Restaurants in Christchurch
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A
Lotus Heart
reviewed
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B
Almeidas Tapas Bar
Beachy Sumner meets the back streets of Barcelona at this rustic Spanish-themed tapas bar. More than 20 different small plate offerings include haloumi and roasted garlic in prosciutto, artichoke hearts wrapped in lemon and mint, and prawns sauteed in garlic, lime and coriander. Try and resist the urge for 'just one more plate', before settling on churros (Spanish donuts) for dessert.
reviewed
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C
Bamboozle
Asian fusion is the name of the game at the stylish Bamboozle, with the talented chefs conjuring up innovative spins on traditional flavours. Dishes include Burmese-style fish with chilli, and wasabi, salmon and cream cheese dumplings. Leave room for dessert with one of Christchurch's best crème brulees, or ginger steamed pudding topped with a lime sauce and coffee ice cream.
reviewed
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D
Holy Smoke
Here's your chance to get acquainted with the unique smoky character of manuka (NZ tea tree). At Holy Smoke, the native wood is used to smoke everything from pork ribs and chicken wings to bacon and salmon. Other menu items include robust slabs of venison, lamb and beef, all teamed with Kiwi craft beers and Central Otago wines.
reviewed
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E
50 Bistro
The more casual restaurant at the George is a bustling affair, doing savvy local twists on classic bistro flavours. Try the Nifty 50 lunch menu – $29 for soup and a main dish – or sample more robust evening meals like lamb shoulder ragu with kumara (sweet potato) gnocchi.
reviewed
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F
Addington Coffee Co-op
One of Christchurch's biggest and most bustling cafes is also one of its best. Fair-trade coffee and a compact stall selling organic cotton T-shirts jostle for attention with delicious cakes and slices, while a cross-section of the city comes for the free wi-fi, gourmet pies and wraps, and the legendary big breakfasts. An onsite laundromat completes the deal for busy travellers.
reviewed
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G
Beat Street
Welcome to the grungy hub of Christchurch cafe-cool. Free range this and organic that combine with terrific eggy breakfasts, gourmet pies (try the feta and vegie one) and robust Havana coffee. Beat Street hosts a bohemian open mic night featuring music and poetry on the third Thursday of every month from 6pm.
reviewed
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H
Black Betty
Infused with glorious caffeine-enriched aromas from Switch Espresso's roasting operation, Black Betty's chic industrial warehouse is a popular destination for students from nearby CPIT. Essential culinary attractions include all-day breakfasts – try the ciabatta toast with creamy mushrooms – and excellent counter food including wraps and bagels, as well as the best of NZ wine and craft beers.
reviewed
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I
Canterbury Cheesemongers
Pop in to buy artisan cheeses, or craft your own sandwich by combining freshly baked ficelles and ciabatta with a whole cheese shop of dairy goodies. Coffee and juices are also available to complete a good-value lunch. No Monty Python jokes, please.
reviewed
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J
Christchurch Farmers Market
Welcome to one of New Zealand's best farmers markets, a tasty labyrinth of organic fruit and vegies, South Island cheeses and salmon, local craft beer and ethnic treats including Colombian empanadas and Moroccan briouats (filo parcels). Other tasty stalls to track down are Posh Porridge and She Chocolat. Check out the website before you go to create your own foodie hit list.
reviewed
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K
Coffee House
Housed in a heritage villa complete with sunny patio, the Coffee House has a great location near the Arts Centre and the Botanic Gardens. Highlights include feta-cheese–studded Mediterranean scrambled eggs for breakfast and herb-marinated lamb for dinner. Emerson's beer on tap and a concise wine list will probably see you lingering over something stronger than coffee.
reviewed
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L
Edesia
Ignore the office-park location; Edesia's version of fine dining is worth seeking out. The dinner menu includes innovative spins on local venison, salmon and quail, while lunch is a more informal affair, with prime Canterbury steaks and gossamer-light pasta. The wine list is one of Christchurch's best, and after work Edesia morphs into a cosy bar for local desk jockeys.
reviewed
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M
Himalayas
Every city needs a great Indian eatery, and Himalayas ticks the box in Christchurch. A stylish dining room showcases lots of subcontinental favourites, including vegetarian options like the creamy dal makhani (black lentils cooked with aromatic spices). The kadhai chicken is studded with chilli, ginger and coriander – perfect with a cold beer. Takeaways are also available.
reviewed
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N
Honey Pot Cafe
One of the first CBD cafes to relocate after the earthquakes, the Honey Pot Cafe set the scene for the emergence of Sydenham as a dining destination. Great eggs Benedict for breakfast give way to spiced lamb and feta salad for lunch, and sirloin steak and chunky, hand-cut chips for dinner. Christchurch's very own 3 Boys beer is on tap.
reviewed
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O
Serious Sandwich
Serious in name and serious in flavour. Concealed in Sydenham's new Colombo shopping mall, this compact kitchen dishes up tasty gourmet sammies, including the breakfast BLAT (available from 9am) and a meatballs-on-toasted-ciabatta variant (available from around 11am). Look forward to a serious attitude to good coffee, too.
reviewed
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P
Simo's Deli
Part cafe and part deli, Simo's in Addington is popular for its takeaway bocadillos (grilled wraps filled with a huge selection of Middle Eastern and African-inspired fillings, sauces and toppings). Other tasty offerings include small plates of grilled calamari or spicy merguez sausages, or more robust tagines (Moroccan casseroles) and beef kofta with pomegranate sauce.
reviewed
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Q
Topkapi
Grab yourself a cushioned, low-slung bench in the tapestry-draped interior and enjoy some great Turkish food, including a wide range of meat or veg kebabs and the all-important baklava finisher. The takeaway counter also does brisk business.
reviewed
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R
Vic's Cafe & Bakery
Always busy, Vic's attracts a wide cross-section of Christchurch folk – we even saw the city's mayor there on our Sunday-morning visit. Pop in for a robust breakfast on the big shared tables, or grab baked goodies and still-warm artisan bread for an affordable DIY riverside picnic. Get there early (before 10am) for Vic's world-famous-in-Christchurch nutty porridge ($10.50).
reviewed
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S
New World Supermarket
Centrally located.
reviewed
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High to Hereford Food Court
Closed until further notice.
Spotless food court that travels from Greece and India, to Cambodia, China and ltaly.
reviewed
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U
Little Saigon
Cheap and cheerful with all your Vietnamese favourites, including excellent fresh spring rolls.
reviewed
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V
Joe’s Garage
Closed until further notice.
The pride of Queenstown comes to Christchurch and brings along good-value breakfasts and lunches.
reviewed
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W
Avon Café & Bakery
Life is really quite simple. Sometimes all you need is a takeaway coffee beside the banks of the Avon River.
reviewed
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X
Burgers & Beers Inc
Quirkily named gourmet burgers – try the Moroccan-spiced Woolly Sahara Sand Hopper (lamb with lemon yoghurt) or the Shagged Stag (venison with tamarillo and plum chutney) – give this place a funky, laid-back air. An ever-changing selection of Kiwi craft beers give you further reasons to tarry longer. Definitely worth the short hop south to Sydenham.
reviewed
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Y
Copenhagen Bakery & Café
Closed until further notice.
A regular winner in the Supreme Pie Awards – try the chicken satay – but also highly regarded by locals for tasty sandwiches and cakes.
reviewed