.

Serving mini pizzas (pizzette) these guys still make the list because they’re probably the right size (if it’s my waist talking) and delicious flavour combonations.

Even though all Hell’s Pizza are very much on par, Upper Hutt Hell Pizza stands above the rest. Generous toppings and always piping hot!

It took so much self control to take this photo without eating it! Such a simple pizza, but always a good way to judge how good and authentic a pizzeria truly is. Basil, tomato and mozzarella! They do amazing pastas as well as their extensive pizza list. Several visits are needed here to try everything that waters your mouth upon reading the menu.

Have been to La Bella Italia many times previously, but decided to give one of their pizzas a try. Damn they’re good! Tried the most basic of pizzas, a margarita pizza (tomato & basil) and even that they nailed! Perfect balance of base, with sauce, with toppings. With my new studio at the other end of Jackson Street, ill certainly be back here… Every day!

It stares you in the face as you walk past. Order it by the slice or take the whole thing! These massive New York style pizzas are the biz. Located in a trendy outdoor kiosk on Courtenay Place makes this pizza joint easily accessible at any hour of the day.

Wow! How I have managed living in Wellington for 25 years, and never popping in here ill never know! Just had a Rossa Maria pizza… Amazing! Potatoe & Garlic goodness! Try their amazing Italian hot chocolate Gusto Cioccolato! It’s bloody amazing, think liquid chocolate and you can’t even begin to imagine how good it tastes.

I grew up in Island Bay so this beach is loaded with special memories for me. It was my local and I still love it.

I live in Melbourne now but whenever I come home to Wellington, which is more often now that we’ve recently released a new full length album as Shihad, I go to this Newtown institution and order their wrapped chicken dish. It’s awesome!

Another favourite Wellington meal that I love is the mussels steamed in white wine, garlic and parsley that you get from Nicolini’s.

Whether you are a local or just visiting Wellington, you can’t beat taking a walk from one end of the waterfront to another on a nice day. It doesn’t take too long and it’s a great way to experience the city.

Shihad loves this place because it’s such an awesome venue to rock. We are classically Kiwi in that whenever we are recording a new album we drink flat whites to get the vibe happening. And once all the music is made, there’s nothing better than rocking out the tunes at the Wellington Town Hall.

If you want a Sunday breakfast buffet in Wellington with a view then you have to check out Whitby's Restaurant and Bar on the 17th floor of the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor. If you are distracted by the buffet, which includes personal chefs cooking made-to-order options, then you could sit here for hours overlooking the magnificent Wellington harbour.

Brunch cafes in Wellington are pretty much dominated by Hotel restaurants. This means they are often overlooked. However the Vivant! restaurant in the Ibis Hotel shouldn't be. They have a wide selection of fresh fruit, a fully stocked cooked breakfast section with all the favourites, fresh juices and tasty coffee.

The Portlander is part of Rydges Hotel but this fact is usually overlooked due to its popularity with diners in Wellington. Those looking for buffet brunch cafes in Wellington should definitely add it to the list. With towering eggs benedict, perfectly made barista coffee, fresh juices, seasonal fruit platters and hearty mueslis, you can't go wrong.

If you like buffet brunch cafes in Wellington that include homemade muesli, freshly baked muffins. scones and pastries, and roasted coffee, then pop in to Soho Brown's. It's quirky and cosy inside with recipes posted around the walls (try the carrot cake one) and beautiful paintings. And if you can't stomach all the options then you can always just choose from their cabinets or off their a la carte menus.

The Grill restaurant is well known for it's chocolate buffet which is held once a year, but they also do a great breakfast buffet for Sunday brunch. Pick from the cooked selection, grab a glass of fresh juice and a coffee, then order your eggs exactly how you want them from the chef, before taking a seat. Then see how many times you can go back and forth before bursting.

Just like its name… my mouth goes crazy every time I come here :) the ceviche, the handmade tortillas, the real soft tortilla tacos and Margaritas…QUE RICO!!!

Mexico has arrived to wellington with an amazing Street art style Mural that depicts Mexican culture and life. Authentic flavours are mixed in salsas, concoctions and experimental dishes. You won't get your usual Burritos or Tex Mex, instead you will be surprised with every bite. Spicy, funky and fresh. The Plum Margaritas with chilly-salt rim are just perfect. The Kids menu with Frida Kahlo mask is the chilli on top. Buenisimo! #shoutme

You are not cool if you haven’t been with the Bro’s! Its the trendiest Mexican place to be in Wellington. At the heart of Cuba st and with 12 years of history, well The Flying Burrito Brothers was the first real fresh Mexican in town… and it holds its reputation to its day of THE BEST MARGARITAS in town! I personally love the decor : full of colour, leather chairs form Mexico, the tin star shaped lamps, the 50’s Mexican movie posters… The 120 tequilas (or something like that) and their Holy Mole enchiladas are as close as my grandmother used to make them.

I can tell you something as a Mexican that I am: Mad Mex serves the most authentic  Carnitas Tacos in Wellington. They even come with double tortillas like in Mexican Taquerias. The salsas are fresh and no cumin or vinegar added... They have an habanero salsa which is surreal! The decor is funky and fun...The Corona Chandelier is cool as!

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The first place in the city to get the Dyson Airblade - the gold standard of hand dryers - prove that Town Hall’s priorities are in the right place: the bathroom. Clean and accessible, it doesn’t bust you when you’re busting.

Goes without saying, right? Everything is of the highest of class in Kirks and that goes especially for their WCs. Especially good for the women, I understand.

As long as its not right after a movie has finished on the main screen, the bathrooms in the embassy are classy and welcoming. And surprisingly well appointed. As long as you’re not waiting in a long queue.

As you’d hope they would have, the almost but not quite high class hoity toity-ness of ol’ LB continues right through to their elegant ****.

Consistently the best food. Always something to try but it’s very hard going past the tuna.

A busy place for lunch so get there early. I had a brilliant tofu dish and this from a non tofu person.

Good value, nice food, with a decent selection for non meat lovers

Great food selection. The place is smallish and popular but worth the wait

They say the more authentic the Thai food is the more healthier it is also because it's western world who adds all the naughty stuff. Well you can't get any more authentic than this place who even had the ambassador for Thailand give an unsolicited stamp of approval for the authenticity of their food and they received the prestigious 'Thai Select Award' from the Royal Thai Government. Pretty impressive, as is the food.

Japanese is known for being the healthiest option when it comes to asian food. This place is the best sushi in the Waikato hands down. I’d recommend the fresh salmon sushi, I couldn’t get over how big the pieces of salmon were. I’ve been here a couple of times and the salmon is always perfect.

Probably has the best location in Gisborne, the views from the outside tables are pretty amazing. I know that everywhere has a Chicken Salad these days but this salad was the business, too good. Quite expensive but well worth it.

Warm, good prices, good deals

Local, friendly staff, good prices

The space, prices, cosiness, the weekly specials and they are very supportive of sports clubs and kids. They have a lot of deals for the kids through sports clubs and teams.

Good menu, reasonably priced, good deals during the week, and just a great place for dining and watching sport

Easy to get to, good prices for mass dining and its always handy to have a buffet spot to take large groups to for meals

Hashigo Zake boasts a bounty of incredible craft beer, especially gems you will struggle to find elsewhere, plus those which come from abroad are imported with care by Hashigo themselves, so when the beer arrives in your glass you’re guaranteed that it is in the best condition possible. Plus the bar staff  are incredibly knowledgeable and super cute, with beards a plenty...bonus.

  Golding’s is Wellington’s newest wee craft beer haught. Highlights include plenty of wacky decor to keep your eyes entertain with  a romantic, dimly lit and relaxed atmosphere. Plus it’s the best craft beer spot if you find yourself without a companion and fancy sitting at the bar for a decent yarn.  

Rogue and Vagabond holds the trump card, it comes with it’s own English Bulldog, Bruce who is both tough and adorable. Plus the Rogue goes out of it’s way to ensure each week is jam packed with awesome music, from thumping Friday nights to mellow Jazz Sundays.

This joint is an institution which has recently upped the ante by equipping itself with a serious craft beer bounty. The garden bar is a highlight, both for enjoying the sunshine, or cuddling up with a polar fleece blanket and hot water supplied by the cross themselves. I would seriously recommend the Tuesday night quiz if you’re after a pub quiz with a bit of a difference.

Newtown is very quickly becoming the cool new part of town and Monterey can certainly take some responsibility. They encourage your inner artist by letting you create works of art on the tables while you enjoy a decent beer, the halloumi burger rules and it has a super laid back vibe. Plus keep an eye out for Wayward's return in Summer (tucked out the back of Monterey), because that place and their spiced rum is epic.