Grabbing a bite or quick drink before the Christchurch Spring Fashion Festival, which kicks off tonight? The humming hospo city has plenty to offer for every occasion, as local foodie influencer Katrina Too explains.
From tomato strawberry gelato to unbeatable pub grub and Michelin star eats, the Christchurch dining scene
is “levelling up”, says Katrina Too, also known as @chcheats._w.kat.
Having moved to Christchurch about eight years ago from Hong Kong, the 24-year-old content creator found her deep-rooted love of food served her well in a place brimming with new ideas.
“Coming from Hong Kong, food is definitely a part of me. Growing up, [I was] going to so many different restaurants, [and] my parents are big foodies because, like all Chinese people, we just love food.”
For Too, part of why she got into food influencing was to help champion local hospitality and flip the perception that it was a “boring” hospitality destination.
“Back then, eight years ago, they’re like, ‘Oh, Christchurch has nothing to do’. I just wanted to start this account and document all the good stuff, all the good restaurants, and tell people that Christchurch isn’t that boring.”
Katrina Too is a Christchurch-based food influencer.
And, in her words, it’s “blooming right now”.
“I think the Christchurch culinary scene, this year especially, has levelled up so much in terms of having variety. You’ve got dessert options, you’ve got smoked meat, you’ve got takeaway options, and it’s just literally walking distance to so much good food,” she says.
“I also think there’s a new, younger generation of people opening different places, so it’s really good to see that.”
We asked Too what her go-to picks were for all occasions, from quick bites to date nights and family-friendly meals.
For Breakfast Or Brunch
Miro, 176 Oxford Tce, CBD, and Child Sister, 277 Manchester St, CBD
Enjoy the best brunch in Christchurch at Miro. Photo / Miro
Miro is inside a heritage building, so it’s super nice. I love the [classic] eggs benny or the eggs benny with the beef cheek hash.
Child Sister is also a classic that I love. They serve Korean fusion brunch. I really like their Kimchi fried rice and honey butter waffles.
Korean fusion fare at Child Sister. Photo / Child Sister
Miro really suits work and meetings, but I would say Child Sister is very family-friendly because there’s also the Margaret Mahy playground next door.
For Lunch
Riverside Market, 96 Oxford Tce, CBD
Rollicious, 270 Saint Asaph St, CBD
Saka Sushi, 404 Innes Rd, St Albans
Riverside Market. Photo / Grant Bradley
Riverside is an institute for all the different cuisines you can find there. You can even have beer. Downstairs, it’s more casual, with casual lunch spots that you can takeaway, but upstairs, you get more sit-down meals that you can have with your workmates. Riverside’s just a hub for lunch.
I tend to try new things from Riverside because there are so many, but I really like the pizzas upstairs from Kaiser Brew.
Banh Mi from Rollicious really hits the spot. Photo / Katrina Too
We also have Rollicious, and then Saka Sushi, which is a premium sushi takeaway spot. From Rollicious, I would get the crispy pork Banh Mi.
Saka Sushi would be some premium salmon sushi or salmon Tokyo, which has crispy prawn in the middle with salmon on top of it, and then they torch it up.
At Riverside, the vibe is more family-friendly and touristy because everyone who comes to Christchurch will always go to Riverside. Rollicious and Saka Sushi are good takeaway spots.
For Dinner
Texas Grill, 5/120 Hereford St, CBD
Odeon, 165 Gloucester St, CBD
I’m a big meat eater, so I love Texas Grill, which serves American low-and-slow smoked meat. That’s in the CBD, very close to all the popular spots. They have decent portions for a good price, and their Flintstone steak is the best.
Then there’s Odeon, which is a fancier Michelin Bib Gourmand location. I love ordering the beef short rib, it’s so tender and so good.
Michelin-recognised Odeon is great for a classy night out.
Odeon’s quite fancy, and great for date night. Texas Grill is more family-friendly and more chill. You can go with your mates and just have some meat.
To Grab A Drink
Cellar Door, 1 Hereford St, CBD
Mayor of Ale, 22 Riccarton Rd, Riccarton
Cellar Door is great for groups. Photo / Cellar Door
Cellar Door in the Arts Centre is a great wine bar to chill with friends. You can even sit outside if it’s a sunny day. A lot of people do hen dos over there with the girls. It’s very wine-focused. Any wine flight there is good, but you need to get their chips because they are triple-cooked and such a good pairing with the wine. The owner is so nice, so whatever questions you have about the wine, he’s got you.
Mayor of Ale is a good place on Riccarton Rd for drinks and pub food. It’s not too noisy, but they’ve also got big screens for sporting events, and it’s a great place to hang out with mates.
To Indulge In A Sweet Treat
Material Gelato, 159 Manchester St, CBD
Sweet Soul Patisserie, 1/79 Cashel St, CBD
I love Rollickin Gelato’s Yogi Bear (yoghurt gelato with caramel and dark chocolate), but for a new option, Material Gelato just opened, and they focus on high-quality gelato. They have really interesting flavours like tomato strawberry and white truffle, so it’s super innovative.
Sweet Soul Patisserie is also great and opens till late. It’s really nice for a cup of tea and a sit-down with one of the many amazing desserts. There’s a different one every month, so it’s hard to pick a favourite. Sweet Soul is more of a sit-down venue, whereas Material is a good grab-and-go.
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