Family dining in Christchurch

“Great sushi, lovely service, complimentary cookie, thank you!”

“Great cafe with good service and atmosphere at the University of Canterbury.”

“The best chicken burger you will ever have.”

“Fully enjoyed my stir fry noodles here — great flavor, fresh ingredients, and perfectly cooked! Definitely coming back again.”

“Humble interior nothing fancy. The food is amazing- hot, fresh & very tasty. Huge servings! Friendly welcome and really reasonable prices too. Will definitely be keen to try some other dishes here.”

“Roast pork and apple was one of the best I've ever had in over 60 years of sampling. Plenty of meat and plenty of apple in a great pastry. Went back and bought a frozen one to take home to Nelson”

“Peppers Clearwater really blew us away. We booked a Lakeview Suite through an Accor Plus More Escapes deal that came with breakfast, a three-course dinner, and a cheese platter with a bottle of wine – such great value. The suite itself was gorgeous, the perfect spot to unwind and recharge. Sitting out on the deck watching the ducks and swans glide by, with the sun setting over the lake, was just magic. The staff made the stay even better – both the bar and restaurant teams went out of their way to make sure we had a great time. Dinner was a real highlight: duck salad and grilled scallops to start, then fish and lamb for mains, and tiramisu plus panna cotta for dessert. Every dish was spot on. Breakfast the next morning was à la carte with excellent barista-made soy lattes, and I have to say, the eggs benedict was the best I’ve ever had. We were lucky with the spring weather too, and enjoyed our cheese platter and wine out on the deck in the sunshine – pure bliss. The little touches also made a difference, like being able to do a load of washing and plug in our rented Tesla overnight in the garage. We honestly couldn’t recommend Clearwater more. Huge thanks to all the staff for making us feel so welcome and completely spoiled.”

“Loved this place. Lovely views across the river, great food, good service and good selection of brews. Had the lamb rack and market fish and both were excellent.”

“Really enjoyable Chinese meal which completely ticked all the boxes for us. Sweet n Sour pork, lemon chicken, combination rice, spring rolls and squid all fantastic. Very happy to have discovered this wee gem of a Chinese takeaway”

“Phenomenal food. The kimchi noodles were flavourful and not too spicy, the dumpling soup had a very rich umami broth. Well priced, friendly service.”

“We got a pizza & chicken tenders to go. Very tasty.”

“Delicious food, great for kids or adults. Lots of nice fresh salads. Salsas are really good too. Friendly staff.”

“Hell Pizza Shirley is great — the pizzas are always hot, fresh, and full of flavor. We often recommend them to our guests when they’re after a good local pizza option.”

“Nick is the best worker. He made us feel so welcome. After a long night out, he was so kind. The rest of the staff was so nice and so friendly. They even gave us some complimentary garlic knots. If I could give them a 10 stars I would! So appreciative of the work they do here! ”

“Went here for a friends birthday dinner and it exceeded expectations! Fabulous service from Georgia and Molly, and even better food! Drinks were lovely and will definitely be coming back!”

“I was really really pleased with the quality of the meals and the excellent service at this little side street restaurant on Riccarton Road. We began with bhajee, which was light, soft, and served as an excellent appetiser. The freshness was apparent, and the portion size was generous, comfortably enough for three people. The presentation was appealing and added to the overall positive impression. Next, the lamb seekh kebab was beautifully presented and extremely tender, pulling apart effortlessly. The flavours were enjoyable and the medium spice was perfect for a wee bit of a kick. A highlight of the evening was the lamb vindaloo. The spice was well-absorbed into the lamb, which was firm yet tender. The vibrant colours and earthy flavours made this dish feel hearty and authentic. For a lighter contrast, the chicken saag delivered a smooth and clean flavour. The chicken was wonderfully tender, practically falling apart, and the dish’s subtler colour allowed the flavours to shine without being visually overwhelming. The garlic naan was another success, with a soft, chewy texture that paired perfectly with the mains, serving as an excellent accompaniment to the sauces. The beer was served in particularly excellent mugs, adding a touch of quality to the dining experience. The restaurant itself exudes a comfortable, home-like atmosphere, though the decor could benefit from some enhancement. Service was attentive, with plates promptly cleared after each course. Additionally, the kitchenware, glasses, and silverware were all clean and suited the environment appropriately. Arjee Bhajee offers a solid dining experience, particularly if you enjoy lamb dishes. However, be prepared for some dishes to be priced on the higher side, though it might be fitting for the excellent quality of the dishes. Nevertheless, it is a place worth considering for a relaxed evening with quality food.”

“Little India Merivale has been our go-to restaurant for many years, and it never disappoints. The food is consistently delicious, full of flavour, and beautifully prepared. The service is always friendly and welcoming, making you feel like a valued regular rather than just another customer. It’s a place we keep coming back to and happily recommend to friends and family. another customer. It’s a place we keep coming back to and happily recommend to friends and family.”

“I have tried alot of Indian restaurants over the years hands down the best cheezy garlic naan I've had most places you can't taste the cheese butter chicken was great to staff were very polite I will be a returning customer Thanks guys and gals”

“We started our trip in South Island, New Zealand by having dinner in here. During our 2 weeks trip, this is the best Thai restaurant we ever had. Before we fly back to our home, we finished our trip by having another dinner. Red curry fish and sweet chilly fish are very recommended as well as the Tom yum soup. The staffs are very kind.”

“I eat here at least once a week. I’m a real big supporter of Thai food and I must say the food is absolutely delicious, it’s well priced and the customer service is absolutely first class.”

“High quality very nice. Good service, clean area, kind staff, excellent food, fast serving times. Definitely recommend this place to eat at. We had a completely vegan dinner and it was beyond good — great noodles, and HIGHLY recommend getting the green curry.”

“An absolute must-visit! The food is simply superb, with standout dishes like the lamb shank, tender and full of rich flavor, the perfectly crisp squid, and the irresistibly crispy pork bites. Every bite is a delight!”

“Very delicious food, after looking for an authentic Turkish restaurant we finally landed on one that was very much tasty. Would highly recommend people to go here, friendly chef, clean and spacious area. Definitely worth your money. By far best food we have had in Christchurch since coming here for a Holiday.”

“Speights went out of their way to make a triple birthday dinner super special for my sons. They allowed us to go in earlier and set up decorations and put the 3 cakes in the chiller. They supplied little plates and napkins for them to be served on after dinner Although there was close to 30 people eating the waitress had it all under control and the meals came to the table quickly and all the meals were delicious, with generous sizes.”

“My hubby and I really enjoyed our delicious entree and mains this evening. My calamari was so tender and the beef cheeks were deliciously melt in the mouth. So great to have this lovely restaurant in our neighbourhood. We will be back.”

“We stumbled across this place looking for a meal. It didn't disappoint. The food was truly amazing with a delicious green curry and chicken fried rice. To top off the evening we also had a live duo playing music and singing songs we all enjoyed. Great place great service great atmosphere.”

Little Brown Jug favours a simple, bistro‑style mix with clear, clean flavours. A family‑friendly feel comes through naturally. The team keeps things friendly and organised. Serve sizes show solid value.

Armadillos Belfast keeps things simple, bistro‑style and focused on flavour. Portions are generous yet well judged. A family‑friendly feel comes through naturally. The team keeps things friendly and organised.

“Our favorite stop for a hearty meal after a very long day. Good portion sizes and tasty food. Their fish and chips was beautifully done as well.”