8 Fried Chicken Alternatives in Christchurch

Okay, hear us out on this one - deep fried cauliflower drizzled with maple syrup is delicious, possibly even life changing. Would you expect anything different coming from the Bacon Brothers team, though? Delicious, golden, and crispy, the cauliflower provides the perfect salt to the maple syrup’s sweet and makes for an irresistible combo. 

We crowned Civil and Naval’s fried chicken as one of our top picks for the best fried chicken in Christchurch, so we’re excited to announce they have a hearty meat-free alternative. Their Zany Zeus halloumi and falafel dish is served with preserved lemon mayo and it tastes so good we recommend ordering seconds from the get-go.

Another contender for our original list of best fried chicken spots in Christchurch, Evil Genius makes another appearance. This time, it’s their Evil Fried Tofu served with vegan mayo and bibimbap sauce that takes the cake. If you’re not sold on tofu, go for the classic Evil Fried Cauliflower, which is served with oriental slaw, spiced caramel sauce, and vegan mayo. Any way you slice it, we think Evil Genius might have the market cornered.

Tūranga’s Foundation Cafe may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of fried veggies, but it should be. Tucked away between the books and magazines is the cafe’s art deco inspired space - and their caraway fried cauliflower florets. Deliciously flavoured florets are battered and fried to create a delicious combo not normally found at your local library. Aren’t we lucky?

SUPER lives up to its name once again by providing, well, a super alternative to fried chicken. With a funky, Asian-fusion menu, it’s no wonder their fried cauliflower is served with ankake sauce and mayo, creating a dreamy mixture of salty and sweet. Park yourself in their cosy Lyttelton space and watch the port at work while you bask in the deliciousness of the food in front of you.

Grater Goods is known for the vegan twists on meaty favourites, so a fried chicken alternative should come as no surprise. We can only assume the acronym stands for something similar to a certain fried chicken giant, only substitute out the chicken for tofu. Grater Goods makes this tasty meal from scratch, starting by frying homemade tofu, coating it with a special house-made GG sauce, and serving it with pickles. All the tasty feels of fried chicken, with none of the guilt.