I learned today that Wellington is the Capital of Cool. I don’t know who coined this term but I guess it doesn’t matter. Someone thinks it true. The Koala and I are visiting Wellington today for a few days. I’m no expert on Wellington but I read enough NZ blogs to know that if Wellington wasn’t the windiest city in the world I might like to live there. Often considered the cool, arty child, Wellington is to Auckland is what Melbourne is to Sydney or San Francisco is to LA.

Some of my favourite Wellington bloggers include:

• The Omnivore
• Hungry and Frozen
• Heartbreak Pie (since moved to Auckland) 
• The Culinary Explorations of Mrs Cake
• Eat and Greet
• Word On The Street
• Gutsy Gourmet and Milliemirepoix
• Welly Kai 
• Crap Kitchen
• The Kitchen Rebellion

Te Papa

…which is on the list for just about every out of towner. An easy way to pass time, rain or shine.

The Warhol Exhibition and a million other exhibits at Te Papa for culture
55 Cable Street

Markets

Wellingtonians sure do love their markets.

Wellington Night Market on Friday night from 5pm
116 Cuba Street

Might Mighty Market on Saturday from 1pm
104 Cuba Street

Harbourside Market on Sunday 7.30am to 1pm
Waitangi Park, Cable Street

Spending

One way to learn how the locals live is to look at what they like to spend their money on.

Good As Gold for browsing
120 Victoria Street

Swonderful for girly wear
241 Cuba Street

Ninja Flower for organic jewelry
90 Dixon Street

Eat and drink

This is a food blog afterall. The following are a list of things that Wellington seem to do better than Auckland. *blows raspberries*

Big Bad Wolf for charcuterie (as in bacon, ham, sausage, terrines, galantines, pâtés, confit etc)
262 Wakefield Street

Golding’s for beer on tap and a Reuben sandwich
14 Leeds Street

The Crab Shack for crabs. The only crab shack in the country. NZers don’t eat crabs.
Shed 5, Queens Wharf

Hashigo Zake for “cult” beer
25 Taranaki Street

Any other suggestions?

Wellington locals and fans, do you have any other suggestions for a couple of creative foodie grownups? We are not high rollers this time so will probably skip the fine dining.