Alice H.'s
An hour in Newtown
- 114The home of Peoples Coffee in Newtown is the perfect spot for a relaxed coffee, with inside and outside seating, a wide range of paraphernalia for brewing at home, and perhaps the best carrot cake this side of the Mt Vic tunnel. In summer, it’s also the home of the excellent Cold Flat White. A tip – aside from that day’s Dominion Post, there’s not much in the way of reading material, so bookworms are recommended to bring their own.
- 228MontereyNewtownMonterey is famous in and out of Newtown for its burgers, which drop from $17 to $10 on Tuesday nights. (There is also sometimes a $20 burger and pilsner deals, though call ahead to check if it’s on offer.) The deal is so popular it’s worth making an effort to get there before 6.30pm, if you can, but it’s well worth the wait. There are halloumi and tofu burgers for vegetarians, too.
- 33Opportunity For AnimalsNewtownOpportunity For Animals is just one of the many excellent op-shops in Newtown. This one has clothing and accessories for men, women and children, plus a wide range of homewares and books. You’ll be surprised at how much you can pick up for less than $10.
- 44Wellington SPCA NewtonNewtownWellington SPCA cares for over 6000 animals a year at its centres based in Newtown and Waikanae. You don’t have to be in the market for a pet of your own to be able to help out. Pop in with a donation pet food, blankets or newspaper, or to register to be a volunteer – they’re always on the look-out for fosterers, dog walkers or street collectors. See http://www.wellingtonspca.org.nz/ for more information.
- 52Book HavenNewtownBook Haven is one of the best second-hand book stores in Wellington, let alone Newtown. It’s not the largest shop, but it’s well-curated and well-organised – and the proprietor is knowledgeable, helpful and down for a chat. The prices, too, are reasonable.
Alice H.'s
Where to prepare for a theme party
- 12Party MastersLower Hutt CentralParty Masters is your go-to place for party supplies for a wide variety of themes and occasions. You’ll find plenty of inspiration in its extensive range of decorations for specific themes and milestones. Get your helium balloons filled here, too.
- 24Spotlight WellingtonKaiwharawharaFor those able and willing to make their own costume, Spotlight is the best place to shop ahead of a theme party. It’s likely you won’t get a better price on felt, glitter and glue anywhere else in the city. It’s a bit of a trek out to Hutt Rd, though, so why not pick up some homewares while you’re out there?
- 33The Costume CaveTe AroIf you’re all fingers and thumbs with a sewing machine, or simply can’t spare the time or imagination to come up with your own costume, the Costume Cave should be your go-to destination before a theme party. It’s packed to the rafters with some really impressive get-ups that are competitively priced and suit all shapes and sizes. The friendly staff are more than willing to advise you, too, meaning you’re bound to be the best-dressed at the party.
- 42If you’re in need of a white shirt for a pirate costume or khaki shorts for a safari party, but don’t have time to make it out to an opshop in the suburbs, Paper Bag Princess is a good choice. Much of the stuff is near-new, and there’s a wide range of accessories, too. You might find some new workwear while you’re at it.
- 54WisebuysTe AroPurveyors of stuff you need and stuff you never knew you needed, the "variety store" Wisebuys has an extensive range of party supplies, knick-knacks and homewares. It’s a great stop for a costume for a theme party, with a wide selection of novelty hats, glasses and masks, and craft supplies for those with the time and inclination to make their own.
Alice H.'s
Where to go to prepare for a costume party
- 14WisebuysTe AroPurveyors of stuff you need and stuff you never knew you needed, the "variety store" Wisebuys has an extensive range of party supplies, knick-knacks and homewares. It’s a great stop for a costume for a theme party, with a wide selection of novelty hats, glasses and masks, and craft supplies for those with the time and inclination to make their own.
- 22If you’re in need of a white shirt for a pirate costume or khaki shorts for a safari party, but don’t have time to make it out to an opshop in the suburbs, Paper Bag Princess is a good choice. Much of the stuff is near-new, and there’s a wide range of accessories, too. You might find some new workwear while you’re at it.
- 34Spotlight WellingtonKaiwharawharaFor those able and willing to make their own costume, Spotlight is the best place to shop ahead of a theme party. It’s likely you won’t get a better price on felt, glitter and glue anywhere else in the city. It’s a bit of a trek out to Hutt Rd, though, so why not pick up some homewares while you’re out there?
- 43The Costume CaveTe AroIf you’re all fingers and thumbs with a sewing machine, or simply can’t spare the time or imagination to come up with your own costume, the Costume Cave should be your go-to destination before a theme party. It’s packed to the rafters with some really impressive get-ups that are competitively priced and suit all shapes and sizes. The friendly staff are more than willing to advise you, too, meaning you’re bound to be the best-dressed at the party.
Alice H.'s
Best spots for platonic coffee dates (or, cafes that say "I'm not interested")
- 127EspressoholicTe AroEspressoholic’s got a great selection of cabinet food and a menu that’s both extensive and good value. In terms of ambiance, it’s sexless, which can be both a blessing and a curse. It’s hard to read romance into its harsh lighting, checkered floor and diner-style benches, meaning it’s a great destination for a coffee date you were too polite to decline.
- 27Soho Brown'sWellington CentralSoho Brown’s does a satisfactory job of providing affordable, low-key, if not particularly inspirational cafe fare. Its old-fashioned decor and food (asparagus rolls! Club sandwiches!) is comforting but impersonal, making it the perfect destination for a lunch date you hope won’t lead anywhere. There’s nothing like eating from a tray to kill any semblance of romance in the air.
- 39Clark's CafeWellington CentralClark’s Cafe has an impressive selection of self-serve cabinet food, and is a great choice for an affordable but delicious sandwich, pie, panini, muffin or scone to take away for lunch at your desk. As a coffee date destination, though, it’s best for those you hope will resolve comfortably in the friend zone: it would be hard to read a future together into club sandwiches at the Wellington City Library cafe.
- 42Mr Bun Bakery & Coffee ShopWellington CentralWith three destinations in central Wellington, you’re never far away from Mr Bun, making it a perfect choice for an impromptu coffee date with someone you hope to let down gently over a cup of builder’s tea and a pie. In a city where it’s harder to find uncool cafes than cool ones, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the change you get from $10. Extra for experts: The Cuba St branch has the added benefit of being dark and shadowy – avoid the Manners St one if you don’t want to be spotted by anyone you know.
- 52BNZ Centre Food CourtWellington CentralWith reportedly more cafes and restaurants per capita than New York, you’ve really got to go the extra mile to eat at a food court in central Wellington – but, sometimes, needs must. If you’re looking to let your lunch date down gently, the BNZ Centre Food Court is almost a geographic manifestation of the friend zone. If you really want to hammer the point home, order from separate eateries.
Alice H.'s
Best food deals
- 132Chow ToryTe AroChow offers a two-for-one menu on Mondays, making it an excellent choice for a meal out to mark the start of the week. It’s a great way to try the full range of Chow’s small plates, and the offer also extends to takeaway.
- 228MontereyNewtownMonterey is famous in and out of Newtown for its burgers, which drop from $17 to $10 on Tuesday nights. (There is also sometimes a $20 burger and pilsner deals, though call ahead to check if it’s on offer.) The deal is so popular it’s worth making an effort to get there before 6.30pm, if you can, but it’s well worth the wait. There are halloumi and tofu burgers for vegetarians, too.
- 349Fidel's CafeTe AroA stalwart in Wellington’s cafe scene, Fidel’s is known for its cabinet fare and lunch menu, but its beer-and-pizza deal is also popular. The deal includes two beers and a large pizza for a reasonable price, and is on for a couple of hours every week night. A perfect choice for a low-key but satisfying date night.
- 424Six Barrel Soda FactoryTe AroOverlooking Dixon St, Six Barrel Soda is a great spot for people-watching and solo dining. It’s best-known for its sliders and titular sodas, but it recently expanded its offerings of chips and alcoholic drinks. You can get a slider and a soda for $11, which is not a huge meal, but great value – and for brunch on the weekend, it’s hard to go past $15 for bottomless filter coffee, a soda, and scramble.
- 532Scopa Caffe CucinaTe AroPizza joints pop up all the time, but Scopa’s something of an establishment in Wellington. On Tuesday lunchtimes, margherita pizzas are on offer for $8, down from $14.
Alice H.'s
Where to take your sweet tooth
- 12La ClocheKaiwharawharaA few doors down from Spotlight and backing out onto a pet shop, La Cloche isn’t in the most scenic of locations, but it’s worth putting up with an outlook of traffic along Hutt Rd for its fantastic selection of mouth-watering French fare. Its cabinets are teeming with tarts, pastries, macarons, mousses and cheeses that are as delicious as they look, and there’s also a selection of cheese, sauces and retailed goods to take home and enjoy later.
- 233Unfortunately I'm not yet in a pay bracket that allows me to do all of my grocery shopping at Moore Wilsons, though, believe me, it's a goal. As it is, I content myself with a trip there every two weeks or so for a single block of gourmet cheese. there's something very aspirational about the fine cheeses, condiments and cuts of meat that make up Moore Wilsons Fresh, and the freshly-squeezed orange juice is as close to an institution a non-caffeinated beverage can be in Wellington. I'm dreaming of the day when my dreams will match up with my pay - but until then, there are usually free cheese samples on offer..
- 313Bordeaux BakeryPipiteaBordeaux Bakery was among the first places in Wellington to start selling croinuts, a cross between a donut and a croissant that’s the most trendy development in baked goods since the macaron (cupcakes are so passe). After the success of the original, Bordeaux has branched into flavours, including white chocolate – recommended only for those with the sweetest of sweet teeth.
- 49Kaffee Eis CourtenayTe AroWith three destinations, Kaffee Eis is something of an institution in Wellington, but you can’t go past its Courtenay Place outlet for a convenient and delicious post-dinner or pre-movie sweet treat. The framed certificates from the New Zealand Ice Cream Awards that fill the walls are testament to the consistent quality of Kaffee Eis’ ever-changing but always-excellent flavours, and the staff are friendly, helpful and forthcoming with testers (though not details of how one might go about judging the aforementioned awards). Plus, excellent coffee and late-night opening hours on the weekend.
- 545Sweet Mother's KitchenTe AroIn terms of dessert, Sweet Mother’s Kitchen is best-known for its wide selection of pies, including pumpkin, apple, pecan and Key lime. But its beignets – New Orleans-style donuts, dusted in icing sugar – make a fantastic accompaniment to a milky coffee and the Sunday paper.