GirlAboutTown's
Day out, Courtenay Quarter
- 134So convenient to have the downstairs café in the museum itself so you don't have to cross lanes of traffic to get to Courtenay Place for lunch. Lots of fresh, delicious cabinet food and lots for the kids (fries as a treat!). Sunny and spacious. Recommended.
- 222The Embassy TheatreWellington CentralNewly renovated with the biggest, most beautiful screen in the city and now two smaller theatres downstairs. Just caught a documentary about Antarctica here as part of the film festival and it was stunning on the big screen. Helpful ushers, a well-stocked candy bar, the new lounge bar downstairs and art-deco bathrooms. Can’t be missed.
- 32Delicious hot drinks, huge, amazing muffins and cakes and lots of comfy seating all in the heart of Courtenay Central. Wait for your movie in style with a snack.
- 41Chill out before your movie and grab a delicious ice-cream - no end of flavours, cool staff in funky hats who like to chat and lots of seating beside the cabinets. Delish!
- 511Reading Cinema Courtenay PlaceWellington CentralI've been going to Readings for years and years, ever since I was a young teenager hanging out in the food court with mates waiting for our movie to begin! It's a quality entertainment establishment; I've always been satisfied and had a lot of fun checking out the latest movies here.
GirlAboutTown's
Night out on Courtenay
- 112Pizzeria NapoliTe AroGo for the Quattro Formaggi - the authentic four cheese pizza with cheese oozing everywhere. You’ll definitely be coming back for more! Open late nights and a few seats for you to tuck in inside while the wind blows outside.
- 222The Embassy TheatreWellington CentralNewly renovated with the biggest, most beautiful screen in the city and now two smaller theatres downstairs. Just caught a documentary about Antarctica here as part of the film festival and it was stunning on the big screen. Helpful ushers, a well-stocked candy bar, the new lounge bar downstairs and art-deco bathrooms. Can’t be missed.
- 35Circa Theatre IncTe AroAmazing theatre with talented casts and a range of prices including under-35s ticket deals (not to be missed). I've seen a few shows here over the past few years and all of them have knocked my socks off. Most recently "Tribes" which chronicled a young man's experiences with deafness and his dysfunctional (or were they hyper-functional?) family. A real treat. There's a restaurant attached to Circa for your pre-show dinner - and of course, drinks and ice-creams at interval time.
- 418Enigma CafeTe AroIt's a feast for the eyes and the taste-buds at Enigma Café, conveniently located on Courtenay. The walls are decorated with funky street art and long mirrors, there's space to sit inside - and outside in a courtyard for the smokers. What's even better is the food - fresh, large portions, paninis, filos, an extensive hot menu, a huge drinks menu and a gelato cabinet! The friendly staff at Enigma will sort you out.
- 54Steer And BeerWellington CentralWhat can I say? There's a lot of meat on the premises at Steer & Beer and all of it delicious in classy, laid-back bar surroundings. You can check out their website if you want to choose your eats before you dine there. They've got a lunch and dinner menu, all very meat-laden, as well as an extensive beverage selection and a kids' menu - so very family-friendly. They also run regular special deals and offers such as the current Sunday Roast Pork Special for $14.50 - 100% NZ pork! Yum.
GirlAboutTown's
Treat yourself
- 13Commonsense Organics KapitiParaparaumuCommonsense Organics really is your one-stop shop for all things gluten-free. In their online store there's a handy filter so you can search only for gluten-free items. You can order online and they deliver Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Currently there are 1022 gluten-free items listed in the online shop - if you're a gluten-free foodie, it really can't be beaten for choice and quality.
- 21Fix Courtenay PlaceTe AroFix Courtenay is a great location for snacks and Snapper top ups, right next to the Courtenay Central bus stop and smiling staff who will sort you out. Huge food selection and even some super savoury options and fruit and water. Pie and sandwich cabinet, smokes and lighters, pre-pay phone top ups, Lotto, it's all here. Get on it!
- 312Four Kings Sports BarTe AroGreat place to watch the rugga - you'll be surrounded by sports fanatics and just good old mates out for a beer to watch the game. A really good vibe, a great range of beers and open till the wee hours when the rugby has faded away.
- 41Chill out before your movie and grab a delicious ice-cream - no end of flavours, cool staff in funky hats who like to chat and lots of seating beside the cabinets. Delish!
- 55Bohemein - HataitaiHataitaiDivine handmade chocolates - go on, treat yourself! I dare you to try the seasalt caramel…
GirlAboutTown's
Handy in Hataitai
- 11Burger Wisconsin HataitaiHataitaiYou can't beat Burger Wisconsin for delicious burgers made from the freshest New Zealand ingredients. They have it all: tender meats, fish, falafel, haloumi, salads, sauces to die for and a range of sides and drinks. The staff at the Hataitai local are friendly and quick - and there's even a lolly jar on the counter for you to stave off hunger while waiting for your big feed.
- 21Hataitai PharmacyHataitaiCalvin the Pharmacist at Hataitai Pharmacy is one of a kind - friendly, organised and efficient, he always fills scripts in short turn-around time and is always free to answer any queries on the phone. The pharmacy has good opening hours and even has a postal service. Excellent customer service and a pleasure to be a customer of his.
- 31Hell Pizza HataitaiHataitaiService with a smile - and they’re handing you a big box of pizza, what more could you want? Dinky wee shop just off the main street in Hataitai and they’re quick with orders. I recommend the Damned as the best vegetarian pizza - make sure you order it with pineapple and jalapenos as extras. Delicioso!
- 44Hataitai Hot Bread ShopHataitaiBest bakery around. I recommend the delicious coffee buns. Also recently they’ve started a new range of healthy wholemeal sandwiches for just $4. Pick up a drink and be on your way with a cheap and delicious lunch.
- 55Bohemein - HataitaiHataitaiDivine handmade chocolates - go on, treat yourself! I dare you to try the seasalt caramel…
GirlAboutTown's
Favourite pizza spots
- 11Hell Pizza HataitaiHataitaiService with a smile - and they’re handing you a big box of pizza, what more could you want? Dinky wee shop just off the main street in Hataitai and they’re quick with orders. I recommend the Damned as the best vegetarian pizza - make sure you order it with pineapple and jalapenos as extras. Delicioso!
- 212Pizzeria NapoliTe AroGo for the Quattro Formaggi - the authentic four cheese pizza with cheese oozing everywhere. You’ll definitely be coming back for more! Open late nights and a few seats for you to tuck in inside while the wind blows outside.
- 332Scopa Caffe CucinaTe AroBest pizza in town - I suggest flipping right to the end of the menu for the special pizza with baby tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella - heaven! If you’ve got room why not try their legendary hot chocolate afterwards? It’ll melt your insides!
- 45Pizza KingTe AroOpen all hours for when you’ve got the late night munchies before heading home for the night. Quick service and a great menu.
- 513Salmon! On pizza! Got to check it out. Fresh woodfired pizzas right in the heart of Cuba.
GirlAboutTown's
Top to toe makeover
- 112Freyberg Pool & Fitness CentreOriental BaySo Freyberg has a spa, a sauna and a steamroom for $4.80ea but there are deals if you want a swim too, check out the prices board above the counter as you go in. Excellent spa facilities, always clean and they play some chill out pop music so you can relax to some sounds when you're having a soak! My favourite hotpools in town.
- 21If you've got a plane trip coming up, like I did, check out these guys for ear wax removal - so you can be sure that you won't get sore ears on the plane. It's a very useful service and at a good rate. Appointments easy to make by phone or email and they're quick and friendly to reply. Highly recommended.
- 31Farmers WellingtonWellington CentralI'm a Farmers Club member and I collect points on a nifty wallet card - every $10 you spend = 1 point and at 200 points you get a $20 reward card. Your club card also gives you discounts in the regular Farmers sales (you can sign up for the newsletter to be sent to you at home, which is what I've done). Today I got a MaXFactor colour correcting cream (like a tinted moisturiser) for $20 with my club card (good deal, right?). Farmers is also good for homeware, clothes and underwear and I even bought a new bed there last year which was good quality but didn't break the bank. If you're looking for something, chances are Farmers has it.
- 41Max Lambton QuayWellington CentralUpmarket women’s clothing - perfect if you’ve got a special event coming up like a birthday or if you need smart work clothes or a new cocktail frock. Fashionable, affordable, and a nice, modern store. Sign up to the club for deals and grab a bargain in the regular sales.
- 53Swim T3 WellingtonOriental BaySwim T3 is owned by a South African family and they are lovely, very friendly and they offer very sensible, practical advice. The lady who runs this store, and her son, helped me find a wetsuit when I was doing a training course - and she gave me advice on the best way to get it on (not always easy with a wetsuit!) and even provided me with plastic bags for my hands and feet to take away with me. This is what I call stellar service - going the extra mile. They have a wide range of swimming togs for beach, leisure and sport and fitting rooms and sizing charts to help you find the perfect fit. If you're after togs, you're in the right hands.