Laura M.'s
Cheap & cheerful dining
- 19Satay Kingdom CafeTe AroYou can’t go past Satay Kingdom (or Oriental Kingdom, run by the same folks and just metres away - and with beer!) for cheap Malaysian. The roti chanai and mee goreng are both cult menu items - and both are delicious, for under $10.
- 28Arguably Wellington’s best curries - offering both Indian and Malaysian curry, and heaps of options for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike. It’s also BYO so grab a date or a group for a tasty and cheap night out.
- 35Istana Malaysia LimitedTe AroOne of my top places for a big birthday BYO. The menu has something for everyone - my pick is the vege dhal.
- 420Perfect for a vegetarian or vegan feast, with a heap of vegetable options - or fake meat, if you’re that way inclined. Big portions for small dollars.
- 525Mt Vic ChipperyMount VictoriaThis new kid on Majoribanks Street is booming, with a menu including both standard and gourmet fish and chips options, plus salads, burgers and much more. Excellent chips, and the slaw is killer.
Laura M.'s
Best pizza in town
- 112Pizzeria NapoliTe AroThe contadino pizza at Napoli blows my mind - I think it’s the eggplant. It might just be the best pizza you ever have. Plus the staff - authentic Italians - are really friendly and will remember you on subsequent visits!
- 215Pizza PomodoroTe AroProbably Wellington’s best takeaway pizza - their Ortolana and O’Sole Mio are my two favourites. You can also eat Pizza Pomodoro pizza in-house at nearby Goldings Free Dive bar!
- 332Scopa Caffe CucinaTe AroThe 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!
- 44Osteria Del ToroTe AroThis fancy Mediterranean spot is perfect for a date or for a large group (their set menu is killer). Their pizzas always hit the spot as a shared or main option - pear and gorgonzola, hello!
- 513A central city alternative to big pizza chains, and you can dine in (there’s Tuatara on tap) or take away. Their pizza menu is massive (try the Vegetarian, yummmm) and you can get either a small or large pizza.
Laura M.'s
Cultural capital spots
- 117Roxy CinemaMiramarWhen you walk into the Roxy, it shows that some of Wellington's brightest cinematic minds have been involved in its establishment. The interior is mind-blowing, the food and drink options excellent, and there are so many things to look at (including a wee Lego mock-up of the building upstairs) as you head to your film.
- 212BATS TheatreMount VictoriaThe one theatre in Wellington that gets it right every time. Bats is a great spot to see up-and-coming thespians, directors and producers play out independent theatre that’s always clever, and often hilarious or moving. Perfect for a cultured night out.
- 318Wellington City GalleryWellington CentralCity 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.
- 47The BackbencherThorndonSome people say this pub is where politics really happen. With an MP-themed menu and puppets of leading political players, a who’s who of politics and business can regularly be spotted here. Head along on Wednesday nights from about 6pm for the filming of pub politics show Backbenches.
- 56New Zealand Film ArchiveTe AroGo get cultured with a classic Kiwi film at the Film Archive. It might be an unheard of doco or a big-name New Zealand film, with the movies on show changing regularly - and a lot of them free!
Laura M.'s
Capital scones
- 114LamasonWellington CentralLamason’s cheese scones are probably the best you’ll find in Wellington, and an excellent accompaniment to their delicious Peoples Coffee.
- 29FincTe AroFinc’s sticky date scones are like no other. Instead of crusty or dry on the outside, they’re like perfectly-formed little sticky loaves of desire, with whole dates inside. Finc’s savoury scones are also quite excellent, if you’re that way inclined.
- 34Home CafeThorndonAlong 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.
- 449Fidel's CafeTe AroThe scones at Fidels are massive (think twice the size of your average cafe scone) and 100% delicious, with a sprinkle of cinnamon on the top to set them apart from others.
Laura M.'s
Best first-date spots!
- 145Sweet Mother's KitchenTe AroSweet Mo’s (as the locals call it) is perfect for a first date. Its Mexi-based menu has plenty of tasty main options to suit all palettes, but the must-try curly fries are a good test for your date: will they share or won’t they? It’s a great people-watching spot, frequented by the young who’s who of Wellington. Judge your date on whether they refer to diners and staff as “hipsters”, and feel free to use your hands to eat (Cosmo says it’s sexy - although it may not be referring to corn chip dust, in case you’re thinking of ordering the epic nachos).
- 221Havana BarTe AroThis laid-back jazzy spot is my number one for a date drink. There’s a bunch of different seating spaces, perfect for just two or a larger group, and they regularly have live music. You can even sit down for dinner if the date’s going that well!
- 311Mighty MightyWellington CentralThis 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.
- 414Hummingbird Eatery & BarTe AroA fancy and delicious destination for lunch, dinner or drinks. The set menus are excellent, as is the range of meal and drink options, expertly crafted by super chef Glen Taylor. It’s also a great people-watching spot at any time of the day or night.
- 532Chow ToryTe AroYou can tell a lot about a potential mate by the way they act around food. Do they share or do they defensively guard their blue cheese and peanut wontons? Chow’s menu is perfect for sharing (the wontons rule, by the way), and there’s a massive drinks menu with plenty of wine, beer and cocktails to get you through.
Laura M.'s
Cool places to get a drink
- 119A super chill central city bar with a massive menu, whether you’re after a cocktail, wine or something a bit stronger in a cosy lounge atmosphere. They also have 2-4-1 drinks and dessert deals on different weekdays.
- 221Havana BarTe AroThis laid-back jazzy spot is my number one for a date drink. There’s a bunch of different seating spaces, perfect for just two or a larger group, and they regularly have live music. You can even sit down for dinner if the date’s going that well!
- 325Hashigo ZakeWellington CentralI regularly meet up with a big group of friends at this tucked-away beer bar, which has heaps of space for groups of different sizes. The ever-revolving beer menu can be a bit overwhelming but the staff are very helpful and patient when it comes to choosing a brew, and it’s a great opportunity to try a new beer you won’t find elsewhere in Wellington.
- 49MeowTe AroThis quirky central cafe, hidden away on Edward Street, is an ideal spot for meeting a friend, or a group. There’s always something new (and usually interesting) on tap, with a range of beers, wines, ciders and liquor. It’s also an excellent spot for sitting and sipping in the sun in summertime.
- 519FoxgloveWellington CentralAn excellent waterfront spot for a summer’s afternoon or a night out, but the best part is the Narnia wardrobe leading you through to Foxtail, a wee whisky, champagne and cocktail bar. Both the hidden wardrobe and the drinks menu - with a heap of old-skool cocktails, like the Hemingway Daiquiri - will wow your out-of-town friends.