Alice H.'s
Where to go for dinner and a movie
- 117Roxy CinemaMiramarWith not owning a car a badge of honour many Wellingtonians pride themselves on wearing, it can sometimes be a bit of a hassle to get to the Roxy Cinema, all the way out in Miramar – but it’s well worth the trip for a bit of an old-school glamour, complete with heavy red curtains and Weta Workshop oddities. The in-house bar/cafe/restaurant Coco is and the excellent La Boca Loca Mexican restaurant a couple of doors down are the perfect choices for a pre-movie meal, too.
- 25The Black SparrowMount VictoriaThe Embassy has always been one of my favourite venues in Wellington, in part because it makes a trip to the cinema feel special in an age when it’s cheaper and more convenient to watch movies at home. And the addition of The Black Sparrow to the ground floor a couple of years ago only added to the experience. The service is always exceptional, and the drinks and tapas menu ever-changing but of consistent quality. It’s a great place to catch up with friends before going to see a movie together, and I’m sure I’ll be spending a lot of time there during the upcoming New Zealand Film Festival.
- 312Light House CubaWellington CentralWith The Embassy and the Paramount dominating Wellington’s art house cinema scene in the CBD, it’s easy to forget about the Light House Cuba, a relatively recent addition, nestled behind the architecture school on Wigan St. But keeping an eye on its schedule pays off, with it often showing foreign or arthouse films that wouldn’t get a look-in on the bill elsewhere. The facilities are new and cosy, and its proximity to the ever-excellent Havana, Fidel’s and Southern Cross means it’s easy to combine dinner (tapas? pizza? stonegrill?) with a show.
- 411Reading Cinema Courtenay PlaceWellington CentralI know, I know – it’s not glamourous – it’s hardly even nice. But sometimes you just want to catch a blockbuster in the most sterile of surrounds, and there’s something infinitely comforting about combining a food-court green curry and a McFlurry from McDonald’s with a popcorn thriller in the mainstream comfort of Reading Courtenay. (I am not a classy lady.)
- 510Paramount CinemaTe AroThe Paramount’s a great spot to catch a foreign or art house film, especially during the upcoming New Zealand Film Festival, where (together with the Embassy) it plays host to much of the programme. The cafe upstairs is quite good, too – there’s a surprising array of reading material (the New Yorker, in fact) and its being away from the street means it’s a nice, private nook to wile away time before your screening starts. For something more substantial pre-movie, though, you could always pop along to the always-excellent Sweet Mother’s Kitchen (though be sure to allow plenty of time; service can take a while!).
Alice H.'s
Best family outings
- 121Wellington ZooNewtownWellington Zoo is one of the best tourist attractions in the capital city. On the outskirts of Newtown, just a 20-minute bus ride from the central city, it’s easily accessible, and on a fine day makes for a solid couple of hours’ educational entertainment for families of all ages. Check the zoo’s website or Facebook page for details of talks at The Nest surgery/nursery or animal feeding times.
- 24Island Bay Marine Education CenterIsland BayThe Island Bay Marine Education Center is only open on Sundays, but it’s worth the trip for an eye-opening look at what lies beneath the waves off Wellington. It’s a small space but the contents of its tanks are ever-changing, and the friendly volunteers – ranging in age from grandparents to grandchildren – are all happy to share their knowledge.
- 313Chocolate Fish CafeMiramarYou can't beat Wellington on a good day, so the saying goes - and on such a day (while we're at it with hackneyed expressions), it's as certain as taxes and death that the queue for Chocolate Fish Cafe will be out the door. Just a few minutes' drive from the airport, you really can't find a more picturesque spot. The spacious lawn - complete with plenty of bean bags to go round - means the cafe is perfect destination for families, but it's spacious enough so that those who don't consider themselves to be necessarily 'child-friendly' are sure to be able to find a spot of their own. The toasted sandwiches, iced coffee and milkshakes are to die for - and, in keeping with the 'traditional Kiwi bach' theme, so are the whitebait fritters...
- 434It’s tempting to think that once you’ve been to Te Papa once you’ve seen it all, but it’s worth a repeat trip once or twice a year, especially if you’ve got kids – it’s impossible to cram every floor into one visit. The giant squid and accompanying 3D video; kid’s zone in amongst the natural history exhibit; and hologram show about Maori settlement are highlights.
- 55The Enormous Crocodile CompanyWellington CentralThere’s plenty to do on the Wellington waterfront on a fine day but few activities look as much fun as hooning around in a giant novelty "quadricycle" that looks like a crocodile… Take the family on a magical mystery tour along Oriental Bay in a four-seater, four-wheeled covered cycle, perhaps stopping off at Kaffee Eis for an ice cream on the way?
Alice H.'s
Best winter cafes
- 149Maranui Surf Lifesaving Club CafeLyall BayMaranui’s popular at all times of year, and especially in summer due to its close proximity to the beach. But I actually like it best in the colder months, when it’s stormy and grey outside (and there aren’t queues out the door). I get a coffee and sit in the window and watch the waves break against the beach – it’s really quite poetic.
- 215Arthur's On CubaWellington CentralArthur’s is a cosy getaway on upper Cuba St, perfect for hiding away during wet weather. The old-fashioned furnishings – all dark, varnished wood and manmade textiles – make it feel very intimate, and the food and service is second to none.
- 313Pranah Vegetarian CafeNewtownWhen I lived in Newtown for a year, Pranah Vegetarian Cafe used to be my go-to destination after my weekly trip to the vegetable market on Saturday mornings. It’s a small cafe, which means it feels like you’re onto a good thing if you manage to snag a table, and they always have the weekend paper for you to hole up with. The cabinet food is reasonably priced and delicious, but be sure to check out their eggs menu, only available on the weekend.
- 428MontereyNewtownThis San Francisco-style dinner encourages you to relax with a piece of pie, bottomless coffee, a burger – sometimes even mulled wine. There’s no street-front windows, so it’s easy to forget how wet and wild the weather is outside, and there are board games, a small library of sorts and always great music playing if you want to wile away an entire afternoon.
- 524Six Barrel Soda FactoryTe AroWith its elevated location above Dixon St, Six Barrel Soda is great for people-watching even in wet weather. With its bottomless coffee and sweet pies and sliders, it’s a great place to take your laptop and get some work done when you want to get away from the office – or the home office – in the winter months.
Alice H.'s
Best comfort food
- 19Mrs Higgins CookiesWellington CentralNo one can make cookies like Ma Higgins can. It’s a strong-willed person – or one without a sense of smell - who can walk past their Lambton Quay shop without at least slowing down, but when it’s comfort food you’re after, their three-cookie deal is hard to beat. My personal favourite is the raspberry and white chocolate cookie, but if you’d rather, there are cupcakes
- 245Sweet Mother's KitchenTe AroSweet Mother’s Kitchen is a go-to for Wellingtonians on the hunt for southern, Cajun cooking, like chicken gumbo, po-boys and quesadillas. The food is consistently excellent, and reasonably priced for the generous portions – and you can’t go past its wide selection of sweet pies, including pumpkin, apple, pecan and Key lime, for dessert.
- 315Pizza PomodoroTe AroPizza Pomodoro is an institution in Wellington, and as such, it tastes like home. It’s my go-to on Wednesday nights when margaritas are $10, and you can’t get a better pizza for better value in the city. But you can’t go wrong with Pizza Pomodoro on any night of the week, it’s that delicious.
- 410Pandoro Panetteria Woodward StreetWellington CentralWhen I’m in the mood for comfort food I can’t go past an almond croissant and a flat white, and Pandoro Panetteria does one of the best in Wellington. Be sure to try their other selection of baked goods – savoury and sweet – as well.
- 58Kaffee Eis Oriental BayOriental BayWhen the weather’s good, there’s nothing like a walk along Oriental Parade – sometimes, it seems all of Wellington has the same idea. Set your sights on a scoop or two (or three) of Kaffee Eis’ award-winning ice cream for the perfect Sunday afternoon date.
Alice H.'s
Best school holiday programmes
- 11ASB Sports CentreKilbirnieThe ASB Sports Centre’s Holiday Programme has something to offer parents of children of every age, at a convenient, one-stop-shop location. Its Fun and Run programme for five- to 12-year-olds runs for full days for the duration of the school holidays, and includes day trips out of the centre, and a balance of sport, arts and crafts, recreational activities and downtime. The centre also has sport-specific programmes for older children.
- 21Crave Cooking & Cookery SchoolLyall BaySend your kids to Crave Cooking School over the school holidays, and reap the delicious rewards… They’ll learn a new skill, too! The school offers sushi masterclasses and classes in cooking Chinese pork buns for eight to 12-year-olds, and how-tos in chocolate eclairs for older children.
- 31YMCA Of Greater Wellington IncLower Hutt CentralThe YMCA is a stalwart of school holiday programmes, but as such they fill up fast – book early to avoid disappointment. There are plenty of convenient locations across Wellington, and a variety of options for kids of different ages, meaning there’s bound to be something that suits your needs.
- 41Alliance Francaise WellingtonWellington CentralThe Alliance Francaise Wellington runs holiday classes for children aged from five to 10 years of age, led by experienced, native French-speaking teachers, at a convenient central location. Each day has a different focus including cooking workshops, arts and crafts. Vive la France!
- 521Wellington ZooNewtownWellington Zoo’s school holiday programme is perfect for animal lovers aged between five and 12 years old. With a different focus for every day, they’ll get to meet and learn about the animals, get a behind-the-scenes look at the zoo, and learn more about its link with conservation efforts based around the globe.
Alice H.'s
When you're on a health kick
- 11Habit Platinum - Johnston StreetWellington CentralI’ve been a member of a few gyms, but none have kept me going back like Habit. The staff are friendly and helpful, and the premises are spotless and motivating in a kind of approachable way – the "cult of fitness" thing is a lot more low-key at Habit than it is at many other big-name gyms (naming no names), and I love it. Including fluffy, hotel-quality towels as part of your membership is a surefire way to get you back three times a week, too.
- 24Health 2000 Lambton QuayTe AroHealth 2000 is my go-to when I’m on the hunt for a hard-to-find supplement or nutritious snack to kick-start my healthy eating. I’ve found the staff there to be helpful and informed, and there are often deals on that makes their prices competitive against the budget-brand supplements at supermarkets or pharmacies.
- 35Tank Juice Bar Lambton SquareWellington CentralIf you’re eating to a particular diet, eating out can be a minefield, but what I like about Tank Juice Bar is what you see is what you get – no hidden nasties here, and even the medium size will fill you up for at least a couple of hours. You can also add goodies like vitamin and spirulina shots for an extra boost.
- 413Instead of trailing the aisles of your local New World for that tricky ingredient listed in a trendy recipe you found on Tumblr or Pinterest, head to Commonsense Organics – it might be a bit pricy, but it will be there, and it will be fresh, organic and great for you. Head here for your kale if you can’t find any at the farmers’ market.