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. 

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.

Wellington's most authentic second-hand bookshop. Making your way around the maze-like shop is an experience in itself, with giant tombs and slender works of poetry, mostly alphabetised, stacked right to the ceiling. The quintessential literary classics are here, accompanied by a substantial NZ section and a fantastic, if somewhat small, poetry section, which features some really unusual works. Tucked away on Left Bank Arcade, finding a dusty old copy of a book you've been meaning to read and then propping yourself in a quiet corner of a Cuba Street cafe for an hour or so is a true delight.

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.

Picturesque and sun-drenched outside in summer, cosy, close and warm in winter, this cool little retro cafe based on beautiful Oriental Parade. has it all. No better way to spend a chilled out day off than meandering along the waterfront before perching yourself at a table by the window to watch the sun set. Open 'til late, evening-goers are rewarded with delicious sweet and savoury fondue from 5.30, with the blue choose option not for the faint hearted! An inspired menu includes delicious sangria by the jug, feijoa mojitos and boutique beers. Rumour has it they've added winter cocktails to their menu too...

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

As an outsider used to the hustle and bustle of the frantic pace of city life in the UK, Wellington is a serene slice of urban heaven. Gorgeous, accessible coastline coupled with green, inner city sanctuaries make this a desirable place to live. Escaping the occasional urban blues is easy in Wellington, with the Botanical Gardens on our doorstep. Picnic cafe is a gorgeous little spot to relax, read a book and enjoy the company of friends.

Located in the charmingly named Happy Valley, situated just past Island Bay, is Carlucci Land. I know what you're thinking but tired, cliched mini golf this certainly aint. Crafted in a scrap yard theme, the course is fun, well-designed and inexpensive. 18 courses are included for a reasonable $12 entrance fee. Perhaps in keeping with the suburb's name, an honesty box collects your pennies. Great fun. 

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.

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.

Having been on a few (read: many) awkward dates, which largely consist of sitting opposite one another discussing banalities such as the decor of the restaurant whilst the waiter silently cringes on your behalf, I firmly believe it is time to bring fun back to dating! And taking your flame to Kazu on Tory Street would be a good start. This Japanese offers tempura, sushi and sashimi, all from the comfort of the floor! Tatami mats are available, which add eccentricity and fun to the meal.

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.

Fast food doesn't need to be a greasy hangover cure. At times it can seem like the only option for a quick, inexpensive bite in this city is to sell your soul to the franchise and content yourself with a burger, a subway or some fried chicken. There is another way! Wellington has an amazing array of sushi restaurants and this is my most frequented. I tend to stop here on the way home at least once a week for a pre-dinner snack. Help yourself to the most delicious sushi from $1 per piece and stave off the lure of a $2 BK.

Laying claim to being the darkest bar in Wellington is a bold claim indeed, but Motel might just take the crown. A hipster joint with bartenders who know their Manhattans from their Mint Juleps, the concoction of potent liquor and the ambience of the place should mean you’ll be here for more than just the one drink.

The new kid on the block. Wellington can lay claim to a host of Mexican restaurants, yet the attention to detail shown by the staff here makes this little bar worth a visit. Pictured is the most detailed hot chocolate I have ever tasted. Awesome-tasting, themed cocktails (the frozen margarita is amazing!), sultry lighting and Tex-Mex style tapas cooked right before your eyes make this place a sure-fire hit to woo the night away. And if your date is going all pear-shaped, a measure or two of Tequilla should break the ice and set pulses racing...

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.

One of my favourite after-hours spots. Easy to miss, Good Luck is innocuously located but well worth the search party. Creative cocktails, a trendy clientele and an opium-den feel make this bar one of Wellington’s most unique.

Surely the only place in the city where you can order a "Daisy Buchanan", a "Breakfast at Tiffanys" or a "Casino Royale" without being pointed in the direction of IMDB and your bed. Located below, yes you guessed it, the grandiose Embassy, the Black Sparrow is the perfect place to bookend a movie with an aperitif and a digestif. All the better if you happen to visit on a Tuesday, as 2 for 1 cocktails are all the rage after 5pm. Arguably some of the finest cocktails in the city.

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.

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. 

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

One of my favourite after-hours spots. Easy to miss, Good Luck is innocuously located but well worth the search party. Creative cocktails, a trendy clientele and an opium-den feel make this bar one of Wellington’s most unique.