This furniture store is bursting with character, with antiques bountiful and well priced, as well as more run of the mill furnishings. Grandfather clocks sit beside queen size beds in this CBD located store with an eye for the unusual.

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.

So often I find myself paying up for an okay but slightly unrewarding meal and ask whether the staff have derived any enjoyment doing their job and working their shift. More often than not, the answer is a resounding no, but Ortega Fish Shack does fun and fantastic food like no place else I’ve been to in Wellington. A mouth-watering menu, carefully matched wines and a vibrant restaurant make this place my other half’s and mine’s special treat. A little on the expensive side for my humble budget, but worth every cent.

The demise of the "record" shop is truly a sad thing. For many, spending their lunch hour pursuing the shelves at their local independent store is a distant memory. Youtube and Spotify have, for better or worse, left us music geeks with a slender choice. Slow Boat, however, has weathered the corporate, electronic storm and is the place to pick up CDs, LPs and even posters in the capital. On the very rare occasion I actually purchase a hard CD, this is where I invariably head. A Cuba Street stalwart. 

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. 

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.

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.

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?

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. 

Immerse yourself in a bit of culture. Head on down to one of the participating cinemas in town for the annual New Zealand Film Festival, which showcases some of the best independent documentaries and movies this year. A must-not-miss. Pop along to one of the day time sessions at the Paramount on Courtenay for just $14, and enjoy some post-movie sun on one of the sunniest balconies in the city. Currently serving delicious, fruity mulled wine, if you happen to attend on a not so sunny day.

Encouraged by a friend and in spite of my skepticism about the concept and the price, I went along to Social Cooking late last year. However, the novelty of the idea in practice, as well as the enthusiasm and genuine passion of the staff, contributed to winning me over. Working in pairs, you are firstly given a demonstration of how to cook the dish (one of the dishes was Beef Wellington) and then set loose on your own. A novel, unusual but ultimately fun way to spend an evening with friends or colleagues. Keep an eye out for bargain deals.

Mention the words 'Strawberry Fare' to any sweet-toothed Wellingtonian foodie and chances are they'll regale you with wide eyed tales of banoffi pies and sticky date puddings. Wacky, over the top and firmly tongue-in-cheek, an 80s vibe pervades both food and decor. Genuinely pleasant staff add to the feel good factor. Main courses and lunch are on offer here too but it is impossible to look past the endless choice of sweet goodness on offer here. Strawberry Fare has a firm sense of identity and is, for me, one of the most memorable dining spots in the city. 

Living just next door to this place last year, it's fair to say I got well acquainted with these nuts. Literally every different kind of nut you could list if you could be bothered. But not just that, for these guys are also specialists in spices and seeds. Must be seen to be believed. 

One of the best BYO spots in town. Highly recommended if you're wanting delicious, plentiful food at very reasonable prices as part of a large, potentially boisterous group. Do be warned, however, that the food here is so good that you may find yourself, as I have, coming here as a couple late on a Friday night, and not being able to hear yourself think. The juice was definitely worth the squeeze, however, such is the quality of the food here.

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.

The biggest pies you have ever seen. Well worth stopping in here for a feed.

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.

Shuffle along the counter, school dinner canteen style, and check out the goodies on offer here. Not to be missed are the $7 soups, served in big cauldrons and ladels, an ideal candidate to stave off the cold.   Also home to the biggest milkshake I have ever laid my eyes on. 

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

A carnivore’s dream. An ode to the lesser fancied animals and cuts, Big Bad Wolf is Wellington’s only dedicated Charcuterie restaurant. Find an incomparable selection of cured, smoked and salted meats in this truly gourmet eatery.

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

A collection of imported sweet, sugary goodies from all over the globe. Resisting the temptation to pop in here every time I pass by is difficult, especially since it happens to be most days. Feel like a toddler again as you scoop up 100 grams of lollies into your little bag. Taking a trip down sweet-toothed nostalgia alley is no bad thing once in a while (but just not every day!).

Mention the words 'Strawberry Fare' to any sweet-toothed Wellingtonian foodie and chances are they'll regale you with wide eyed tales of banoffi pies and sticky date puddings. Wacky, over the top and firmly tongue-in-cheek, an 80s vibe pervades both food and decor. Genuinely pleasant staff add to the feel good factor. Main courses and lunch are on offer here too but it is impossible to look past the endless choice of sweet goodness on offer here. Strawberry Fare has a firm sense of identity and is, for me, one of the most memorable dining spots in the city. 

One of the most chic bars in the city. Inauspiciously located above BK on Courtenay Place, the Library is a hive of low-fi, urban decadence that Wellington does best. Lavishly decorated with, believe it or not, books from head to toe, the Library is a moody, solemn bar in the week, before thankfully shedding some of its super-serious persona on the weekend. Imaginative cocktails and 2 for 1 desserts on Tuesdays should keep you coming back for more.

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.

Osteria del Toro's menu is a whirlwind tour around the culinary delights of the Mediterranean in microcosm; fragrant Paella sits happily alongside lamb Souvalaki skewers, whilst the awesome Charcuterie platter wrestles it's Continental neighbours for your attention. The Italian offering, however, is stealing a march on the rest with the sublime, so-authentic-you-could-be-in-Rome, Pizzeria. Crafted in front of your very eyes, the pizza at this lavishly decorated restaurant on Tory Street is to die for. Meataly through to Pear and Gorganzola, the pizza here is amongst the best I've tried in Wellington. Gluten free pizza is readily available, as well as white pizzas (no tomato sauce base.) Perhaps the most alluring feature of the Pizzeria is that up until 5pm on weekdays, Osteria del Toro run a 2 for 1 promotion. Cheery, cosmopolitan wait staff only add to the feel good factor, whilst all the quintessential Mediterranean cocktails are available. Lunch for 2 for a measly $23 dollars has never been better.

A hugely impressive cabinet stocked high full of sweet and savoury goodies. Deluxe transcends the typical cabinet fare of muffins and gormet sandwiches with some really interesting food, such as the bulger wheat, cauliflower, potato and red onion salad, pictured. Amazing gluten and wheat-free options, such as the pineapple and crystallised ginger cake, and strong Havana coffee make Deluxe a really great place to flee the waterfront wind.

Uber-hipster, Espressoholic is certainly one of the places to be seen. Consider yourself Cuba St royalty if you've managed to snare one of their two outdoor-yet-sheltered smoking areas. The iconic coffee served here is complemented well by their awesome array of cabinet food.

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.

Who knew fish and chips could be so complex? Choose your fish (obviously), your chips (less obvious) and your batter (freakin’ awesome). The agria chips are sensational, whilst I’d recommend getting whichever fish you go for tempura-style. Definitely worth the extra dollar or two. No longer will we accept greasy fish and oily chips; like every other food genre, the humble old chippy has had to evolve to fit our needs and fads. Expect to see then, therefore, an ever-changing, seasonal menu reflective on what’s been caught that day. Even have your Akaroa salmon fillet grilled; how gourmet is that.