Metro magazine's annual Best of Auckland issue goes on sale on Monday (November 30), declaring winners in more than 100 different categories from the city's worlds of food and drink, nightlife, fashion, media, arts and culture, retail and more.

Thirty of the winners feature on special gold "scratchie" rosettes on the cover of the magazine.

Once again Metro asked Aucklanders to make their own nominations in a range of categories. Those responses were fed into a painstaking assessment process that included consultation with acknowledged experts in various fields and weeks of first-hand research by magazine staffers.

The resulting list of winners is a comprehensive guide for readers wanting to get out and enjoy the best that Auckland has to offer.

"Our staff and contributors clocked up a lot of kilometres combing the region for the best of everything," says Metro's Editor Bevan Rapson. "We also clocked up many hours of testing and analysis. We're very confident all the winners thoroughly deserve their place on the list."

As usual, the magazine's choice of the sexiest Aucklanders will prompt debate. Tattoo-lovers will be pleased to learn that both winners have been photographed baring their impressive body art.

The Sexiest Auckland Woman for 2009 is singer-songwriter Gin Wigmore and the Sexiest Auckland Man is star chef Michael Meredith.

A preview of some of this year's winners:

Aucklander of the Year John Key

Best Fish & Chips Mt Eden Village Fish Shop

Best Burgers Handmade Burgers, Kingsland.

Best Food Court Ponsonby Village International Food Court

Best Heritage Rescue The Fitzroy Hotel

Best Shoe Shop Mei Mei

Best Boutique Little Black Crown

Best Bookshop Time Out, Mt Eden Rd

Best Bike Shop T. White's Bikes, Newton.

Best Radio Host Marcus Lush

Best Local TV Show 7 Days, TV3

Best Sportsman David Tua

For a full list of winners see Metro December issue, on sale from Monday November 30.