Le Panier Boulangerie finds its home on the corner of Holmwood and Rossall in Merivale. Having started off selling fresh baked French bread at the Riccarton Farmers Market, French-born ex-chef and chief baker, Gilles Thebault, and his Kiwi architect wife Nikki, opened up their most excellent bakery in early 2013 …

• speciality food stores

One of the small hidden treasures of the Christchurch culinary scene is Tomi of Edgeware village, serving authentic Japanese Cuisine. Appointed in traditional pale timber panelling, the interior is pleasantly sparse, with a cosy and intimate feel …

• restaurant

The Hilltop Tavern offers stunning scenic harbour views, delicious wood-fired pizzas, great music and good old rural Kiwi hospitality. There is a fine selection of craft beer and cider and expect a hearty menu of pub favourites …

• bars / clubs / pubs
• excursions

Situated in a block of six funky shops and businesses (including the uber-cool True Grit Hair Spa), Dose is a cozy, architecturally impressive gem of a café. The minute you walk in, you’ll be struck by the cutesy yet gloriously varied décor and Giant Robot-esque wall art and the friendly faces of a whole bevy of baristas and patrons …

• café
• restaurant

Made from 3000 recycled wooden pallets in an eye catching bright blue, Pallet Pavilion is a unique take on the city’s penchant for transitional architecture …

• café
• music
• transitional christchurch

Relocated from its former Cashel Street location to Riccarton, Cookai Japanese restaurant has made a welcome return to the Christchurch dining scene for many of its old regulars, whilst gaining a bevy of new customers …

• restaurant