Lucas Shawarma

Tucked in amongst the brick of Little High Eatery on St Asaph Street, Lucas is Christchurch's answer to casual Middle Eastern-inspired eating. Owners Alvaro and Andrea (also of Paleta Gelateria, just across the way) were exposed to the flavours of the Levant back in their home of Venezuela, flavours that left such an imprint they've brought them all the way to Kiwi shores.

With quality, clean ingredients served from their compact kitchen, the recently covered courtyard makes for the ideal setting to enjoy fare that tastes even better shared. Brick walls, long timber tables, festoon lighting and neighbours serving their own signatures from all across the world; it's a relaxed, open setup that's less food court and more stylish laneway eating spot, one that works as well for a solo weekday lunch as it does for a Friday evening with friends.

Lucas' menu is built around the classics of the Levant and its neighbours. Their charcoal-grilled shawarma is comfortably the most popular order, and for good reason: it's wrapped in warm and light Lebanese bread that's sourced fresh daily from a local bakery. Alongside the wraps, there are grilled skewers, falafel and fattoush salad. For a wider spread, the Lucas Sharing Platter brings a bit of everything to the table on silver trays, including house-made dips. Choose Hallertau on tap to wash it down, or grab a glass off the concise wine list featuring North Canterbury producers.

But back to those dips, because they deserve their own mention. The hummus, baba ganoush, labne and muhammara (smoky capsicum sauce) are all made in-house and available by the jar from the pantry shelf if you want to take the flavour home. P.S. you will.

Cool, casual and full of character, there's a warmth and personality to Lucas that goes well beyond the food, meaning it's yet another morsel in the already bountiful Little High larder.