Once I found out what all the fancy, gourmet foods on the menu were, I felt flooded for options! The mushroom polenta was excellent, as was the coffee. Try a tasty Bloody Mary to soothe your hangover.

The most delicious Turkish/Middle Eastern restaurant, with a massive and affordable menu that caters to everyone. The vegetarian mezze is killer. This place is also BYO, so it’s ideal for a group dinner.

Great Allpress coffee, friendly staff and delicious brunch options, all at affordable prices, and despite being tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city, it’s an ideal people-watching spot between Queen Street and High Street.

The staff here are just as tasty as the food (such babes!!) with exceptional savoury and sweet options for brunch. Try the French toast or burgers. Yum!

My favourite Auckland coffee spot, perfect for re-energising while browsing the shops on Ponsonby road.

A warm, wooden lodge in the Powderhorn Chateau, absolutely perfect for dinner. Get started with a tasty antipasto platter before trying their Kiwi-styled mains with a matching NZ wine.

A hangout spot for skiers and snowboarders after a big day up the mountain. Try the pub grub (not the kind you’re used to). The ribs are excellent, while the desserts - chocolate pudding with ice cream and Baileys - is to die for.

The beginners’ lessons in the Alpine Meadow are an ideal start for first-timers or a refresher before you hit the slopes. Grab a package deal that includes boots and a board or skis.

A fancy spot to stay when you’re up the mountain, or just pop in for a meal. We had high tea of scones and French champagne by the fire on a cold day - bliss!

Serving up Flight Coffee, this wee spot on The Terrace is super friendly, has excellent cheese scones and is just a short walk from Parliament and other CBD offices.

Along with the sticky buns, the date scones at Home Cafe are a thing of excellence, and ideal for breakfast (if you like cakey treats for breakfast). The perfect mix of sweet, bready and fruity.

The mini carrot cakes and cinnamon scrolls are exceptional, the coffee is great, there’s plenty of space and also a long list of sit-down menu options (and wine) - perfect for an office lunch away from the office.

I love the choose-your-own-ingredients sandwich system, with tasty and fresh bread and a massive array of fillings it is a great option for a healthy lunch. Their muffins are also great - freshly baked and well-priced, while Sir Breadwin’s also serves up Havana Coffee.

Ideal for takeaway coffee and a sandwich, scone or cakey treat on-the-go, when you’re short on time near Parliament, the High Court and nearby ministries. Very friendly staff and more environmentally friendly than many cafes nearby.

A takeaway burrito or quesadilla from this wee hole in the wall on the waterfront is ideal for a summer day’s lunch. Their food is delicious - but eating it can get messy!

This delicious, authentic Mexican restaurant often offers live music to complete your dining experience. Try their delicious burritos (there’s always a queue) at the Sunday market on the waterfront!

Friendly staff, delicious food and a huge range of tequila - everything you could want in a Mexican restaurant. The enchiladas are killer! Plus La Boca Loca also sells tortillas and tortilla flour, salsas and spices in store and at the City Market, and regularly hosts food + drink-matching and tequila-tasting events.

The best Mexican food in central Wellington is tucked away on Left Bank - the mole enchiladas rule! It’s an ideal spot for a group dinner with something for everyone on the menu.

Don’t let the name fool you - Tequila Joe’s is much more than a nighttime booze bar, with Tex-Mex menu options perfect for breakfast, lunch and dinner (and lots of tequila!).

The nature setting and animals at Staglands make it an ideal spot for a family day out or romantic afternoon away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Both adults and kids will love meeting the critters in the barn, a bushwalk or cart ride and a picnic or cafe lunch.

Go back in time in the forest just outside Wellington city. Their night walks - where you might even get to meet a kiwi - are awesome.

Escape the central city with brunch or afternoon tea and a walk or lie on the beach in Seatoun. This cafe is family-friendly with a big menu of meals and sweet treats, plus excellent coffee.

Cool for kids and adults alike - explore the solar system and the Earth’s part in it, learn about space, and go star-gazing on a clear night with the gigantic telescope. There’s also a gift shop where you can pick up some space merchandise. So fun!

Explore the crazy creations of the Weta team, including the rad Dr Grordbort’s rayguns, and learn more about Weta’s work on blockbuster films, sculptures and much more, and pick up some quirky souvenirs!

I LOVE the Met Shop - from the wacky moa statue outside to all the crazy and fun stock - including sciency items from experiments to telescopes and barometers, a massive selection of plastic animals and rad soft toys and other unusual gift ideas. The mini harmonicas make a great present!

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.

Heaps of arty items, gifts, accessories and jewellery - much of it with a Kiwiana feel. The Vault has everything from homewares to kids’ toys to all sorts of weird and wonderful unique present ideas for the hard-to-buy-for.