flatwhite's Qype profile

This place is the perfect backpackers -- unless you actually want to get a good nights sleep...

Located in the heart of Auckland, right on queen street and just a short stroll from the Sky Tower tourist attraction, this backpackers is well situated. Rooms vary in size from 4 bed mixed dorms up to 8 bed dorms, and rooms come complete with a fridge to keep your midnight snacks (and beer) cold. There are under bed lockers to keep your luggage safe, and linen is provided free of charge, so leave your sleeping bag behind. Towels cost $3, but thats nothing really!

There is a travel agency on level three (inside the backpackers), a good kitchen complete with everything you need, a large number of pc's available, and wi-fi for a minimal $4/day charge. There is even a gym, which you can access for a measly $5/day.

However, the affiliated Globe bar is immediately below the second floor dorms, and there is absolutely no sound proofing. If you plan to party till 4:30am every night of the week, then this is not going to be an issue... however, if you have a bus/train/plane to catch at 7am then take very, very good ear plugs!!

Newly opened Mint is hidden amongst corporate office space in the Exchange Place complex between Fountainbridge and Semple Street.

It has a clean & contemporary, yet arty feel; decor is a mix of comfy couches, bar stools to watch the world go by, and small tables. The lovingly prepared sweet and savoury bites look a delight! There are the classics: shortbread, millionaires shortbread, chocolate fudge brownie; as well as fancier tastes, including decorated mint cupcakes... If the mature cheddar and bacon muffin (£1.30) is anything to go by, they taste even better than they look! The staff are friendly, chatty and helpful.

First impressions of the coffee is mixed. While there was too much micro-foam on my flat white (£2.15, regular, takeaway) the consistency was right, but the coffee itself tasted a little over-roasted and over-extracted. 

In desperate need of a strong coffee while on a road trip, our merry band of travellers were relieved to spot this cafe/restaurant.

Located in a prominent spot on the corner of two main streets and with river-front views, this cafe seems to ooze sophistication. The interior is immaculately and beautifully decorated with purple textured wall paper, hanging light shades, and a mix of tables, sofas, booths and bar stools seating arrangements. There are large windows which afford great views of the town and the river.

However, my good impressions did not extend beyond the interior… I had possibly the worst (driest, over cooked) scone I have ever paid for, the “fresh” juice one of my companions ordered was bottled, from concentrate, and the coffee was disappointing. Not only did the food not live up to expectations, but the service and attitude of the staff was not particularly great either. Service was slow, and the staff weren’t overly friendly or helpful; we overheard one of the wait staff dismissively and somewhat rudely turning away a few customers because no tables were immediately available. Instead of suggesting they return in a 10-15 minutes or asking for them to wait, she simply stated, without apology, that there weren’t any free tables. The customers left, and did not return. I also did not like that the dirty dishes were stacked in a central, highly visible wait station.

Despite this negative review, this place does have potential — it has obviously been decorated with loving care, and if the staff can get their attitude right it will be a great place to enjoy a coffee or white wine spritzer through the coming summer — I look forward to seeing some hopefully more positive reviews for Harper’s on the Quay in the future.

3 coffees, two juices, 3 scones for €20

Always clean, staff friendly and helpful if you can’t find what you are looking for, and usually very easy to find someone to approach to ask!

One of the largest supermarkets in the wider area, so a good place to go for a big shop, or if you can’t find something elsewhere.

Yummy!!!!

This restaurant is one of my favourite in Wellington — certainly my favourite Italian! The staff here are very welcoming and friendly providing great table service.

There are some fantastic items on the menu, I particularly love some of the seafood options (mussel spaghetti is delicious) but don’t decide until you have heard the daily specials, because there are usually some creative and tasty options on that list. I find the prices ($18-24 for a main pasta dish) to be very reasonable, especially considering the quality.

The wine list is also extensive, with options from around New Zealand, Australia and of course Italy.

The restaurant itself has a lovely ambient feel. There are two main dining areas — the front room which fronts on to Courtenay Place, and a quieter “courtyard” out the back. The lighting – including candles in wine bottles – adds to the ambience.

I never know what I am going to get when I walk into this post office — sometimes the service is fantastic: friendly and helpful; at other times I find it difficult and begrudging.

The store is a little cramped, and not laid out in the best of ways (tills on two walls) but they do have most things you will need (cards, wrapping paper, pens, bubble wrap, packaging, photocopying services).

The queues can be quite long at peak times (e.g. lunch time) but they usually make sure to have plenty of staff on, so yo don’t normally have to wait too long.

This Tesco Express is my local store, so I shop here a lot. The staff are very friendly and always greet me.

Like the previous reviewer said, it has a ATM, and is larger than the store on Lothian Road, with more products and slightly cheaper prices – however, it is an express, so often doesn’t have some of the ingredients you might need to make your meal.

It is handily located at the start of the union canal — perfect for grabbing something for a picnic before a stroll along the canal towpath!