7 Things Worth Leaving the House for This Winter
BY JENNY JUNG
From cosy dining experiences to hands-on workshops, we’ve rounded up 7 must-do activities to make your winter anything but boring.
10 AUG - 2025
Here’s how to make the most of this season.
I don’t know about you, but I’m 100% the type to cancel plans the moment it starts raining. Cold and grey? I’m staying in. But lately, I’ve been making more of an effort to get out of the house, even if it means doubling my laundry from all the wet clothes. The thing is, winter is when a lot of local spots start putting on cool experiences to break the seasonal slump, and it’s made Auckland feel a little more alive. And with only a few more weeks of winter left, it feels like the perfect time to make the most of this cosy season before it’s gone.
So if you’re also looking to beat the winter blues, here are a few things I think are worth checking out.
@bistrosaine
@viaductharbour
Bistro Saine
It’s Restaurant Month, people! Arguably one of the busiest (and tastiest) times of the year for our little city, it’s the perfect way to explore Auckland’s top dining spots at a fraction of the usual price. This season, we’re loving Bistro Saine at Hotel Indigo. With its dim lighting, moody wooden interiors and a vibe that feels more Paris than Queen Street, it’s a cosy escape worth leaving the house for.
Bistro Saine is rising to the occasion with a curated three-course lunch menu that celebrates classic French bistro flavours for just $65. Available exclusively during August lunch service, this elegant offering begins with refined sharing plates: house-made sourdough with brandy butter, followed by a rich pairing of chicken liver parfait and pork rillettes, served with baguette, cornichon and preserves.
For the main course, you can choose from three expertly crafted options: the ever-classic steak frites with béarnaise and jus; roast 'Bostock' chicken with mustard, barley, butternut and pan sauce; or a comforting butterbean cassoulet featuring celeriac, wild mushrooms and kale pistou.
The meal ends on a sweet note with Bistro Saine’s signature choux au craquelin — a delicate pastry filled with hazelnut cream.
This limited-time experience is a standout amongst the Restaurant Month lineup, offering exceptional value and showcasing Bistro Saine’s dedication to seasonal ingredients and timeless French technique.
@bistrosaine
Miller Road Perfume Workshop
Located in the heart of Ponsonby, Miller Road is one of those hidden gems everyone should experience at least once. You can book the perfume workshop solo, round up a couple of friends or even secure the entire workshop if you’ve got a bigger group in mind.
The workshop itself takes you through an educational (but totally approachable) guide to perfumery. You learn about all the different fragrance families, how to layer notes and you get to leave with your very own custom-blended perfume. When I went with my partner a while back, it was also during the colder months, and there was something extra cosy about being indoors, surrounded by like-minded fragrance lovers. It’s the perfect activity if you enjoy something hands-on that’s both creative and personal. I suggest taking someone special as scent is such a powerful way to hold onto memories!
Afterwards, take your new signature scent for a stroll down the street. Ponsonby is full of great lunch spots across a whole variety of different cuisines. Personally, I love Elmo’s, and it's just a two-minute walk away.
Miller Road Perfume Workshop.
SO/ Hotel Roof Top Bar: The Dubai Chocolate Martini
If you’re more of a nighttime person like myself, I highly recommend heading up to the Rooftop Bar at SO/ Hotel to try their newest cocktail. HI-SO has that moody, elevated energy, and it’s the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve snuck away to some exclusive NYC party.
Right now, they’re serving up an exclusive Pistachio Chocolate Martini on tap — and it’s every bit as indulgent as it sounds. Crafted by Batched Premium Cocktails, it’s rich, smooth and just a little salty, with roasted pistachio and silky chocolate notes topped with a frothy finish. It’s the only spot in the country where you can try it by the glass, and at $18, it’s worth every decadent sip.
Batched Cocktails X Hi-So Rooftop Bar.
Snowplanet
On the other hand, if you’re after something a bit more adventurous, Snowplanet is the move. My partner hasn’t stopped talking about it, and we’re already booked in a few times over the next month.
We found a great little deal under the Polar Plunge Night Pass Combo, which gives you a discount for sessions booked after 5pm — ideal for shaking off a day spent glued to your desk. Lately, I’ve been trying to exercise more, but the gym just doesn’t do it for me. Snowplanet is one of those activities that actually gets your heart rate up without feeling like a chore. It’s such a fun way to mix up your weeknight plans and get your body moving.
@snowplanet.
Cloudy Bay Christchurch
This one is for our South Island friends! After a successful run in Auckland and Wellington, Cloudy Bay is bringing the final instalment of its winter dining series to Christchurch.
Set within the stunning Otahuna Lodge, the event will be led by Chef Jimmy McIntyre, who has crafted a refined, seasonal menu inspired by the estate’s historic gardens. Think locally sourced produce, elegant flavour pairings and a culinary philosophy rooted in simplicity and sophistication — all matched with Cloudy Bay’s exceptional wines.
More than just a dinner, this is a rare opportunity to connect with the people behind the wine, from winemakers to viticulturists, and experience the very stories that bring each bottle to life.
Cloudy Bay Circle members will enjoy priority access, plus a few unexpected touches designed to surprise and delight. But this experience is open to anyone seeking an unforgettable winter evening.
Cloudy Bay Christchurch.
Stardome
If you're in the mood for a little nostalgia, consider heading to Stardome with friends, family or someone special for a cosmic night under the stars.
The last time I visited was on a Year 4 school trip, back when the universe felt impossibly big and totally out of reach. Now, with a little more life behind me, I find myself drawn to the same questions I had back then, just with a deeper sense of appreciation. There’s something about sitting in the dark, looking up at the sky, that makes everything feel a little smaller… and a little more meaningful! It’s the kind of place where you can slow down, clear your head and enjoy something that just feels good.
@stardome.
Viaduct Harbour’s 'By the Fire' Series
This August, Viaduct Harbour is turning up the heat with By the Fire: a month-long celebration of winter warmth, ritual and food set against the backdrop of the waterfront.
On Saturdays, SALA is bringing the energy outdoors with free wellness sessions like HIIT pilates, yoga and run clubs — all starting at 8am. Just make sure to book in via their site.
Craving comfort food? Hello Beasty’s hibachi-fuelled food cart will be lighting up Market Square on select weekends with flame-licked skewers and serious street food energy. And if you’re after more of a sit-down dining experience, restaurants across the precinct are bringing the fire with smoky mains, spiced cocktails and bold winter flavours. From Esther’s flame-seared cuts to La Marée’s chilli-laced desserts, you’re sure to find something to warm up your appetite this winter season at the Viaduct Harbour.
Looking to warm up in other ways? The Sofitel Spa is offering a Hot Stone Winter Reset massage for just $135, while QT is offering a luxe Nama-stay package that includes spa treatments, in-room yoga and breakfast at Esther.
Viaduct Harbour weren’t kidding when they said they were bringing the heat this winter.
Viaduct Harbour, Hello Beasty, Hibachi Food Cart.
Final Thoughts
Winter hibernation is for the weak. A cold, crispy night out is infinitely more romantic than sweating through the summer heat anyway. So throw on a coat, grab someone special and make winter your moment.
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