It had been a goodly while since I had headed to the ‘garden city’ so it was with much excitement I headed south to attend the recent Christchurch Food Show and take a whistlestop tour of the latest drinks and foodie spots with a morsel of retail therapy on the side.
The Church Pub
124 Worcester Street
Built in the late 1800s The Church Pub has seen many iterations, as a church, church hall and school room, latterly The Octagon, but sustained significant damage in the 2011 earthquake. Over several years it was lovingly restored and since July 2023 has been reborn as a pub and music hub for locals and visitors alike. The live music which features every night is certainly a draw card, as is the beautiful interior boasting many features from the original church, as well as a menu pitched perfectly for kicking back with a drink or two. Wood-fired pizzas are especially popular, appropriately named – for example the Barnabas, St Michael and (pictured pg21) The Good Shepherd topped with slow-cooked lamb shoulder, confit garlic, fennel, tzatziki and red onion. In summer the outdoor tables heave with happy punters while in the winter months they gather indoors to soak up the history, the atmosphere and the welcoming vibes. churchpub.co.nz
Estelle
19 Southwark Street
If you do one thing in Christchurch, promise me it is taking a trip to Estelle for the most excellent coffee and
