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.

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.

New Zealand currency may not have a penny, but if it did, the halloumi and salad at Nikau would be worth every single one. If you're hesitating to cross the threshold from the City Gallery into this adjacent cafe, please take the plunge. Prices are high, but so is quality. I let out an audible "Yum" while taking a bite of bare halloumi. If you can fit more into your belly, don't leave without a creamy donut. Coffee and scones are also not to be missed.

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.

The cafe at Penthouse is the perfect location for a first date. Not your average cinema cafe, Penthouse has a full menu and plenty of tables (though you may want to call ahead to reserve one-- they're quite popular!) Their salads are top-notch--try the halloumi or corn fritters--and they stock plenty of sweets for sharing. Plus if the date is going well, make it dinner and a movie... you're already at the theatre!

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!

A true Italian by heritage and nature, when winter comes around I crave pasta rather than soups or stews. Il Piccolo is the best place in town to satisfy this craving, especially on a budget. Start with the pane con olio-- the tomato pesto adds great taste to olive oil for dipping. Mains like the Penne con Pomodori or Ravioli della Nonna are hearty and wonderfully meat-free. Finish off with the most amazing tiramisu I've tasted outside of Italy. The atmosphere here is adorably Italian-kitsch, with checkered tablecloths and wine in fiascos (flasks with straw bottoms), and equally suitable for a date or dinner with friends.

One of the coolest setups for a restaurant in Wellington, much of the restaurant is actually located a floor below shop level on Cuba St. Step across a bridge of lights to request a table downstairs. The food is excellent and atmosphere is lively, even on the rainiest of nights. Start off with a pitcher of strawberry margaritas. Try the chilli con queso entree and fajitas vegetariana, loaded with well-spiced green beans, capsicum, carrot, and courgettes peppered with pumpkin seeds and spring onion in the softest tortillas. Great date spot.

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.

Not quite on Cuba St., Light House Cinema is worth the hunt. (Wigan St. is actually off Taranaki, but can be accessed via Abel Smith from Cuba St.) This cinema is boutique, without the upscale prices-- especially if you're a student or film society cardholder. Light House shows a pleasant mix of mainstream and indie films in a bit of a unique setting. Come with a date or an affable bunch of friends; the sumptuous couches and small rooms lend your viewing an air of the private screening. 

Looking for zines? Art? Jewelry? A new brooch? Matchbox has a little bit of everything, and soon they’ll have even more. Currently expanding to a Cuba St. storefront, this tiny shop was my best kept secret, tucked away up a flight of red stairs except on Friday nights, when they venture down to the Left Bank’s Night Market. Go for gift ideas your friends will actually like (bright totes, funky tea towels, zines) or to find what you’re craving (eyeball brooches, brass bunny rings, more zines).

One of the most fun shops on Cuba St., a trip to Iko Iko makes me feel like a kid again. From sparkly fairy tumblers to swizzle straws, toys and magnets to holographic cards, Iko Iko has it all. Whether you’re shopping for baby or just your own inner child, this place will do you right. Iko Iko isn’t all about gifts for kids, though– novelty books and tea towels round out the souvenir side of the shop, while chic leather goods and jewelry satisfy the fashionista on your nice list.

One of the coolest setups for a restaurant in Wellington, much of the restaurant is actually located a floor below shop level on Cuba St. Step across a bridge of lights to request a table downstairs. The food is excellent and atmosphere is lively, even on the rainiest of nights. Start off with a pitcher of strawberry margaritas. Try the chilli con queso entree and fajitas vegetariana, loaded with well-spiced green beans, capsicum, carrot, and courgettes peppered with pumpkin seeds and spring onion in the softest tortillas. Great date spot.

Pop into their new location just outside the Left Bank on Cuba St. for a browse. A great selection of titles with a cleaner setup, Ferret’s new location only signals good things to come from this secondhand bookshop.

Crumpet on Manners St. has atmosphere in spades, complete with jazzy music and faded prints of dreamy ladies on the walls. Located right next to the Opera House, walking into Crumpet feels like taking a step back in time. Coffees are well executed while the hot chocolate is tall and lovely. The crumpets themselves come in a variety of tastes, sweet and savory, and all unique-- the pear and ricotta is worth a try. Come in for a cozy place to read (though the lighting can be a bit dim) or slide in at the bar for a chat with one of the Boon brothers themselves.

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.

A cafe in Wellington's Central Library? Genius! For those days when you really can't be bothered to leave the library even for a bite to eat, pop up to Clark's for a flat white and a toastie. You'll have to check your book out first if you want to keep reading while you snack. But don't go just for convenience's sake-- their millionaire's are pretty much the best in town.

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.

Craving a chocolate bar in its purest, liquid form? Head to Butlers Cafe on Willis St., where every hot beverage comes with a decadent piece of Butlers chocolate of your choosing. With over ten varieties, the hot chocolate is an easy choice, while the chai latte and cappuccinos are also nice.

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.

Every time I step into Arobake for a vegetarian sandwich or a pastry, I'm tempted by the fresh array of bread lining the back wall of the shop. Opening at 7 am daily (except Sunday, when sadly they're closed all day), by mid-afternoon some of their most popular breads have been snatched up, but a hefty sourdough beckons. If you're as much of a sucker for choice pastries as I am, you'll need to know Arobake easily makes the best pain au chocolat in the city!

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.

Centrally located near Wellington Harbour (and thus only a 5 minute walk from my home), New World's supermarket in the heart of the city is perfect for my shopping needs. Well stocked and boasting ample 'super saver' discounts, I try to time my weekly trip to match up with the Harbourside Market each Sunday morning. But with late night hours (open 'til midnight every night), you might just find yourself surreptitiously buying a bar of chocolate and a bottle of Coopers sparkling ale on your way home, too.

A great little spot to grab a coffee or tea, this cafe has all the charm and a lot more elbow room than some of its counterparts on Cuba St. Whether you’re bringing your laptop or a friend, Dixon Street Deli has you covered with plenty of seats and their own wi-fi hotspot. Even if you’re just cruising down Dixon, be sure to check their chalk board out front, inscribed with a new motivational message every day.

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.

New Zealand currency may not have a penny, but if it did, the halloumi and salad at Nikau would be worth every single one. If you're hesitating to cross the threshold from the City Gallery into this adjacent cafe, please take the plunge. Prices are high, but so is quality. I let out an audible "Yum" while taking a bite of bare halloumi. If you can fit more into your belly, don't leave without a creamy donut. Coffee and scones are also not to be missed.

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.

In the States, takeaway salad restaurants were a dime a dozen. But here in Wellington, I've found them harder to come by-- making them so much more valuable when you stumble across one. Looking for all intents like any regular cafe from the outside, Kapai is actually a secret haven for some serious greens. Look for them in the expansive salad bar, but also in your drink-- their green smoothie is tasty enough to make me wonder whether they pour straight sugar in with the fruit (though I suspect the answer to that would be a resounding no). With locations across the city and the option to eat in or take away, you'll have no excuse not to meet your daily serving of fruits and veges by lunch time.

The cafe at Penthouse is the perfect location for a first date. Not your average cinema cafe, Penthouse has a full menu and plenty of tables (though you may want to call ahead to reserve one-- they're quite popular!) Their salads are top-notch--try the halloumi or corn fritters--and they stock plenty of sweets for sharing. Plus if the date is going well, make it dinner and a movie... you're already at the theatre!