There’s absolutely no shortage of fantastic cafes in Christchurch. Post-earthquake, many new outlets have popped up alongside old favourites. So whether you’re after a coffee on the run, quick bite to eat or a leisurely brunch, check out one of these great Christchurch cafes.
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Black Betty
Winner of the Zest 2014 Award for Best Cafe, Black Betty is an established favourite. Coffee reigns supreme here, It is owned by the Switch Espresso team and offerings include siphon and cold drip techniques. The brekky menu isn’t lacking, either, with options like shakshouka, soldiers, French toast crumpets and a solid breakfast stack. The cabinet shows off even more delicious looking display goodies and the atmosphere is slick yet quirky.
Hummingbird at Re:START mall. Photo by Hummingbird
Hummingbird
Espresso aficionados will be in heaven at Hummingbird. They’ve been hand roasting coffee since 1990 and are certified 100% organic with more than a dozen unique blends. One of those is the Re:START blend, of which 30 cents from each 200 gram pack goes towards the Hummingbird Coffee Charitable Trust to support community projects. The cafe itself is made out of shipping containers and located at the Re:START mall. The surroundings are cosy and typically humming – the upper level gets great views. You can watch your food being made, too.
Cafe Lumes
Cafe Lumes’ sunny outlook, paired with a modern aesthetic, is a winner. The decor is raw and edgy, mixing details like wooden crates with cool metallic furnishings. The espresso is outstanding; they use Coffee Supreme beans. If you’re feeling peckish, give the waffles, free range chicken wraps or steak pies a whirl.
Passengers & Co
Locavores take note: at Passengers & Co the focus is on Canterbury produce. The menu and cabinet offerings are equally impressive (the meringues come recommended) and the coffee holds its own, too. The upmarket interior meshes well with its location in the Russley Rd business park.
Addington Coffee Co-op
Established in an old mechanic’s workshop in 2008, Addington Coffee Co-op does things a bit differently. The majority of profits are redistributed to the community, and to producers. Jailbreaker Coffee is the house roasted specialty, complemented by an excellent brunch menu with goodies such as brioche french toast (the eggs and bacon are, of course, ethically produced). If you’re not into caffeine, try one of the yummy smoothies. The exposed brick and timber are a treat for the senses and there’s a store in the front corner selling Trade Aid wares, foodstuffs, bags, shirts and even books.
Luciano’s
Despite having moved around a few times, Luciano’s espresso bar is as popular as ever. Out of the kitchen come dishes like quinoa corn fritters, tropical bruschetta, and falafel salad. Vegan, vegetarians, gluten and dairy free needs are all catered for. Luciano himself has won the title of NZ Barista Champion many times over; you can rest easy knowing the coffee here has the wow factor in both taste and aesthetic (ie latte art).
Vic’s Cafe & Bake
This bright and cheery cafe offers C4 coffee and plenty of choice for breakfast and lunch. But what really sets Vic’s Cafe & Bake apart is the latter part of its name. Its award-winning breads are all for sale, from ciabatta and sourdough to bagels and grainy loaves.
C1
Named Cafe of the Year, C1 was one of the first to reopen in the central city. It’s quite unlike any other. Fries and sliders are transported on pneumatic tubes; a vintage sewing machine dispenses drinking water. The coffee is, naturally, C1 espresso. Menu highlights include breakfast burritos and tofu on toast, while the muffins and sliders fly off the cabinet shelves.
Cafe Sismo
Warm and welcoming, Cafe Sismo is handy to Hagley Park. The delicious herbal teas are a real selling point, along with the goodies that are baked right there on site. The hearty breakfast menu covers off all the basics; the eggs benedict (and in particular the hollandaise sauce) are a standout.
Under the Red Verandah
While its original building is no longer, the old red verandah was salvaged and incorporated into today’s premises. UTRV is a steady crowd pleaser, with a pleasant courtyard and charming cottage. The menus include all the usual suspects along with some twists, like the the haloumi salad, oaty pancakes and salmon risotto. The coffee is Queen Bean, a Brazilian, Guatamalan and Kenyan blend.
(Feature image: Marcus Bichel Lindegaard)
