Best places to eat in Christchurch: Take a food tour of the city by tram

If you sit down at the first stop on the map, you’ll see a couple of Christchurch landmarks almost immediately. The Church Brew Pub, located next to stop 2, is ideal for a pizza and a pint (it’s an Emmerson establishment). makes it a whole experience. Built in the mid-1870s as Trinity Congregational Church, it was damaged in the 2010 earthquake and covered with a red sticker after February 2011. Despite the threat of demolition, it was mercifully saved, renovated and reopened last year. A two-minute walk takes you to the famous OGB Bar, from the same owners, open from 3pm until late, where you can enjoy great cocktails and drinks in a speakeasy-style bar in a beautiful historic building. There are delicious dishes to choose from, as well as a large selection of promotions and larger plates to accompany your libations.

Stop 4 is absolutely awesome, just be sure to get back on the tram after you’ve eaten absolutely everything at the famous Riverside Market. Grab pastries, pies, charcuterie, gin, seafood, gourmet chocolate, premium coffee (triple shot standard from Espresso Studio), Malaysian food, souvlaki, sushi, momos and more from the ground floor – or there. seating areas upstairs. If you’re not in a market mood, settling into King of Snake, a perennial pan-Asian Christchurch favourite, around the corner on The Terrace might be just the ticket. And if you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss Sweet Soul Patiserrie for the beautiful edible treats of your dreams – even better, they taste as good as they look.

Be sure to get off at Stop 6 Cashel Street if you want to try some of Christchurch’s most fun contemporary Italian cuisine. Bar Franco is always a great place to hang out (they’re open every evening but only Friday to Sunday for lunch) with a great interior and fresh Mediterranean flavors like goat cheese croquettes, grilled octopus, all kinds of cold cuts, burrata. , risotto, pasta and much more. Check out the extensive menu of Spritz and Negroni – there are some great options.

Before Riverside came along, there was Little High Restaurant, easily accessible from stops 7 and 8. With nine restaurants to choose from, from quesadillas to bacon burgers, dumplings to noodles, everyone will be happy at this lively establishment with indoor and outdoor seating air. . Also close to stop 7 is C1 Espresso, which is a must-visit for anyone with kids (parents will be very happy with the coffee too). The food is delivered through a pneumatic tube, and there really is nothing more exciting than waiting for your burger or fries to rise through the tubes on the roof and be delivered to the outlet closest to your table.

Just a short walk from stop 10 you’ll find Inati, which has consistently been one of Christchurch’s best restaurants since it opened in 2017. Simon Levy worked in London for many years, including as head chef at Gordon Ramsay’s The. Warrington, but several years ago returned to his wife’s homeland, where they established their own home. This is the best place in town to sit down at the chef’s table and watch multi-course magic unfold.

Ting-ding at stop 13 will no doubt be accompanied by comments about the beautiful and fascinating Arts Center with its 22 historic buildings. If you’re exploring this impressive part of the city, then reward yourself with a stop at Cellar Door, a charming spot for wine lovers. There’s a really smart selection of carefully selected wine flights, as well as plenty of tasty snacks and cheese selections. These guys have an incredible wealth of knowledge about all things healthy to drink.

And finally, although the tram is essentially an endless loop that runs from 8:30 to 18:00, the official “last” stop on the map is stop 18, another one where you’ll be completely spoiled for choice. Everyone loves the ridiculously Instagrammable architecture of the Spanish Mission on New Regent Street, but these buildings don’t just look pretty – they also have some great restaurants. Stop by the famous Rollicking Gelato for delicious portions, Central Deli Sandwiches for some of the best sammies in town, Gin Gin for, well, gin (and tasty snacks), Child Sister for amazing coffee and with a brunch or lunch atmosphere and always popular dishes. Twenty-seven steps to dinner after a tram ride. This is just a taste of what’s on offer in one of Downtown’s favorite neighborhoods.

While this doesn’t cover all of Christchurch’s foodie gems (anyone who’s been to The Welder will know there are plenty of exceptional places there, with favorites like Londo and Gatherings often cited as some of the best in the city), it’s a stunning venue. to have lunch. start off.

Trams are not just for children or foreign visitors; For lovers of Kiwi cuisine, this is a fantastically simple way to experience the best of Ōtautahi cuisine.

To find out more about what to see and do in Christchurch, visit christchurhnz.com