Floriditas: The best little cafe in the coolest little capital in the world

As you know I have visited Wellington quite often in the past few months and I have grown to really like it. Lonely Planet named it the "coolest little capital in the world" and it really is.

Every time I go there I discover another little gem of a cafe or restaurant that I hadn't seen before.

However the cafe I have gone to time and time again is Floriditas.

We are so obsessed and in love with it!


Our very trusty Time Out Wellington guide - we are slowly ticking things off the list.

Floriditas is on Cuba Street, in the heart of Wellington's historic centre and it serves the most amazing breakfast. 

The food is fresh and absolutely scrumptious. This time we tried the scrambled eggs and I can say they were the best scrambled eggs I have EVER had (I am usually a poached eggs girl). But these scrambled eggs were pure eggy heaven.

As the menu states the eggs and bacon are New Zealand grown and 100% free range. They also serve the loveliest Raspberry Jam which you can purchase a jar of and take home with you ($9.50 NZ$).


The scrambled eggs are to die for!



The interiors of Floritidas remind me so much of a French bistro nestled near a busting train station. I could just spend all day in here letting the day pass.

The staff are always polite, welcoming and very friendly (we have found this throughout Wellington, everyone is just lovely and always happy to help, SO not what we are used to in Sydney).



I adore this print ... she is just so elegant and beautiful



Floriditas also serve great coffee, although like a lot of places we found in Wellington, the coffee is stronger and more intense then how they serve it in Sydney. Always yummy.



The poached eggs are also fabulous

If you ever find yourself in Wellington, you must start the day off with breakfast at Floriditas... and maybe go back for lunch and/or dinner.
It is a must!

Floriditas
161 Cuba St
Wellington

Open for:
Breakfast

Monday to Friday
6.30am – 11am
Lunch
Monday to Friday
11am – 3pm
Dinner
Monday to Saturday
3pm – 10pm
Sunday
3.30pm – 9:30pm
Brunch
Saturday
7am – 3pm
Sunday
7.30am – 3.30pm

[All images by Zahara Dessert]

#45. Discover Sydney - Restaurant Review: Bar Italia

Life List #45 - Show people the amazing things about Sydney
One of my favourite Italian restaurants


[image by Zahara Dessert]

 My family and I have been going to Bar Italia in Leichhardt for as long as I can remember.

It is one of a handful of places that my mother will go to without complaining 'I could have made it better at home' (often this is the honest case).

And now it has become a favourite haunt for my husband and I to have lunch on a weekend.

It is cheap and cheerful and we have never had a bad meal here.

Leichhardt is Sydney's little Italy, located about 10 minutes from the city centre.
Leichhardt used to be authentically Italian, but recently the Italian Nonas have moved out and more boring and stock standard restaurants have moved in.
Local tip: steer clear of the Italian Forum.

Bar Italia has stood its ground and remains one of the most popular places on Norton Street.

It is more a cafe than a restaurant. It has plastic tables and no table cloths. It's counter service and there are rules such as Cash Only and No soy or skimmed milk. The service is friendly and yes (as some reviews have complained) it is not up to the highest standard, but you would not expect that kind of service from somewhere like this.

It also has a nice little courtyard at the back, where you can have your meal under the ivy and flowering Bouganvilla.

The menu is very simple, but the pasta dishes are always delicious.


We are creatures of habit. I had the Fettuccine Amatriciana for the 1000 time and my husband had the Penne Melanzane (Eggplant) for the 2000 time. I sometimes am daring and spice things up and have the Gnocchi with the Napoletana sauce. [image by Zahara Dessert]

The gelato bar is a must visit. The Panacotta gelato is scrumptious, as is the berry sorbet.

The coffee is also VERY good.

If you have any room in your full tummy, I would also recommend the ricotta cannoli for dessert.



The Iced Coffee is to die for [image by Zahara Dessert]

I would advise a visit very soon.



The Bouganvilla in the Bar Italia courtyard [image by Zahara Dessert]


Bar Italia
169-171 Norton St
Leichhardt NSW 2040
Phone (02) 9560 9981


Open Daily 9am-midnight; kitchen closes at 11pm