Christchurch Restaurant Tips by Kakapo2

Restaurant Name: Arirang

The sliding door is painted, so you cannot easily take a look inside. And honestly: It would be disappointing. No floor covering, very basic tables and chairs, and a small gas heater for colder days. But the people are friendly, the service is nice - and we just love the food which is authentic Korean. It tastes like in Korea, and the Koreans love it. Most times we are the only non-Koreans in the restaurant... I must admit that I have not tried a lot of different dishes because I love Pipimbap but my husband has tested a lot of different meals and liked them all. Apart from that the food is cheap, and Korean cuisine is very different to all other Asian cuisines, so it is always a nice change.

If you want the real experience of Korean bulgogi (beef) which is grilled on special grills on the table you should go to another restaurant where they have special tables for the big charcoal grills. But Arirang's cheaper version is also nice. Just remember: This is a simple but authentic restaurant.

Favorite Dish: As already mentioned: Pipimbap. You can also spell it Bibimbab or Pipimpap or however you want to put the Ps and Bs - it is just a matter of transcription of the Hangul syllables and letters into English. Bap is the Korean word for rice. You get this dish in a bowl, and on the rice are thin slices of roast beef and many kinds of vegetables, and a fried egg on top of it. You add as much chilli paste as you can bear and mix all with a spoon. I mostly order dol (or: tol) sot pipimbap - this means that you get it in a hot stone bowl as dol is the word for stone.

The whole comes with the typical kimchi side dishes in little bowls, the spicy-garlicky marinated cabbage kimchi and some milder marinated vegetables, and a bowl of seaweed soup.

So in total you get a very healthy and low-fat meal and extremely good value for money.

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Theme: Other
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: (03) 379 8080
Address: Arirang, 163 Manchester Street, Christchurch
Directions: Right in the city centre, on Manchester between Cashel and Tuam Streets

Restaurant Name: Café Bismarck

Hagen Lemmer, the owner, has worked in a million different jobs before he opened this café in Poplar Street, just a short stroll from High Street, and he offers authentic German cuisine the way he has learnt from his mother ("Mutti"). Most of the specialties origin from the East German region of Thüringen where he comes from, the home of Thüringer Bratwurst and Thüringer Klöße (dumplings), served with a juicy roast, a lot of sauce and Sauerkraut. The menu changes daily but there is always "Wurst" (sausages and smallgoods) available, as on the Butcher Plate.

On most days there are delicious cakes available: Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest Cake), Sachertorte (which originates from Vienna and is a rich but still fluffy chocolate cake) and Apfelstrudel (Apple Strudel).

Of course you get German beers (very nice Weißbier = wheat beer) and wines with your meals, and the coffees are nice.

The café includes a shop with German delicatessen, and foodstuff and cooking ingredients that are not easily available in New Zealand.

Café Bismarck has the cosy yesteryear atmosphere of the coffeehouses of the early 20th century. Hagen, the owner, designed, built and decorated everything himself to a great standard, and do not miss to have a look at the toilet which is a spectacular design mixture of Hundertwasser and Gaudí style. In good weather conditions there is plenty of seating outdoors on a spacious deck.

The price comparison further down is very difficult: Coffees and cakes do not cost more than anywhere else in the city, whereas the meals are slightly above average and the beers are very expensive as most imported alcoholic drinks.

The whole area around Poplar and Ash Streets has become a very nice and very peaceful precint to hang out, a Russian restaurant is next door and other bars and eateries just across the street.

Open Tue - Sat 11am until late

Favorite Dish: Sorry - Thüringer Rotwurst (blackpudding smallgood)... A taste of home :-) My Kiwi husband would not even try a mouthful of it LOL

Anyway... Many New Zealanders are regular costumers and after being afraid to taste several dishes at the start they have got used to this rustic kind of cuisine and now really love it. They even eat rabbit roast, and Hagen assures they were so delighted that they nearly ate the bones... There is a lot more than blackpudding... ;-)

Update Oct. 2007
Finally they have a website, just added this and email.

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Theme: German/Austrian
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: (03) 366 3037, Mob.021 387 673
Address: 11 Poplar Street, Christchurch
Directions: Poplar Street is between Lichfield and Tuam Streets and between Manchester/High and Madras Streets. Coming from Lichfield Street, driving or walking eastward, it is the first street to the right after Manchester Street.
Website: http://www.bismarck.co.nz/index.html
Other Contact: Email: info@bismarck.co.nz

Restaurant Name: Simo's

Simo's - named after the award-winning chef and owner - celebrates the art of slow cooking and infusing the food with herbs, spices, oils and fragrant waters. In fact you can taste all the ingredients, from cumin to coriander, and lemon to sweet paprika. The various herbs and spices do not kill but complement each other, it is like an explosion of flavours on the palate.

The meats are tender as, nearly melting in the mouth. They are cooked in the tagine which is a special casserole with a conic lid. The fish is cooked to perfection after being infused with chermoula which is a mix of coriander, garlic, paprika, chili, cumin, lemon juice, olive oil and more. The vegetables are perfectly crunchy. Most dishes are served on a bed of couscous.

The presentation is fabulous. The desserts top it all. The home-made ice-cream (including such a rare delight like cinnamon ice-cream) and seasonal fruit comes on a square plate with four different compartments, so you can indulge in every single flavour and do not get a confusing mixture. The chocolate and hazelnut torte with macerated figs is a delight but if you want to try this you should arrive rather hungry... ;-)

The dishes are mainly but not strictly Moroccan or North African. The best example for other influences is a starter platter with dishes from around the Mediterranean, including Greek stuffed wine leaves (dolma) or Andalusian tapas including spicy sausage. The only not so perfectly cooked dish I have tried was the stuffed baby squid which was still a bit rubbery.

There are interesting aperitifs on the wine list, and turkish coffee.

The ambiance is cosy, with dimmed light, candles, nice table cloths, and lots of North African decoration which includes the tiled reception and gold-varnished mirrors. The atmosphere seduces you to eat slowly and relax, right in the spirit of North African way of being and cooking. The service is super friendly, the chinaware beautiful and the cutlery even unique - the knives and forks seem to have their own life...

Favorite Dish: The market-fresh fish with a really big portion of fish of the day which must have rested quite some time in its chermoula to suck up all those aromatic fragrances. You really taste all the herbs and spices, especially the coriander and a hint of cumin. I also love the fresh, crunchy vegetables and the grilled cherry tomatoes which come with the fish. Although it is a light meal it is totally satisfying.

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Theme: African
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: (03) 377 5001
Address: 114 City Mall (Cashel Street), Christchurch
Directions: Next to the Flight Centre and Aquisitions in Cashel Street (pedestrian zone) between Colombo Street and Oxford Terrace, restaurant in the first floor of the building
Website: http://www.simos.co.nz/
Other Contact: Open Tue. to Sat. from 6.30pm

Restaurant Name: The Loaded Hog

The Loaded Hog does not only offer value for money but also has great atmosphere with the fun chalk drawings on the walls (50 per cent rugby orientated), the comfortable high tables with the bar stools in the entrance area, a lot of seating and the wooden floors and bar.

Although there are a lot of huge TV screens on the walls (mostly sports...) they do not disturb the conversations.

The food is not fancy but genuine and served in big portions, from salads, soup of the day, pasta and gourmet pizzas to steaks, spare ribs, fish'n'chips and burgers. The chips for the kids come in mini buckets.

The Loaded Hog brews its own beer, and there is a good selection of different beer to chose from. There are Happy Hours nearly every day. They have special events and late-night dance parties, Swing Nights on Wednesdays, Latin Nights on Thursdays, cocktail specials and Ladies' Nights on Fridays, live bands on most weekends, and, of course, live rugby on TV.

Open 7 days and already for breakfast.

Favorite Dish: Pasta of the day and Caesar Salad - just perfect.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: (03) 366 6674
Address: Corner Manchester/Cashel Streets
Directions: Just a little walk from the city centre, close to carparks in Manchester St. and - if you are lucky - Bedford Row.
Website: http://www.theloadedhogchristchurch.co.nz/
Other Contact: Email: hogchch@xtra.co.nz

Restaurant Name: Holy Grail

A lot of people, two big and one huge screen on which you see sports at any time of the day, five bars, some pool tables and gaming machines: The Holy Grail is a typical sports bar - the biggest in New Zealand, and it is on several levels, as it is a former movie theatre. If you are lucky you meet some of the rugby stars, and if not - they are painted on the walls.

Food is available from the sports bar, the pizza kitchen and the restaurant. Sensational pizza/drink special from Sunday to Thursday - NZ$10 for a large succulent pizza and a drink (incl. beer or a glass of house wine). Nearly too cheap to be true. Also $9 steaks, Happy Hours and other specials.

Open 7 days a week from 11am.

Retail and rugby shop adjacent.

Favorite Dish: The pizzas are super succulent - my favourite one is the vegetarian, and the price from Sunday to Thursday with the beer and pizza special ($10) is just incredible.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: (03) 365 9816
Address: 88 Worcester St
Directions: Just some steps from Cathedral Square.
Website: http://www.holygrail.co.nz/

Restaurant Name: Arts Centre Foodstalls

It is a pity that the foodstalls at the Arts Centre operate only on the weekends because the food is delicious and cheap, and you get it fast ;-)

There is such a lot on offer, with food from so many different countries, ie Korea, China, Cambodia, Thailand, India, Lebanon, Greece, Germany (Black Forest foodstall with great wafers) and even Slovakia. The latter is the clear specialist in delicious desserts, with palacinka and liwance... There is also NZ food available, for example baked potatoes.

The Greek souvlaki are the greatest hit. Already the smell in the air is sooooooo Greek - nothing compares to Dimitris' food. I have tasted a lot of souvlaki and kebabs in the city, he is the clear number one. It is just not the right thing to chose if you are very hungry. The queues are long, and you get waiting numbers... The solution: Go to Dimitris' restaurant in the city during the week, it is in Colombo Street, just some steps from Cathedral Square, between the Camera House and McDonald's.

Enjoy your meal in the big courtyard under the trees.

See website for complete list of foodstalls.

In the market area are some more stalls with Italian breads, German smallgoods and produce.

Favorite Dish: The chicken combo of the Korean foodstall: chicken kebabs with rice, kimchi and a soybean pancake. A little adjusted to South Asian and European tastes because you would not find kebabs in Korea and especially no peanut sauce but the kimchi and the pancake are absolutely authentic. BTW It tastes much nicer without peanut sauce as this kills all other flavours, so just say it when you order.

Say "Annyong haseo" instead of "Hello" and the chef will be delighted... ;-)

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Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Worcester St./Rolleston Ave/Hereford St
Directions: A short walk from Cathedral Square, opposite Canterbury Museum and Botanic Gardens.
Website: http://www.artscentre.org.nz/Weekend-market/marketresults.asp?cat=Food%20Fair

Restaurant Name: The Coffee House

Although the Coffee House has great food on the menu I have only tried it once (and it was delicious) because I do not go out for lunch a lot, and I must admit that sometimes I just do not think of the Coffee House because the name is a little misleading...

I always go there in the afternoon and the coffees and the cakes are fantastic. Such frothy milk foam on the huge variety of coffees - mmmmmmmh, and they are beautifully decorated. And with the cakes you are nearly not able to make a choice because they all look great.

Also the interior is nice with its old European coffeehouse flair, and there is also nice outdoor seating under a marquee. But some tables are very tiny, and in cold weather some seats are rather chilly. The service has always been prompt and friendly.

Favorite Dish: Cappuccino and mocchaccino because of the big creamy layer of milk froth on top of the coffee. And from the cakes the passionfruit cheesecake. But I have not tested them all... ;-)

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Theme: Coffeehouse
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: (03) 365 6066
Address: 290 Montreal Street
Directions: Less than 5 minutes walk from Cathedral Square. Walk down Worcester Boulevard towards Museum/Arts Centre. Opposite the Arts Gallery turn left into Montreal Street, it is the second or third house on the left.

Restaurant Name: The Strip

The Strip is not one restaurant - it is an uninterrupted chain of restaurants, pubs and bars along the Avon River on Oxford Terrace. You leave one place and fall into the other - short-distance restaurant and bar hopping.

For me the best time of the year is summer when you can sit outside under the umbrellas and enjoy not only some drinks and a meal but also a conversation. The latter sometimes proves difficult in some of the eateries because long before the dance night starts the music is so loud that you have problems to hear your own word. This is not what I consider as a nice evening out - either eat in silence, or shout at the people at your table and lie over the table to understand them. I would expect this kind of "conversation" more in a disco and not at a place that calls itself a restaurant and not only a bar.

The food is good in most places we have tested. For our palate the finest food is served at The Boulevard, at the corner of Oxford Terrace and Worcester Boulevard, and complementing a great choice of mains there is also a big choice of pasta and light meals available. And the music is at an acceptable level... ;-) Liquidity also has a fine approach to cuisine and award-winning chefs, and nearly all mains cost about NZ$30.

We did not enjoy afternoon coffee at one of the places (sorry, I do not remember which one...) because there was only the choice of ONE hugely overpriced cake and the fancy desserts which all cost more than NZ$10. Check this before you get disappointed. There are menus at the entrances, and you can still ask before taking a seat.

The later it gets the more crowded The Strip gets, and at dark the people are not only drinking in the bars but also on the footpaths, and when it gets really late (or early, if you see it the other way...) street fights are possible. As we are no more 20, not even 30, we are already at home when this happens, so we have this knowledge only from the police reports... ;-)

Favorite Dish: Fish and lambshanks (actually not on the menu...) at The Boulevard, also nice desserts. Good pizza and pasta at Coyote's.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: Oxford Terrace
Directions: A 2 minutes walk from Cathedral Square, via Hereford or Cashel Street, uninterrupted restaurant coverage between those two streets, but also a lot of places to both sides along the Avon.
Website: http://www.boulevardrestaurant.co.nz/
Other Contact: http://www.liquiditybar.com/

Restaurant Name: Michael's - has become: High Street Bistro

Update 15 Nov 2007

I have often thought how silly it is to write tips about restaurants in some far-away countries, as you have no idea how long they will be there, and you would not be able to check out if it still exists, or if new owners have ruined the place (or made it better, of course ;-)

I am nearly not able to get aware of all the changes in my own city, not to talk of our little place named Lyttelton on the other side of the Port Hills LOL Shops relocating, restaurants getting new names, owners, menus...

Michael's in High Street is one of those places that has gone through quite some name and owner changes, and now it has got a new owner. As it is very pricey I have not dared to dine there yet ;-) But I read that the interior has not changed a lot, and obviously they also tend to describe their dishes in a mix of English and French - with spelling mistakes in French, of course. The reviewer in The Press was not happy with all dishes but obviously at least happy over-all.

To give you an impression of what to expect:
Appetizers from $12.50 (breads and oils) to 75.50 (caviar)...
Starters about $20
Mains from $27.50 to 36.50
Crayfish $50 to 125


Favorite Dish: -

What I wrote about Michael's:

We only go there on special occasions because this is a gourmet restaurant, and the food has its price. They also try to be special in everything they do. But the most important thing is that at the few times we have dined there the food and service were excellent, so we had a very enjoyable evening.

The fish and the lamb (or was it venison?) were fabulous. But as we go there only sporadically it is not possible to name a favourite dish.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: (03) 366 0822
Address: 178 High Street

Restaurant Name: Tulsi

Just looking at the interior you would not immediately expect that Tulsi is an Indian restaurant. It looks more like a café, with some round tables in round booths. Anyway, it is comfortable, the food is great, and the garlic naan is so irresistible that I have once ordered garlic naan as a starter, another garlic naan with a tiny starter as my main. Then I was satisfied although I had planned to order garlic naan for dessert... ;-)

In the meantime and already before this greedy naan encounter I have tested quite a lot of different dishes, and they were all delicious.

I cannot critisize anything, not even the service. Only one waiter, and he is the one and only, is absolutely arrogant and unfriendly, and I have promised to strangle him on my next visit. As I have not done it yet although we have visited again, so hereby I have to announce it again... probably until he quits, or I move away from the Christchurch region... ;-)

Apart from the extensive dinner menu Tulsi also has great and cheap lunch deals for $5.95 and to 8.00, seafood up to $11- including rice and naan. Garlic naan would be extra... ;-)

Tulsi also has two restaurants in Wellington (Cuba Mall and Petone) but I do not know how the quality of the food is there. On their website and in their menu they pride themselves of having been voted to have best butter chicken 2003 & 2004...

Favorite Dish: You might guess it: garlic naan...
Apart from that I like prawn dishes, and dishes in spinach gravy because you do not get this in fast food outlets.

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Theme: Indian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: (03) 377 8999
Address: Corner Manchester/Gloucester Streets
Directions: at corner of two major streets, cannot be missed
Website: http://www.tulsirestaurant.co.nz/
Other Contact: open for lunch and dinner, 7 day