Sweet Mother's Kitchen is kind of the trifecta: great food, good vibes, and perfect location. And while their dinner menu isn't too shabby either, nothing cures the 'mother' of all hangovers like brunch-- especially when that brunch is served all day (on weekends) and you're free to pull yourself from the depths of your bed as late into the afternoon as you want for as much eggs and potato hash as your stomach can handle. My go-to dish is Flossy's Favorite, which has a little of everything: potato, black beans, mushroom, eggs (poached is recommended), and hollandaise, plus two sturdy baguette halves. The berry waffles have also been known to go down nicely. But a word to the wise-- the slightly chaotic nature of the decor in Mother's extends to their style of seating tables. If a game of musical chairs might set your head aflame, skip the food and grab a Snickers shake to go.

Scorch-O-Rama, perched right at the edge of Scorching Bay beach, is the perfect Wellington summer brunch spot. Sit at one of the spacious rimu picnic tables inside if the wind is brisk, or hop across the street for a brightly colored chair when the sun is out. Splurge on the deluxe shake (pick the milkshake flavor, ice cream, and a choc bar.) The eggs benedict is a solid choice, with a good amount of fluff and nice flavor. The views are picture perfect, so be sure to leave some time for a relaxing walk along the coast after.

When I first arrived in Wellington, my new friends raved about the vege nachos at Midnight. They weren't kidding! This plate is so loaded--hummus, chilli sauce, avo slices, and sometimes even green olives complement the more traditional beans, salsa, cheese, and jalapenos no respectable plate of nachos could go without--but it has a surprisingly decent corn chip-to-topping ratio, given the epic proportions of the latter. If you ever get past your craving for these nachos, Midnight actually has a ton of other great vege and vegan options (as well as tasty looking treats for the carnivores in your life), some killer juices and smoothies, and one of the best caramel slices in town. A bite of their gigantic chocolate cake (with yogurt) can also be pretty hard to pass up.

Enigma is my go-to spot when I need a bit of a break on my walk home from Thorndon. Steer clear of their massive salads and sandwiches in favor of a heaping bowl of wedges, affordable at $6 and perfect for sharing. While I’m not usually a fan, the iced mocha at Enigma is a bit addictive– watch out.

One of the first cafes I ever visited in Wellington, Fidels remains a favorite. Keep it simple with nachos or fries to share, or suck down a massive Snickers thick shake if you dare. While I haven’t taken them up on it yet, I’ve heard only good things about the pizza and beer deal. If the weather is good, grab a seat outside at one of their picnic tables.

Sweet Mother's Kitchen is kind of the trifecta: great food, good vibes, and perfect location. And while their dinner menu isn't too shabby either, nothing cures the 'mother' of all hangovers like brunch-- especially when that brunch is served all day (on weekends) and you're free to pull yourself from the depths of your bed as late into the afternoon as you want for as much eggs and potato hash as your stomach can handle. My go-to dish is Flossy's Favorite, which has a little of everything: potato, black beans, mushroom, eggs (poached is recommended), and hollandaise, plus two sturdy baguette halves. The berry waffles have also been known to go down nicely. But a word to the wise-- the slightly chaotic nature of the decor in Mother's extends to their style of seating tables. If a game of musical chairs might set your head aflame, skip the food and grab a Snickers shake to go.

Don't settle for burritos; at Viva Mexico on Cuba St.'s Left Bank, you can take your pick from an array of authentic Mexican dishes, including staples like tacos and enchiladas, and more adventurous choices like the sopa de tortilla or "exoticos" (wet tacos). Like most Mexican restaurants, finding vegetarian options is thankfully not a problem; alongside a variety of meat fillings, there are always vege, cheese, and bean options on hand. Don't worry if you're unsure about an item-- their new menus break down every aspect of the dish, eliminating any unpleasant surprises. A huge selling factor for me is their plentiful stock of Jarritos, an intensely sweet Mexican soda, in a variety of flavors-- try Mandarin (Mandarina) with your taco and ensalada.

La Boca Loca is worth the trip to Miramar. If you’re planning a movie night at the Roxy, please don’t leave without dinner at La Boca Loca. To start, say yes to the chips and salsa. When I went, it seemed like every single person came right over after the film let out at the Roxy. Between a bit of a wait for food and extremely tempting margaritas, you’ll want something to pad your tummy before the entrees arrive. Try the burritos or tacos– both come in yummy vegetarian options.

I snatched up a recent GrabOne deal to try out this new restaurant on the cheap, located in the old Holy Bagels shop on Wakefield St. Not much has changed about the decor, giving this restaurant a faster-food vibe (though the price point is noticeably higher than HB). Try either the falafel sliders or vegetarian tacos– tending more toward greasy than fresh, use sparingly as your best new hangover cure.

Please tell me you’ve already met Andres Pimentel. His larger-than-life persona (and hat) make him incredibly easy to spot at the Harbourside Market each Sunday. While his main restaurant is in Lower Hutt, he and his team make the trek up to the market every week. I always get the quesadilla, banking on its easy portability, but the burritos and tacos always look just as impressive. With vege meals in each category, the ability to add in guac or sour cream for a nominal fee, and spices ranging from mild to hot, your options are pretty varied. DISCLAIMER: But seriously, don’t be cavalier about asking for your meal ‘hot’ unless you have no working taste buds to speak of and a gallon of milk handy. Andres will tell you that people can’t handle their spices in New Zealand. You might feel like proving him wrong. Then you’ll find yourself crying by the side of the skatepark begging for sips from strangers’ drinks.

Pranah Cafe is an environmentally friendly haven for vegetarians in Newtown. Entirely meat-free, with many vegan and gluten-free options, choosy eaters will find exactly what they crave. Go for brunch or lunch, as the cafe sadly closes by 4 pm daily. Vegetarians and omnivores alike will delight in the banana pancakes, poached eggs, and smoothies. Check the glass case up front before making your decision from the menu; rotating goodies, including pies and pilafs, shouldn't be missed.

With so many great little secondhand furniture stores along Riddiford St. in Newtown, it's hard to know where to start. A great place to begin is Renown Furnishings. A small store, neatly crowded with lovely dressers, mirrors, lamps, and desks, Renown has its own style at an affordable price point. I found my whitewashed four-drawer dresser here and threw in a retro magazine rack that doubles as my bedside table, all for well under $100. Since the shop is so small, keep in mind that Renown can't deliver your goods-- but they will hold them for you at the store until you can haul them home later.

Burger joints aren't all that difficult to spot in Wellington, but finding one with a classic diner twist can be. Monterey tops the list-- any place serving fried pickles in New Zealand immediately screams Americana to me. While you're waiting for your meal, flex your drawing skills on the paper tablecloth while Paul Simon persuades you to call him Al. Try the float, combining any Six Barrel Soda with vanilla bean ice cream. The halloumi burger is a must for any vegetarians (and many non-veges, too, I suspect-- it's that good!), or go with the salad for a healthier version that doesn't leave anything out on taste.

If you're in Newtown for the day and keen to spend a good while scouring shelves of secondhand books, Rainbow Books is calling for you. Towering stacks of books greet customers at the door, and extend over every square inch of the shop. There is a lot of nonsense hiding a few bargain-priced gems, but if you're prepared to search you'll generally be rewarded for your troubles.

The main branch of Vinnies shops in central Wellington, this St Vincent de Paul in Newtown is well stocked, large, and covered with friendly bargains. From oversized floral mugs to vintage NZ-made dresses, you'll find something each time you visit. It may be the central branch, but this shop has plenty of quirks; pop upstairs for a browse through rows of beautifully worn furniture, then giggle when you realize staff members have to carry the furniture up and down a narrow flight of stairs each time a purchase is made or a new acquisition comes in. A must-try any time I find myself up on Riddiford St.

Superette, originally based in Auckland with a great store open here in Wellington, is a sartorialist's dream. The shop is impeccably tailored, with pops of bright colors amongst the more traditionally dark Wellingtonian palette. Go-to brands like Mad Love and I Love Ugly find a home here alongside Ksubi frames and high top Vans, while a floor-to-ceiling mirror at the back allows for ample twirling space to admire your new finds. With a friendly and helpful staff who seem to genuinely enjoy what they do and an incredible selection of clothes and accessories for both women and men, I find it completely impossible to leave this store empty handed.

The General Store is anything but general, packed with things you might never have even known you needed-- until now. The General Store, which opened its doors just before Christmas, is a beautiful little treasure trove of found objects, all sourced here in NZ and restored and repurposed for your purchasing delight. I dare you to walk in on a rainy day and not get caught up by the colorful typewriters in various shapes and sizes, loads of natural wood, and Nico's dulcet strains playing on the stereo, just as I did. Shelves made from library pigeon holes and a table fitted out from industrial plan drawers will call to you, but if your tiny flat won't fit a new cabinet, leave with a little parcel of hand rolled beeswax candles instead.

It's no secret that Recycle Boutique on Vivian St. is pretty great. Their motto, 'Recycled Reloved Repaid!', really sums them up. Bring your old finds, get some cash, use it to buy new old finds. Or skip the first two steps and just add some sweet vintage or pre-loved goodies to your wardrobe. One of the best bets in Wellington, Recycle consistently stocks a solid range of skirts, dresses, knitwear, and vintage pieces, has a great men's section, and can always be counted on for a beanie or beret to add to your collection. I truly can't walk past this place without wanting to stop in, then promptly making time to do it.

If I had an endless supply of cash and nothing to spend it on but clothes, I just might spend it all here. Everything in Good As Gold is beautifully made, sourcing labels from around the globe-- some from right here in New Zealand. Not only are all the items GAG has just a little bit unique, but purchasing them helps promote and sustain something really cool. Owner Ruben Bryant is super into growth and evolution (he recently re-fitted the store out to make it look like a treehouse), and customer service at GAG is truly top notch. I've had so many great conversations and interactions with the sales team at the Good As Gold store, and when I tried out their online store for the first time (and missed a 20% off promotion by literally ONE minute) they gave me a couple of extra days to decide on my purchases and then refunded me the 20% I'd missed out on when they saw my order come through.

Emporium Vintage is a hidden gem for scoring great kicks in Wellington, with an array of vintage boots for both women and men in a variety of sizes, colors, and styles. While Emporium may be known for its stateside finds and epic dress collection, their Americana vibe extends to an entire wall of leather boots. Don't usually buy vintage footwear? Rest assured that Emporium won't leave you high and dry if your perfectly broken in shoes give out post-purchase. They'll work with a cobbler around the corner to make sure your shoes are back to their best in no time.

Superette, originally based in Auckland with a great store open here in Wellington, is a sartorialist's dream. The shop is impeccably tailored, with pops of bright colors amongst the more traditionally dark Wellingtonian palette. Go-to brands like Mad Love and I Love Ugly find a home here alongside Ksubi frames and high top Vans, while a floor-to-ceiling mirror at the back allows for ample twirling space to admire your new finds. With a friendly and helpful staff who seem to genuinely enjoy what they do and an incredible selection of clothes and accessories for both women and men, I find it completely impossible to leave this store empty handed.

If I had an endless supply of cash and nothing to spend it on but clothes, I just might spend it all here. Everything in Good As Gold is beautifully made, sourcing labels from around the globe-- some from right here in New Zealand. Not only are all the items GAG has just a little bit unique, but purchasing them helps promote and sustain something really cool. Owner Ruben Bryant is super into growth and evolution (he recently re-fitted the store out to make it look like a treehouse), and customer service at GAG is truly top notch. I've had so many great conversations and interactions with the sales team at the Good As Gold store, and when I tried out their online store for the first time (and missed a 20% off promotion by literally ONE minute) they gave me a couple of extra days to decide on my purchases and then refunded me the 20% I'd missed out on when they saw my order come through.

Object is a fun little store to stumble into on a rambling kind of day out. A newer addition to Cuba St.'s Left Bank, the array of colorful onesies in the window is certainly eye-catching. But for any furry haters out there (like me), don't shy away-- cheerful DIY wooden lamps, fluffy hats, darling dollhouses, and so many Totoros abound. Object is the place to go for gifts you never even knew existed.

The General Store is anything but general, packed with things you might never have even known you needed-- until now. The General Store, which opened its doors just before Christmas, is a beautiful little treasure trove of found objects, all sourced here in NZ and restored and repurposed for your purchasing delight. I dare you to walk in on a rainy day and not get caught up by the colorful typewriters in various shapes and sizes, loads of natural wood, and Nico's dulcet strains playing on the stereo, just as I did. Shelves made from library pigeon holes and a table fitted out from industrial plan drawers will call to you, but if your tiny flat won't fit a new cabinet, leave with a little parcel of hand rolled beeswax candles instead.

There are so many amazing secondhand book stores in New Zealand (Wellington in particular), but sometimes you need something specific and you need it now. Turn to Unity Books in your time of need. With a great selection of New Zealand writers, an entire, stretching wall of fiction, both classic and extremely contemporary (like Tao Lin's Taipei, only out in the States in June), and many pockets of specialty books scattered throughout the shop, you may have stopped in for a specific title but you'll find yourself browsing for hours. As an added bonus, the staff is exceedingly knowledgeable and ready to help-- Unity is one of the only book shops I've been to where those staff recommended titles are truly appealing.

One of my most favorite kiwi phrases has to be the question, "Are you keen for a boogie?" At Boogie Wonderland, you certainly will be. Located on Courtenay Place just next to Paramount Cinema, this club is dated-- in the best way. Boogie boasts at least seven disco balls, playing a constant stream of 70's music. While Boogie won't become a regular haunt for me, it is certainly reliable, and a lot of fun.

Pick a beer, any beer, and I bet they have it in stock at Malthouse. With six temperature-controlled refrigerators behind the bar and a rotating list that consistently boasts over 150 beers, you'll be hard pressed not to find something you like on their menu. I'm partial to the Garage Project's Aro Noir, one of about 30 brews on tap at Malthouse. Come in on a cool winter's night to fuel up and watch rugby with friends on one of the bar's many big screen TVs. And if beer's not your thing, don't sweat it-- they're known to make a mean vodka soda as well.

Chow is always a solid bet for a date night. With shared plates and yummy cocktails, Chow is there to hand out a ready-made atmosphere for those nights when you just want a bit of romance with your significant other. The Beggars Purse and Korean Kim Chi Gyoza are tried and true favorites, and the Jungle Curry is nice if you're craving something a bit more substantial. As for cocktails, you won't go wrong with the Fun Fun Fooey or Feng Shui Lemonade. Of course, Chow isn't just for the romantically inclined. With a kitchen that stays open til midnight every night and a prime location on Tory Street, Chow will also be there for you if you're in desperate need of a late night snack between catching the show and dancing at Puppies. Don't forget that plates are 2 for 1 on Mondays and cocktails are 2 for 1 on Wednesday and Saturday!

Go for cocktails with friends or a quiet cup of tea. With a noisy main room (a jazz band was playing when I left) and plenty of small hideaways to tuck yourself into, The Library suits multiple moods. My significant other and I shared desserts in a quiet alcove (which we shared with a bathtub!) The portions are small but the taste is big, and with a great two-for-one deal on Tuesday nights, worth it. Try the warm chocolate fondant or the earl grey creme brulee. The wait staff bumbled a bit, and the decor tries slightly too hard to make you feel cosy, but on a cold winter night any small nitpicks can be quickly brushed aside with a toasty hot chocolate.

Puppies is reliable for a good night out filled with music and friends. Follow the noise on Tory St. rather than signs, as there aren't really any for Puppies-- that's part of the charm. Come to watch local favorites (or, sometimes not so local) on stage, or get in free after midnight when the DJs come out. Specials like the Dana Scully (an aptly named fiery ginger beer) and plenty of couches in the back will keep you going into the wee hours of the night.