Wine & Dine Search Results

A sophisticated sibling to Tom’s sandwich bar on Christchurch's Southwark Street, Estelle sits neatly just a few strides and a diagonal road crossing away in a space in QB Studios. The white and bright industrial interior is a paired back canvas for a few carefully chosen artworks and fresh flowers by Bunch Floral that adorn the tables daily. 

Similarly to its interior aesthetics, the menu at Estelle is composed of simplistic yet elegant items. Serving ‘mostly things on toast’, as owner-operator Tom Worthington humbly puts it, there is nothing humble about what is created here. Think smoked fish, pickled currants and rhubarb, or white beans, salsa verde...

Evil Genius Bar & Eatery is one of Ferrymead’s best-kept secrets. Open Wednesday to Sunday from noon ’til way past dusk, the intimate space offers relaxed dining, choice beverages and an epic lineup of live entertainment. Pop in for a leisurely lunch, end the day with casual dining or meet your best wine-drinking buddy here for a glass or two.

The super tasty Asian fusion menu is loaded with generous tapas style plates perfect for sharing. Evil Fried Chicken is a definite crowd pleaser, and tasty vegan alternatives mean no one ever has to miss out on yummy fried goodness. Genius. If you’re after a quick caffeine kick, they’ve got that covered for you...

At the corner of Montreal and Worcester Streets you’ll find Fiddlesticks, a popular bistro and after work hangout with an unmatched atmosphere and food and beverage to boot. 

The space, which was once the famed Le Bon Bolli restaurant, is a clever overlay of contemporary style and eccentric features that blend pine wood paneling with low hanging lights for a cosy, laid back feel. The staff are consistently welcoming whether you’re in for brunch, a leisurely lunch or a full on dinner party.

If you visit during the day time take a seat in the sun filled front rooms and enjoy views of stunning Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, located just across...

There aren’t many public libraries that offer a happy hour or even have quality food and drink on offer. At Tūranga’s Foundation, you’ll find just that and more.

On top of being one of the most welcoming cafes in Christchurch, Foundation is fully licensed, serves flavoursome fare and is seamlessly integrated into Otautahi’s world class library by way of clever design and friendly service. The Trevella family, who own and operate Foundation, bring their experience from successful local cafe, Good Habit, and their catering business to this one of a kind venture.

At Foundation visitors can sip on Prima coffee, select a magazine or newspaper from the...

Pizza, pasta, tiramisu – all staples of a cuisine we know and love: cucina Italiana. But considering Aotearoa lies a cool 18,527 kilometres away from Italy, it can be hard to know if we really do know what authentic Italian food is. Enter Francesca’s Kitchen with a third generation Head Chef from Italy. Serving a big ol’ slice of authentic, rustic Italian cuisine and hospitality in the heart of the garden city. 

Speaking of big ol’ slices – perhaps one of the most exciting features of this beautiful venue positioned next to Christchurch’s beautiful Isaac Theatre Royal is the woodfired pizza oven which sits at centre stage and pumps...

Living in harmony with the seasons has many benefits, and dining at Gatherings is undoubtedly one of them. Long known for its innovative but grounded approach to culinary excellence, this local Canterbury institution keeps evolving in ways that continue to delight our senses. 

In keeping with a philosophy that is mindful of what we take from the earth and when - Gatherings’ menu is rooted in local, accessible, and seasonal ingredients. You can expect to enjoy an abundance of sustainably caught New Zealand seafood alongside locally grown organic produce. Founding chef, Alex Davies, believes good food reflects the season and location in which it is being prepared. With...

Gelato and Tea is the work of two Christchurch hospitality experts, Mia Zhao and Andy Shiau, who have brought the city some of its mainstays like Sushi Soldier, Eightgrains, Dose Diner and more. True to form, this venture is just as stellar as the rest of the bunch and offers homemade gelato and a range of tea drinks.

All the gelato is made in-house and flavours range from funky to familiar - and half the cabinet is vegan. Options like ‘Black Hawaii’ are striking in both appearance and taste. Made with raw cacao and coconut this gelato is night sky black and bursting with rich chocolatey undertones and springy coconut notes. Other flavours like orange mandarin,...

Hiding away in the leafy suburb of Opawa lies a small piece of Italy. Gelato Lab churns out traditional gelato in a number of delicious and ever-changing flavours, all made on-site by two passionate ladies: Martina, who hails from the motherland of gelato and hence has a fair idea of the product at hand; and Pippa, the owner-operator of this wee gem, who fell in love with gelato while studying in Europe and attended a ‘gelato university’ in Bologna (just for fun, she tells us!) after finishing her PhD.

Working as a research scientist at the University of Otago as a day job, Pippa set up Gelato Lab as a way to import a slice of Europe to little ol’...

You’ll find a few golden nuggets interspersed around Tai Tapu, and General Post is one of them. This small neighbourhood general store has tonnes of practicality and style. 

Having returned to Tai Tapu after a stint in Australia, owners Larissa and Hayden had planned on going back, but that pesky pandemic had other ideas.  A longer stay in Larissa’s hometown (yes, she’s a local wāhine) resulted in the concept for the store starting to brew, culminating in the opening of General Post, a hip greengrocer serving top-notch coffee.

New to hospitality in every sense, Larissa and Hayden have an astute eye for excellent produce, design and...

If you like great wine, stunning scenery and a quick escape from the city head to Georges Road Wines in Waipara, North Canterbury. This small estate makes authentic and naturally produced wines that aim to represent the uniqueness of each vineyard season in every bottle. Georges Road is a great example of what makes our backyard wine-growing region so unique.

Head winemaker and owner, Kirk Bray, takes an intentional, small-scale approach and is genuinely involved in every step of the process. It’s not unusual to find him bottling wines or riding around the property on a tractor taking care of all the little things that go into a great pour.

After getting his...

Pass through New Regent Street in the evening and you’ll notice the warm glow of a singularly worded sign. It simply says ‘gin’. Inside you’ll find over 100 varieties, but that’s only the start of this local haunt’s story.

Just like New Regent Street itself, gin gin is a colourful environment all its own. Velvety gum drop shaped stools, swirly table tops, lush indoor plants, and the glittering bottles this place is named for, make it feel like you’ve stepped onto the set of Willy Wonka’s (GIN) Factory. The treats come in the form of colourful, handcrafted drinks and a menu that goes far beyond what you’d expect at a cocktail...

Sweat and tears are a given, but there was definitely no blood involved in the birth of Grater Goods; Christchurch's standout vegan deli and bistro. Found in an old glass factory in Sydenham’s industrial blocks, a fifth-generation ‘butcher’ and long-term vegan Flip Grater runs the place alongside her husband Youssef Iskrane.

What started as a hole-in-the-wall sandwich bar has grown into a fully-fledged café by day and licensed bistro restaurant by night. Furnished with mismatched vintage tables and chairs and comfy couches, Grater Goods have crafted a space that exudes creativity and style, a haunt for bourgeois bohemians if you will.

Working...

‘Eat your crusts’ and ‘take no shortcuts’ are the only rules at Grizzly, Christchurch's favourite bakery.

Their bread and baked goods are tasty in entirety and have the power to win over even the pickiest of eaters. Try their signature loaf, Country Sourdough, just once and your toast game will be changed forever. Made with wholemeal and rye flour, it’s tart and chewy on the inside but crunchy on the outside—the kind of slice that’s sturdy enough to support a deluxe sandwich creation but delicate and delicious enough to eat all by itself.  

That second rule, as it turns out, is exactly why it’s so easy to eat...

No longer the domain of hippies and survivalists; organic, free-range, bulk and sustainable foods are now the norm and can be found in any supermarket. But for expert knowledge, cheap bulk products and fresh local produce, it's best to skip the large chains and track down a local food store.

The Harbour Co-op is New Zealand's second largest co-operative with over 200 members who volunteer in-store and have a say on everything that happens in the shop. It doesn't take long after stepping through the door to realise that's not the only thing about this place that is a little bit different. From the immediate smell of wooden floors and spices, to noticing that the supplier...

If you thought fast food was greasy treats, think again. Herba Gourmet has rethought street food to bring fresh, healthy, fine food to diners on the go. Sourcing locally grown ingredients is important to Herba owner Kerry, who aims to create delicious, nourishing food for everyone - no matter their taste preferences or dietary requirements. Located inside Riverside Market this cute little store is more than meets the eye.

Everything on the menu - including the hand-cut chips - are prepared in the small kitchen space. It is also certified gluten-free by Coeliac NZ's Dining Out Programme which means coeliacs can eat without worry - no cross-contamination whatsoever....

Anything plonked in the middle of such beautiful surroundings was always going to be good. But Ilex Café is far from being just good, it’s extremely good.

Paying homage to local produce through simple, sophisticated dishes, Ilex’s menu is brimming with memorable breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes created by renowned Christchurch chef Jonny Schwass. Since then, the already-popular spot has been taken up a notch and is always buzzing with happy diners enjoying delectable fare in a truly spectacular spot.

Breakfast options such as sourdough crumpets with whipped ricotta and honey or Huevos Rancheros (corn tortilla, chipotle spiced tomatoes, black beans and...

The Inati experience is an experience like no other. Tucked in a beautifully designed space on Hereford Street, Inati delivers a personalised dining experience which aims to challenge the palate and open the mind to the magic which can be made from the finest Canterbury and New Zealand produce around.

At Inati, guests are seated at the polished brass chef’s table on beautiful leather-armed chairs where they are able to watch chefs prepare their meals in front of them. And what is being created will not disappoint nor will it bore – chef and owner Simon Levy’s innovative offering of small and larger sharing plates includes wonders such as Boeuf-nuts – a...

A busy team of twelve work away behind the scenes to create some of the most beautiful and flavoursome sweet treats available. Hundreds of colourful macarons with punchy and interesting flavours are produced out of the J’aime les macarons kitchen each day, and still there’s demand for more.

Over 14 years ago Bridget O’Sullivan found herself back on New Zealand soil after a lot of time spent in Europe. France was one of her favourite spots to visit, and it was there her love for macarons sparked. Back home she found it hard to get hold of a sweet treat comparable to these little morsels of goodness, so, with a friend, developed and began selling...

In the small foodie haven of Bryndwr lies Christchurch's very own slice of Japan. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted with Irasshaimase, a traditional Japanese welcome, and immediately feel transported to another continent. If you’re after an authentic Japanese dining experience with truly exceptional cuisine then you need to book a table at Kinji and do it soon. 

The restaurant's interior is modern and beautifully understated. Simple black chairs and intimate tables are set with delicate ceramic dishes and, of course, the essential chopsticks. Rich dark wood panelling brings a touch of warmth to the sophisticated black and grey palette. Bottles of sake on...

Kokomo brings a modern coastal dining experience to Ōtautahi Christchurch. Nestled within The Welder, the restaurant inhabits an old signwriters building repurposed for hospitality use for the first time in 2023 by owner-operators Nikki and Toby Eaton, who also operate High Street restaurant Rascal. 

The interior of Kokomo, like its menu, has been designed with a coastal mindset. Think loads of greenery, touches of blue, cane lighting, kitschy vintage artworks reminiscent of batches by the sea and plenty of light pouring in. The streetside window opens right up, allowing a continuum of the restaurant space all the way from the indoor courtyard of The Welder across to the...