SCENE | New Zealand
Photo of two New Zealand guides at Mount Cook, New Zealand, on top of the Tasman Glacier, 1935. I'm in New Zealand (in the dead of winter), jumping around the North Island for the rest of the week! If anyone has any great recommendations for NZ, specifically Wellington, I'd be so grateful. Back to the blog next Monday, but feel free to follow the adventure on Instagram (@lgmettler).
Comments
I am a Canadian tomboy dating the sweetest LA boy who is currently residing in New Zealand! He's only been there for 3 weeks of his 4 month stay, but has been loving his time there and has discovered lots of good restaurants and bars in Auckland that I thought I could share with you. I am headed there in a few weeks myself so I am keen to try his favourites, and I look forward to reading about more of your discoveries too. Have a lovely time!
Auckland restaurants & bars:
-Depot: he eats here almost nightly and says they are the best oysters he's had in his life! Prior to Depot he reserved such praise for a place here in Toronto
-Federal Delicatessen: sits beside Depot and has an american theme/vibe and is also a lovely place to wait for your table at Depot.
-Best Ugly Bagels: in all honesty, he's not yet been here, but I am including it because they make Montreal bagels which, in my opinion, are the best in the world!
-Little and Friday: beautiful sweet and savoury midday treats.
-Mea Culpa: a great cocktail bar in the Ponsonby neighbourhood
-Racket: a rum bar with a friendly bartender who'll teach you the secrets of rum!
Enjoy your time, and safe travels
Jules
We write a blog about Hamilton, the medium sized North Island city, definitely recommend stopping by on your way to Wellington for a more laidback vibe.
In Wellington though I recommend checking out solo date city http://solodatecity.wordpress.com it's full of restaurants/cafes
Saw this post and thought I'd quickly jot down a few things... The Bay of Islands area is my favorite for sailing (I think there are around 100 islands off the coast there. My husband and I had one all to ourselves on one trip). There is a great overnight hiking hut trip to the Pinnacles in the Coromandel, and Huka falls and river (Huka Lodge is amazing for fly fishing and in general) is a must see.
In Auckland: Fred's, Little and Fridays (it's in a fabric store, which really adds to its charm), and Supreme have great food and coffee. Coffee is brilliant here... probably better than anywhere else I've traveled. Depot and Clooney are my favorite restaurants, and Fabric (Isabel Marant, Kapital, Gitman Brothers etc...) on High St. is my favorite boutique. I'll end it there for now. I have been coming here off and on for a few years for work, and it's a great place. Have a blast!
For activities:
Surfing-check out Raglan-really cool little surf town and great long lefts. Also the Coromandel Peninsula-Shipwrecks Bay has a great fun mal wave in the right conditions.
For mountain biking, Rotorua is awesome and has some great single track.
Wellington also has some good riding, and excellent food and coffee. Check out chocolate fish cafe on shelly bay rd. Also highly recommend the Te Papa Museum in Wellington which has fantastic Maori culture and natural history exhibits. A trip along the coastline is also nice if the weather holds. For shopping in Wellington: http://www.nzgirl.co.nz/buy/7567/
Have fun!
Coffee:
Try Memphis Belle and The Hangar for world class baristas.
Fidel's Cafe at the top of Cuba Street has the best cafe food.
Bars:
See if you can find Alice (hint: inside Boogie Wonderland) and also visit Motel for a Mad Men style drink.
Other food:
Chow has amazing Asian-style cuisine. Small sharing plates and great cocktails.
Have fun! x
The Library is also a great place for dessert and/or a nice whiskey.
You can't leave without going to TePapa in Wellington too. All the Best!
my favourite place in Wellington is Maranui Café, right on the Lyall Bay Beach. Divine Milk Shakes, funky interior and great views.
http://www.maranuicafe.co.nz/about.html
Other things to do in Wellington would be Te Papa (for rainy weather days) or Makara Peak Mountainbike Park (for sunny days).
On the way down to Wellington don't miss hiking around Mt Taranaki, Surf Highway 45 (if you're into surfing at all), or if you take the other route the natural Hot Springs in Taupo:
http://mountainsofhappiness.wordpress.com/2013/10/11/when-hot-springs-meet-river-spa-for-free/
Have fun & enjoy the world's most beautiful country.
Eva