Joe S.'s
Best Beaches
- 12Otaki BeachOtakiA bit further away, but Otaki Beach is one my favourites, the water is a bit warmer normally, and the beach is huge and means you usually take part in all the other fun stuff you can do on the beaches, like beach cricket and other sport related funtimes. With the beach being a bit further away it’s more of a destination, but one that is awesome on summer days with the added bonus of a mini roadtrip!
- 21Scorching BaySeatounOne of Wellingtons bests gems, just out in Seatoun is Scorching Bay beach, stunning scenery a close location and a great place to relax and have nice day out at the beach, lots of amenities around for everyone to have a good time with. A great spot to go to, or if you prefer kayak too have a coffee at the café and keep going round and check out all the other great spots Wellington has to offer.
- 32Days Bay BeachEastbourneTake the ferry across the harbour or drive around to Eastbourne and you will find the placid family friendly beach close to Wellington, with the wharf available for those who like to jump of all the high things, and no waves so the kids feel safe going in to the water. One of the nicest places in Wellington to go as well, you can cruise on down a bit further and take a walk around the entrance of Wellington harbour if you feel like it, but the beach is great and has lots of parks and amenities behind to make it an easy sell to all families. A café is well within walking distance for those that like to leave the beach too!
- 45Oriental BayWellington CentralIf you’re in the middle of the city, this is a place you can go on those hot summer days. Its close to everything, and is a nice place to spend a long time as long as that Wellington wind stays away. With the centrality being key, this man made beach sure wins during peak summer, and is good way to spend twilight as well when the weather allows it!
- 56Lyall Bay BeachLyall BayJust a bit out of the centre of Wellington, Lyall Bay beach lies; just a short drive will take you here, one of the best places to go for those in search of a close beach with decent waves for surfers. Close to a lot of amenities, which is a good thing for those that like being able to make a full day at the beach. One of the better spots in Wellington!
Joe S.'s
Best places to go fishing
- 16Lyall Bay BeachLyall BayClose on to town, but a boat may be necessary to get out into the ocean with the best catch rather than surfcast from the beach. It appears to be doing well for those in the know and as it’s close to town it could be a good excursion with the family. Be wary of all the others around and you could be in for a good day!
- 23Makara BeachMakaraA really good spot in Wellington, out the back we have Makara beach, a spot that’s equally good for surf casting as well as going a bit further out on a boat. A little further out of the way than the others, but it’s worth it with excellent views, good walks and most importantly good fishing!! Go check it out and have a good time!
- 32Otaki BeachOtakiFurther up the coast Otaki is always a favourite of mine to hang out, usually a bit warmer than down in Wellington, if you cant launch a boat and go out in the sea get into the long lining. A really good family spot on the beach as well, it’s a killer spot for not too long of a day trip, or if you feel it going away from Wellington to here for your holiday is not a bad idea as its close enough to everything if you need it but also feels like you’re a mile out of the city so you wont feel the stress of seeing high rises that remind of that work you might have to do when you get back from your Christmas holiday.
- 41Petone WharfPetoneGood for a family time, the catch might not be spectacular but you are ensured a good day and only short journey for little ones that might not be able to go on a boat or last in other locations. Close to Jackson Street so if all fails you should be able to get something from the local seafood shops to ‘pretend’ that you caught something when you get home…
- 51Seatoun BeachSeatounAnother more suburban spot that is relatively easy to access, a good one for those late afternoon/early evening sessions also good for night thanks to tidal movements. Go check it out and have a good time, its not too far from anything and only a short drive from the Wellington CBD. A good spot for some nice summer hang outs.
Joe S.'s
Best Ice Creams
- 15Gelissimo GelateriaWellington CentralServed across a bunch of wellington retailers, you can be sure to get a good scoop of gelato, made right sure to keep you cool on those super hot Wellington days (it happens I promise!) the best bet to get a scoop would be to grab one or two from Tommy Millions on Courtney Place, maybe grab a slice of pizza and then a scoop for desert if you feel that way, it makes for a great lunch time spot!
- 21Wooden SpoonWellington CentralOne of Wellingtons little hidden gems, the people behind wooden spoon run a subscription service from their website in which you get 500mL tubs delivered to your door. It’s amazing ice cream and is increasingly gaining a name for its self across the city. I had their salted caramel ice cream once, it was a great time, though all of their flavours are excellent they send you out are great, and highly advised if you can get your hands on some
- 38Kaffee Eis Oriental BayOriental BayProducing some mighty fine ice cream, gelato and sorbet across the wellington region, you can choose from a wide range of flavours and at the price of $4.50 a scoop you get some great excellent quality for your money. They have a monopoly almost over all the summer time hot spots with spaces on the waterfront near Frank Kitts Park, Oriental Parade, Courtney Place and on Cuba Street, so wherever you are you probably able to get to one if you feel like a scoop in the sunshine.
- 42Carello del GelatoNewtownFrom Italy to Newtown says their website, they provide anther option with a variety of flavours and a range of sizes for you to choose from, stocked across Wellington in places like Rata Café at Zealandia, the Mediterranean Food Warehouse and many others. Not limited to Wellington though, if you check their website you might find somewhere near you stocks them two with several places stocking them nationwide
- 54I AdoreTe AroThis place is awesome, serving a variety of frozen goods. My favourite here isn’t strictly Ice Cream, but neither is Gelato really. The Frozen Yogurt is great, with all the toppings you can imagine its a little hard not to get carried away. The place is full of other snacks and it can be a little overwhelming sometimes, but its definitely worth a visit if you dig your fro-yo!
Joe S.'s
Best Fish & Chip Spots
- 16Te Aro Fish Supplies Ltd.Aro ValleyIn the Aro Valley lies one of the best chip shops i’ve ever come across. Large hand cut chips with fresh fish a loyal support base that keep coming back. For good reason as well, the fish here are of excellent quality, and the chips are pretty much perfect. It’s everything I want in a chip shop and the price isn’t to extreme either especially considering the quality. A favourite spot of mine, grab some chips, maybe a rigger of beer from down the road at Garage Project and go have a great time in the sunshine!
- 225Mt Vic ChipperyMount VictoriaFresh, with the best selection of fish in town, Mt Vic Chippery is a must go place if you like fish’n’chips and you’re in the city centre. Just past Courtney Place, you will find all the classics here, a variety of choice in the batter you can have, chips you want and also the burgers here are excellent if your looking to please everyone. It’s about as classy as fish’n’chips should ever get, and you should definitely get along there.
- 35Starfish Fish & ChipsThorndonStarfish in Thorndon was an old local of mine, it has some pretty tasty offerings and if you pay the right amount you will be rewarded with your input. They take care of all the usual things correctly; you won’t be disappointed that’s for sure. If you’re in that end of town it’s a pretty good spot to grab food from and take the short walk to the bottom of the Wellington Botanical Gardens and have a good Wellington summertime experience.
- 46Fish FinsNewtownFish Fins in Newtown is another one of Wellington’s great fish stores, with a wide array of choice at a pretty good price. If you’re in this neck of the woods and are looking for a solid fish’n’chip spot my advice would be to go here. It’s right in the heart of Newtown, come through and try it out!
- 53Up the top of Cuba Street, the quality of the fish’n’chips here is excellent. The service, best left not talked about. However its quality overrides most downsides this place has. It’s well priced, with fresh fish brought in every day. You can even buy your fillets for home here, or buy your favourite fish and they can cook it for you there! Probably the widest array of fish available outside of Mt. Vic Chippery but with the added fresh fish side of the business adding another bow it can please the most picky of consumers. It’s an advisable stop for those that love fish’n’chips and are hanging around the high end of Cuba Street!
Joe S.'s
Top Five Restaurants
- 16The BresolinWellington CentralNewcomer to the scene, I’ve already loved this place before, but it deserves a mention in here. Up the top of Willis Street, it features an excellent menu and some sweet extras. Stay in tune with them for Sunday roasts (roasted in the courtyard, before your eyes) and other food based happenings. It also has a well-groomed drinks menu for you to enjoy in their lush outdoor area. Open early til late every day.
- 220Logan BrownTe AroIt’s next to impossible to make a list about the best restaurants in Wellington without mentioning this place. Featuring some guy that sometimes pop up on TV as the owner (the other one now lives in Auckland and has some new excellent things going on as well), it is an excellent place to fine dine. From regular degustation’s to an excellently curated menu, if you have the expendable income, you must dine here at least once if you’re at Wellington. Open for lunch on Friday and Saturday, high tea just on Saturday and dinner Tue-Sat.
- 318Capitol RestaurantMount VictoriaSituated just at the end of the hustling Courtney Place nightlife, beside the Embassy Theatre. Capitol is a restaurant you can trust, a well-rounded menu, with fantastic service sees everyone pleased. The food is mainly European, and with enough variety to please every kind of customer. A safe, sure bet in wellington with outstanding food. Open lunch through dinner with brunch hours on the weekend.
- 45Charley NobleWellington CentralA relative newcomer that’s another one I’ve raved about before, it’s a must visit in my eyes, with excellent service and a fantastic menu. Open for lunch as well as dinner down in the CBD of Wellington, if you get the chance to come in for a meal, do it , you won’t be disappointed. Check out the pork belly or the house pot pie if you can’t decide for yourself, or just ask the staff, as they will give you great advice to ensure you get what you want.
- 512El MatadorTe AroOn Cuba St, El Matador aims to make you feel like you’re in ‘old world’ Buenos Aires. The best way to go about eating here is getting the share platters; my personal favourites are the steak plate and the butterflied leg of lamb. You can also just grab an array of plates of the tapas menu and that would be more than plenty for your meal. Another excellent restaurant in Wellington! Open for Lunch thru Dinner everyday!
Joe S.'s
Best Pizza
- 115Pizza PomodoroTe AroA clear winner for best pizza in Wellington, Pizza Pomodoro! Hands down, some of the best Pizza I’ve ever had, with some seriously good dough work. The $10 margherita on Wednesday is a steal and free delivery on Monday and Tuesday for orders over $18 are great to grab as well. Though mostly a takeaway place, you can sit in at Goldings Free Dive Bar just across the lane and have one brought to you. One of two members of the True Neopolitan Pizza Association in New Zealand, it’s a must try if you like pizza and are in Wellington.
- 232Scopa Caffe CucinaTe AroScopa is an Italian Pizza restaurant part of the Bresolin brother’s collection of excellent establishments. Offering up a menu of delicious mains and appetizers, the star here are the pizzas. Excellent dough and fresh ingredients all result in some super tasty pizza. On the corner of Cuba St and Ghuznee St, it is a fantastic place for your dinner date as well a simple lunch. The selection here is excellent and the special is always something great. The service inside Scopa is excellent making it an awesome place to go out for a meal. You can also grab takeaways from here too and you even get a nice little %10 discount.
- 328Tommy MillionsWellington CentralThough also part of the Bresolin brother’s family, the pizza here sits well with its slightly larger base size and the ability to buy by the slice. Ingredients are well prepared with skilled staff firing your pizza in the oven for you, open late and operating as a gelataria a great place to stop for a late night bite on the weekends but also a good stop for lunch if you happen to be on Courtney Place.
- 413A great spot on upper Cuba Street with wood fired pizza providing the center stage. Well worth a visit the pizza oven itself is worth a look at. With a large selection of Pizzas and drinks available at reasonable prices, the vibe here is a little more relaxed, and there are some great specials to be had if your in the know so keep an eye out on the board when you walk past. A little smaller in size the outdoor area is all ambience at night time.
- 512Pizzeria NapoliTe AroPizzeria Napoli another traditional Pizzeria offering up calzones and pasta dishes as well. Utilizing fresh ingredients and wood fire oven, they provide quick and efficient, friendly service. A host of fantastic choices await you on the menu with a great ambience behind the place; if you’re in the neighbourhood you should go definitely go and try it.