Perhaps the hippest little cafe on Cuba, serving inexpensive gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian treats until (very!) late. As you might expect, the Havana coffee served here is amongst the best in town. There is a mind-boggling amount of choice here, if you're anything like me you'll need a good five minutes to take it all in. All day brunch is a winner, the vegan hash brown stack being an absolute high point, whilst you really should believe the nacho hype. Hipster and student friendly.

The cafe of choice for an under-caffinated part of the city, Salvation Coffee is quite the surprise. Stumbling upon the cafe by chance, the most striking, and pleasing, aspect of the cafe is the temperature; you're ushered to keep out the cold as soon as you enter. A really decent selection of reading material here, too, means you might stay a little longer than you first thought. 

Believe the nacho hype! Check out the sticky ribs as well, pricey but oh so worth it. A Courtenay Place icon with plenty of loyal punters make 'Sweet Mos' perpetually busy, be it serving early morning cups of Joe or late night jugs of margarita. No bookings so get in early, and pack the trilby and the tweed to blend in.

The flagshack cafe of the ubiquitous brand Caffe L’affare. As one would expect, the coffee here is first-class, served in a spacious environment while the stream of people coming in and out of the door is almost a fixture. Perhaps avoid coming here mid-morning over the weekend, but pouring over their extensive magazine selection with a brew in hand on the tables outside on a good day is an inner city treat.

Best gelato in the whole city. Oriental Parade is never more picture perfect than when enjoyed with a delicious ice cream from here.

A place of refuge on a rainy day. An impressive array of books, CDs to hire and a thorough selection of rare textbooks useful for your studies. Replete with a cosy cafe serving piping hot soups, the library is an inexpensive (free!) way to pass a few spare hours in the CBD.

Far removed from the hustle and bustle of the CBD located cinemas, Empire Cinema is an iconic place for Wellington movie-goers. Recently renovated, the interior is lavish, laid-back and historic, serving coffee, alcohol and sweet treats to enjoy pre-movie. Enjoy the movie in luxurious, homely style, as each cinema is furbished with sofas for your comfort. Additionally, Empire showcases artistic talent from Island Bay in its very own gallery, christened 'The White Room'. A diverse selection of movies are available, from the newest 3D blockbuster to art-house, independent movies. Movies starting before 6 on weekdays are a snip at $12.

A labyrinth of second hand books, poetry and pamphlets on the pre-war Communism Party of New Zealand. I'm not kidding. Whilst admittedly this last item may only be of interest to history nerds like myself, you'll be sure to find what you're looking for in what is perhaps the largest volume of books in the city. A hard working bunch too; this gang seem to be open whenever I walk past, meaning there'll always be time to pick up your next read. 

Get out there and support your local amateur theatre group! Bats has recently moved to the more central DIxon Street and offers imaginative, independent amateur entertainment most nights. While the admission prices are a little steep, the enjoyment you’ll have and the creativity of the actors more than make up for the extra few dollars you’ll fork out.

One for the Middle Earth enthusiasts. A haven for Tolkienites, the Weta Cave provides a fascinating insight into the intricacies of the digital design behind one of the most iconic film franchises ever. Memorabilla galore and be sure to catch the fascinating documentaries on the Weta team.

The best quesadillas in town. Check out the funky decor, delicious food and enjoy the laid back feel with the obligatory Sol. If you have no time to soak in the Mexican beats, ask for takeaway.

A mecca for craft beer lovers. The most incredible display of international bottled beer I have ever seen. The ever-changing beer list means there'll be something new literally every time you go. Live DJs on Saturdays if you can shift yourself out of that beer-induced, cosy little place and get those feet working. 

Wellington is full of beautiful day walks. A tramp up to the summit of Mt Vic is one of the most popular and iconic. Take a picnic and a friend on a good day, there are fewer more beautiful places in this city to be.

Perennially popular, Enigma ticks every box you'd want from a cafe. Funky decor, inexpensive yet impressive cabinet and menu food, delicious gelato and strong, tasty coffee. Add on the late night liquor license and you have yourselves an all-day winner. And the best part is that the (pictured) eggs benny will only set you back $13. And be sure to bring a dollar for the pinball machine. 

The healthiest tasting juice you will ever taste. Expensive, but oh so worth it on those awful hungover mornings when you need to be productive.

In a city near-synonymous with the flat white and the long black, a couple of Wellingtonian tea purveyors have helped to ingrain tea into the consciousness of the city. Conveniently located right in the heart of the city, this tea haven is a must for us enthusiasts. Combined with more refined versions of the Earl Grey, Green and English Breakfast classics are more experimental teas sourced from literally all over the world. Whether your tipple is a Chinese Oolong, a red African Roobio or a Turkish apple, T Leaf T stocks more tea than you could ever wish to taste. Samples starting from $2 make it tempting to try though! Check out the beautifully crafted teapots too.

You’ll have to forgive me here for my hazy recollection of my night at Alice, but I’m sure I won’t be alone in having indulged in one too many teapots here. As so many of the funkiest bars here are, Alice is hidden away down a nondescript alley, in this case Forresters Lane. A little taste of old Blighty, Alice has a quaint, English, Alice in Wonderland theme, with matching cocktails to boot. The Long Island Ice Tea looks so inoffensive and cute in that little teapot and served on a doily, but really should come with a disclaimer; massive hangover ahead.

Enjoy a delicious brunch delivered by attentive staff whilst simultaneously stepping back in time. Quintessentially upper Cuba, Arthur’s is a real joy from start to finish. Their homemade Shepherds Pie was absolutely perfect for the rainy Sunday we went.

Any night owls will be able to verify how amazing wandering past this bakery is whilst most people sleep is. The smell of batches of lovingly crafted bread being baked is truly a treat. The only annoyance is having to wait till sunrise to purchase some!

The cafe of choice for an under-caffinated part of the city, Salvation Coffee is quite the surprise. Stumbling upon the cafe by chance, the most striking, and pleasing, aspect of the cafe is the temperature; you're ushered to keep out the cold as soon as you enter. A really decent selection of reading material here, too, means you might stay a little longer than you first thought. 

Aro Bake will always hold fond memories of my time in Wellington. Scaling the impossible peak of Aro Valley was always a hardship, although such a feat was invariably made easier with an Arobake in hand. Freshly baked, artisan bread as well as more patisserie than you can shake a stick at is at your disposable. This lovely little bakery catches some awesome early summer, afternoon sun; perfect for a lazy few hours.

Smell, taste and admire the beauty of the produce at this foodie nirvana. Freshly squeezed oranges and roasting coffee beans perfume the room, with a host of free samples to tempt you into an impulse buy or three. Be sure to check out the bakery and fishmonger sections!

Commonsense Organics is a must-visit for any wannabe foodie. Beautiful, locally sourced veg sits alongside gourmet, NZ made pestos and cheeses. Stocking their shelves in keeping with the seasons, this little hangout is in keeping with the 21st century philosophies of environmental sustainability, fair trade and supporting local business. All of this results in some of the freshest looking produce you're likely to see. Take advantage of the online shopping option and share the green-tinted love with friends or family. 

Any night owls will be able to verify how amazing wandering past this bakery is whilst most people sleep is. The smell of batches of lovingly crafted bread being baked is truly a treat. The only annoyance is having to wait till sunrise to purchase some!

Go-to place when I’m in Newtown for an inexpensive, tasty bite to eat. Delicious home made sandwiches on the go.

This "Gastro-pub" at the very top of Courtenay has it all. The Tasting Room caters for every little idiosyncrasy of your typical Wellingtonian. Locally brewed beer, strong Wellington coffee, an outstanding wine list and high quality tasting plates are all proudly on offer here. Allied to a laid back setup and a TV screen tucked in the corner, the Tasting Room is capable of entertaining quiet couples out for dinner and sports loving locals without the other feeling obtrusive. One of my favourite places to hang out on a Saturday.

Smell, taste and admire the beauty of the produce at this foodie nirvana. Freshly squeezed oranges and roasting coffee beans perfume the room, with a host of free samples to tempt you into an impulse buy or three. Be sure to check out the bakery and fishmonger sections!

Wellington’s own slice of Buenos Aires. The ambiance, the delicious wine, the tapas and, of course, the ungodly amount of meat available on the Parrillada (a meat sharing platter featuring no less than 6 different cuts of meat) make this restaurant one of my very favourites in the city. Fear not, however, if you’re not the carnivorous to the point of bursting type, as el Matador has one of the most exciting and unique tapas menus on offer. The vegetarian Empanadas are an absolute must, and who wouldn’t like the sound of broad beans with prosciutto, cos lettuce and cream?

Dark, ambient and broody, the Bangalore Polo Club is a must-visit for any hospitality aficionado in Wellington. Awesome cocktails, surreal decor and hearty, winter dishes combine to create quite the impression. Undoubtedly the most inviting of all the restaurants on Courtenay Place, BPC offers full restaurant service or the option to leisurely enjoy a post-work drink by one of the fires. Oh, and did I mention the free nuts?

Chic surroundings at this mysterious beauty on the wrong side of Courtenay. Heated seats and fabulous cocktails make this elegant bar perfect for post work drinks on those long winter evenings. The East Asian/Chinese menu is a must! Try the  twice cooked chicken.