Gaelic charm, food & music: The Little Fiddle
Irish myths and leprechaun legends often refer to a pot o’ gold at the end of a rainbow.
Christchurch City isn’t home to many leprechauns (unless it’s St Patrick’s Day), yet it definitely has a pot of gold in the form of The Little Fiddle, an inner city Irish bar.
The lilt of Irish laughter often filters through its walls, while inside it’s filled with music, fun and fabulous food to wash down with beer, wine, and a good Irish whiskey or two. Chef Santosh has been at The Little Fiddle since it opened six years ago, and publican Mel Ling says his food just keeps getting better and better.
“It’s pub grub while at the same time being much more. We have regulars who come in just for our bangers and mash,” she explains. The popular menu includes small plates, platters, burgers, salads, house classics, the famous “Fiddle Roast”, and desserts.
Spicy chicken wings, crispy fish bites (in tempura batter), pork belly bites, sliders, and Irish potato skins are all on the small plates menu, to enjoy on your own or in a group. Savour classic treats such as a full Irish breakfast, Guinness Beef and Mushroom Pot Pie, and traditional Irish Stew, to name some firm favourites. Snacks, lunch, and dinner bring forth even more tempting offerings, while the beverage list includes 60 plus whiskeys from around the world. For the non-whiskey drinkers, there’s a great selection of red, white, bubbly, and low alcohol wines, boutique beers, and cider to wet your whistle.
The cosy interior vibe is wholly reminiscent of a pub in Ireland, thanks to Mel’s husband (and business partner). “Craig designs and has the pubs built, then hands me the keys to run them,” laughs Mel. Craig’s an O’Carroll, known for drinking establishments of that name previously in Christchurch and Auckland.
Together, the couple have worked the bar scene not just in New Zealand, but also in Las Vegas, the Cayman Islands and elsewhere around the world. “We now call Christchurch home, and have done for the last six years,” says Mel. “We love it here.” They love it so much, that Craig is well underway with his latest design and build project. No surprise it’s another Irish bar in central Christchurch, so keep your fiddle tuned.
Cheers, or as the Irish say: Sláinte.
SAVE THE DATE
The Little Fiddle’s sister establishment, The Whiskey Fiddle will be opening in the inner city in September this year. In the meantime if Irish cheer and a dram or two is your thing, call into
The Little Fiddle at 132 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch Central City, thelittlefiddle.co.nz
