Volkswagen’s Little Legends: Shafeeq, EDIZi & ODEON

This ice cream in Sumner is some of the best in town. They’ve got heaps of delicious small-batch flavours. They also make fresh waffles which are great. It’s right next to the ocean, so we always pop in when we’re going for a walk or on our way down to the beach. My wife loves it too.

A little taste of Europe in Christchurch. I love being able to shop and eat in the same place. My usual plan is just to pop in for some ingredients, then I wind up getting distracted, having lunch and leaving with a bag full of delicious things.

Working in hospitality, there can be a hundred things running through your head at once, so getting outside for a walk helps clear some space. It’s beautiful here. I also really like going with my wife - we just wander around talking and looking at everything, especially on a sunny day.

Food and books are two things I’m very fond of. These two are just around the corner from each other, and I love to combine them on a family day out. Little High is great for lunch with the kids, then we head over to Scorpio and browse for a while. A very peaceful way to keep everyone fed and entertained.

This one’s a newer favourite of mine. The space feels really welcoming and homely. Beautifully designed. As a restaurant owner, I always notice those details. It reminds me of what we’ve done with ODEON - you always want your customers to walk into the room and immediately feel comfortable there.

I’m a cricketer, so I love watching the cricket at Hagley Oval. That’s the ideal downtime outside of work for me. It’s a beautiful setting and a good excuse to sit still for a few hours with friends and family. How relaxing that actually is probably depends on how my team is playing though.

I love the greenery here and the feeling that you’ve gone somewhere else without actually having to leave Christchurch. It’s a really nice place just to wander around without needing much of a plan. A great relaxing weekend activity.

I love browsing ingredients and cooking things up based on the time of year. The farmers’ market is always busy, and it’s a great place to find what’s in season and see what looks good. I tend to pick up a bit of meal inspiration while I’m there.

I love the character of The Arts Centre. There’s so much history in the buildings. It’s a great place to take friends visiting Christchurch, or just to wander around and grab something to eat or see what events and exhibitions are happening at the moment.

This playground is a favourite of my kids’. It’s especially good because it’s right next to the library (as I mentioned, we love to read) and both of them are also right next to our venues. There’s plenty to do and see, as well as space for them to burn off their energy.