Christchurch Travel Guide

Bursting into culinary life in the late 1980s, Christchurch is fast developing a reputation for the dazzling range and sophistication of its cuisine and locally produced wines. From the rolling hills of the Banks Peninsula to the vast central plains and small valleys of the north, the Canterbury region boasts award-winning vineyards, innovative cafes, restaurants and bars, specialty cheese producers, chocolate makers, and a burgeoning array of boutique breweries.

For a city that flaunts its Englishness, the food styles are supremely far-ranging and there is something to enliven even the most jaded palate. Choose from Mediterranean, Italian, Indian, French Continental, Vegetarian and South American cuisines. With the Asian migration to this region there has also been an explosion of flavors and styles from the East-Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian and Korean. In the hands of the many talented chefs, these flavors and influences are culminating in a unique cuisine often referred to as "Pacific Rim." And as every chef will confirm, no visitor should leave town without tasting some the region's specialty of lean, tender Canterbury lamb.

The City

Overlooking the Avon River, along Oxford Terrace, is "The Strip" - a major part of Christchurch's cafe and restaurant scene. By night, "The Strip" transforms as DJs and local bands pump it up in Christchurch's hottest nightspots like All Bar One.

For a memorable culinary experience, Christchurch offers a number of silver-service restaurants run by restaurateurs internationally renown. The perfect place for a romantic candlelit dinner is Michael's Restaurant, run by New Zealand's culinary great, Michael Lee Richards. There is also Le Bon Bolli, where Phillip Kraal creates award-winning French cuisine.

A modest budget, however, is no obstacle to great and innovative cuisine. There is the European-styled Cafe Valentino offering award-winning Mediterranean-inspired food or Top Kapi with its special brand of authentic mouth-watering Turkish fare. Most restaurants provide a good range of vegetarian options with a handful, such as the Mainstreet Cafe & Bar, specialising exclusively in scrumptious vegetarian and vegan food.

Christchurch is brimming with every flavour and style of Asia. Among the is the Mythai Restaurant & Monkey Bar, where innovative Thai food is enjoyed by locals and Thais alike.

For the ultimate in choice, however, the food stalls at the Arts Centre Weekend Market are difficult to beat. Choose from an enormous variety of offerings--Thai, Czech and Lebanese—all very tempting. There are also good cafes nearby if you prefer to dine in comfort, including Le Café, which is still humming well into the small hours during the weekend.

Watering holes abound in the central district, with popular haunts, such as the Loaded Hog, producing their own excellent range of beers. The coffee connoisseur is also well catered for, with cafes such as C1 Espresso, Vivace and Coffee Culture roasting their own special blends on the premises. For great cafe food and a refined, yet relaxed ambience, drop in at Caffe Roma, just by Cathedral Square.

The Suburbs

While the heart of the culinary scene beats within the confines of the inner city, some of the best dining can be had in and around the suburbs. In the west of the city Yummy comes highly recommended for spicy Malay cuisine. Or in the delightful seaport of Lyttleton, the kitschy Wunderbar is a great place to relax over a drink while enjoying excellent views of the harbour. And for the ultimate in elegance and refinement--along with spectacular views of the city—try the historic Sign of the Takahe on the Port Hills. Five minutes drive north from the city centre is Merivale, an upmarket shopping district with a good range of cafes and bars to match. Brigittes Espresso Bar is an award-winning coffee specialist and serves a scrumptious brunch, while Zanzibar offers good drinking in contemporary, retro-style surroundings. However, if 19th century charm is the order of the day then the romantic ambience and authentic Indian cuisine of Little India is difficult to beat.

No visit is complete without stopping off at the charming seaside suburb of Sumner. Here you can have a relaxing meal, or enjoy drinks or coffee after a movie. Along the waterfront Scarborough Fare Restaurant & Cafe offers a delicious range of seafood and meat dishes, while within the village itself there are a number of good cafes, including the Ruptured Duck (The)—an excellent gourmet pizzeria.

On the Wine Trail

With its long dry hot summers, Canterbury has developed a flourishing wine industry. The heart of the winemaking area is the Waipara Valley, where vineyards such as Pegasus Bay and Waipara Springs have received international recognition for their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varieties. Other grapes grown in the region include Riesling, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. On the periphery of Christchurch is the St Helena Wine Estate, while further South you can visit Giesen Wine Estate—wineries that put Canterbury on the winemaking map back in the 1980s. Most of Christchurch's restaurants include a good selection of New Zealand and local wines, with Annies Wine Bar & Restaurant, in the heart of the Arts Centre of Christchurch, featuring over 70 on the list.

Treading the wine trail is a favorite pastime of locals and visitors alike, and many of the vineyards now have excellent restaurants or cafes offering food that complements the quality and style of the wines. But the highlight for any wine lover would have to be the Waipara Wine & Food Celebration, where every March the very best of the new vintage is on display.

When every appetite has been satisfied, share your experience with the world through one of Christchurch's many well-equipped cyber cafes in the central city area, such as Cyber Café Christchurch and E-Caf.2008-08-02T07:29:22.000 153