Grumpys

Delivering North American-inspired donuts from a hot pink shipping container in Christchurch’s Sydenham Underpass, Grumpys is all about finding joy in the simplest of pleasures in perhaps the most unexpected of places. A business born from a very specific craving, Canadian expat Madie Macauley and Kiwi chef Iain Collis are filling a sweet, and quite literally hole-shaped, void in Ōtautahi's evolving food scene.

The container lights up one corner of the Underpass, a converted joinery factory that now houses an eclectic mix of tenants. One of Christchurch's emerging 'third spaces', the venue channels the vibe of informal public spots popular in Europe, where community happens naturally and everyone feels welcome.

Amongst this vibrant company, Grumpys immediately announces itself: hot pink steel, a glowing neon donut, glistening disco balls suspended from timber rafters, and a cabinet filled with specialty donuts glowing beneath fairy lights. The name is ironic by design; it's nearly impossible to feel grumpy when biting into one of these delights, particularly in such surroundings.

Grumpys' signature offering is the Old Fashioned, a sour cream-based style that's thick and flaky. The delicate balance achieved in these creations is a mark of authenticity that the city's expat Canucks consistently praise: tender and cake-like within, shatteringly crispy on the surface. The menu rotates through classics, with limited editions appearing monthly, while every component is made from scratch in-house, from genuine raspberry glaze to pure Canadian maple.

Wash one down with a freshly brewed coffee, matcha, your choice from Karma Drinks' range, or another cold beverage. Once satisfied, kick back and soak in all that's offered by a space so typical of the Sydenham scene.