Three Donkeys

Restaurants key icon.
Restaurants key icon.

MondayClosed.

TuesdayClosed.

WednesdayClosed.

Thursday5:00 – 9:00 pm.

Friday5:00 – 9:00 pm.

Saturday5:00 – 9:00 pm.

SundayClosed.

78 Brighton Mall, New Brighton, Christchurch

022 199 5097

Located in the heart of New Brighton, Three Donkeys is a small restaurant focused on an authentic yet elegantly modern take on Indian and Japanese cuisine. The menu embodies a unique blend of ethnic and progressive dishes offering meat, poultry and seafood plus vegetarian and vegan options. Their mission is to provide vibrant food and beautifully constructed dishes that surprise and intrigue. The team can also create tailor-made menus to your taste on request.

Chef Samson Samikannu started his culinary journey in his mother's kitchen in Pondichery, India, and is trained by some of the best chefs in France. In 2021, he opened The Three Donkeys restaurant, a place to share the flavours and cuisines he grew to love over the years. Samson loves to explore how food can promote energy and engagement amongst diners. Upon visiting, you might also recall Samson and his familiar smile from his food cart, The Rolling Om, in The Arts Centre. 

The restaurant's interior was renovated by local artist Chris Reddington using as many recycled materials as possible, creating a sociable and relaxed dining atmosphere. Sharing Carnaby Lane with some quality neighbours such as The Burger Joint and Switch New Brighton, Three Donkeys is a much welcomed addition to the small but popular New Brighton food scene. 

Words by Johnny Gibson & Photography by Nancy Zhou

Information not correct? Report an error

Location

78 Brighton Mall, New Brighton, Christchurch

Nearby Places

Switch New Brighton

Customers seated at tables inside Switch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Switch is a bit of an institution of the seaside suburb of New Brighton.

Saturdays

Eating oats with poached pear.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Saturdays is a celebration of not just the weekend, but every day. It’s an ode to what saturdays stand for: slowing down, enjoying one another and pairing it all with excellent food and drink.

The Burger Joint

The red and white interior of The Burger Joint.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Restaurants key icon.

The Burger Joint has an ethos that is plain and simple – and pretty hard to miss, with it boldly printed across the entranceway: Real Food, Real Local.

New Brighton Community Gardens

A woman crouching whilst tending to plants at New Brighton Community Gardens.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Stay and explore key icon. Wellbeing key icon.

Around Christchurch Ōtautahi there are so many unique suburbs and within these, there are amazing communities and initiatives that deserve the spotlight.

Similar Places

Evil Genius

Live DJs playing at Evil Genius.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon. Cafes key icon. Restaurants key icon.

Evil Genius Bar, Restaurant & Lair is a destination you need to get to know. Open from dawn ‘til way past dusk, it has everything from coffee to cocktails.

Miro

Three dishes of food on a table at Miro in the old Caffe Roma building in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

A stylish and cosy spot for breakfast, lunch or brunch, any day of the week.

Dune Café

Customers waiting near the counter as a barista pours coffee at Dune Cafe.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

On the corner of Bridge Street and Estuary Road in the heart of South Brighton, you’ll find Dune Café.

gin gin

View of the bar through green archway at gin gin..
Place Christchurch & Canterbury Editor's Pick
Bars key icon.

gin gin's the spot whether you’re keen for an after work bevvie, a boogie, a place to host your own party, seriously good food, a night on the town, or some combination thereof.