Article Search

So, if you’ve got a hungry belly and some time on your hands this weekend, here are our top picks of where to go. Bon appetit!

Dear autocorrect, I really, truly hate you. You ruin my life on a daily basis. And you won't even let me swear at you.

We swear Taika Waititi can do no wrong. The Kiwi filmmaker has delighted us with the likes of Eagle vs Shark, Boy and What We Do in the Shadows. And now, he’s at it again with Hunt for the Wilderpeople.

A clickable smorgasbord of celebrity trash talk, food porn, good-to-knows, generally interesting chat-starters, and anything else we think you should know about from around the Internet. It’s your watercooler cheat sheet for the week.

Britomart’s Fashion Sessions are back—and this year things are set to be bigger and better than before! 

Whether it’s taking to crab with a hammer, slurping up a fresh oyster or gobbling up crispy skinned snapper, there’s something spesh about seafood. 

The wonderful world of dating is a tough one to navigate. When it’s good it’s great but when it’s bad it’s so very very bad.

The beauty gods have finally answered our prayers: Sephora is shipping to New Zealand! 

Boredom is simply not an option this weekend with so many things going on in and around Auckland.

We recently chatted to Ricardo Simich about his love of fashion, top style tips and what he'll be looking for when he judges Fashion on the Field.

We headed to our old fave, NSP in Parnell, for a team lunch with a difference. 

In celebration of Auckland Pride Festival, the Aussie cabaret spectacular, Briefs is shimmying its way to the City of Sails.

It’s that time of year for making resolutions and cutting back on the fork-to-face feasting. Your bod is begging you to get the heart rate up and become fighting fit once more. 

What once was home to Zus & Zo now houses newly minted café and bistro, The Governor.

Over here at The Urban List, we want our readers to know what's in store for them for the week ahead.

You know those people that ALWAYS smell amazing? We all want to be one of those people.

So you binge watched all of the 7 Netflix Docos You Need To See Now. You signed the petition to Free Steven Avery. You had more intense conversations than you expected for your #netflixandchill dates. Want more? Here’s another seven titles that you’ve gotta check out…

Here are five effective strategies to help you bulk up, if that's your thing.

Have you ever stopped and pondered about what you put in your mouth first thing in the morning? No? Well, we have and we’ve got a lil’ somethin’ somethin’ to share with you. 

#1 You Can Eat Dinner In Your Undies

We present to you: Netflix’s hidden genres.

Here are four healthy breakfasts for you to make at home this weekend. 

We popped along to the preview screening of Zoolander 2 this week with some trepidation - I mean, how do you meet the hilarity of the first one? And will Kristen Wiig be as funny as we hope she is? And how do they make the idea seem fresh all these years later?? Ok, I'll tell you right now: It's good. Maybe it's great. Maybe it's even as great as the first one - and I don't say that lightly. 

It wouldn’t be a Kiwi summer without countless barbecues. We’re talking fresh fish, juicy chunks of steak and cheese-filled sausages—all flame-grilled to perfection.

Ultimately, the night was a music and visual feast of costumes, sets, music and actors that will not disappoint.

If you’re looking to book yourselves in for a romantic rendezvous, we have a list of hotel etiquette (and where you can apply these guidelines) to get the most out of Valentine’s Day.

A new Harry Potter book is coming!

Life… it’s hectic. And eating well when life is hectic ain’t always easy. Actually, the thought of packing a healthy, nutrient-loaded lunch five days a week can often seem near dang impossible. 

Auckland is amping it up this weekend, so it’s not a matter of ‘what are we going to do?’ but ‘how on earth will we choose?’

Check out how you can get fit for people who hate fitness. Who knew exercise could be (sort of) fun?

Dogs are just the cutest, you guys. There’s no greater joy than seeing a cute pic of a pooch in your feed when you’re scrolling through acai bowl after acai bowl. While we all scoff at the thought of making an Insta for our pets, deep down we know our laughter is because we know our pets will get more followers than us. 

While we a) all have faces and b) hair, there’s the indisputable truth that a haircut that works for the face of one person won’t necessarily suit another’s.

Sometimes your wardrobe needs a little somethin’ somethin’ to get it through the seasonal transition. Not too dressed-up, not to dressed-down, we are loving the trend of kimono jackets popping up in some of our favourite labels’ new season collections. Check out seven ways to rock this awesome piece in your day-to-day wardrobe.

The Super Bowl was on last night, and yes Beyonce slayed. And yes, some team won, something something sportz. But much, much more importantly, there was the annual airing of the hilarious (and often offensive) Super Bowl commercials!

A week of no gluten, dairy, corn, soy, caffeine, alcohol, added sugar, red meat, shellfish, white rice, or nightshades (tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, potatoes) awaits. Looks easy enough. I am gonna own this detox game! Or am I...

Auckland, we used to have a bone to pick with you. You nailed Asian Fusion, brought us the best of Mexican cuisine, and even cranked out some pretty stellar Italian restaurants. But when it came to great American food, we were left in the lurch. 

We're bringing you horoscopes for real people—who want their cosmic predictions with a side of honesty.

We recently caught up with Soul Bar & Bistro's Chris Law. 

We present this list of nifty little natural beauty hacks that will change your life.

So Valentine’s Day is peeking round the corner and you’re preeeetty sure that you’ll be flying solo…by yourself…all alone. 

There’s nothing quite like a platter of deliciousness to serve guests, but with a little pre-thinking, you’ll soon become known as the hostess with the mostest. 

People of Epsom, something awesome has just popped up in your hood and it goes by the name of Hello Friends + Allies. 

Rosé is fast becoming the summer drink of the moment for summer revelers of both sexes. It’s a rosénaisance we tell ya!

Hipsters. Has anyone ever enlisted as much worldwide inter-generational rage as thou? (Except maybe beatniks. And hippies. And goths. And emos... Well, you get my point.)

Why Google it…when you can Urban List it? We've got a brand new search that makes it SO darn easy to find the best eats, drinks, shopping, and fitness near you.

We've compiled a list of healthy ways to reclaim your mojo. 

The best thing about starting a new year should be treating yourself to a fabulous new wardrobe, especially when you want to look glam at work. Unfortunately for most of us, that just doesn’t happen…

Aucklander’s if you’re not heading away, never fear, because there’s plenty to do in the City of Sails this Waitangi Weekend!

Looking to learn a bit about love this Valentine’s Day? Auckland’s favourite inner city artisan store, Scarecrow is hosting a ‘Language of Love’ workshop on Wednesday 10th February.

If you’re partial to outdoor movies, free scoops of ice cream and making the most of our city during the summer, then we’ve got some awesome news for you. 

The dietary divide can make or break a good meal. Vegetarianism is certainly not new, yet it’s still surprisingly difficult to find a place that caters to both ends of the spectrum.

2016 is the year of LIFE OPTIMISATION, people. Because it’s in caps, you know we mean business.

I don’t know whether it’s the writing about food all day or because I’ve genuinely forgotten to squeeze exercise into my sched, but my level of fitness sucks. Not in a I-can-no-longer-run-5km kinda way… I’m talkin’ huffing and puffing while walking to the dumpling shop, struggling to deal with stairs, and living with the realisation that my butt is a shadow of its former self. 

Do you want to make your food Insta-famous... but don’t know where to start? Well, we've got the tips that will help your latest delish creation get you there.

Sometimes your taste buds need a bit of oomph in their lives. And when they do, there’s nothing like a vibrant, flavourful curry to do the job!

Auckland has a stellar line up of events throughout February—from the Lantern Festival to concerts at the Zoo to the return of the Phantom, there’s something for everyone, so get out those diaries and start planning.

If you want to be a real human man with bona fide man-credentials, then you simply must be able to throw out quotes from any of the following movies, at any appropriate moment.

Wellington, we love you. We love your little laneways, your buzzing café culture, your epic waterfront (on a good day) but when it comes down to it, we love Auckland more. 

Check out our top picks of the beautiful Takapuna…

There are some crazy beauty products out there... I mean, we’ve all heard of Kim Kardashian’s penchant for vampire facials, and there’s always a crazy new beauty fad that the celebs are obsessing over, but how many would you actually try?! Let alone, how many would actually benefit your life, like, for real? 

Ok, sport lovers, this week, it’s all about you.

We’ve compiled six essential dos and don’ts for when you’re planning your next camping adventure to ensure it blows your walking socks clean off.

Many of our favourite cafes offer wholesome and nutritious alternatives that definitely don’t skimp on flavour.

Here’s a suggested plan for out-fashioning your active wear habit.

Hellooo long weekend! We’ve been waiting for you. Get out your calendars, Listers, because Auckland Anniversary weekend is chock-a-block with an impressive range of events. From epic maritime commemorations to musical festivals and sporting showdowns, there’s plenty to keep you occupied this weekend. Enjoy! 

They’ve made a name for themselves as the go-to guys for nutrient-loaded, no nonsense takeaway food, and now, Bird On A Wire have just spread their wings and moved to Ponsonby Central. 

Now’s the time to start saving your pennies and indulge your dreams by checking out one of these spots.

Cheese, glorious cheese. Quite possibly humanity’s greatest invention and something we take very (emphasis on the very) seriously here at The Urban List.  

Being single is awesome and here’s why—28 reasons why, to be exact.

You asked. They agreed. And now you have no idea how to impress them. Bugger. 

Nestled in the heart of thriving Kingsland, Citizen Park is a vibrant garden bar that nails the three essentials: atmosphere, food and service.

Meat Free Monday. The concept has a pretty catchy tag line, but when put into practice, it can leave you feeling empty and/or scouring the house for a steak. 

We send myriad texts when we’re drunk—but what do they mean?

Acai bowls and smoothie bowls are seemingly taking over Instagram of late, with these healthy breakfasts looking just as delicious as they taste.

It makes sense to take a break from adult-ing every once in a while to avoid getting burnt out.

A great lunch and ocean views—is there actually anything better?

Poutine lovers—now is the time to rejoice because Canada’s famous La Poutine Week is coming to Auckland this February.

There’s something quite romantic about watching a film under the stars on a balmy summer eve.

Whoever said Paris was the city of love has clearly never visited Auckland.

If there's one trend you should jump on board with this summer, it's the slip dress. Delightfully 90s, the slip dress has undergone a transition of late: no longer accompanied by Doc Martins and bed hair, this slinky, sexy wardrobe staple is the perfect hot-weather dress to take from street style to bar hopping.

Jam doughnut lovers, listen up! The Little & Friday crew have recently set up camp in a lovely, sundrenched space on Newmarket’s McColl Street to continue catering for your sweet treat needs. 

Ponsonby is home to an abundance of outstanding restaurants and bars, but sometimes all you need is a bloody good bagel and a silky, strong coffee. The newly opened Roost in Ponsonby’s Vinegar Lane is here to serve exactly that. 

So Thai Me Up, one of our fave BYO spots is no more, but something even better moved in. The space on Ponsonby Road has been transformed into an elegant restaurant called Namo, which is already serving some of the best Japanese in town. 

The weekend is finally upon us and, like the rest of New Zealand, we’re hoping for sunshine! There’s no lack of awesome Auckland events to hit up this weekend. Whether you’re looking to get your eat on, slip and slide at a pop-up waterpark, or visit the zoo in the dark, there’s plenty of things to keep you busy. 

With awesome directors finding a whole host of compelling stories from pint-sized athletes with a golf game to rival Tiger Woods to the nightmare of a man framed for murder, here are 7 Netflix documentaries that have to be seen to be believed.

Ladies, it’s time to throw out the neutral shadow palette and quit the ‘au natural’ look; blue is making a comeback in a big way for 2016. From shades of electric marine blue to jewel tones to subtle washes of colour, the 2016 runways certainly embraced the brighter end of the spectrum.

We visit Auckland's newest contemporary hot yoga studio. 

When your out-of-town mates rock up for a weekend and request to ‘do all the things’, it’s easy to feel the pressure. After all, it’s suddenly your sole responsibility to show them how awesome the City of Sails really is.

So, in the name of Operation Health, we knew what we really needed were low-sugar, low-GI, tasty, filling something somethings that live on our desk, so we did what we always do in a time of crisis—we went in search of the best (mostly healthy) office snacks.

You gleefully describe yourself as a “Foodie” in your Facebook, Instagram or Twitter profile, but which especially annoying kind are you?

This light and airy restaurant serves up Chinese and Malaysian style street food and was the brain child of Josh Emett.

Cutting ties with the SO in your life is never going to be a fun time. Rather than stealthy fading off the romantic radar or ditching them during a 3am Maccas run, there are two tried and tested ways to soften the break-up blow…

The announcement that Auckland’s Big Day Out would no longer be a thing was a sad one. Little did we know that something even better was in the works, and now, it’s so close we can’t help but get AMPED about it. 

Creamy, crunchy, chewy and sweet, this recipe packs a nutritional punch to keep you fuelled throughout the morning.

While 2015 may have been all about busyness and stress, this year, it’s time to calm your farm, cool your jets and bring a little zen into your life.

Aren’t bartenders great? They have funky haircuts and mad tatts, and they give you drinks when you ask for them.

It’s time to give beauty sleep a whole new meaning with these revolutionary products that work while you sleep.

Unless your last name is Kardashian, or you mastered the art of the flat lay early on, getting all the #instalove ain’t easy. From blurry selfies and cat photos to a ‘gram that shit or it didn’t happen’ approach, Instagram has morphed into a seriously popular social media platform.

You had more of a chance of being burned to death by your own pyjamas spontaneously combusting (20 million to one) than winning the Powerball. Who needs pyjamas anyway? Here are the 20 awesome things we’d do if had won Powerball.

We've come up a hit list of things to do in Auckland before the end of summer (even if summer never really began). 

They’re called foundation drops, and they’re about to be BIG beauty news!

If you’re looking to avoid the Bintang singlets and bogans and delve a little deeper, here is our jam packed list of everything you need to do before you get your sunburnt ass on-board your flight out of Denpasar.

Most of us are back to the daily grind, but that’s not gonna stop us from living it up on the weekends! After all, what better way to celebrate getting through the first week back at work than with an awesome event? Whether you’re in need of a few giggles, keen to back our cricket boys, or want to dance your work woes away at a concert, this weekend in Auckland will be a goodie. 

‘What’s wrong with all the girls in this town?’ I hear you say. ‘How is it that an ostensibly normal, non-freakish looking guy like me can’t get laid?’

No matter how leanly and greenly you nourish your bod, it’s sometimes necessary to get down and dirty with a well-deserved #cheatmeal. Or, in other cases, a mammoth burger is the only thing that will mask the pain of a breakup, that time of the month, or the fact that Auckland’s summer weather just ain’t pulling through. 

Get downloading and prepare to clock 2016—with a helping technological hand. 

Although it looks like the aftermath of The Human Centipede 4: The Centipede's Escape, crunning is a truly ingenious cross between crawling like a king-size baby and running like Bambi without any balance. Get on it.

It’s easy to feel a bit blue when you’re back at work—those clothes are a little tight around the waist, the sun is actually beginning to shine and already your to-do list is longer than the Sky Tower is high.

Now that the festivities are over (booo!), it’s time to throw ourselves into what will hopefully be an incomprehensibly epic 2016. If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed about tackling the next 300 days or so, do not fret. We’ve complied a list of handy life hacks to get you through. 

Those colouring books and pens on your shelf, in your drawer, wherever you need a break are soooo 2015—this year it’s all about paper folding fun—origami.

If there's one thing Aucklanders just love, it's taking selfies...because if you didn't take a pic then it didn't happen, amiright?

So let’s talk yoga. It’s a girl-thing, right? Hell no!

It’s never easy to get back to the nine to five—no matter how much you love your job. 

What once may have been thought of as daggy, or skanky (depending on your hem length of choice) is now being hailed the piece of the moment for the fashion forward.

Keeping your makeup from melting down your face as the humidity rises is a serious art form. But don’t sweat it - to stay fresh-faced after a few (too many) hours of sipping champagne and nibbling on hors d’oeuvres, try your hand at these heat and humidity-proof beauty hacks. 

Avoid the detour on your way from beach to bar, as we've rounded up our top tips to ensure you look polished from beach to bar all summer long.

Your bod will still be festival-ready with these fun ocean sports that trump any gym sesh. 

There are a couple of new beauty items that have caught our sharp little mascara-coated eyes at The Urban List recently – and you know we love to share (except when it comes to fries). Here are the best must have beauty products that we think you should have in your collection for the new year. And the new you...

We are well and truly in the swing of summer, which means we’re also well and truly in the swing of BBQ season! And let’s be honest, no-one will invite you to their epic BBQ if you’re THAT person who rocks up with a soggy store-bought salad. Yuk. Lucky for you, the girls at This Little Pig Went To Market have got your back with two epic super summer salads. 

Holidays are created for a magnificent sloth-like existence, complete with overused pyjamas and overheating TVs. So when you’re run out of things to do, here are 20 things to do.

Look no further than these books for your 2016 break.

Our resident astrologer has spent the last 11 days lying on his back all night staring at the sky, then pouring over ancient charts all day in order to bring you his predictions for the year ahead. ‘Predictions’ may be too weak a word, as this is basically a highly scientific foretelling which is true to within 98.4% accuracy.

While tonight’s New Year's Eve party may not live up to expectations, 2016 will definitely make up for it when it comes to what you will be eating, wearing, buying and watching.

From million dollar fit outs to beach-side hangouts, from celebrity chef openings to novelty concepts, 2015 was huge in the Australian and New Zealand restaurant scene.

Everyone knows you should stay out of the scorching Aussie sun in the middle of the day... making it the perfect time to binge-watch some TV shows. 

It’s the dream of every young girl to one day graduate from candy necklaces to the rare-metal variety. 

Get ready for a more delicious holiday with these epic cocktail recipes.

Christmas has come and gone and what have you got left to show for it? An extra roll on the belly, a rubbish bin full of ripped paper and about 2 kilograms of leftover ham on the bone.

I’m not going to tell you fab people not to toast various glasses of bubbles this festive season and indulge in all the good things…because that would be cruel and this is the season to be kind. Festive fun only comes around once a year so heck yes, let’s make the most of it! On the flipside, there are ways to balance the bod so we don’t all waddle into January. Aside from busting out of our bikinis or boardshorts, festive fatigue is something that can hit us without warning and send us crying into our egg nog.

We all wait eagerly all year for the warm weather to arrive, and then, when it finally arrives; we complain that it’s just too damn hot, or too damn wet.

Some secrets are best kept on the hush… like that your 2016 ‘weekly Zumba class’ goal will actually be a trip to Giapo, or it was you who demolished your flattie’s choccie stash in one sitting.

May we present Pack Hack: 12 things you need in your carry-on. Because life's too short to worry about being completely organised.

Christmas. Aside from the obligatory ham, the heatwaves generally have us reaching for the sides and salads with equal if not more enthusiasm. And this one fits the bill.

To help you with the dreaded ‘what am I going to wear’ question, we called on fashion designer (and one of this year's Fashion in the Field judges) Tanya Carlson so give some top tips for nailing your outfit this year—and successfully avoid those end-of-day race shots!

This year’s Laneway Festival was exceptionally epic, and the 2016 gig at Silo Park is set to be no different. SO. GET. EXCITED.

When the beaches are teaming with butt naked three-year-olds, bikini clad tweens, and aggressive paddle boarders, one has no choice but to venture elsewhere for an afternoon dip. 

Yeah, we know. You’re an adult and shouldn’t need to be told how to protect your liver, and avoid that all too familiar next-day feeling. 

 There's no better gift than a tasty little something made with love. Naw.

With the galaxy far, far too excited about the recent release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the traditional Boxing Day movie bonanza has stiff competition for bums on seats this year.

While there are plenty of things to do in Auckland, we get that sometimes it’s better to hop on a plane and escape reality for a few weeks. 

The crush of everyone’s holiday plans, Noosa is a notoriously sexy location. She’s that smouldering little minx who knows how to play hard to get, as anyone who’s ever braved the weekend traffic will know, and becomes more and more enticing every summer.

Fitness trends come, and fitness trends go. Out with the boot camp (thank god) and in with the Fitbits for 2016 we say!

Because we love a good clean fight, we pitted two Listers against each other to argue the virtues of our two fave Christmas movie heavyweights. 

Smashed avo. It’s the one breakfast item that us Aucklanders just can’t get enough of. From feta and lemon oil, to perfect poachies and bacon, no breakfast should be considered complete without avocado in the mix. 

We’re suckers for all things Christmas (including the CBD’s creepy Santa) so we’ve put together a list of the top 50 things we love about Christmas time in Auckland.

So you booked 2 weeks at the beach, but then you went and got blisteringly sunburnt on the very first day leaving with you with little choice but to avoid the beach, the sun and the water until further notice? Good one.

Boxing Day a.k.a. Leftover Turkey Sammies and Hectic Mall Mission Day. When Christmas is done and Boxing Day rolls around, the last thing you want to do is be in the kitchen. But a gal/guy’s gotta eat, right?

It really is Christmas crunch time. However, rather than getting into a frenzy of Christmas shopping panic, why not enjoy some great Auckland events this weekend? From festive mini golf to foodie markets and the country’s biggest yoga class, there’s something to keep everyone’s nerves in check. 

This brownie is relatively dense, with the fruit and goat's cheese creating a nice tart balance with the sweetness of the chocolate. Oh . . . and it's super easy to make too.

If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to fly, have a secret dream of running away to the circus, or are just sick of slogging it out at the gym, trapeze could be right up your alley. 

December: the month where willpower disappears quicker than a Nutri bullet in the Black Friday sales. Anyone else submerged in a last ditch attempt to get beach-ready for summer? Ironic really, considering its Christmas—and you’re going to spend most of this month in a constant food coma.

Sometimes I need a little pick-me-up. A lil’ somethin somethin to make me feel #special. And sometimes the only person who can do that is my hairdresser.

These Christmas gifts are quick, easy and perfect for those on a budget.

Glitter Roots is the hair trend that has definitely won 2015—and we have the down-low on how you can do your own.

Let’s be real here, activewear is insanely comfortable. It’s also really quite practical, doesn’t need ironing and is now super snazzy and well, hip.

We recently caught up with  Sid Sahrawat, the legend behind popular restaurants SIDART and Cassia to find out why he loves Auckland, his favourite foodie spots and what he’ll be cooking us for dinner.

A Kiwi summer wouldn’t be complete without the consumption of copious amounts of ice cream and/or gelato. Lucky for us, Auckland has a fine selection of both. 

You probably have an idealised image of how this year’s work Christmas party will go…

The Christmas cake is light as air, sweet, caramel and spicy. Basically it tastes like rainbows. Make it and good things will come.

This summer, the beauty world will be taken by storm by none other than the freckle pencil! 

The presents you receive on Christmas Day say a lot about who you are. A lot.

‘Tis the season to be jolly…and Santa. Whether it’s at the office, Uni or just a group of friends, chances are that you’ve been hit up to be Secret Santa to at least one person this year. Instead of the usual (boring) box of chocolates, novelty ice cube tray or humourous (less) mug, get creative and choose gifts that people will actually want to receive. 

While no one can dispute the effervescent joys awaiting a Queensland holiday on the Gold Coast, we’re here to represent the flourishing Sunshine Coast and all it has to offer. Check out this handy roadmap of things to do in Noosa and embark on a jaunt into the sprawling, salty wilderness of the Sunshine Coast and beyond.

There's nothing quite like a damn fine coffee to kick off the day on a high, and we've made no secret of the fact that here at The Urban List we're just a wee bit addicted to caffeinated goodness.

How to look good naked. Tricky. Unless of course you are a cake in the hands of Brisbane food stylist and entertaining guru, Lyndel Miller; then you are going to look pretty sweet in the buff indeed. We catch up with the baking talent to discuss her new book, Naked Cakes.

We get that finding that special someone might be a tad difficult—not all people appreciate the animated bubble you live in.

This summer take your ice cream licking to a whole new level—literally.

It’s only two weekends ‘til Christmas, folks! Make the most of the calm before the storm this weekend by hitting up some great Auckland events. Whether you’ve got a spot of Christmas shopping to do, want to try a bit of yoga, or keen to get on the outdoor cinema buzz, you’ll find something to do this weekend in our fair city. 

So whether you’re after unbeatable views, a place to get your groove on or just want something a little bit classy, this is the only list you’ll need to nut out the best New Year’s Eve parties in Auckland this year.

The world can be a joyless, lonely, desolate place if you’re single. If all your mates are in relationships, you so often seem to be left at home twiddling your thumbs while they do interesting and fun things like watch musical theatre, have brunch, and go on cutesy staycations. None of those things can be done solo. 

These little pots of heaven are so simple to make.

Sweat Shop Brew Kitchen  serves up American fare, craft beer and you can visit the barber while you’re there.

Despite your best attempts, silly things happen at Christmas office parties. And, should they happen to you, we’ve complied a guide on how to save face in the sobering light of Monday morning.

Presents, feasting and merriment aside, Christmas can be stupidly stressful. Glazed ham-induced anxiety attacks? Not fun for anyone. Burnt brussel sprouts? Don’t even get us started. It’s a wonder that any of us put ourselves through the whole Christmas lunch prep procedure (AND the washing up—ugh). 

Locate your diaries, open your iCal, or make a mental note because Saturday 23rd January is officially booked in your summer calendar. London’s best party, Flamingo Pier is making its way back to Waiheke’s beautiful Rangihoua Olive Grove Estate, and trust us, you’ll want to be there.  

Move over Quinoa, coconut oil and kimchi, it’s time for the new group of exotic, overpriced superfoods to drain your wallets and confuse your tastebuds over the promise of supreme health.

Whether your job defines you or is just something you do for to earn some sweet dollies, it does tend to give a fair bit away about what kind of person you are.

We’ve got the perfect excuse to kick up your heels and get immersed in some fun ahead of the holiday season. 

Now the only complaint we have with the Gold Coast scene is that we can barely keep up with all the new wine bars, cafes and stellar restaurants on offer.

Feeling the heat? That, our friends, is summer settling in. We’re on the final stretch of 2015, which means it’s time to start planning what to do and where to do it this summer. ‘Tis the season to let your hair down, be excessively jolly and enjoy the sunshine—and we’ve found Auckland’s best summer events to help you do just that.  Get amongst! 

Chocoholics, listen up! If you’re all about chocolaty treats, then this is the article for you. 

Because we love you and don’t want to see you upset about making a big old fool of yourself at the office Christmas party in Auckland, we’ve created a Christmas party no-no cheat sheet.

Making Chia Pudding is kind of like doing magic. Add milk and a touch of sweetener to these tiny little seeds and voila, before you appears a big bowl of creamy pudding. Pudding that’s jam-packed with antioxidants, fibre, protein and healthy fats. Top that off with fresh summer fruit and coconut, and you have yourself the perfect healthy summer snack.

Weekends are best spent doing as much as possible in this fair city of ours, so don’t waste it sitting on the couch with a bag of chips

Foodies and culture fiends, it’s time to get excited! The secret dinner party phenomenon, Dîner en Blanc will return to Auckland next year—and we’ve got all the deets on how to (hopefully!) secure your ticket. 

We put our heads together to come up with some tips to take a bit of the guesswork out of the whole down-on-one-knee scenario.

Cat lovers, your dream café has arrived in the heart of Auckland’s CBD! BaristaCats Café has opened its doors and is the purrrfect destination for a lunchtime break. 

Graham Street is becoming quite the hip inner-city area. It’s lined with a handful of great cafes, the newest of which is Major Sprout—a light, sleek and Pinterest-worthy space serving up faultless lunch fare, sweet treats and coffee. 

Summer is finally here—hooray! It’s time to embrace the great outdoors and get your camp on. But for those of us who enjoy the finer things in life, the concept of passing the summer by in a tent might seem somewhat horrifying. Fear not, kicking it in a tent needn’t mean you have to rough it. The answer, friends, is glamping. 

We all know cottage cheese is a great option for those on a health kick - but today we're talking about which cheeses pack the biggest protein punch

December? Already? Yep, it’s the last month of 2015 and it’s time to make the most of living in this fabulous city of ours with this list of things to do in Auckland.

Our love affair with Italian food in Auckland begins with Baduzzi. Although Baduzzi is the Sicilian word for meatballs, the restaurant is far, far more than just meatballs—however, they’re a very good place to start.

While fancy pants restaurants and brunch havens have a permanent place in our hearts, there are moments when your cravings can only be satisfied by a trip to a food court. They have all sorts of exotic cuisines, are gentle on the wallet and it’s generally acceptable to rock up in your sweatpants. Yusss. 

Everyone loves a good life hack these days. They are like little secret cheats to get through your day without having to try as hard.

What we and our female friends in fashion think is totally amazing, sometimes leaves our dear male companions shaking their head in confusion.

So what actually is contouring? And why should you be doing it, like, right now?!

We followed Jimmy’s Burgers and his stomach around for a week to see just what a man like him consumes. Spoiler alert: it’s a lot.

It is generally accepted that men suffer far greater body image pressure than women.

Espresso has saved us on more occasions than we can remember. Monday mornings, 3pm slumps, 4am rugby game supporting…. So naturally we were excited to hear about Atomic’s new espresso bar in Parnell. Long + Short has taken up residence at 211 Parnell Road, where they’re making some of the best coffee in town. 

What’s the purrfect way to brighten up the day, Listers? With a cuddle from an itty bitty kitty, of course! And thanks to our bestest buds at Uber, all your whiskery wishes have come true!

You generally choose your own pet so the when you see people walking around with a particular breed of dog, it is quite easy to make snap judgements about them which are completely true.

“Girl, your braids are so cool’, is not really a phrase that most Kiwi's would be familiar with. 

 'Tis the season to be jolly and there's plenty of Christmas fun to be had! There's also a dance party, street party and a wine and food tour to keep you busy.  Enjoy!

There ain’t no summer like a Kiwi summer. And finally, after a seriously chilly winter, the temp is starting to climb and drinks in the sun are suddenly at the top of all our to-do lists. 

And, because we love Auckland as much as our $5 soy lattes, we’ve come up with 45 things that are undeniably, completely and utterly Auckland. Here goes…

Restaurants come and restaurants go, but for the last 18 years O’Connell St Bistro has been doing its thing, keeping both the suits and the foodies happy. 

Under 30 and think you’re a bit of a whizz in the kitchen? Then get your signature dish ready because S.Pellegrino has announced that it is once again on the hunt for the best Young Chef of The World.

As suckers for both coffee and booze, it would only make sense that we’d enjoy them together. Once upon a time, some clever individual found a way to deliciously merge the two and the espresso martini was born. 

Swimming in shallot vinaigrette, knocked back with bubbly or on their own, oysters are something we’ll never tire off. These plump, refreshing nuggets of the sea can be found at some of Auckland’s best restaurants, where they’re shucked and served to perfection. 

Wait, nobody wants to date you? And you don't know why? Let's try and get to the bottom of this together.

Beneath the dark shadow of the Sky Tower is one of the best places in Auckland—Federal Street.

It was a year or two ago that salted caramel officially waltzed into our lives, captivating our tastebuds with its salty, sweet perfection. Our obsession with the stuff isn’t going anywhere… we smear it on cakes, stir it into ice cream, smash it back in rum shakes and even eat it by the spoon (no, just us?).

What. A. Night. It’s safe to say that this year’s Vodafone NZ Music Awards was a cracker—The Exponents rocked up, Mick Fleetwood graced us with his legendary presence and Dave Dobbyn and Tami Neilson sang the unofficial Kiwi anthem.  

The CBD’s much-loved artisan store, Scarecrow has reopened on Victoria Street East and is here to stay. Scarecrow was originally a pop up store and café, but has now been transformed into a quiet metropolitan oasis—perfect for a healthy lunch, connecting with likeminded individuals, or picking up fresh ingredients for the evening’s dinner.

Hitting off the weekend with a bang is the Vodafone NZ Music Awards at Vector Arena and then it's all about culture for the rest of the weekend with French, Spanish and Greek festivities.

Ponsonby restaurant SIDART has broken from tradition with chef Sid Sahrawat handing control of his degustation over to diners—unbelievable but true.

Enjoy a vino on a rooftop, impress a new love with an epic date night, kick off a health kick (there's still time!), or swim across the harbour—there’s so many things to do in Auckland to finish 2015 off with a bang!

Watch out, Ponsonby! MR TOMS has just flung open its doors and is about to become the coolest kid on the block—and one of the best bars in Auckland—on the sunny side of Ponsonby Road, might we add.

Good news, ya’ll. Orleans—that finger lickin’ fried chicken waffle haven in Britomart—has recently blessed us with a new menu. While we’re firm believers in the ‘don’t mess with a good thing’ concept, Orleans have somehow managed to make their Southern grub a whole lot better. 

Sorry smoothies, it appears we’ve neglected you. Milkshakes, cocktails and craft beer have been getting all the beverage love as of late—something our tastebuds are grateful for, but possibly not our bodies. 

Hey there, Grinchy. I can already see your irritation levels rising as Christmas draws closer.

Started to tick off places on our 30 Bars You Should Have Been To If You Live In Auckland list yet? Hopefully you’ve discovered some epic watering holes to try. 

It’s another week down and another fantabulous weekend to look forward to. There’s plenty of things to do in Auckland in the next few days—get your Christmas shopping sorted, clear out your wardrobe and donate the extras to charity, witness a sandwich war, or choose something with a little more spice.  

Forget wine and beer, this is first and foremost about cocktails followed by scrumptious food.

Put three chefs, six courses and one of the best restaurants in Auckland together, and you’ve got one of the best foodie nights this year.

This is one salad recipe that you want to try!

Anyone who shares our love of booze, pizza, and live music is a-ok in our books. And luckily for us, those very three things are at the heart of the recently relaunched TSG.

Make this scrumptious recipe from MASU chef Nic Watt's new book. 

This green smoothie recipe is beautiful to look at, great for your insides and an excellent way to turn over the inner sanctum of your crisper.

Bellini a new opening? What are you on about The Urban List? We know, technically Bellini’s been around for yonks, but last night we went along to the revamped Bellini, and it really is like a new opening because it looks like an entirely new Auckland bar. 

Holy hell! Just when you thought The Urban List couldn't get any bigger, we’re coming to you with some pretty exciting news.

It’s the weekend Auckland foodies have been waiting for­—Taste of Auckland is now on, so head down to Western Springs to eat and drink yourself into blissful happiness.

Daily grind getting you down? Conquering adult life can be thirsty work. Fortunately for you, this fine city is home to a rather large handful of stellar bars, the best of which are listed below (you’re welcome!). 

We’ve been waiting for this weekend to hurry up and get here already because there are so many awesome things to do in Auckland this weekend we are spoilt for choice.

If there’s one thing my 22-year old self can’t seem to grasp, it’s cooking for one. Don’t get me wrong, I’m totally into whipping up feasts for friends and fam, but when it comes to the essential adult skill of cooking for just myself, I suck. 

Which emoji do you most often use in your messages? Think about it carefully.

Welcome to The Urban List Auckland– your leading go-to guide for everything worth tasting, trying, booking and buying in our coffee-loving city, Auckland! Here are a few handy tips to help you get the most out of your experience. 

November, what are you doing here?! The silly season is on its way, which means end of year work partay planning should be in the works. Stuck for where to book your workplace shindig? Never fear, we’ve come up with the best venues to have your Christmas function in Auckland this year. 

Sitting on the 53rd floor of the Sky Tower is one of Auckland’s best restaurants, The Sugar Club

From events for foodies, theatre lovers, musos and even the return of New Zealand’s favourite markets, this is your November bucket list, sorted.