Fast and Flavourful: Our Must-Try Takeaways In Christchurch

Inspired by the back-alley takeaway bars found all over Greece, Zeek’s in The Crossing has taken this concept and created some of the most flavour-filled souvlakis and salads in town. Using the freshest ingredients and ensuring their menu has something for everyone, including the vegetarians and vegans among you. This is a lunchtime takeaway you can feel virtuous about… well almost, it’s hard to resist an order of halloumi fries!

Some days all that will hit the hunger spot is finger-licking-good fried chicken and when those days occur you 100% need to order from the masters at Empire Chicken. Free-range, crispy, juicy and downright om nom nom worthy, you can choose to be a purist and get an order of fried chicken on its own. Or mix it up and have one of their epic burgers, towering with all kinds of fillings and leaving you all kinds of full, yet already dreaming of the next time you order from Empire.

New Brighton locals have been enjoying the spoils of The Burger Joint for a few years now, from their early days as a food caravan to their now permanent home down Carnaby Lane. Their burgers travel well and make for a great Friday night feast (or any night of the week for that matter). They source the very best local ingredients and you can taste the difference. When you’re finalising your order, as well as their mouth-watering burgers, make sure to try one of their loaded fries options, you won’t regret it.

Celebrating the cuisine from the Chinese province of Sichuan, Miss Peppercorn in Sumner certainly packs a flavourful punch. The food on the menu heavily features ​​Szechuan peppercorns, a hallmark of this region and it gives dishes a heat like no other. Be prepared to venture outside your comfort zone and once you have, you’ll be so pleased you did. These warming dishes are just what you need for a cozy night at home!

Bang smack in the middle of town is Tiny Door, a literal hole-in-the-wall to-go food experience. On the other side of the minute blue door is a kitchen that plays host to an ever-changing lineup of some of the country’s best and up-and-coming food producers, crafting their tastiest creations for you to conveniently grab and enjoy. Join the city workers on lunch and laneway wanderers who’ve stumbled upon this fantastical spot, or beat the queue and order on Tiny Door’s website ahead of time. The rotating vendors means there’s always something new to try here.

Calling all lovers of a classic LA-style cheeseburger… Black Burger in Riverside Market is your match made in heaven. Keeping things simple, paired back and focused on the best ingredients such as Canterbury-reared Black Origin wagyu for the patties and Grizzly Brioche buns. This is where you need to order from when you just feel like a darn good cheeseburger done well with a side of fries or onion rings and a milkshake thrown in for good measure.

Looking for a fast food option that’s fresh and healthy - Herba Gourmet needs to be your new go-to. Located in Riverside Market, the kai coming out of Herba’s kitchen is top-notch, tasty and nourishing. The whole menu is gluten-free, so anyone with this dietary requirement can rest assured that everything is safe for them to eat. Build your salad with your choice of base, protein and toppings, and take it away knowing you're holding a box of pure deliciousness.

The pizzas from Pizza Trap are legendary, with their hand-thrown sourdough bases and toppings that can be as paired back and classic as you want, to some inventive creations that might just become a new favourite for you. There’s also a whole host of vegan options, which isn’t always the case when it comes to pizza! Celebrating local suppliers, the Pizza Trap team are big supporters of the food scene in Christchurch and this results in some tasty, tasty slices. Top tip, when you’re picking up your pizzas head in a bit early and sneak in a pint at Space Academy (at the same location).

If you have dumplings, bao buns or noodles on your mind, then look no further than Eightgrains. Made from scratch and with a whole lot of love, these authentic dishes will certainly satisfy your cravings. One of the best things about Eightgrains is its location inside Little High Eatery, surrounded by a number of other incredible food outlets. So if you’re picking up your Eightgrains order to go, why not peruse and add to your takeaway feast.

Welcome Vegetarian Café and Takeaways is a Christchurch institution and has been at its same location in Riccarton for many many years. Priding themselves on producing high-quality vegetarian dishes, Welcome draws inspiration from different regions around China and other nearby countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. Their menu is extensive and even the most die-hard carnivore will find plenty to please their palate here. So next time you have a craving for some kind of Asian cuisine, give Welcome a call. 

Pedro’s House of Lamb represents how Christchurch businesses evolved and pivoted following the Christchurch earthquakes. What once was a restaurant in the CBD became a small container in a carpark on the edge of the city centre and yet in the years following this ‘downsized’ operation has gone from strength to strength. The concept at Pedro’s is simple, you place an order for a whole lamb shoulder with a side of potatoes (and the option to add more sides if you want). The result is melt-in-your-mouth meat and a takeaway meal that feels like it’s homecooked in the best way possible.