In Vietnam, every Tet holiday, when you sit down with your family to watch a 30-minute game show on TV, you will often catch a short ad break with the same song that goes, “Tết nào vui bằng tết đoàn viên” (roughly translated to “there are no Tets as fun as those with family”). Whether related by blood or found family, quality time is a gift that keeps on giving. This Matariki we hope you had the chance to sit down with your whanaungatanga and gossip about everything that has happened. Though rumour has it that Hamilton is quite a boring place, my mom and I recently spent a day in town. Here at NEXUS, I will share some of my recommended places just in time for the start of the new semester. 

The Riverbank Lane  

Located by the river, Riverbank Lane features stores with a corporate chic vibe, suitable for those who prefer a formal setting while enjoying a casual and chill day out. 

Kopi Cafe sits right at the entrance facing Victoria Street. The shop is perfect for a stereotypical coffee lover (the ones that read newspapers and take sippy sips from their cups), with its industrial interior design featuring a lime wash grey wall and faded wooden counter. The old man owner is on my list of “government-protected” people. He greets his customers with a big smile and casually makes dad jokes that get funnier every time they cross your mind. Caffeine addicts or coffee enthusiasts can find their perfect cup, whether a long black or a flat white, with everything served classically and in just the right amount. It is a balance of acidity, bitterness, and sweetness. Those who rely on sweet syrups shouldn’t expect to find them here. I was a little baffled when I couldn’t order my iced latte with a shot of vanilla. With no expectation except my dad’s morning bitter Americano, Kopi’s iced latte with two sugars tasted better (sorry Dad). It strikes a perfect balance between bitterness that savours at the back and sweetness that lingers on the tip of the tongue. Kopi Cafe is where people can bond over a cup of coffee and a genuine conversation on a soft, joyful day. 

Next door is the Browser Second-hand Bookshop, which continues the industrial lovers’ theme. The store is what a reader like me would refer to as “heaven on earth”, with affordable prices for good quality used books and a diverse range of content. From your regular cookbook, philosophies, and (my favourite) young adult romance (I have never experienced being a high school sweetheart) to fashion magazines, photography, and national geographic guides, you are bound to find what you are led to by the thrift gods. At Browsers, you and your whānau can browse around, listening to chill modern jazz while finding each other’s personal taste in books. 

If your family is more outdoorsy, Casabella Lane is one of the locations you should check out whether you are a new or old Hamiltonian. Imagine this: sitting outside with a cup of boba while eating a hot bowl of noodles, talking about the birds and the bees (not recommended for traditional families).  

I may be biased, but Vietnamese Kitchen is my favourite restaurant in the area. It’s not just another place with a cliché Phở taste; there’s a subtle hint of sweet bone broth that sets it apart from other Vietnamese restaurants. I’m not exaggerating when I say that my first bowl of their noodle soup, after months of being away from home, brought a single tear to my eyes because of how closely it resembled my mom’s recipe. A bowl of noodle soup for under $20 is well worth the money, given the generous number of toppings and tasty choices available. My go-to order is the mixed rice noodles with BBQ pork and vegetables for $18.50, perfect for those who prefer fresh platters. The sauce is a crucial component, with sweet and sour fish sauce poured over the noodles, enhancing the flavours significantly. The Vietnamese Kitchen offers takeaway or seats available outside, facing the water fountain allocated in the middle of Casabella Lane. It’s perfect for a sit-down and catch-up session with your whānau.  

Grey street 

Further from the centre is Grey Street, home to the newly opened mall, MADE, along with several thrift stores lining the street. Despite its colonial connections, the name “Grey Street” is a misnomer and deserves reconsideration: the street remains underrated for its “fun” components, even after MADE opened to the public. However, this is by far my most loved place to be in Hamilton.  

Made 

Look no further than MADE if you prefer indoor bonding activities. MADE is an urban precinct with boutique retail and indoor markets, offering a wide range of services from clothing, food and beverages, to karaoke, and pottery and crafting workshops. Well to be fair, my friends and I would call it “mahal”, but it is worth it if you have the budget. My vision for this year’s birthday party is to book with the Rangers at MADE Sheds for a wine and paint workshop. Here is home to another favourite cafe of mine – Soul Boul – give me that matcha latte and one shot of vanilla.  

Now go grab a coffee to go and amble to the next location – Op shops.  

Op shops  

Are your whānau fashion icons? If so, bring them on the opposite side of the street. Thrifting is an art taught to me by my mom since I was little: “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”. Do not underestimate the thrift gods, but for god’s sake, don’t be a Depop seller that makes the price of affordable clothing change for the worse.  

Anyway, there are four op shops, with each offering something unique. I often find fashion magazines and romance books at the Salvation Army, located next to Rice Rice Baby, a Vietnamese restaurant that sells authentic street food. The women’s section at the Salvation Army has good-quality dresses and occasionally shirts, though you need a bit of luck to find these gems. 

Recycle Boutique is genuinely my top place to thrift. The price range varies from medium to moderately fancy. My mom taught me the importance of investing in good pieces for a reasonable amount of money, and I’ve found most of my shirts there for a cheap price. The clothes are high-quality and often from local designer brands like Stolen Girlfriends Club, Ruby, and Huffer. If your parents usually pay for your clothes, bring them to Recycle Boutique because you will most likely find something to buy there.  

Next is the Red Cross shop, where I have volunteered for almost two years. It occasionally has leather jackets and selective clothing. With a bit of luck, you can find designer clothing at generous prices here. The shop is accessible for wheelchair users, which was the first thing I learned when I started volunteering. 

The final shop is the SPCA, which sometimes has an emotional-support doggy at the entrance. The retail store sells decorations, tools and homewares in good condition. I found a Little Miss cup with my best friend while browsing the store. Thrifting is not an easy pastime- it requires time, commitment, and a sharp eye. But on weekends, it is more fun to go with a family member or friend, bonding over a cup of coffee and looking out for each other’s favourite pieces. 

Flowercrate  

If you have a floristry dad like mine, you would love Flowercrate. Located in a small alley on Grey Street, this floral boutique offers affordable bouquets with customisation available to order in-store or online. The store is the definition of a cottage core dream. The fresh floral scent filled the crate like a flower garden after the rain. The shed design makes it even more magical, with fairy lights and neatly organised displays offering a diverse selection of products, from gardening to room decor. Flowercrate values sustainability and often partners with brands that are organic and environmentally friendly. The boutique is perfect for whānau who loves gardening, flowers, or beautiful artisan wares.  

Hamilton Garden/Hamilton Lake 

Now if you prefer walking outside and having a cute little picnic. Go for the basics like Hamilton Garden or Hamilton Lake. An English major told me to include the Garden because it signifies growth and a new beginning in terms of Matariki. Personally, I wouldn’t suggest visiting the Garden frequently, but an occasional day out walking and talking can be perfect for any type of whānau. It’s a great opportunity to put the phone down and wander through the trees, watch the fish in the lakes, and enjoy some green time with your loved ones. And of course, the Garden and Lake are free, so it’s cheaper than an Op Shop – unless you want to buy a $15-$25 picnic mat from Kmart and some takeaway coffees.  

Mānawatia a Matariki! If you haven’t been out with your family yet, this is a chance to schedule a day out in Hamilton City. And if you are going to my recommended places, tag us in your next story at @nexusmag on Instagram.