Best of 2024: New & Neat Eats in Ōtautahi Christchurch

One can never have too many aesthetically pleasing spots to caffeinate. Located at the base of The Muse Art Hotel on Manchester Street, Dainty opened at the end of March and has lived up to the hype since. While perfecting the classics, the team loves adding an extra dash of fun to your morning brew, offering specialty seasonal drinks like vanilla, orange and cream iced filter or a toasted marshmallow hot chocolate that became a TikTok sensation. The brunch menu is exciting, and the cabinet is stocked with Grizzly pastries.

Technically, Brewda opened last December but narrowly missed our 2023 round-up, so we couldn’t leave them off the list. This modern Korean restaurant is the vision of executive chef and owner Cian Curtin, whose passion and dedication have taken him into the kitchens of Michelin-starred restaurants worldwide. Inspired by his time living in South Korea with his wife and her family, Cian set out to create an accessible destination where people can enjoy the delights of Korean cuisine in Ōtautahi. Within their first year, they won Outstanding New Establishment at the Canterbury Hospitality Awards.

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of enjoying Table Bloom’s pâtisserie delights at the Christchurch Farmers’ Market or one of their sell-out high tea events, you’ll be thrilled to know they’re now open seven days a week at their new café, London Canteen, located inside Oderings Garden Centre Barrington. Alongside a glass cabinet filled with delectable desserts like Basque cheesecakes and macarons, London Canteen offers breakfast and lunch with simple yet elegant dishes. Think beautifully presented eggs Benny in the morning (available as single or double portions), gorgeous sandwich combos, and steamed mussels at lunchtime.

In a pint-sized space on Cashel Street, 9-to-5 workers struck gold (or rather, flaky croissants) when Grizzly opened their latest site within walking distance of their offices. Designed by SemiCreative, the fit-out is a masterclass in maximising small spaces without sacrificing beautiful features, such as the butter-yellow wall. Alongside their signature sourdough loaves and pastries, the shop offers a few recipes unique to this location, enticing Grizzly fans from across the city.

Drifter Hotel opened on Lichfield Street this year, offering premium private and shared accommodation within one of Christchurch’s key heritage buildings. A few months later, the hotel introduced Rambler, a venue where guests and locals can come together for crafted cocktails, a sophisticated yet fun menu that spans from brunch to late-night snacks, and DJs spinning tunes.

Some bustling queues and lengthy waitlists fade over time, but Lillies’ fan base only continues to grow. This urban cidery, winery, and restaurant is the brainchild of business partners and close friends Will Bowman and Liam Kelleher. Crafted on-site in the adjacent room, their cider is a collaborative effort, served by the glass or bottle alongside wines from their individual labels, Vita and Lele. Lillies’ food menu is thoughtfully simple, divided into ‘pizza’ and ‘not pizza’ categories. Almost every dish is cooked in the brick wood-fired oven, from a carrot, pecorino, and oregano pizza to tandoori lamb shoulder. With the menu changing often, there’s always something new to discover. Don’t miss the seasonal soft-serve special – it’s the perfect finale.

If you’re in Christchurch and craving something sweet, head straight to Dhi Ferrari Cakes – the newest addition to The Welder. Run by Brazilian chocolatier Dhi Ferrari, this spot serves up divine desserts inspired by his Brazilian roots and French-Italian training. Think decadent cakes, seasonal éclairs, and flans, all made from scratch by Dhi himself. Grab a slice to enjoy on the spot, take home some treats, or even join one of his baking classes to learn the craft. Sweet dreams are made of this.

Meaning “little sister” in Japanese, Imōto Lounge Bar is Bar Yoku’s new younger sibling, located just steps away inside The Welder. The bar opened at the end of October, in the previous home of Salut Salut. It’s a great spot for a pre-drink before dinner at Bar Yoku, but with its own small menu of tasty sharing plates and a playful cocktail list, you could easily hang out here all night. 

Diamond Harbour residents had been waiting for a local watering hole, and Two Thumb Brewing Co. answered the call in March. True to their two other city locations, the taps here flow with the brewery’s iconic range, complemented by a full line-up of creative seasonal releases. Add hand-stretched pizzas, Malaysian-inspired bites, and a laid-back atmosphere, and it’s clear why this spot buzzes with both locals and day-trippers.

You don’t have to be on TikTok to have caught wind of the famous hand-pulled noodles being slurped up on Riccarton Road. While the menu is reasonably extensive, the star of the show is the traditional Lanzhou beef noodle soup – a warming dish of herb-loaded broth, tender beef, and hand-pulled noodles. During their first few weeks, the restaurant was serving over 500 bowls a day, so you might encounter a queue outside (but it's totally worth the wait once you have your chopsticks in hand).

For lovers of beautiful things, this lifestyle store and café is a dream come true. Opened in 2024 by Anneke Bedford, Swoon seamlessly combines shopping and hospitality. Showcasing Anneke’s interior design expertise and her commitment to supporting local artisans, the store offers a curated selection of fashion, ceramics, jewellery, homewares, and more. The café serves excellent coffee made with beans from local roaster Embassy Coffee and boasts a cabinet filled with baked goods, including Grizzly pastries.

On the corner of Gloucester Street and Cambridge Terrace, Manu bursts with colour, flavour, and culture. This is Karen Hattaway’s seventh restaurant and her first in Christchurch, following a series of beloved food destinations in Queenstown, including the award-winning Blue Kanu. Expect a fusion of Asian, Pacifica, and Māori flavours, with dishes ranging from pāua and venison spring rolls and homemade Rēwena flatbread to Korean knife-cut noodles and Thai duck curry.

Try as you might, you can’t beat a good sammie – just ask Jolly Deli, a brand-new bakery, café, and local deli located at the end of Tuam Street, just around the corner from the hospital. Piled high on soft, freshly baked focaccia, the team offers an elevated menu of fresh and toasted sandwich combos, including herby roast chicken with a spicy kick and broccoli cheese. There’s also a small but delicious all-day breakfast menu, a cabinet filled with scones, cookies, and French-style tarts, plus great coffee.

Bringing the energy of Bangkok’s trendiest neighbourhood to Little High Lane, Thonglor Thai opened its doors at the end of winter. The menu features all your favourite Thai classics, served with a modern flair and creative twist that make this a standout spot to dine. Thonglor is BYO, but they also offer an exciting cocktail list, including the signature “Wanna Be Thonglor,” topped with gold foil and a dramatic bubble.

Hidden off Lichfield Street, Tiger Baby injects vibrancy and flair into Ōtautahi’s bar scene. Inspired by the culture, colours, and flavours of South India, the tropical aesthetic blends exposed brick, bold wallpaper, lush plants, and a striking pink wall with Tamil signwriting. Owners Monica and Jay bring over 30 years of expertise to craft unique cocktails with homemade touches, alongside authentic South Indian bites. Whether you're sipping Indian whiskey, exploring the wine list, or indulging in a creative cocktail, Tiger Baby is the perfect spot to start or end your night in style.

Opening just in time for the silly season, Restaurant O.G.B. joined the family in November, just a few steps from their beloved bar. The experience blends London cool with Mediterranean vibes, offering a glamorous atmosphere paired with down-to-earth service. Start with brunch (served until 3pm), swing by for coffee, or enjoy dinner featuring locally sourced dishes, complemented by Aotearoa-made wine, beer, and spirits.

Since early 2023, A’mano has been serving sourdough pizza and handmade pasta dishes for pick-up or delivery from its kitchen on Tuam Street in Phillipstown. While we’ve happily enjoyed their Italian creations from home, the announcement of A’mano’s new restaurant on Lichfield Street has been met with excitement. The menu centres on fresh handmade pasta, with a selection of traditional antipasti, including cheese platters, arancini, and bruschetta. While pizza isn’t available for dine-in, takeaway options are still on offer.