Destinations that showcase a variety of eateries under one roof are an excellent option for the chronically undecided or those heading out in a group.
Riverside Market
Riverside Market houses a seven-day-a-week indoor farmers’ market, boutique shopping and space for events, festivals and music. Providing a reliable source of fresh, organic, locally grown food, Riverside is a community of local independent traders, showcasing the best food producers and creators in our city and region. The development’s market square is a grand space, with a mezzanine floor hosting restaurants, a bar and a cooking school. The plan to have students at the school source their ingredients from the market below typifies the dedication to community and a shared experience for business owners and shoppers alike.
The Welder
The Welder, on bustling Welles Street, joins the impressive rank of culinary haunts such as Welles Street, Burger Burger and Supreme Supreme. The Welder also provides “a unique offering to boutique businesses looking for authentic and character spaces right in the heart of an emerging central-city neighbourhood”. Not only does The Welder house an array of businesses, it also boasts a function space, cocktail bar, a yoga studio and communal gardens as well as a space where you can partake in cooking classes, with more on the horizon. Some of those who have opened shop there include Greenroots Juicery, Great Pastry Shop, Grizzly Baked Goods, Bar Yoku, Salut! Salut! and Two Raw Sisters.
Little High Eatery
Bodacious shared eatery space Little High turns out a variety of wicked eats thanks to its sensational lineup of local and family-run businesses. Home to the likes of finger-lickin-good burger creations from Bacon Brothers, bold Latin American flavours at Caribe Latin Kitchen and boutique Chinese food hotspot Eightgrains, Little High also has Japanese, Thai and Venezuelan offerings plus a mad pizza eatery that will tickle anyone’s fancy.
Eats on Oxford
Dining lane Eats on Oxford serves up some delish green, clean, fresh food in the under-catered Health Precinct. The dining lane overlooks the Avon River, making it an ideal place to relax away from the precinct’s bustle. There’s authentic Mexican delights from Habanero’s Urban Mexican Grill, seriously good sandwiches from The Serious Sandwich, expertly crafted sushi from Sushi Ninja, a tasty concoction of eats from Sesame Noodle & Dumpling and a slice of Malaysia from Taste of Malaysia. Eats on Oxford is open Monday to Friday, 10am-8pm and Saturday 10am-3pm.
Tower Junction
The flavours of the Asia-Pacific region have a new home in Christchurch at Tower Junction. The Addington retail centre has significantly upped its culinary offerings and now features Indian, Chinese, Japanese and Mexican eateries. Touch Indian Restaurant, Hao Eatery, Zambrero and Su Ra Sushi and Donburi have joined Esquires Café, Anna’s Café and The Speight’s Ale House at the centre. The restaurants are open daily until late, offering lunch and dinner options, including takeaway.
The Colombo
Not only is The Colombo a unique shopping and entertainment experience positioned in downtown Sydenham, but it is also a great spot to pull up a pew and indulge your taste-buds in some quality fare. Their world-class food hall is home to the finest international flavours all made with fresh ingredients from local and trusted growers. Whether you’ve got a sweet or savoury tooth craving, are after a quick bite or need a caffeine hit, The Colombo’s offerings are sure to sate.
EntX
With a diverse lineup of gastronomic offerings, plus state-of-the-art cinemas and bars, the mammoth EntX on the corner of Lichfield and Colombo streets offers the ultimate day and night out. Treat your ‘buds to melt-in-the-mouth meaty hits down at Cleaver & Co, spicy morsels at Hanoi Old Quarter, Pad Thai Pan or Two Fat Indians, or a bangin’ burger or salad from Joe’s Garage.