Isabeau B.'s
Cool places to get a drink
- 140Southern Cross provides a relaxed dining experience. Famous for it's 241 stone grills on both a Monday and a Tuesday, you have to get in quick to avoid missing out. Stone grill is a clever way to make the customer cook their own meal while dining out. However, watching your meat (or vegetarian option) of choice cook away provides satisfaction when it reaches the mouth.
- 26JJ Murphy & Co TavernTe AroIf you're not afraid of getting messy or not looking respectable while eating out, then try your hand at JJ's 241 ribs on a Tuesday night. Great for any meat lover, or a fan of a great pub meal. These juicy meaty bones, dripping with sauce appeal to anyone not faint at heart. Tuesday night is also JJ Murphy's quiz night, who knows you may even win yourself a prize!
- 319Every Tuesday this mysterious book-laden bar does 241 desserts. What better to do on a chilly night with your favourite person than snuggle up in one of Library's booths with a cocktail and a delicious sugary morsel for that sweet tooth
- 412El HornoTe AroThank god it’s Friday. Four little words with so much joy attached to them, so much joy it’s been abbreviated to TGIF that you can say it even faster and with more excitement. So it’s finally time to leave work on Friday and you’ve probably spent most the day thinking about the weekend’s festivities. For most people this includes some form of bar for some form of drinking. Why not change or even continue on from your ‘local’ down to El Horno. Famous for its jugs of Sangria served up in jars, and old school music, it’s a great place to waste the weekend away.
- 520MatterhornTe AroMatterhorn is famous for its impeccable, mouthwatering food and cocktails to make your taste buds tingle. Whether you prefer the Cuba Street or Courtney Place scene, this hidden away restaurant-turn-bar is a great place to stop for a drink of the fancy sort.
Isabeau B.'s
Get a taste of culture here
- 111KK Malaysian RestaurantTe AroThis little Malaysian restaurant tucked away down Ghuznee street serves mouthwatering dishes appropriate for any time, any day. Nicknamed 'KK' by my friends and I, it is a regular visit. The value for money is astounding with all dishes $15 or less, portions often share-able. My all time favourite is the Chicken Roti Chanai, and by far the best one in Wellington. The chicken falls apart beautifully in the deliciously contrasted creamy and spicy broth. If you love your veges ask for a dollar worth to be added, pumping up the dish even more!
- 26Phu Thai LannaTe AroThai food always has, and always will, make an appearance in my top five choices of dining experiences. This in mind, I have searched far and wide throughout the Wellington region for tasty Thai! Phu Thai Lanna not only fills this spot in my belly, but appeals further with affordable prices and B.Y.O. I would have to recommend the Chicken Pad Thai, a peanut noodle dish that is a great option for someone who fears spicy food. What makes this Pad Thai better than any other I have tasted is it's rich peanut flavour. The atmosphere during most week nights is peaceful, if dining out on the weekend be prepared to get amongst the party goers.
- 39Pan de MuertoWellington CentralThis Mexican themed restaurant is a great option for a first dinner date. The quirky rustic atmosphere makes for some last resort pre-dinner small talk if the date heads for an awkward start. True to the Mexican spirit the drinks menu comes with a list dedicated just to the famous margarita. To start, I recommend sharing the corn chips and guacamole. The corn chips are mouth-watering and home-made, like all homemade recipes, these corn chips are the best I have ever tasted. Another great starter to share are the chimichangas, these tortilla cigars are filled with your choice of either chicken or pork and cheese. Paired with a spicy creamy sauce they are sure to leaving you dreaming for more. After getting to know your date better, you can mull over the main menu together. The enchiladas are a delectable option, tubes of your picking and fill in one of four sauce options. Chocolate fan? Try the chocolate and chilli sauce. A note to the payer of the date: The prices are on the higher side of things, though the meals and ambience are worth those pretty pennies.
- 47Cafe IstanbulTe AroThis rustic restaurant has a tantalizing ambience, encouraging you to think you have been swept up and taken to the Mediterranean for a flavour infused meal. Every Sunday and Monday Cafe Istanbul has 241 main meals. Each meal comes complete with hummus, salad, pita bread and your choice of meat.
- 511Great IndiaTe AroGreat India on Courtney Place, provides great Indian. The aromas that engulf your taste buds are delightful. Each mouthful of smooth spicy curry is welcomed. Perfect for large group dinners, dates or even those ‘curry in a hurry’ lunches courtesy of their cheap lunch menu. I recommend trying the onion bhaji, some of the best I have ever tried.
Isabeau B.'s
Wallet friendly meals
- 128Tommy MillionsWellington CentralNothing beats the wind down of a great night out, more than a slice of hot tasty pizza. I have never been sure why pizza tastes that much better after a boozy night out. Whether it is your body getting confused because it has been awake nearly 24 hours, or the fact that you're still not sober enough to handle the cold walk home. A serving of one of these deliciously topped thin-crust pizzas will fill that belly, soak up the alcohol and warm you up; inside and out. For those extra cold nights I like to munch down on a slice of the Pepperoni. With its generous sprinkle of chili flakes it certainly gets the blood pumping.
- 26Kapai Cuba MallTe AroIt has been drummed into us since we were little that takeaway food is not healthy for you. However, thanks to modern times where fad diets, nutritional food options, and raw food are all the craze these healthy takeaway options are only increasing. Kapai provides its customers with tasty eat in or takeaway options with just the slightest bit of naughty, and a whole lot of nice. With a Subway type cabinet setup you can pick your healthy treat from a range of wraps, salads, puku (pita bread of sorts) and baked potatoes. Not like your average grease-dripping takeaway, this you can eat in front on the telly and not feel guilty afterwards. On a cold day I favour the baked potato, filled with pumpkin, avocado, pine nuts, feta, and topped with a dollop of sour cream.
- 311KK Malaysian RestaurantTe AroThis little Malaysian restaurant tucked away down Ghuznee street serves mouthwatering dishes appropriate for any time, any day. Nicknamed 'KK' by my friends and I, it is a regular visit. The value for money is astounding with all dishes $15 or less, portions often share-able. My all time favourite is the Chicken Roti Chanai, and by far the best one in Wellington. The chicken falls apart beautifully in the deliciously contrasted creamy and spicy broth. If you love your veges ask for a dollar worth to be added, pumping up the dish even more!
- 46Phu Thai LannaTe AroThai food always has, and always will, make an appearance in my top five choices of dining experiences. This in mind, I have searched far and wide throughout the Wellington region for tasty Thai! Phu Thai Lanna not only fills this spot in my belly, but appeals further with affordable prices and B.Y.O. I would have to recommend the Chicken Pad Thai, a peanut noodle dish that is a great option for someone who fears spicy food. What makes this Pad Thai better than any other I have tasted is it's rich peanut flavour. The atmosphere during most week nights is peaceful, if dining out on the weekend be prepared to get amongst the party goers.
- 55Joe's Garage WellingtonWellington CentralJoe’s Garage has the relaxed feel of a beachside restaurant, with a modern twist. The menu comes complete with an array of burgers, filled rolls, and hot dogs. All items on the menu are simple, tasty and made in front of you in the open kitchen. If American-diner style food isn't for you, why not treat yourself to pancakes for dinner or even porridge if it takes your fancy. I recommend trying the frankfurter roll, at $11.80 it is sufficient enough to fill you up without leaving you too bloated with a food baby.
Isabeau B.'s
Best 241 places
- 132Chow ToryTe AroChow provides an abundance of mouth watering tapas-style dishes with an Asian fusion twist. Two for one Mondays is an easy option on the wallet and with a modern romantic feel it's perfect for almost any occasion. Chow caters for most dietary requirements and offers a generous amount of drink options, regardless of what your poison is.
- 240Southern Cross provides a relaxed dining experience. Famous for it's 241 stone grills on both a Monday and a Tuesday, you have to get in quick to avoid missing out. Stone grill is a clever way to make the customer cook their own meal while dining out. However, watching your meat (or vegetarian option) of choice cook away provides satisfaction when it reaches the mouth.
- 319Every Tuesday this mysterious book-laden bar does 241 desserts. What better to do on a chilly night with your favourite person than snuggle up in one of Library's booths with a cocktail and a delicious sugary morsel for that sweet tooth
- 47Cafe IstanbulTe AroThis rustic restaurant has a tantalizing ambience, encouraging you to think you have been swept up and taken to the Mediterranean for a flavour infused meal. Every Sunday and Monday Cafe Istanbul has 241 main meals. Each meal comes complete with hummus, salad, pita bread and your choice of meat.
- 56JJ Murphy & Co TavernTe AroIf you're not afraid of getting messy or not looking respectable while eating out, then try your hand at JJ's 241 ribs on a Tuesday night. Great for any meat lover, or a fan of a great pub meal. These juicy meaty bones, dripping with sauce appeal to anyone not faint at heart. Tuesday night is also JJ Murphy's quiz night, who knows you may even win yourself a prize!