A really spacious Japanese BYO with a mix of large and small tables, perfect for groups or a date. There’s also a huge set menu if you can’t quite make up your mind!

You rarely have to wait for a table in this big Turkish restaurant, and the food is awesome and fast - even in a big group. I strongly recommend the falafel or spanokopita.

One of my top places for a big birthday BYO. The menu has something for everyone - my pick is the vege dhal.

Perfect for smaller groups, Satay Village’s food is speedy, tasty and filling - and super cheap! I recommend the vegetable curry or mee goreng.

A BYO dinner at Arashi is a great way to catch up with friends or start a night out, with a big sushi list and plenty of other options, including noodles, rice dishes and set menus.

A crafty beer spot with a tasty food menu, including an extensive tapas list and epic dessert menu, just a quick stumble along Upland Road!

It’s right by my house, always tasty and the staff are so friendly! I go here heaps in summer while in the Botans sunning myself. I recommend the date scones!

Probably the best coffee in the neighbourhood, and a great spot to sit, relax, and people-watch the passersby. Offers counter and menu food, plus friendly staff.

Taking over from the much loved Red Tomatoes is a tough job, but the Mediterranean Food Warehouse of Kelburn is a welcome addition to a neighbourhood that lacks general supermarket options, plus the pizzeria has all the tasty treats of the Newtown store in a compact space.

I buy all my greeting cards here - they’re so cute and quirky, just like everything else for sale in this wee boutique. Take your lady in to check out the art - you might end up taking a piece home.

City Gallery’s exhibitions always wow, and change regularly so there’s always something exciting and new from local or international artists - and usually free. Pop into Nikau next door for a bite or a drink pre or post-show.

Well-worth a trip out to the Hutt! The Dowse regularly hosts exciting exhibitions by international and Kiwi artists, with so much more than just canvases on a wall (think: fashion, multimedia, sculptures and structures).

A great spot to see locally-grown art and theatre. Friends and strangers regularly exhibit artworks in the downstairs gallery space, which is a great spot for an opening with wine and crowds, while the large upstairs area has plenty of room for performances.

An excellent central spot to check out new art (or exhibit, if you’re on that end of the canvas). It’s spacious, well laid-out and has hosted some of my favourite exhibitions - including, until recently, World Press Photo.

This fun, kitschy central city bar is always my destination at some point during a night out. Have a beer, or a whole Castlepoint, meet friends or a potential date, watch bands and dance the night away.

So many covetable stores - including Ruby, Andrea Moore, Workshop and I Love Paris - plus Lush, Shampoo Plus and Tempt cupcakes, all in one spot. Check out the rad clock which opens up to a wee Wellington history scene every hour, on the hour. It’s also a great babe-watching spot - including for hot Mojo staff!

The Bresolin boys are pizza masters. While there’s a big selection to choose from, I often just go for a margherita (so good here) and add their special chilli sauce. Eat in or takeaway!

Just about anything on the menu here will help cure what ails you: nom a Po Boy, waffles (with fried chicken!), nachos, eggs, a burrito or even the mac n cheese, if you’re up to it. Get back on the horse with a cider or Bloody Mary.

The haloumi and chicken salad (I order it sans-chicken) is excellent - a massive, vege-filled salad with squeaky cheese, dressing and garlic bread. YUM!

There’s a reason this place is packed on weekends - a delicious and fancy menu including eggs, sandwiches, pizza and burgers, and many more tasty options. I like to pop in for a date scone with cream and jam. Be sure to try the bottomless coffee or grab a loaf of ACME bread, baked in store! The staff are also very friendly and attentive.

So much more than just delicious, freshly-baked bread. Arobake has an epic list of sweet treats, dreamed up and baked in store. The frangipane tart is ideal for impressing the in-laws.

Bordeaux is French for cake - or it should be. These wee French cafes throughout the city have some of the most excellent pastry and cake you can find. Their cronuts are killer (interpret that how you will) while the Royale (custard-filled, iced pastry with chocolate) is ideal for when you need a big cakey sugar hit!

It’s conveniently located for workers around Parliament and The Terrace, and has awesome giant muffins. There’s also freshly baked bread loaves, buns and sticks plus danishes and croissants - ideal for lunch or a picnic!

Brooklyn has a huge menu of brunch options and one of the biggest cabinet food selections in town, whether you’re after something savoury or sweet. Their freshly baked muffins, breads and more are perfect for taking away. They also serve local Flight Coffee!

I buy all my greeting cards here - they’re so cute and quirky, just like everything else for sale in this wee boutique. Take your lady in to check out the art - you might end up taking a piece home.

Cool and quirky items on the cheap! Typo has kitschy homewares, lots of gifts and practical items (like animal face sleep masks, hello) and a card for every occasion - and then some.

Ideal for kids and adults in need of stationery solutions, or just for stuff. There are so many themed collections where you want one of every coordinated item (for those times when your pen MUST match your drink bottle etc). Worth a trip out to Westfield!

So many cute trinkets, from jewellery and accessories to books, stationery and fun little keepsakes, at very affordable prices.

kikki. k probably invented matching stationery. You can lose a lot of a minutes in-store browsing their coordinated collections of books, pads, writing tools, cards, and every other stationery option.