I walked past this place so many times on the way to the ferry and only stopped to try it recently which was honestly the best decision I've made in a long time . The scoops are massive, they're great value for money, and the flavours are incredible. I'm in love with the fig and honey, it's everything to me.

This place is definitely more than meets the eye. One side displays tech equipment for sale but the other hold a display cabinet full of homemade ice-blocks that are so cheap and yummy you'll find yourself coming back for more whenever the heat gets a bit too unbearable. There are fruity options and creamy options, so you're sure to find something to tickle your fancy no matter what mood you're in.

This is some of the best gelato in town I reckon, and the lists of awards that they’ve won more than proves that. The ginger flavour is the best, and I keep coming back for it time and time again. You have to get a load of it, it’s heavenly.

The massive scoops here are amazing and the array of flavours is incredible. My favourite by far is the liquorice allsort flavour which is something I’ve never seen anywhere else. The milkshakes and burgers here are great too, so it’s a win-win no matter what you’re after!

My friends and I are known to make regular pilgrimages out to this place on hot summers days to get the massive strawberry ice creams that are made for you on the spot. These treats are absolutely incredible, made from freshly picked fruit straight from the farm you're eating it on and they have punnets of sweet strawberries available for purchase too, which we always leave with several of.

This is right down the road from my house and I love walking there to meet people for a movie in the super cute cinema which has a different atmosphere altogether to the big cinemas. The movies the show here all tend to be really good, and the opportunity to see littler independent films and foreign-language titles in a cinema is fab! The staff are consistently friendly and helpful, plus the array of snacks and coffee to be enjoyed in the cinema or in the super comfy lounge area are amazing.

I love the Vic so much. From the antique interior and the small, intimate size to the versatility of the venue, it’s a Devonport gem at it’s finest. While it’s used as a cinema most of the time (showing both mainstream and indie films), it also doubles as a live music venue, with open mic night every Thursday showcasing the best of local talent.

This has got to be one of the best little cinemas in town. I found out about it through film society that’s hosted here, and ever since it’s been my go-to for the chance to see a perfectly curated selection of local and international titles in a beautiful cinema that really sets the mood and provides a perfect setting to relax, unwind and enjoy the show.

Silo Park doubles as a lot of things, but arguably the best use of the space is the cinema that runs during the warmer months. Make sure you get there early, and bring blankets/bean bags to your hearts content to get snuggled up and enjoy the retro and recent movies that are projected onto Silo 7 on Fridays in summer. The markets are always there on a Friday too, so it’s perfect for grabbing a delicious snack to enjoy while you watch!

This little gem is tucked under the Auckland Central Library and is such an undiscovered treasure that it hurts me. $5 Wednesday movies is honestly the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and the selection of films is everything you could ever want. Director spotlights run regularly, showing less recent films by the big names that are not to be missed.

The Mexican Cafe is the perfect place for a lowkey, casual dinner with friends that isn’t going to break your bank. The atmosphere is always buzzing, and the food is always mouthwateringly delicious. Their range of $15 dinner meals and $10 lunch meals have portion sizes worth way more than what you pay and well worth the visit!

Nothing beats a good foodcourt for a meal on the cheap and the Ponsonby one is jam packed full of everything you could possibly want to choose between. The Indian and Thai food are my current go-to spots in here, but I think at this point I’ve tried pretty much everything and there’s no such thing as a bad choice.

This place is arguably some of the best food in the city, and I go there whenever I’m going to a show or a movie in town and need somewhere for a cheap meal and a quick debrief with friends. The $9.50 Chawarma is my jam.

All you can eat for $20? That’s a concept I can get behind, and it helps that it’s so much fun too. If you like the idea of pretty much choosing exactly what you want to eat, and then having it cooked in front of you, then you can’t miss this place. Mongolian-style BBQ is a great idea for groups where everyone’s got different tastes, because the sheer variety of creations that can come out of what’s on offer makes it impossible to not create something you’ll go back for more of.

Eating in town can be so damn expensive, but Umiya Sushi is my go-to when I’m studying in the library and need a break and a feed. The Donburi bowls for $5 are a lifesaver, and the array of sushi with all pieces pretty much $1 each is a greal deal too.

I have wasted so many hours in this shop just sitting and perusing the shelves for secondhand treasures to take home for cheaps. The quality of the books could easily be mistaken for brand new in most cases, and they’ve got everything you could dream of in terms of genre. I’ve found it’s a great place to buy gifts for people because really beautiful coffee-table books and beautiful vintage titles that look like they’ve never been read can be picked up for a steal (plus I always ending up leaving with a pile of books for myself too seeing as I can never resist it)

This shop is heaven. Every title on the shelf looks so interesting and the staff are always super willing to help you out if you’re looking to order something in particular or if you need help with a choice. The LGBT+ section is super useful and not something you find in every bookshop, and the stacks of everything from parenting books to historical fiction are extensively packed with much talked about titles as well as lesser known ones that are just as good.

This is my favourite place to mass buy Christmas presents seeing as its so easy to walk around the tables groaning under the weight of so many great books and find something for everyone (even those people who are notoriously hard to buy for). All the books are super cheap (most between $5 and $15) so if you end up going crazy in there like I always manage to, it’s not going to cost you a fortune.

This is one of the cutest little bookstores in Auckland I think. The shelves are lined with books and you’ll often find what you’re looking for, plus a few extras to read afterwards once you go in and start browsing. The seperate room out the back full of kids books is super helpful too if you’re looking for a gift for a little one.

Every available surface that might be able to hold a book is doing just that in this shop and honestly I have spend far too many hours of my life browsing and purchasing to my hearts content because really how could I not when everything on offer looks riveting.

This is my go-to haunt in the city to meet up with friends for coffee. The decor is unique and there is so much to look at and the coffee is great too. The Iced White Chocolate and the Oreo Monster are my current faves, but I reckon you could literally go for anything and the choice would pay off in your favour.

If you have dietary requirements that the average cafe might not accommodate, head to Monday’s because chances are you’ll find exactly what you need. The cafe is a great place to sit in the sun with friends, and the quaint ivy covered facade makes for an excellent Instagram shot. Everything up for grabs will make for a delicious, fresh, guilt free treat and I’m a sucker for the Wilderness Smoothie and the turmeric latte.

The aesthetic of this Durham Street cafe in itself is enough to warrant a wander in; the industrial lights, little jars of flowers and large communal-style tables are really cute. The outdoor tables are my favourite though, so with a perfect Chai Latte and a raw cake from the cabinet you can find me out there, a very happy camper.

Frasers is a Mt Eden treasure, and I don’t think I’ve ever driven past or walked in not to find it full to the brim with people enjoying the coffee and great food in a chilled out, casual atmosphere that you can’t help but love. The moussaka is to die for, honestly I can’t get enough of it, and the cabinet crammed full of goodies is great to find a quick treat (the lemon meringue pie is a winner too, and it looks super impressive).

RAD is, well, pretty damn rad. I always go for the classic Eggs Benny, which RAD puts a super cool twist on with pulled bacon hock, potato gratin and an apple salad that goes with it far better than it should. Seriously, you have to get a load of it. The grilled polenta cakes are a must try too, as well as the huge range of fresh juices and smoothies on offer.

This place is honestly my favourite place to look for eclectic bits and pieces especially clothes. They have a large collection of racks filled with every garment imaginable and most of my favourite secondhand finds are from here. Plus it’s super fun to have a look around at all the random bit and bobs they have on sale.

You have to rummage around in this store a bit to find what you want, but the colour coordinated racks make it easy to go looking for specifics. The turnaround of the stock here is amazing too, I often come back a couple of weeks between visits to find completely new stuff, which is awesome. The wall mural in the shop is also super cute, and well worth a good look.

The sheer size of this shop is amazing and some of my favourite finds are from here. I went once to buy one skirt I saw in the window and came out with an armful of amazing garments which I have since put to good use. They also have a really good range of shoes, which I’m usually pretty wary about getting from an op shop but here they have heaps and they’re really high quality especially for secondhand.

You know who your true friends are when you can get through a trip to this massive op-shop with them. This place is massive and you definitely have to be in the right frame of mind to trawl through the seemingly endless racks of clothes. You’re bound to find something great though, and it can be a lot of fun to try on all the ridiculous stuff you might come across in the randomly stacked rows.

This is my favourite Newmarket haunt and I could spend hours rifling through the racks. They have heaps of vintage pieces that you feeling like you’re getting for a steal. A lot of op shops have racks of things that are a bit average, but most of the clothes here are really quality and you don’t have to do a lot of trawling to find something you love which is nice.