Christchurch Restaurant Tips by Kate-Me

Restaurant Name: French Bakery

We happened across this little bakery, and as I'm mad on all things French, we went in. It didn't turn out to be very French at all, but it was nice anyway.
I particularly liked the building, which above it featured a lot of interesting dark blue leadlight.

Favorite Dish: The coffee was rather good. Came back here again 1 year later, December 2005, and I can say the coffee and service were rather good.

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Theme: Bakery
Comparison: about average

Directions: at the end of an arcade which goes through the mall, not far from Christchurch Cathedral.

Restaurant Name: Trocadero Bakery

The bakery had a great selection of pies, pastries, breads, rolls, etc and, best of all, some Quiches that I seemed to have become addicted to here....but perhaps the most special thing about this bakery was the extra friendly service by the young woman behind the counter.
When my quiche needed heating, as there were no warm ones currently in the oven, she invited us to take a seat outside in the mall while she heated it, and she'd bring it out to us, which was a considerable walk from behind her counter, and she did it with friendliness and smiles, as though nothing was too much trouble.


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Theme: Bakery
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Directions: in the mall, not far from the War Memorial arch.

Restaurant Name: Two Fat Indians

For a start, it's the only Indian restaurant I've ever been in which has a bar - and this one has a huge one! Almost a wine bar kind of bar, but not too expensive, and plenty of beers and spirits too. The decor of the restaurant is also very attractive - it, like the nice music, is neither eastern or western, but a pleasant blend of both.
Part of what attracted us to the restaurant was that it looked so busy (and it stayed that way till after 9.30 when all other restaurants in the vicinity looked to be packing up to go home!), clean and inviting looking....and only 2 blocks from our backpackers and we were starving!
But we starved no more - despite how busy they were, and that the food is cooked from fresh, it didn't take too long to arrive at all.
A most enjoyable evening.

Favorite Dish: It's difficult to say what my favourite dish of this restaurant was, because the menu was so different to your average Indian menu (had dishes from different regions of India as well) and I loved everything I tried!
For Mains I had the Lamb Boti Marsala, which was as unusual and delicious as it sounds, with a thick reddish sauce, rich but not too much so.
I especially liked their many different breads, which included a kind of naan bread stuffed with onions, and another with cheese.
I have to give this restaurant my 'best meal of the whole trip' in NZ, and I'd even go so far as to say it's the best Indian meal I've ever had, with the most variety of menu.

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Theme: Indian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 371 7273
Address: 112-114 Manchester St Christchurch
Website: www.twofatindians.co.nz

Restaurant Name: Two Fat Indians

Part of what was so delightful about our visit to this restaurant, was meeting the owner and chatting to him. Busy though he must have been (not only did he serve behind the bar and help out in the kitchen if needed, he also saw to it that people were happy and had enjoyed their meals).
He was a very hands on manager, and I predict that this new business will go a very long way.
He had connections with areas where we're from, as he used to live there, which provided another good talking point.
We felt very welcome in his restaurant, a very warm atmosphere, and had a great time, no longer feeling like strangers in a strange city after this. We even went back the next day for drinks and entree, just before we had to leave for the airport, and Ronnie spent even more time chatting with us at the bar.


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Theme: Indian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: Manchester St Christchurch

Restaurant Name: a funky cafe (forget its name)

I really liked the bright but tasteful decor of this little cafe - looked shiny, new and clean too.
All done in yellow and blue, with bright blue stools to sit in in the front window.

Favorite Dish: My husband said the coffee was great.
I tried out one of their milkshakes, as they had an amazing number of interesting choices, including creme de menthe milkshakes, Baileys and others you just don't find anywhere else.
Delicious! And right on Cathedral Square too, so you can look at the Cathedral and watch the people go by.

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Theme: Other
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Directions: Cathedral Square - just a bit to the right of the information centre.

Restaurant Name: India Cottage


Favorite Dish: We had the lunch special, which consisted of 2 curries from a choice of about 5, with rice.
Delicious and filling at a very reasonable price - $6.95.

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Theme: Indian
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Directions: above the mall (in the glass walkway above the mall)

Restaurant Name: Art Center Foodstalls

Really liked the food stalls at the Arts centrre market. Many different nationalities, including Asian, Eastern European and more - all types of different food, and good value.


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Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Food stalls at the Weekend Market