GirlAboutTown's
Best burgers
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 51Burger Wisconsin HataitaiHataitaiYou can't beat Burger Wisconsin for delicious burgers made from the freshest New Zealand ingredients. They have it all: tender meats, fish, falafel, haloumi, salads, sauces to die for and a range of sides and drinks. The staff at the Hataitai local are friendly and quick - and there's even a lolly jar on the counter for you to stave off hunger while waiting for your big feed.
GirlAboutTown's
Health haunts
- 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.
- 212Freyberg 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.
- 31If you've got a plane trip coming up, like I did, check out these guys for ear wax removal - so you can be sure that you won't get sore ears on the plane. It's a very useful service and at a good rate. Appointments easy to make by phone or email and they're quick and friendly to reply. Highly recommended.
- 40My 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.
- 51Hataitai PharmacyHataitaiCalvin the Pharmacist at Hataitai Pharmacy is one of a kind - friendly, organised and efficient, he always fills scripts in short turn-around time and is always free to answer any queries on the phone. The pharmacy has good opening hours and even has a postal service. Excellent customer service and a pleasure to be a customer of his.
GirlAboutTown's
Cool places to get a drink
- 17Museum 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.
- 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.
- 312Four Kings Sports BarTe AroGreat place to watch the rugga - you'll be surrounded by sports fanatics and just good old mates out for a beer to watch the game. A really good vibe, a great range of beers and open till the wee hours when the rugby has faded away.
- 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.
- 54The 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.
GirlAboutTown's
Fun activities for smart kids
- 112Freyberg 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.
- 23Gordon Harris WellingtonTe AroGordon Harris is your one-stop shop for art supplies; they've got a huge range that will suit beginners doing craft projects or art students or professional creative projects for work and home. My favourite is the poster board they have for art lessons/courses/life drawing classes etc that's up just on the right when you go in the door. Whenever I have an arty question, the staff are quick to help and they are clued up on what are the right materials to use. Big store too, lots of stock. I'd recommend it, definitely.
- 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.
- 45Circa Theatre IncTe AroAmazing theatre with talented casts and a range of prices including under-35s ticket deals (not to be missed). I've seen a few shows here over the past few years and all of them have knocked my socks off. Most recently "Tribes" which chronicled a young man's experiences with deafness and his dysfunctional (or were they hyper-functional?) family. A real treat. There's a restaurant attached to Circa for your pre-show dinner - and of course, drinks and ice-creams at interval time.
- 55The 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.
GirlAboutTown's
A day at Courtenay Central
- 10My 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.
- 21In the heart of the city with super competitive deals, check out Vodafone Courtenay Central for all your cellphone and technology needs. Their staff are well-trained and want to help you out.
- 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.
- 411Reading Cinema Courtenay PlaceWellington CentralI've been going to Readings for years and years, ever since I was a young teenager hanging out in the food court with mates waiting for our movie to begin! It's a quality entertainment establishment; I've always been satisfied and had a lot of fun checking out the latest movies here.
- 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
Handy for the home
- 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.
- 24Bunnings WellingtonTe AroBunnings has everything you want when you're looking for hardware and home supplies. I've bought, in the past: a pitcher plant, a venus flytrap (for $4!), a drill and drill bits, doorstops, plastic storage containers - and most recently, a desk lamp for just $9! (See photo for the range of desk lamps...). I was so impressed at the service. The staff are young, super well-trained and smiley and they know their stuff when you have questions. It's just a great store.
- 33Gordon Harris WellingtonTe AroGordon Harris is your one-stop shop for art supplies; they've got a huge range that will suit beginners doing craft projects or art students or professional creative projects for work and home. My favourite is the poster board they have for art lessons/courses/life drawing classes etc that's up just on the right when you go in the door. Whenever I have an arty question, the staff are quick to help and they are clued up on what are the right materials to use. Big store too, lots of stock. I'd recommend it, definitely.
- 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.
- 50My 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.