I like my coffee hot and strong and that’s exactly how this "working billboard" - as they like to call the cafe that’s also the home of Allpress Coffee Roastery - does it. Tucked away behind Victoria Park Market, this gem is for addicts like me. I love to come here in the winter, curl up in the corner with the paper and drink the creamiest of flat whites. It’s been a top coffee haunt of mine for many years and deserves all the love it can get.

Once a week after my drive from the coast - and before I hit the awful Auckland commuter traffic - I stop and treat myself at this little slice of heaven in West Auckland. And it’s all because their takeaway flat whites are so delicious, they feel like they’ve been made by the hands of angels. Sure, I drive past lots of cafes and could choose really anywhere between Piha and the city, but this is my fail-safe go-to place to get a good espresso coffee. The barista always gets the milk just right - creamy, dreamy and not too steamy - and the extraction is adrenaline-pumping strong. Coffee is my fuel for life and Humbug always delivers. Go there and indulge in their Millers blend. It’s so, so good!

Millers is a caffeine addict’s heaven. Primarily a roastery, Millers deign to allow general public to have coffee from 7:30am until midday on week days and it’s a serious business. In fact, it is not an under statement to say that your flat white here will be one of the best you’ve ever had. The baristas here are coffee gods and you’re lucky to receive a takeaway hot beverage from them. A great coffee experience. Enjoy!

Located in the heart of Takapuna, a friend who is a proud "Shorie" took me here to try the flat white because he said it’s one of the best on his side of the Bridge. I enjoyed the Supreme bean blend and realised that - after being shown by a local in the know - this is the place I’ll be taking people to for a flat white when I’m in this part of town. Love it.

Nestled in the heart of the shops on the main drag in Henderson, this family-owned Thai restaurant has been one of the city’s best for many years. Good, honest, comforting fare is what the Thai Kitchen has specialised in for decades and I’ve been picking weekly takeaways up for 14 years now with no disappointment. I always order the Gai Med or their excellent Panang red curry.

Healthy, free-range, local and seasonal - these are the key kinds of ingredients that drive inspiration for the daily menu produced at this country destination dining experience. As State Highway 16 rolls out of Huapai and into long stretches of green fields, this delightful restaurant (on the site of former cafe and store, BeesOnline) comes into view complete with on-site produce gardens. The restaurants owners are dedicated to providing day-time diners with locally sourced meats and produce. And it’s the kind of recipes they create with these flavour inspirations that will never fail because you just can’t beat freshness. In fact, on my arrival, I’d just marvelling at an abundant head of the purple broccoflower that ended up accompanying my main fish meal. The swordfish was an unusual choice for me but I loved how the kitchen had teamed its meaty flesh with the crunchy broccoflower and delicate sauce. Dessert was a de-constructed lemon meringue that was equally delicious. Will be back again very soon!

A favourite Saturday morning out for me and the hubby is to head over the hills and into Oratia for this world-class rural farmers market. Many of the stallholders are veterans and have been coming here for as many years as we have. It's an excellent meeting place for a Saturday morning brunch on the go for friends and family. And I swear by the free-range meats and fresh produce - it's the only place I buy my vegetable seedlings each season because they are reasonably priced and many heirloom varieties are available.

I've been a local and a regular here for many years as Picollo was a stone's throw from our old property and their traditional pizzas pack a serious punch, thanks to the homemade tomato sauce that changes the flavour subtly with each new batch. Not to mention the fact that all of the salami is also hand-crafted with love! This kind of authentic Italian can be hard to come by in the suburbs of Auckland so if you are a westie like me, make this tucked away gem in Swanson Village, a never-fail staple. Or if you are passing through on your way to the beaches or the Waitakere Ranges, this place is worth a special trip.

If like hubby and I, you've been together for awhile then you can't go past a romantic evening at this popular Scenic Drive establishment. Another one of Auckland’s true best for destination dining, it’s all about teaming Italian flavours with local, seasonal, fresh produce at The Refreshment Room. The staff are efficient and friendly, and we raved about our meals. Plus because it was Thursday night, they had their Love our Locals special running - two courses for $30. It’s why I had to indulge in the bitter chocolate espresso mousse with salted caramel ice cream - I even took a pic because it was too good-looking (and tasting) not to!

It might be Ponsonby’s hot new establishment but it's still the perfect pit-stop with the kids for lunch one day - I suggest wolfing down one of the pork or chicken banh mi rolls for $12 for a holiday snack on the run. Or sit and stay awhile to enjoy my choice of a delicious selection of their signature crispy and rice-paper rice rolls or a full meal of Vietnamese delights. As soon as you walk under the awning festooned with rattan lanterns and into the bamboo-wallpapered surrounds of this French Vietnamese restaurant, you leave the pavement of Auckland’s famous strip behind and are instantly transported to the sights, sounds and smells of old-world Saigon. During one lunch visit, my dining companion had food allergies and the kitchen was more than happy to create a dish flexible enough to meet her requirements. She wolfed her prawn salad down and declared it, "amazing!" A new, timeless favourite.

I’ve spent a bit of time travelling in Malaysia in recent years and have fallen madly and deeply in love with the nation’s diverse culinary delights. But until this week, I had never been to Sri Pinang on K’Rd until a friend who has been eating here since was a teenager bundled me up and took me to experience their roti chicken curry (a steal at just $9) and their hainanese chicken. The dishes were succulent and filling. It’s a new regular lunch spot for me!

Another little gem of the west, this New Lynn haunt celebrates the flavours of South-east Asia. I always order the Crispy Moon prawn wontons with sambal sauce and the beef rendang curry puts a pep in my step. My mum loves the Mango Chicken.

I love the theatre of Industry Zen in the evening when the Taiko drums come out and everyone stops eating to enjoy the show. And the fact that this homage to Japanese cuisine never, ever puts a foot wrong when it comes to quality and freshness keeps me coming back to this cosy establishment in the Viaduct Basin. Sashimi is one of my top three favourite foods and they do a great lunch boat for just $18.

I was recommended this great little hole-in-the-wall by two in-the-know Auckland foodies and my teriyaki trevally more than lived up to the hype. I took someone from out of town and they also loved Janken’s fresh flavours, especially the mini dessert of fresh fruit and coconut cream. With weekly lunch specials and a buy nine meals then get one free card available for regulars, it’s just shot right up my list of Japanese food faves. What a find!

Even before the sun comes up, there’s a hive of activity at this historically significant Auckland Council establishment. First opened in 1914 and redeveloped in 2012, the seven-lane pool is my refuge away from the city’s notorious traffic congestion and a place I can reset before work. Swimming might count as exercise, but as you glide through the water and look up at the glass roof - while the rays of sun peek through the skyscraper skyline - it’s also a soulful experience. Plus the staff and other swimmers are friendly and the price is cheap - it’s just $6.70 and you can swim for as long as your fitness allows.

I’ve been bending and stretching in the early morning hours at this studio run by passionate yoginis Peter Nilsson and Jude Hynes for four years now and I love the convenience of the school’s timetable. By heading in from the west on the motorway early, I miss the traffic and can be in class by 7.30am, doing my own practice. Situated in Federal Street, there is almost always parking and the quiet, leafy street and building itself has a peaceful, zen-like quality. They also do lunchtime and after-work classes in both Ashtanga and Hatha styles and meditation classes.

I know it’s cliche but the green smoothies helped me kick-start my health kick because they are just so damn delicious. After a swim, I had a weekly ritual where I would head up to Ponsonby Central and reward myself with one of their signature smoothies made with coconut, dates and kale. Also a good place to shop for fresh fruit and veges in the city because the quality is so good.

Nothing rocks my morning like a hot, strong coffee and the crew at Eight Thirty have it down to a fine art. This is a straight-up coffee lovers’ joint - not a cafe . There’s always a few sweet and savory treats on offer if you are peckish but come here for the brew and you’ll never be disappointed. Plus if you love their coffee as much as I do, you can buy a bag of beans for the machine at home. There is also a great barista that uses Eight Thirty beans at Ponsonby Central and I love them so much that I’ve started to look out for them wherever I go.

Situated in the heart of Westmere with plenty of parking, this is the place I go to get egged. Their scrambled dish is tried and tested by me many times over and never, ever disappoints. And the breakfast burrito is a good tummy-filler if you need sustenance. The coffee is always strong too.

Word on the street is that this is the only place in Auckland to watch the 2014 World Cup Football matches. All of the big games are live and loud on 10 massive screens and there’s always that quintessential Kiwi accompaniment to a cold beer - a bowl of crispy fries. This where the die-hard sports fans of Auckland go wild. Make sure you wear your colours so you can team up with other fellow supporters.

Whenever my sports-mad friends want to meet up for a beer, a bite and their fix of the All Blacks, they come here. I love the fact that there is a covers band that plays on the nights of the big games because it makes for a festive atmosphere. Nothing brings Kiwis together like a good rollicking rugby game and this is the place to experience it in all its glory.

North of the bridge lies this spacious, light-filled venue that teams rugby matches on the big screen with yummy pub food. I tried the lamb pizza when I visited and it was a succulent, tasty treat. Cheap meals on Mondays are a draw card too and, in the summer, they retract the roof for an open-air experience. What I'm really excited for though is the that they're showing the All Blacks early morning Rugby World Cup games this year. I'll definitely be down here with a hot coffee in hand and my All Blacks jersey on come game time!

Live out South and can’t be bothered to travel into town to watch a Rugby World Cup game? This Mt Wellington establishment is a classic New Zealand pub - a nod to the watering holes of yesteryear. Plus they will be serving up delicious breakfast and drinks with this years early World Cup All Blacks Matches - I'll definitely be up first thing in the coming months to watch the All Blacks make history all over again!

For a more refined big-screen-sports experience, it’s worth a visit to this beer-lovers paradise. The spacious and comfortable surrounds of this gastropub make it a good, cosy place to rug in when the weather is rough but the game is red-hot. As an award-winning brewery, there’s a wide selection of unusual brews. On tap now is the Auckland Indian Pale Ale and I’ll always ask them to pull one of these for me.

The Piha Cafe has a new licence, which means opening hours have extended until 10pm, seven days a week. My girlfriends and I are already planning Friday night sessions at our local. If you visit during the day, the coffee and food at The Piha Cafe is well worth the 40-minute drive. My favourite way to kick-start the day is to order eggs benedict and a steaming mug of coffee before hitting the beach. With it’s rustic, relaxed vibe and seating both indoors and out, it’s the ideal place to escape the bitter, west coast wind or bask in the bright winter sunshine. There are plenty of indulgent (and healthy) menu options that are ideal for a satisfying mid-morning brunch. They also do takeaway pizzas that are so delectable, they are no longer just a local secret.

Once you are fuelled up, there’s no better way to truly understand why people love Piha than by getting wet amongst its world-class waves. Local resident and well-known New Zealand surfboard shaper Mike Jolly ditched his day job as a bus driver to set up a surf shop next to his home and has been at Piha for more than 40 years. The go-to guy for advice on how to make the most of your time in the water, he hires and sells surfboards, bodyboards and wetsuits by the hour and for reasonable prices so you can get a taste for surfing or stay and play all day. Plus, don’t forget to check out the incredible views from the shop’s deck, which overlooks Piha’s famous Lion Rock.

One of the best places to have a drink at sunset, the surf club is a community hub for beach-goers and locals alike. Not only do the lifeguards work hard to keep you and your loved ones safe in the water, their club is also a top place to have a delicious dinner. They also do excellent kids’ meals. Phone ahead to check their hours, as they change seasonally.

Over the weekend, the Piha Bowling Club comes alive serving meals on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. Over the winter, Soup Night on a Thursday is a particular favourite with local foodies Tim and Clare ladling up hearty soups and broths. Soul sounds are provided by Gene Hogan and friends and the weekly evenings run until September. For a more excitable evening, pop in on a Sunday afternoon for karaoke and roast night.

Two words: Bro’Nuts! They are the Westie-version of a Cronut and Piha Store makes the best. I pick up one every Sunday after yoga for my hubby because I know the perfect puffs of pastry are the way to his heart. Using organic ingredients to create beautiful baked goods, the bakers also do a tasty traditional donut and great homemade pies. But be in quick over the weekend because the locals arrive early to nab the best and the tastiest.