GirlAboutTown's
A night on the town
- 120I can vouch that Mexican hot spot Flying Burrito Bros Cantina and Tequileria on the corner of Cuba/Vivian is as exotic as its name suggests. Check out the flash upstairs bar and sample an impressive array of tequilas while you wait for a table. I would recommend you check it out if you’re after a bustling vibe and a spicy menu for your special occasion.
- 24Steer And BeerWellington CentralWhat can I say? There's a lot of meat on the premises at Steer & Beer and all of it delicious in classy, laid-back bar surroundings. You can check out their website if you want to choose your eats before you dine there. They've got a lunch and dinner menu, all very meat-laden, as well as an extensive beverage selection and a kids' menu - so very family-friendly. They also run regular special deals and offers such as the current Sunday Roast Pork Special for $14.50 - 100% NZ pork! Yum.
- 34The ResidenceTe AroGreat place to mix and mingle and make some new friends. A chilled out vibe, grab a game of pool and a drink with mates. Right next to Electric Avenue if you want to make your night a little longer.
- 43NewkorWellington CentralThis is a cosy, super tasty Korean on Dixon. Check out a tempting menu in the window to see their specials, hot plates of all sorts starting at $15-16. Karaoke upstairs and always busy on weekends. Easy to see why.
- 51Nando's Courtenay PlaceTe AroIt's chicken, it's delicious and it's at Nando's on Courtenay. If you're after chicken, you're in the right place. They've got a great deal on - buy any large Nando's chicken meal and get a Reading cinema ticket (next door!) for just $13.
GirlAboutTown's
What to do on a lazy Sunday
- 110The beautiful and tranquil Zealandia in Karori is a must-visit for locals and tourists alike, with abundant bird-life in a walled island sanctuary keeping the pesky rodents at bay and protecting our native flora and fauna. Spend a few hours or the whole day and check out the birdies flocking from all sides. There's a lake with boat rides, lots of picnic tables, bushwalks, weta hotels, a huge exhibition at the visitor's centre which introduces you to NZ natural history and the history of the park and on-site Rata Café with delish brunches. Very kiddie-friendly too and you'll probably see tuataras if you keep an eye out, which is a real buzz - majestic, ancient ancestors of NZ, and very slow-moving in the wintertime so they don't stray far on a daily basis. My favourite are the cheeky kaka - brown with bright orange under the wings and they like to come down and check you out and feed at the many bird tables. Not to be missed.
- 21Chill out before your movie and grab a delicious ice-cream - no end of flavours, cool staff in funky hats who like to chat and lots of seating beside the cabinets. Delish!
- 35Te Papa StoreTe AroKiwiana, books, calendars and art pieces in a beautifully laid out store with friendly, helpful staff. Everything about this store is easy on the eye and you'll walk out with a gift to treasure, for yourself, a guest or a friend.
- 45The Enormous Crocodile CompanyWellington CentralA tried and true Wellington treat - hire a crocodile bike and explore the waterfront and Oriental Parade, but be sure not to run over too many unsuspecting pedestrians or crash into other cyclists - this is where the bell comes in handy! Can be rented as 2-seaters or 4-seaters and there's even space on the front for a baby or two to be strapped in tight. Highly recommended - lots of fun.
- 512Freyberg Pool & Fitness CentreOriental BaySo Freyberg has a spa, a sauna and a steamroom for $4.80ea but there are deals if you want a swim too, check out the prices board above the counter as you go in. Excellent spa facilities, always clean and they play some chill out pop music so you can relax to some sounds when you're having a soak! My favourite hotpools in town.
GirlAboutTown's
Cheap & cheerful dining
- 11Oporto Te AroTe AroThe title sums it up - delicious chicken burgers and wraps, with multiple sides of your choice, in a nice, bright orange store, well-lit and lots of seating. I recommend the wraps, the chicken was tender and juicy and delicious. Not to be missed.
- 26Kapai Cuba MallTe AroMorena, gym bunnies. Kapai is the best place to get your health food freak on, and can't be beaten for a healthy take-out. It's always popular at lunchtime and it's easy to see why. Grab a customised salad, wrap, baked potato or daily soup special, add a smoothie or a fresh juice and be on your way. Lots of stores around Wellington too, so you won't have to walk far to get your healthful kick.
- 318Enigma CafeTe AroIt's a feast for the eyes and the taste-buds at Enigma Café, conveniently located on Courtenay. The walls are decorated with funky street art and long mirrors, there's space to sit inside - and outside in a courtyard for the smokers. What's even better is the food - fresh, large portions, paninis, filos, an extensive hot menu, a huge drinks menu and a gelato cabinet! The friendly staff at Enigma will sort you out.
- 43NewkorWellington CentralThis is a cosy, super tasty Korean on Dixon. Check out a tempting menu in the window to see their specials, hot plates of all sorts starting at $15-16. Karaoke upstairs and always busy on weekends. Easy to see why.
- 51Chill out before your movie and grab a delicious ice-cream - no end of flavours, cool staff in funky hats who like to chat and lots of seating beside the cabinets. Delish!
GirlAboutTown's
Family friendly dining
- 120I can vouch that Mexican hot spot Flying Burrito Bros Cantina and Tequileria on the corner of Cuba/Vivian is as exotic as its name suggests. Check out the flash upstairs bar and sample an impressive array of tequilas while you wait for a table. I would recommend you check it out if you’re after a bustling vibe and a spicy menu for your special occasion.
- 212Pizzeria NapoliTe AroOn Friday night I went to Pizzeria Napoli with my boyfriend (of nearly 2 years) - a treat for both of us and celebrating a kind of second first date. This is the perfect spot if you want to wow a new date with a small, ambient restaurant, flash, homely décor, and fresh, scrumptious Italian food that can't be beaten. My BF got pizza with cherry tomatoes, shrimps and rocket (called a "Gamberoni" - delicious, according to him) and I picked two starters as a main - an salad with rocket, cherry tomatoes, mandarins, artichoke hearts and pine nuts (NOM) and crunchy bruschetta with tomatoes and garlic. Top it off with sparkling water or a Coke like we did and you will delight your tastebuds. The best thing about this place is that it's always busy, but still small and homely enough that you can actually hear what your date is saying. Try it out!
- 33NewkorWellington CentralThis is a cosy, super tasty Korean on Dixon. Check out a tempting menu in the window to see their specials, hot plates of all sorts starting at $15-16. Karaoke upstairs and always busy on weekends. Easy to see why.
- 44Steer And BeerWellington CentralWhat can I say? There's a lot of meat on the premises at Steer & Beer and all of it delicious in classy, laid-back bar surroundings. You can check out their website if you want to choose your eats before you dine there. They've got a lunch and dinner menu, all very meat-laden, as well as an extensive beverage selection and a kids' menu - so very family-friendly. They also run regular special deals and offers such as the current Sunday Roast Pork Special for $14.50 - 100% NZ pork! Yum.
- 50Te Papa CafeTe AroSo convenient to have the downstairs café in the museum itself so you don't have to cross lanes of traffic to get to Courtenay Place for lunch. Lots of fresh, delicious cabinet food and lots for the kids (fries as a treat!). Sunny and spacious. Recommended.
GirlAboutTown's
A Saturday on the Wellington waterfront
- 13Swim T3 WellingtonOriental BaySwim T3 is owned by a South African family and they are lovely, very friendly and they offer very sensible, practical advice. The lady who runs this store, and her son, helped me find a wetsuit when I was doing a training course - and she gave me advice on the best way to get it on (not always easy with a wetsuit!) and even provided me with plastic bags for my hands and feet to take away with me. This is what I call stellar service - going the extra mile. They have a wide range of swimming togs for beach, leisure and sport and fitting rooms and sizing charts to help you find the perfect fit. If you're after togs, you're in the right hands.
- 20Martin Bosley'sOriental BayMartin Bosley's has won stackloads of awards and when you taste the food you'll know why. They believe that food should be in season, local and fresh. That's the food philosophy that keeps happy customers like me coming back. They have assorted menus, all available online for you to peruse: lunch, dinner, degustation, set menu, canapés and platters, wine list, hen's teeth list and last but certainly not least, the beer list. Always a popular spot to impress guests with the ultimate of fresh seafood. Yum!
- 37Museum HotelWellington CentralListed as one of the world's top art hotels, Museum Hotel is conveniently located opposite the waterfront, a stone's throw from Te Papa - a great spot for visitors to Wellington to stay to get a feast of world art in an intercity wonderland. Right next to the weekend waterfront markets if you want to pick up some tasty fruit and veg during your stay. The hotel also has a 'VIP for a night' service as well as specials and deals. Check out the easy-to-negotiate website www.museumhotel.co.nz.
- 45The Enormous Crocodile CompanyWellington CentralA tried and true Wellington treat - hire a crocodile bike and explore the waterfront and Oriental Parade, but be sure not to run over too many unsuspecting pedestrians or crash into other cyclists - this is where the bell comes in handy! Can be rented as 2-seaters or 4-seaters and there's even space on the front for a baby or two to be strapped in tight. Highly recommended - lots of fun.
- 51Chalk ChokuWellington CentralCan't beat a killer coffee on a Saturday morning sitting in the sun at Chalk Choku. Check out the comfy customers lounging on beanbags in the sun with piping hot caffeinated goodness - heaven!
GirlAboutTown's
Foodie favourites
- 133Whether it's the freshest of fresh veges, dips, sauces, cheeses, breads - it's all waiting for you at Moore Wilsons on Tory. Convenient inner-city location and a foodie haven. My favourite Moore Wilsons snack is a pottle of taramasalata, some unctuous fresh cheese and some fresh crunchy bread.
- 23Commonsense Organics KapitiParaparaumuCommonsense Organics really is your one-stop shop for all things gluten-free. In their online store there's a handy filter so you can search only for gluten-free items. You can order online and they deliver Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Currently there are 1022 gluten-free items listed in the online shop - if you're a gluten-free foodie, it really can't be beaten for choice and quality.
- 35Dixon Street DeliTe AroDixon St deli is a classic Wellington brunch spot with a tempting selection in their deli cabinets and for reasonable CBD prices. They also do delicious hearty winter food - check out their soup specials and filling hot brunches. Always bustling, weekdays and weekends.
- 40Martin Bosley'sOriental BayMartin Bosley's has won stackloads of awards and when you taste the food you'll know why. They believe that food should be in season, local and fresh. That's the food philosophy that keeps happy customers like me coming back. They have assorted menus, all available online for you to peruse: lunch, dinner, degustation, set menu, canapés and platters, wine list, hen's teeth list and last but certainly not least, the beer list. Always a popular spot to impress guests with the ultimate of fresh seafood. Yum!
- 512Pizzeria NapoliTe AroOn Friday night I went to Pizzeria Napoli with my boyfriend (of nearly 2 years) - a treat for both of us and celebrating a kind of second first date. This is the perfect spot if you want to wow a new date with a small, ambient restaurant, flash, homely décor, and fresh, scrumptious Italian food that can't be beaten. My BF got pizza with cherry tomatoes, shrimps and rocket (called a "Gamberoni" - delicious, according to him) and I picked two starters as a main - an salad with rocket, cherry tomatoes, mandarins, artichoke hearts and pine nuts (NOM) and crunchy bruschetta with tomatoes and garlic. Top it off with sparkling water or a Coke like we did and you will delight your tastebuds. The best thing about this place is that it's always busy, but still small and homely enough that you can actually hear what your date is saying. Try it out!