Wine & Dine Search Results

Christchurch may be a long jaunt from Kathmandu, but you won't have to go nearly as far for Kathmandu-style momo dumplings. In fact, you can find them lovingly handcrafted right here in Kaiapoi.

Kung Fu Dumplings launched in 2014, inspired by the owner's hometown of Kathmandu. Though Alok Pradhan went to university for electrical engineering and worked in that field for 10 years before going into sales, he gave up corporate life after the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes and never looked back. While he never had a restaurant or trained formally as a chef, he grew up cooking alongside his family in Nepal. New Zealanders have BBQ's, but in Nepal, the Nepalese gather to make momos...

A café by day, an a la carte restaurant by night, La Luna Eatery & Bar located in the heart of Rangiora, carries out each of its roles effortlessly. This is a place where every detail has been thought through. The inviting interiors are fresh and breathe a sense of a modern European establishment. The restricted colour palette of forest green and vintage rose, light wood furniture, brass piping and dried floral arrangements all result in an approachable, chic atmosphere. 

Expect to find a cabinet filled to the brim with homemade goodness, with plenty of choices for various dietary needs. Brunch and lunch menus offer more substantial fare during daylight hours,...

Situated in the same celebrated building as the ever-popular Pomeroy's Old Brewery Inn, Little Poms is a charming neighbourhood café all about celebrating great food by artisan producers in the form of delicious and generous breakfast, brunch and lunch plates.  

You're in safe hands at Little Poms – with menu items such as chilli scrambled eggs with shiitake mushrooms, smoked lemon ricotta and sourdough or waffles with stone fruit, lemon curd, berries, toasted passionfruit marshmallow and pistachios. Their cornflake crumbed cauliflower and house made crumpets have also gained a loyal following amongst the city's brunch enthusiasts, which isn't surprising...

Amberley isn’t normally a town that springs to mind when you’re looking for a decent coffee. But prepare to be pleasantly surprised by the little gem that is Little Vintage Espresso. Run by husband and wife team Vanessa and Matt, the cafe was set up in April 2013 after Vanessa (a returning local) and her Australian husband Matt moved back to Amberley from across the ditch to have their first child. The pair quickly discovered a gap in the market for a place where locals can relax and enjoy excellent coffee (by Christchurch roasters Switch) and good food without getting rushed out the door.

And speaking of good food, the cabinet and menu are brimming with it –...

Good things come in small packages, and Londo is a prime example of that age old proverb. Located at the city end of Papanui Road, in what could hardly be more than a thirty square metre space, this teeny restaurant, with an even teenier kitchen, has a heart bigger than most.

Intimate, yet by no means intimidating, the space is warm, welcoming and comfortable. The interior consists of natural materials and tones – the fit out is after all the handiwork of locals Michael Gilling of Xylo woodcraft and Alex Bowater of Master Studio. Guests are seated along the bar with full view of all the action in the kitchen, or at one of the three tables that allow for a more...

Tucked inside the CoCA art gallery building on Gloucester Street, you’ll find the aesthetically pleasing Lux Espresso. A hotspot for central city workers and art lovers alike, their baked goods and mouth-watering salads are typically sold out long before lunchtime.

Bare concrete floors, white-washed walls and steel lighting rigs lend an industrial feel to the space. In contrast, the custom-designed counter of unfinished oak and earthen-toned Japanese tiles is a stunning focal point bringing a warm touch to this Christchurch...

The dark horse of Christchurch coffee roasting and supply, Lyttelton Coffee Company has been serving and roasting coffee since 2007, about the same time their London Street cafe opened. The February earthquake saw the iconic 1921 heritage-noted building severely broken but not defeated, and so Stephen Mateer (Lyttelton Coffee Company owner) decided to put it back together - a task that took around 2 ½ years to complete with the help of a small group of Lyttelton locals.

Nowadays the cafe stands strong and as popular as ever, with good service, wholesome food and sustainability. Lyttelton Coffee Company saves 15,000 milk cartons a year from landfill through using stainless...

Hidden down a small lane on Lyttelton's main drag, you'll find one of Christchurch's best-kept dining secrets. There is no signage, no walk-ins, no hours and no menu. This is Mapu, a small experimental kitchen by acclaimed chef Giulio Sturla. 

Originally from Chile, Giulio has called Aotearoa home since 2009 and quickly built a reputation as one of the country’s culinary heroes. He co-founded Eat New Zealand, a not-for-profit movement dedicated to connecting people to the land and ocean through food. He also created the famed, but now former, Lyttelton restaurant, Roots. Mapu is the latest iteration of Guilio’s food journey. 

Enter Mapu, and...

In such a short time, Mia Zhao and Andy Shiau brought the city Eightgrains, Sushi Soldier, TOM, Ramen Ria, Dose Diner, Gelato and Tea and more. Midnight Shanghai, a “a grown up version” of some of their earlier concepts, offers the city elevated, modern Chinese fare in a sleek, exciting space. With karaoke, handcrafted cocktails and a menu designed for sharing, Midnight Shanghai visitors often stay til well, midnight.

Inspired by their travels to China, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and beyond, Mia and Andy designed Midnight Shanghai with the same level of care and dedication evident in all of their restaurants. The menu for starters, is spectacular.

Sharing...

If you’re feeling grumpy or a little blue, a visit to Mind Your Temper is sure to lighten your mood. Owner and Chief Chocolatier Nel believes chocolate should be fun and life should be too. He’s proud to be a pioneer, creating happy, colourful chocolates that bring joy to those who eat them.

In a charming little glass-fronted studio kitchen in Burnside, you’ll find Nel working on his magical chocolate creations. Simple white walls, thriving indoor plants and a vibrant collection of chocolate-making books set the scene for artfully crafted chocolates to take centre stage. On display, you’ll find petite, jewel-coloured pieces of euphoria known as bonbons,...

Sitting pretty on the banks of the Avon in central Christchurch stands a stunning terracotta building, and within it, Miro. While conveniently located within walking distance from the Art Gallery, the CBD shopping precinct, and next door to Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, Miro very much feels like a destination in itself; it is not somewhere you would stumble upon, rather, you need to know to look for it.

A sense of effortless luxury envelopes you upon entering this historical building. Once an exclusive gentlemen’s club, it’s been beautifully restored post-earthquakes with respect to the past. Original wood panelling, two open fires, coffered ceilings, and...

Nothing about Miss Peppercorn resembles your average local Chinese food haunt – and that’s just the way its owner, Nicole Zou, intended it. Sick of outdated décor, cramped interiors and sweet and sour pork, she decided it was about time New Zealand got a fresh perspective on China’s rich food offering. Nicole hails from the Chinese province of Sichuan, and was inspired to create a modern eatery, celebrating the fragrant and mouth-numbing flavours of her hometown. And she succeeded – Miss Peppercorn packs some serious punch!

The unique sensation of Szechuan peppercorns sings throughout a refined menu of just 20 or so dishes. The straightforward,...

Walking onto the grounds of Mona Vale Homestead & Pantry is a transportive experience of its own.

The expansive property is lush with trees, landscaped gardens and charming bridges, creating an idyllic setting for the beautifully appointed restaurant, perched along the Avon River.

Inside The Pantry at Mona Vale, you’ll find nods to the building’s historic charm throughout. The traditional wallpaper, gorgeous fireplace mantel, chandeliers and stunning architectural details make a leisurely brunch feel like a journey back in time, while still managing to feel casual and approachable enough for any day of the week. You can even bring the pup with you, as...

Moon Under Water is a good old fashioned neighbourhood pub located in Somerfield. Huddled close to the Port Hills, yet only a stone’s throw away from the central city, the location attracts both Christchurch South locals and visitors alike. The popularity of this unpretentious watering hole is simple: it is so much more than just a place to grab a drink – it’s the beating heart of the community where everyone is looked after. 

Owner-operator Matt Kamstra has over twenty years of experience working in pubs both here in Aotearoa and in Ireland, England and Scotland. Moon Under Water is the outcome of all that experience and a vision of creating a familiar...

Niche Coffee + Eatery, the latest addition to the hospitality scene of Sumner in Christchurch, fits like a glove to the seaside village.

The minimal fit-out with a nod to a beachy boho style is fresh, light and timelessly stylish. Just about everything at Niche is impressively designed and built (with a helping hand from a few mates) by owner-operators Ben and Jo Holmes who run the café together. While the pair is passionate about creating a space that is inviting, it’s providing the local community with something to call their own and visitors to enjoy that drives them.

Ben has been in the coffee game for a long time, previously working at Allpress Espresso,...

Home of Christchurch's only Japanese Peruvian fusion restaurant, Nikkei is a unique foodie destination. Climb the stairs to the second floor of Riverside Market and enter the vibrant, cosy space this petite restaurant calls home. When entering, the two cultures at play are immediately evident – Japanese banners hang above the bar, huge sake drums balance on open shelves, and the modest wooden tables are dressed with traditional Peruvian table runners and set with forks and knives, plus chopsticks. A bunch of colourful paper lanterns add a sense of whimsy, something that hints at what to expect from the food served here.

The menu is filled with creative concoctions...

Take one of Christchurch’s best chefs and his wealth of international experience, add his Andalusian-inspired dishes to an epic and interesting wine list, and top it all off with a sumptuous, luxe decor and you get Odeon.

Whilst not technically on New Regent Street, this restaurant is just around the corner on Gloucester Street. It is a welcome addition and very much vibes with the renowned hospitality scene in this part of the city. Head chef and owner Shafeeq Ismail is no stranger to these parts either, with his other venue, the popular and petite Story, a mere 50 metres away on New Regent Street. 

Stepping inside Odeon, what first captures your...

OGB is a charming slice of old Christchurch in the centre city. The Neo-Renaissance building it calls home was built back in the early 1900s, giving the bar a real sense of history. The staff here are dressed as if they live in the era, wearing crisp white shirts, tailored black trousers, suspenders and newsboy caps. But nothing about OGB feels themed or make believe – just a charming, authentic step back in time.

Grab a seat in the intimate bar or head outside for some al fresco dining (it’s the perfect place for watching the tourists and tram roll on by). Inside, the walls are painted a deep dark green and works perfectly set against the oak tables, rimu light...

You may have already come across the story of Patrick McNaughton. In the early 1800s, he was shipped halfway around the world for stealing an orange. Deported from his homeland of Ireland to Australia, a couple of decades later he escaped over the ditch to New Zealand.

Two centuries and many great ancestors later, a pint-sized pub has been created in his honour in central Christchurch. Paddy would feel right at home here in the 21st-century rendition of an old Irish ale house, and not just because it’s his namesake. At Paddy’s (the namesake, not the eponym) the journey back is instantaneous; from the woodchips scattered across the floor to the beverages on tap -...

Park Ranger sits on a leafy corner of Riccarton Road. Only a stone’s throw from Riccarton Bush, Park Ranger and its great outdoors theming are better suited to busy, urbanised Riccarton Road than you might first think.

The café feels somewhat like a cabin that you might find in the middle of a great, expansive bush. It’s full of beautiful wooden furniture, plants and a mismatched assortment of old school crockery that you can only imagine once was gathering dust in an old shed somewhere. Details are done well here – little glass bottles filled with a sprig of plant take place of standard table numbers, there’s reading material on growing plants...