GirlAboutTown's
Funky cafes
- 149Maranui Surf Lifesaving Club CafeLyall BayMy favourite café in Wellington and a killer spot for brunch. There's always a line leading down the stairs because it's so popular on the weekends, but a table is never more than a ten-fifteen wait. Super efficient staff and delicious brunches. Coffee is quick and the food takes a little longer because it's so popular. But just enjoy the views over Lyall Bay out the panorama windows - and on a windy day watch the kite-surfers get pummelled!
- 25Dixon 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.
- 317Scorch O RamaKaraka BaysThis café is a Wellington institution, best known for its capacity to attract LOTR actors on their off days - and for the fact that it has a road running through the middle of it (the Scorch O Rama guys and gals wear high-vis vests while they ferry your food to you!). Take your guests for a classic Wellington experience and make sure it's a sunny day. Views across the harbour entrance and brunches to spoil you.
- 418Enigma 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.
- 527EspressoholicTe AroAlways a chilled vibe and delicious, freshly prepared food - both in the cabinet and to order. Perfect place for a casual brunch with friends, a quick coffee or a late night stop in.
GirlAboutTown's
Favourite restaurants
- 14Steer 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.
- 220I 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.
- 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.
- 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!
GirlAboutTown's
Where to shop for kids
- 14Rebel Sport - WellingtonRongotaiAll your sporting needs in one big, fat sporting store! They've got everything. I've bought trainers for myself and my partner, from aisles and aisles of the latest styles with expert advice from friendly staff if you ask for it, they're keen to help you out. I've also got assorted sports equipment including balls, bats, netball gear, togs, caps, Adidas gear and Canterbury Clothing Company gear for a German friend who was after something uniquely Kiwi as a gift. A great, well-stocked store. Get your sport on!
- 22Whitcoulls Cuba StreetTe AroWhitcoulls Cuba offers friendly staff and good quality stationery and books. They often have stock clearance sales and I picked up a very good quality floral photo album for just $10 (I think that's what you'd call a bargain!). The store is nice and bright and it's easy to find your way around - or if you're looking for something special, ask one of the friendly staff - they're always keen for a chat too.
- 34For the best model soldiers in the world - head to Games Workshop. You'll find a real community of gamers of all ages and stages. Fear not, gaming is cool! Get involved. They're super friendly and really know their stuff.
- 41It may look like any other $2 shop, but this place has a huge variety of stock. If you can think of it, chances are they've got it, or something similar. I've got some super bargains here over the years. Once I needed a pair of aviators for a costume party (I went as a cop!) and I got a pair for about $4 here. Also I bought noise-reducing earphones for my iPod for $5 and they're great, and also photo frames and photo albums, cheap but good quality for the price. Recommended.
- 515Arty Bee's BooksWellington CentralGreat books at great prices. Last time I was in Arty Bee’s I got talking to the very interesting guy on the front desk - we discussed chess, a conversation that got started when I picked up a book about chess on the counter. He was super friendly. The staff here love to read and are keen to help you out. I’m always in this shop with my partner and we’ve picked up all manner of interesting reads at great prices. I also love the foreign languages section upstairs. Check it out!
GirlAboutTown's
Books, books, books!
- 12Whitcoulls Cuba StreetTe AroWhitcoulls Cuba offers friendly staff and good quality stationery and books. They often have stock clearance sales and I picked up a very good quality floral photo album for just $10 (I think that's what you'd call a bargain!). The store is nice and bright and it's easy to find your way around - or if you're looking for something special, ask one of the friendly staff - they're always keen for a chat too.
- 230Unity Books WellingtonWellington CentralGot to be one of the best bookshops in Welly! My favourite are the launches they have for fantastic New Zealand literature - most recently, the launch for Eleanor Catton’s "The Luminaries", short-listed for the Man Booker Prize. I’ve also seen Jan Wagner speak here, a showcase of exciting new poetry. The travel section is also excellent. A great place to pick up a gift for to impress.
- 315Arty Bee's BooksWellington CentralGreat books at great prices. Last time I was in Arty Bee’s I got talking to the very interesting guy on the front desk - we discussed chess, a conversation that got started when I picked up a book about chess on the counter. He was super friendly. The staff here love to read and are keen to help you out. I’m always in this shop with my partner and we’ve picked up all manner of interesting reads at great prices. I also love the foreign languages section upstairs. Check it out!
- 42Parsons Books and MusicWellington CentralAnother fantastic Wellington bookstore. It’s a beautifully laid-out shop, with the books lining the walls and just waiting for you to pick them up and take them home. Particularly good is the CD collection here, including Goons shows and classical music. I’ve ordered books here before and they always arrive promptly. Just a great store!
- 513Pegasus BooksTe AroHidden away in Left Bank, real book-lovers know that this is a secret that’s about to get out. Pegasus is a well-stocked second-hand bookstore with a lot of gems waiting to be found at very reasonable prices.
GirlAboutTown's
Best gift stores
- 15Te 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.
- 22Whitcoulls Cuba StreetTe AroWhitcoulls Cuba offers friendly staff and good quality stationery and books. They often have stock clearance sales and I picked up a very good quality floral photo album for just $10 (I think that's what you'd call a bargain!). The store is nice and bright and it's easy to find your way around - or if you're looking for something special, ask one of the friendly staff - they're always keen for a chat too.
- 31It may look like any other $2 shop, but this place has a huge variety of stock. If you can think of it, chances are they've got it, or something similar. I've got some super bargains here over the years. Once I needed a pair of aviators for a costume party (I went as a cop!) and I got a pair for about $4 here. Also I bought noise-reducing earphones for my iPod for $5 and they're great, and also photo frames and photo albums, cheap but good quality for the price. Recommended.
- 41Farmers WellingtonWellington CentralI'm a Farmers Club member and I collect points on a nifty wallet card - every $10 you spend = 1 point and at 200 points you get a $20 reward card. Your club card also gives you discounts in the regular Farmers sales (you can sign up for the newsletter to be sent to you at home, which is what I've done). Today I got a MaXFactor colour correcting cream (like a tinted moisturiser) for $20 with my club card (good deal, right?). Farmers is also good for homeware, clothes and underwear and I even bought a new bed there last year which was good quality but didn't break the bank. If you're looking for something, chances are Farmers has it.
- 530Unity Books WellingtonWellington CentralGot to be one of the best bookshops in Welly! My favourite are the launches they have for fantastic New Zealand literature - most recently, the launch for Eleanor Catton’s "The Luminaries", short-listed for the Man Booker Prize. I’ve also seen Jan Wagner speak here, a showcase of exciting new poetry. The travel section is also excellent. A great place to pick up a gift for to impress.
GirlAboutTown's
Where to shop for women
- 11Farmers WellingtonWellington CentralI'm a Farmers Club member and I collect points on a nifty wallet card - every $10 you spend = 1 point and at 200 points you get a $20 reward card. Your club card also gives you discounts in the regular Farmers sales (you can sign up for the newsletter to be sent to you at home, which is what I've done). Today I got a MaXFactor colour correcting cream (like a tinted moisturiser) for $20 with my club card (good deal, right?). Farmers is also good for homeware, clothes and underwear and I even bought a new bed there last year which was good quality but didn't break the bank. If you're looking for something, chances are Farmers has it.
- 20My best experience at this great pharmacy was getting passport photos - the shop assistant was v. helpful and took a lot of shots to make sure my head was on the right angle/the light was reflecting in the right way. Very professional. You can also print your own photos here at the handy machines. Highly recommended.
- 34Rebel Sport - WellingtonRongotaiAll your sporting needs in one big, fat sporting store! They've got everything. I've bought trainers for myself and my partner, from aisles and aisles of the latest styles with expert advice from friendly staff if you ask for it, they're keen to help you out. I've also got assorted sports equipment including balls, bats, netball gear, togs, caps, Adidas gear and Canterbury Clothing Company gear for a German friend who was after something uniquely Kiwi as a gift. A great, well-stocked store. Get your sport on!
- 42Glassons Cuba MallWellington CentralColourful, sumptuous window displays tempting you instore, where quality, affordable womenswear awaits. Always fashionable, a range of sizes to suit most needs, and regular sales. A must visit if you’re after wardrobe staples or a new frock.
- 51Max Lambton QuayWellington CentralUpmarket women’s clothing - perfect if you’ve got a special event coming up like a birthday or if you need smart work clothes or a new cocktail frock. Fashionable, affordable, and a nice, modern store. Sign up to the club for deals and grab a bargain in the regular sales.