For more water therapy, hide away inside a warm Epsom salt float tank at Body Sanctum (Level 1, 10 Athol St.; 64-3/442-4336), a day spa with well-trained masseuses and reasounably priced therapies.
For a late-night carb hit, head to Ferburger (42 Shotover St.: 64-3/441-1232), although be prepared to wait for a seat at the communal tables. The beer-battered cod burger and the Bombay chicken burger should not be missed (gluten-free and vegetarian options are also available).
Another spot with a loyal following is the The Cow (Cow Lane; 64-3/442-8588). Set in an ancient stone barn, the cozy eatery bustles in winter, when ravenous patrons gather around the open fire devouring pizzas topped with homemade Bolognese.
Fancy roasted scallops with crispy garlic and smoked wild venison with a vanilla-scented panna corta as the finale? The intimate, 24-seat Inspire Restaurant (Church Lane; 64-3/441-0004) at the sleek Spire Hotel serves up some of the city’s most inventive food, with a 10-course, degustation menu that celebrates the best of local ingredien ts.
Wai Waterfront Restaurant (Steamer Wharf, 64-3/442-5969) is the best place in town to indulge in fresh oysters. Slurp down a dozen with lemon and cracked pepper, or walk on the wild side with tempura oysters served with lemon caviar and a dollop of ginger-and-lime sorbet.
