Isabeau B.'s
Top coffee spots
- 19When walking past Brooklyn the Bakery at night, the aromas do nothing short of making you wish you had a piece of freshly baked bread in your hand. No matter how full I am the smell leaves me salivating. When the doors finally open the next morning you can find trays of fresh baked breads, most of which are under $5 and generous in size. If you are hoping to get a loaf during the weekends, I would recommend beating the brunch rush as most breads sell out before 12pm. The Ciabatta bread I tried reminded me of Sunday breakfast with the family, eggs and bacon served with toasted slices of my favourite Italian bread. The outside was perfectly crisp with a deliciously moist and springy interior. Paired with basil pesto and olive oil it makes for an appetizing afternoon snack.
- 25Poquito Cafe & BarTe AroThis hidden treasure is new on the coffee scene. Poquito makes up for its smallness in size with its relaxed quirky atmosphere. This slim coffee shop also poses as a bar with an impressive selection of spirits and liqueurs stacked across the back wall of the counter. Whether you're escaping the winter blues, need that caffeine hit or are trying to beat writers block, I would recommend coming here. The gentlemen that served us were friendly, chilled out and left us to chat without bugging us every 10 minutes to order another coffee or bite to eat. If you are not big on coffee I would suggest you opt for a cup of good old English Breakfast Tea. Served in cups that look like something your grandma might own and antique spoons with dainty little pictures on the handle. If you like your tea with milk you will find it provided alongside in a miniature old fashioned milk bottle.
- 332Scopa Caffe CucinaTe AroIf you are a fan of a good hot chocolate, then look no further than this modern glass beauty. Italian hot chocolate is hot chocolate at its finest. Thick liquid chocolate served up with a splash of cream and chocolate sprinkles, its a drink I recommend to all sweet tooth’s, and non are disappointed.
- 449Fidel's CafeTe AroNamed after Fidel Castro, a revolutionary communist and president of Cuba, this quirky Cafe is themed around this man. Nestled at the top of Cuba street it’s all a little bit ironic. The coffee and food however, are not it the slightest. Fidels is regularly packed from front to back as people keep returning to try their strong decadent coffee and delicious food. I recommend checking out their pizza menu and $25 deal for a pizza and two beers.
- 521Famous for strong roasts and some of the best coffee Wellington has to offer, this coffee house is a great spot for avid caffeine drinkers. On the edge of Te Aro park it’s a great takeaway option if you want to soak up some sun on the grass.
Isabeau B.'s
A night on the town
- 112El 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.
- 220MatterhornTe 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.
- 317Bangalore Polo ClubTe AroIt’s a night out and what better than some nice drinks, a boogie to old school music and apparently peanuts. Bangalore, has a classy yet relaxed feel and the perfect option if you have either younger or older party people in tow. There is both a dance floor where you can enjoy songs from ABBA and Michael Jackson, and plenty of chairs and tables around to rest your tired dancing feet. Peanuts are everywhere to nibble on and the best thing is you can drop the shells where ever you please
Isabeau B.'s
Best hole in the walls
- 14Aeroshop: Creative AlliesMt CookAeroshop is the new kid in Mount Cook, only a few months old but pumping out large amounts of coffee each day to works and students alike. This quirky coffee spot is tucked away on Wallace Street as is the perfect place to grab a coffee on your way into the city.
- 228Tommy 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.
- 36Crepes A Go-GoTe AroThis hole in the wall always has people waiting in line, no matter the day, weather or time. Crepes is a traditional French type of pancake. Beautifully thin it is covered in your filling of choice, sweet or savoury and wrapped up in a cone shape for quicker demolishing. If you are more inclined to choose sweet over savoury I recommend the Crepe that contains Nutella, shredded coconut and banana.
Isabeau B.'s
Healthy takeaway options
- 16Kapai 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.
- 29Sushi BiWellington CentralIf you are a fan of the the delicious rice and filling wrapped in seaweed, this is the place to do. Each piece has been crafted with care and is mouthwatering-ly good. One of the greatest things about Sushi is, that as a takeaway option it sits on the healthier side of things. Sushi Bi is well known for its half price sushi after 4pm, though I recommend lining up at 3.50!
- 37Phoenician FalafelMount VictoriaOf all the kebab places in all the cities that I have tried, this rates number one. I rarely get the chance to try food so traditional and fresh tasting. I recommend the chicken Shawarma with added falafel. Rumour has it that these guys that run the store, make all the ingredients themselves.
Isabeau B.'s
Where to take your sweet tooth
- 119Every 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
- 28Kaffee Eis Oriental BayOriental BayFor some reason, the trick to getting over a ‘hangover hump’ is often something sugary. I’ve found that a good source of head-curing sugar is lemon gelato, I’m not sure why but as it is a delicious form of ice cream I am certainly not complaining. If you are already clearing your head on Oriental, why not stop off at Kaffee Eis for a well earned sugar hit.
- 312Nic Nac'sTe AroThis Cuba Street candy store is a treasure chest of sugary treats. Pick and mix was pretty great back in the day when 50 cents would get you a mountain of colourful lollies, but Nic Nac’s takes it to a new standard of lolly choosing. Here you can grab a bag and a scoop and pick exactly how many of each type of candy you would like to savour (or gobble). Nic Nac’s also supplies a range of different types of ‘junk food’ from around the world.
- 432Scopa Caffe CucinaTe AroIf you are a fan of a good hot chocolate, then look no further than this modern glass beauty. Italian hot chocolate is hot chocolate at its finest. Thick liquid chocolate served up with a splash of cream and chocolate sprinkles, its a drink I recommend to all sweet tooth’s, and non are disappointed.
- 55Mount Cook CafeMount CookThis house-turned-cafe steams up on a cold day with the Massey faculty and students. With its old-school fireplace and brick floor, it's the perfect place to get lost in during a hard day's lunch break. The cabinet cake selection is as decadent as it looks. Nothing beats procrastinating with a warm piece of chocolate brownie and a cup of well-earned coffee.
Isabeau B.'s
Hangover helpers
- 133Just as everyone has their preferred choice of alcoholic beverage, every hangover sufferer has their own remedy. A remedy for that pounding headache and nausea filled, twisted knot of a stomach. I myself have fallen victim to the next-day-wrath of a night drinking many times. My current remedy is for those mornings where eating food 'aint gonna happen'. For these tragic days I walk, crawl or send someone else down to Moore Wilson's fresh food section, and grab a bottle of fresh icy orange juice. Moore Wilson's OJ is not just your average orange juice. Made 100% just from oranges it's pulpy , tangy and full of Vitamin C. On a hungover day, to me, a glass of this thirst-quenching goodness is liquid gold.
- 222The Embassy TheatreWellington CentralThere is nothing more relaxing than going to sleep to the faint pitter-patter of rain falling on the roof. Rainy days however, are not as comforting. On a day when it's grim outside I like nothing more than immersing myself in the newest Hollywood creation. The Embassy Cinema seems to make movie watching that much more spectacular. With it's elegant marble staircase, large selection of drinks and snacks, and large comfy seats it doesn't get much better. A day at the Embassy includes curling up eating M&Ms mixed with freshly popped popcorn, while enjoying someone else's fairy tale life. A day at the Embassy, is a day well spent.
- 328Tommy 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.
- 45Oriental BayWellington CentralWhen the weather is nice, or even when the weather is not so nice, nothing beats a walk along the waterfront. With the sea air filling your lungs and the blood pumping in your veins, its bound to help clear that head. For those hot sunny hungover days, a quick dip in the ocean has been known to speed up the recovery time!
- 58Kaffee Eis Oriental BayOriental BayFor some reason, the trick to getting over a ‘hangover hump’ is often something sugary. I’ve found that a good source of head-curing sugar is lemon gelato, I’m not sure why but as it is a delicious form of ice cream I am certainly not complaining. If you are already clearing your head on Oriental, why not stop off at Kaffee Eis for a well earned sugar hit.