Frank's CoffeeThis light, bright space upstairs in central Wellington is home to cool new café, Frank's Coffee. Frank Hsu opened the café in late 2015, and its white-painted cinderblock walls have appeared in many Instagram posts since. With Red Rabbit coffee and sweet treats from Leeds Street Bakery – including their famous salted caramel cookies – and plenty of space to sit down with the newspaper, Frank's is a spot to feel at home.— 120 The Terrace
Hanging DitchYou’ll know you’ve found the right bar, tucked down the culinary quarter of Hannahs Laneway, when you look up. Founders and barmen Benji Irvine and Andy Gray (formerly of Motel, Matterhorn, and The Library) make drinks from spirits that hang from the ceiling on bungee cords, so all that swaying isn’t necessarily a case of drinking one too many. The drinks are also left-field, incorporating unusual ingredients. Cosy up with an Earth, Wind, Peanut Butter & Fire cocktail, which uses Fix & Fogg peanut butter made in the same, recently renovated laneway.— Hannahs Laneway, off Leeds Street
GP 91 AroIf you love beer, chances are you’ll love Garage Project beer. Based in a former petrol station in Aro Valley, this brewery has taken out just about every beer award you can think of since its inception in 2011, including being named the country’s top brewery in the Society of Beer Advocates 2015 awards. In late 2015, Garage Project opened GP 91 Aro, a taproom catering to brew fanatics and serving only their own beer – no spirits, wine or cider. The tiny space serves food by Shepherd Elliott of Ti Kouka – think turducken toasted sandwiches and smoked potato chips.— 91 Aro St, Aro Valley
