Apple crumble chia pudding with stewed apples, caramel & crunchy granola
This recipe for apple crumble chia pudding with all the lashings from Canterbury-based Good Puddings, is giving us ‘dessert-for-breakfast’ energy. “All the cosy apple crumble vibes, but layered into a creamy chia pudding you can prep ahead and keep in the fridge,” founder Laura says. Good Puddings was a 2025 winner in the […]
A warm welcome: Sweet Lili’s Café & Bar
From freshly prepared meals and quality cabinet food, to familiar faces and a welcoming atmosphere, what more would you want from your local café? “I wanted to create a place where I could connect with people through food and coffee, and to be part of New Zealand’s vibrant café culture,” says Mike Li, […]
Fool-proof banana pancakes
Whether it’s Sunday brunch on a chilly morning or a delicious dessert, nothing beats a warm and sweet banana pancake. Fresh from her new cookbook titled More Than Toast, author Rhiannon Baldock says this recipe cannot fail. “I have been making these pancakes for years now, and they really are foolproof. The recipe […]
Top local tavern: Tavern Harewood
A family-friendly bar and restaurant at the heart of Harewood’s community is a treasure box of connection and memory-making. Harewood is lucky to host a local tavern that is designed for comfort and convenience, with plenty of on-site parking and family-friendly dining. Even better, Tavern Harewood is under new ownership and joins the […]
Fridge fritters recipe
Cook Rhiannon Baldock isn’t the only one with vegetables looking a little worse for wear in the fridge. Her take on the classic corn fritters with a garlicky chilli yoghurt is the best way to make the most of those not-so-pretty vegetables while you still can. Ingredients | serves 4 Fritters 1/4 cup […]
Sunsets and city sights: The Arlo
For a knock-out view of the city with exceptional food and wine, this hillside bar and restaurant packs a punch. Asweeping vista paired with exceptional food and wine makes Arlo Bar and Restaurant a standout destination for both Christchurch visitors and locals. Perched high on Hackthorne Road, its outlook across the city is […]
Charming Mayfield stopover: Cafe Mayfield
Heading out of town? Don’t miss one of Canterbury’s best-kept secrets. Just a small detour off the South Island’s main north-south routes, Cafe Mayfield is a refreshing change from the usual roadside eateries. Explore Canterbury’s inland scenic route 72 and the charming rural town of Mayfield, which is home to one of the […]
Sing it! Cheers & Karaoke Bar
Celebrating a birthday? Looking for school holiday fun? Or just craving some authentic Taiwanese food? What if we told you that you could do it all in one place? “It’s about creating a space where people can switch off from their day, connect with friends, and have fun – whether that’s through food, […]
Classic sponge recipe
Need a cake for a special occasion to please a crowd (or your mum)? Few people have the willpower and self-control needed to say no to a slice of decent sponge cake. This recipe from Christchurch-based food photographer and recipe developer Jessica Donaldson is perfect for a treat or celebration. Is there a […]
Flavours without borders: El Faro
More than just a café, this Ferrymead haven combines Mediterranean and South American flavours in a space created for the community. Lighthouses are symbols of safe harbours, of a welcome to secure anchorage. In Spanish, a lighthouse is called ‘el faro’, a phrase that could not be more appropriate for this eatery by […]












