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Best Christchurch Food & Drinks

New Regent Street in Christchurch showing brightly coloured, art deco style shop fronts

While working from home in New Zealand free time throughout the week was mostly spent chilling out, enjoying the sunshine, and staying close to home in order to get enough rest for an early work start. However, we still had the pleasure of enjoying some delicious meals out and about Christchurch, and discover some unique bars to have a drink at. While there are loads of places to eat and drink out and about, here are some of my favourite spots around the city!

Spagalimis Pizza: This Christchurch chain of pizzerias offers both eat in and takeaway options, and with a wide range of pizzas to choose from and a family friendly atmosphere  it’s an incredibly relaxed spot to grab a slice. We opted for a half-and-half pizza in the large size to share in order to get the best price without compromising the flavours we wanted, and it was more than enough! My Thai Chicken was delicious, but a sneaky taste of Kazimir’s Mediterranean Lamb pizza quickly made me realise what I wish I had ordered, but hey, sharing is caring right?!

Hell Pizza: Continuing our search for great pizzas, we couldn’t resist one of our favourites at Hell Pizza. This grunge themed takeaway and restaurant originated in New Zealand and has grown to become a popular chain, with locations across the country. We can’t get enough of the Pandemonium gourmet pizza, with chicken, cranberry and camembert toppings! The takeaway option is even more appealing for us when we’re feeling lazy, as there are frequent voucher codes and offers so along with the delicious topping options available, these pizzas are to die for!

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The Bicycle Thief: A short drive south out of town is this adorable cottage style restaurant situated right in the middle of sprawling fields, an old vineyard and nearby rolling hills. The quiet tranquility of such a beautiful venue, along with the carefully curated interiors ensure a classy and stylish meal. The menu itself has so many inviting options it was a tough decision to make, but I eventually chose the butternut squash and goats cheese cannelloni. While it was truly delicious, the portion was much more than I could handle, which meant no room for dessert this time! Prices are a little higher than an average meal out, but you certainly get your money’s worth with such wonderful dishes. Definitely worth a visit for a relaxed but elegant occasion!

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The Bicycle Thief Exterior

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Delicious meals mean big smiles 

Burgers & Beers Inc.: This diner style restaurant does exactly what it say it does, at an affordable price. This is another Christchurch based chain, with a quirky interior and BIG burgers to satisfy any food craving. If great food that doesn’t break the bank is what you’re after, this is the perfect stop off. Their onion rings and aioli sauce are also heavenly, a must have to accompany your burger!

Pure Pulp: Situated in the Re:Start mall in the heart of the city centre, this tiny smoothie bar is as busy as the bustling mall itself. With to-go service being your only option, you can either pull up a seat at the mall, or as we did, head to a favourite spot in the park to enjoy a refreshing smoothie in the sunshine. With a huge variety of fruits to go in your drink, and an eclectic mix of flavours it’s hard to resist one of these bad boys! The smoothies have an emphasis on organic juices and superfood vegetables, so for us it was the perfect midmorning fuel to keep us going for the rest of a busy sightseeing day! There’s plenty of options in the Re:Start mall to grab food and drinks on the go, but for a healthy alternative that tastes just as good Pure Pulp is the ideal stop.

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Re:Start Mall

Black Betty: This unique, edgy cafe is right in the centre of town, and offer the tastiest breakfasts around. A mix of full English options, and healthier, hipster inspired breakfasts, whether a hangover cure or a health kick is what you’re after you’ll find what you need here! As a caffeine teetotaller I left it up to Kazimir to try their own coffee blend, but I trust it was good stuff! We opted for classic bacon and eggs for breakfast, but with a Black Betty twist you’re treated to ciabatta toast, and a spicy tomato relish on the side. Washed down with a fresh juice, we felt ready to take on the day!

The Last Word: Situated down my favourite Christchurch Street, of New Regent Street this whisky and cocktail lounge are embracing an art deco theme and prohibition style bar experience. With outdoor and indoor seating, it’s a great location to sit and watch the world go by with a cold drink in your hand. With beautifully presented (not to mention strong!) drinks available you’ll easily find something you’ll enjoy, while also trying something a bit different and new. While neither of us are particularly big whisky fans, they do also offer cocktails, beers, wine & cider, so fear not if whisky isn’t your thing, the expert bar staff will sort you out!

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New Regent Street

The Institution: My personal favourite bar, also on New Regent Street The Institution has a speakeasy style, with upstairs seating to give the best views to people watch from. The cosy bar is ideal for a quiet drink, spending time with great people and great beers. As a cider lover, my drink of choice is the Zeffer Apple Crumble Infused Cider; it tastes like Christmas! We’ve been here on a couple of occasions, and the bar staff are always friendly and helpful, and despite being a small space you don’t feel cramped in. A must-go place out of the many fabulous places Christchurch has to offer.

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Zeffer Cider

What are your favourite places to eat and drink in Christchurch? Any dishes that really stand out? Let me know!

Text overlay of a tourist tram in Christchurch New Zealand

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20 Comments

  • Reply
    Zoe | Together In Transit
    03/21/2018 at 4:30 pm

    Right from the start my mouth was watering from reading about the delicious pizza! I’ve never been to Christchurch or New Zealand yet, but that apple crumble cider seems like the perfect excuse to book my flight!!

    • Reply
      suzystories
      03/21/2018 at 11:36 pm

      Ah pizza and cider… My two true loves! Definitely would recommend, NZ do some great ciders if that’s your tipple!

  • Reply
    sonikatravels
    03/21/2018 at 4:39 pm

    I am certainly in love with New Zealand. Has been on my bucket list for a very long time. Thank you for sharing your insights!

    • Reply
      suzystories
      03/21/2018 at 11:37 pm

      It’s a really fabulous country, I definitely share that love! Hope you can visit soon 🙂

  • Reply
    WonderHereWanderThere
    03/21/2018 at 4:54 pm

    I’ve not been to NZ yet but it is most definitely on the list, and The Last Word will be joining it – really sounds like a great place to people watch and have a drink at the same time, perfection for me!!

    • Reply
      suzystories
      03/21/2018 at 11:37 pm

      It’s a really great little joint! Hope you get to visit sometime, catch you there for a drink!

  • Reply
    Mattea
    03/21/2018 at 5:06 pm

    I’m heading to New Zealand this year so this list is actually super useful! Thank you for sharing. I’m now SUPER hungry

    • Reply
      suzystories
      03/21/2018 at 11:38 pm

      That’s awesome! When will you be over? I hope you have a wonderful (and delicious) trip!

  • Reply
    tanamerarumbai
    03/21/2018 at 5:21 pm

    I would like to try the burger. It sounds big, yummy, and… affordable! The pizza places will be my choices, too. Now, I’m waiting for the opportunity to come to visit Christchurch or any other cities in New Zealand.

    • Reply
      suzystories
      03/21/2018 at 11:38 pm

      Great choices! Love the burger, could definitely go for another one now! Hope you get to visit soon 🙂

  • Reply
    Elaine J. Masters
    03/22/2018 at 2:43 am

    I loved visiting Christchurch and am happy to see it percolating with so much fun. The first earthquake hit shortly after I was there!

    • Reply
      suzystories
      03/24/2018 at 11:40 am

      Gosh really! It must be such a different city now, hope you can revisit and see all the rebuild work one day!

  • Reply
    Carly | FearlessFemaleTravels.com
    03/22/2018 at 2:46 am

    So if I can’t make it to Italy, Christchurch should be my runner-up pizza destination?

    • Reply
      suzystories
      03/24/2018 at 11:40 am

      haha looks like it! Definitely just as good if not better 😉

  • Reply
    Nafisa Habib
    03/22/2018 at 2:56 am

    Never been to Christchurch but definitely Pizza will be the first choice to taste 😀 I’m loving the exterior design of The Bicycle Thief and as well as the name is so interesting. I guess there might have some fact behind this name, hahaha.

    • Reply
      suzystories
      03/24/2018 at 11:39 am

      Haha it’s definitely my favourite! I’m sure there is too, might have to do some digging to find out!

  • Reply
    candiceiiice
    03/22/2018 at 3:27 am

    I love pizza! This looks like a quaint little town. The pastel buildings are so cute!! Definitely, need to take a trip to NZ but I would have probably overlooked this place. Thanks for sharing!

    • Reply
      suzystories
      03/24/2018 at 11:39 am

      The pizza is delicious! Hope you get to visit some time!

  • Reply
    Victoria
    03/22/2018 at 1:19 pm

    I love to eat my way through a destination so this guide was a really great to read. I especially like the options at the Black Betty.

    • Reply
      suzystories
      03/24/2018 at 11:38 am

      Me too! Best way to get to know a city 😉 Thanks very much!

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