This series will profile the people who make Christchurch tick, give a voice to the region’s diverse communities and debate how the city can best accommodate its growing number of residents while examining the issues facing the city. Video / NZ Herald
It might not be the country's biggest city but Christchurch runs with the biggest and best when it comes to cuisine, cocktails and the cafe scene.
From the CBD to the outer suburbs there are plenty of options to delight every palate in the Garden City, something to whet every whistle, something to suit every mood and satisfy even the most complex palate.
There's no Ponsonby Rd, there's no Cuba Street - but the eateries, cafes and bars on offer across Christchurch both in the central hospitality districts and the suburbs are gold class and each month it seems there's something new on the menu as the city continues to rebuild and revitalise.
This list is by no means exhaustive but certainly showcases some of the best of what Otautahi has to offer when it comes to brunches, beers, dinners, desserts and other treats to tantalise the taste buds.
If you're a foodie or you just love something a little bit more fancy than your local for a meal, Christchurch has a raft of great dining spots. Two absolute must experience have to be the slow-roasted Ras el Hanout lamb shoulder at 5th Street and any of the delightful wine flights at Cellar Door
5th Street, Elgin St, Sydenham
The Monday Room, High Street
Twenty Seven Steps, New Regent Street
Cellar Door, Christchurch Arts Centre
Tussock Hill, Huntsbury Ave. Cashmere
The team at 5th Street serve up scrumptious food. Photo / 5th Street Facebook
CENTRAL CITY SUPERSTARS
What old school Cantabrians knew as The Strip came down in the 2011 quake but was replaced with the equally vibrant dining district The Terrace where you will find a plethora of restaurants and bars serving everything you could want and a lot more.
Chiwahwah serves some of the best Mexican food I've had outside actual Mexico and Botanic offers a spectacular Lavish Lunch with scrummy food and bottomless prosecco over the weekend - great for a catch-up with mates.
Earl offers a $25 pasta and wine deal on Tuesdays and is a real delight. Photo / Earl Facebook
Beyond The Terrace there are also great offerings including Earl which does a $25 pasta and wine night every Tuesday and the clever Bar Yoku sushi tacos and mouth-watering barbecue at Smokey T's both have to be on your Christchurch 'to do' list.
If you're after a great lunch or dinner in the suburbs you don't have to look far in Christchurch. Five-star dining is not just confined to the central city - some of the best plates can be found in the quieter areas.
You can never go wrong with The Birdwood's tortellini - a mouthwatering combo of confit chicken, pancetta, hazelnuts, pecorino and blue cheese sauce. Their woodfired pizzas are also out of this world.
The Birdwood does separate brunch and lunch/dinner menus and is a spectacular gem in the suburbs. Photo / The Birdwood Facebook
And I highly recommend Penny Black Victorian Tearooms if you're after high tea experience - located within The Tannery it's an absolute delight.
Moon Under Water, Somerfield Street, Somerfield
Brigittes, Papanui Road, Merivale
Scarborough Fare, Esplanade, Sumner
Fush, The Runway, Wigram
The Birdwood, Malcolm Avenue, Beckenham
Meschino , Rutland Street, St Albans
Kinji, Greers Road, Bryndwr
Londo, Papanui Rd, Merivale
Misceo, Clyde Road, Ilam
Penny Black , The Tannery, Woolston
BEST BRUNCHES
One thing Christchurch is not short of is excellent brunch spots. My absolute favourite is Hello Sunday and the slow-cooked beef cheek hash is my personal recommendation and they do a top-notch mimosa to go alongside.
Little Poms is also a great time - thing eggs bene but with a delectable cheese scone as a base and Westend Stories have the most stunning cabinet food alongside their hearty and delicious menu.
The beef cheek hash at Hello Sunday is out of this world. Photo / Hello Sunday Facebook
Hello Sunday, Elgin Street, Sydenham
Dose Diner, Blenheim Rd, Riccarton
Westend Stories, Cambridge Terrace
Little Poms, Kilmore Street
Black Betty, Madras Street
Miro, Oxford Terrace
Unknown Chapter, St Asaph Street
Addington Coffee Co-op, Lincoln Rd, Addington
Ilex cafe, Botanic Gardens
Under The Red Verandah, Tancred Street, Linwood
Lyttelton Coffee Company , London Street, Lyttelton
BEER LOVERS
There are plenty of local taverns around the traps in Christchurch and we're not short of an Irish bar serving Dublin's finest - but there's also a great array of places to get a decent craft brew or something a little bit off-piste.
Craft Embassy and Kaiser on The Terrace both have superb beer lists and their food goes down a treat - both do terrific fried chicken that works especially well with a cold brew.
Kaiser has a great range of beers along with a full drink and food menu. Photo / Kaiser Facebook
Moon Under Water, listed above in the suburban gems section, are also famed for its craft beer offerings.
Beers, Blenheim Rd, Riccarton
Craft Embassy, The Terrace
Kaiser Brew Garden, The Terrace
Pomeroy's Pub, Kilmore Street
Two Thumb Brewing, Colombo Street
Cassels & Sons Brewing, The Tannery, Woolston
COCKTAIL CONNOISSEURS
Fancy a pre or post-dinner cocktail? Or just looking for a fab spot for drinks with friends?
There's certainly a lot on offer in the city area. OGB in Cathedral Square is always a go-to for me and The Last Word on New Regent is superb for a winter warmer - think steaming hot toddies in a variety of flavours and whisky tastings to heat up a chilly Canterbury night.
Rooftop bar Mr Brightside is always a great place to pull up a pew and have a quiet drink while you look out over the city.
Rooftop bar Mr Brightside is just the place for a cocktail overlooking Christchurch City across to the Southern Alps. Photo / Mr Brightside Facebook
And if you're into music, jazz club Fat Eddie's combines a raft of cocktails with regular live offerings.
Kong, The Terrace
OGB, Cathedral Square
Gin Gin, New Regent Street
The Last Word, New Regent Street
Austin Club, High Street
Mr Brightside, The Terrace
The Dirtyland, Victoria Street
Fat Eddies, The Terrace
OTAUTAHI INSTITUTIONS:
Are you really from Christchurch if you haven't been to all of these places at least 206 times?
They've survived the test of time, changing palates and trends and the 2011 quake and are still serving up the best food and drink in the country.
One simply cannot visit Christchurch without sampling a souvlaki from the famous Dimitri's Greek Food. Photo / Dimitri's Facebook
From insane Italian at Tutto Bene and Cafe Valentino to classic but classy fare are Aikmans and the famed Drexels all-day breakfast and Dimitri's souvlaki - there's something for everyone on this list of Christchurch food heroes.
Aikmans, Papanui Rd, Merivale
Dux Central, Lichfield Street
Dimitiri's, Riverside Market and Riccarton Road
Cafe Valentino, St Asaph Street
Tutto Bene, Papanui Rd, Merivale
At Tony's Japanese Restaurant, Riccarton Road and Waterman Place, Ferrymead
Drexels, Rotherham Street, Riccarton
Cook 'N' With Gas, Worcester Boulevard
The beef a la Gas at Cook N With Gas is tremendous. Photo / Cook N With Gas Facebook
MARKET VIBES
Christchurch and the wider Canterbury are not short of a market offering everything from fresh bread and produce, local cheese, tonics and concoctions, crafts and coffee.
The Christchurch Farmers Market at the Historic Riccarton House and Bush grounds and the Lyttelton Farmers Market are both amazing places to go on a Saturday morning and later in the evening, the Christchurch Night Markets at Bush Inn has the best selection of international foods you can imagine.
The Tannery has a selection of shops and dining options and has real marketplace vibe. Photo / The Tannery
But there are also some permanent market-style setups around the place where you can dine, shop and wander.
Cafe Raeward in Harewood is nestled amid the bigger produce and specialty food store and similarly, the Mediterranean Food Company on Tuam Street has a cafe and pizzeria in the middle of its menagerie of Italian, French, Spanish, Greek, Turkish and Lebanese gourmet products.
Little High Eatery, St Asaph Street
Riverside Market, The Terrace
The Tannery, Garlands Road, Woolston
The Colombo, Colombo Street, Sydenham
Christchurch's Riverside Market is the foodie envy of other cities. Photo / Supplied
