Christchurch
ÅŒtautahi
Shaka Bros
A fantastic burger restaurant located in Riverside Market that can make pretty much all of their burgers gluten free. I've always had a great experience with them taking care to prepare mine separately, and writing coeliac on my burger packaging. I love them SO MUCH they are actually catering my wedding.
Location: Riverside Market, Central City
Price per burger: $15-$20
Booking required: No! But it can get a bit busy.
Dietary Requirements: Gluten free, Vegetarian & Vegan options available
Recommendation: Gluten free Sweetie burger
Wheelchair Friendly
The Totally Gluten Free Bakery
The holy grail of New Zealand Gluten Free bakery goods. This wonderful bakery offers a brief respite of only being able to choose from a brownie or a friand. It has all the New Zealand baked goods you can imagine - lamingtons, melting moments, afghans, cheese scones, Boston buns - if you don't know what these are I suggest trying them ASAP. They also sell the more universal stuff, like meat pies, doughnuts, various breads, and cakes. My suggestion is to get their earlier in the day, as everything is baked fresh and once it's gone, it's gone!​
Location: Sydenham
Price per item: $5-$10
Time to go: Earlier in the day is best!
Dietary Requirements:
Everything is gluten free!
Recommendation: Pain au Chocolates & croissants
Wheelchair Friendly
Bubbles Gluten Free
The newest completely gluten free bakery in Christchurch! Tucked away behind the butchers in Bush Inn mall, you will find a huge array of gluten free treats. From pies, sausage rolls, slices, cheese scones, cakes, to fresh breads, rolls & baguettes - it's a must stop for any gluten free person.
Location: Upper Ricarton
Price per item: $5-$10
Time to go: Anytime!
Dietary Requirements:
Everything is gluten free!
Recommendation: Tan Slice
Wheelchair Friendly
5th Street
For an upmarket dinner, you have to try 5th Street. It's a classy sharing plate styled restaurant with some incredible flavours, and most of the dishes are gluten free. The menu changes frequently with in-season produce, but if they have the fried chicken, you have to try it! They also serve a lovely menu or local and international wines, and cocktails.
Location: Sydenham
Price per meal: $70-80 per person
Booking required: Yes!
Dietary Requirements:
Almost everything is gluten free or can be made gluten free.
Recommendation: Go with a bunch of people and try as much as you can!
Utopia Ice
A popular ice cream spot in Sumner that has gluten free waffle cones, and gluten free waffles! All the waffles are gluten free, so you don't need to worry about cross contamination when being cooked. They have a few flavours you can pick from, I recently got the apricot one and it was wonderful. There's also the option to customize your toppings as well! Please note, on a sunny day in summer it can be a bit busy!
Location: Sumner
Price per meal: $10-20 per person
Best time to go: After a swim!
Dietary Requirements:
Gluten free options, Vegan options
Recommendation: Any of the waffles, they. also have some really unique ice cream flavours too
Doubles Cafe
My absolutely favourite cafe, where almost everything is gluten free. You'll find scones, bagels, muffins, fried chicken waffles + loads more. They really understand gluten free & cross contamination, to the point where I suspect that an owner or manager might be gluten free.
They also do the absolute best coffee too!
Location: Central City
Price per meal: $12-$27
Time to go: Anytiime, but it does get busy
Dietary Requirements:
Almost everything is gluten free, dairy free, vege, vegan options avaiable
Recommendation: Muffins, scones, hash skillet!
Sweet Soul Patisserie
A gorgeous patisserie with plenty of gluten free options. They create the most delicate and impressive sweet treats, with layers and layers of flavour. A lot of work clearly goes into make these so they are a bit of a luxury item. The flavours change seasonally, and while they aren't all gluten free - generally about 50% of them are.
Location: Central City
Price per item: $14-$18
Time to go: Anytime!
Dietary Requirements:
Gluten free & vegan avaiable
Recommendation: Apple!
Wheelchair Friendly
1040 Takeaways
The holy grail of gluten free fish and chips - and don't worry about convincing your non-coeliac mates to go, they have seperate friers for gluten free and gluten orders. This place has everything, aside for about 10 types of fish, and chips, they have burgers, doughnuts, corn nuggets, corn dogs, deep fried muscles, kumara fries (sweet potato) and pineapple rings. The only thing they don't have - mushy peas!
Location: Edgeware
Price per person: $7-$12
Time to go: Anytime!
Dietary Requirements:
Separate fryer for gluten free menu
Recommendation: Burgers & doughnuts
Sweet Revenge
Sweet Revenge is a little shop in Riverside Market that has an entire cabinet of gluten free goodies. They have slices, cakes, cookies, and the biggest eclairs you'll ever see in your life. The owners are really good about keeping everything separate, and also they are very friendly!
Location: Riverside Market, City Centre
Price per item: $5-$12
Time to go: Anytime!
Dietary Requirements:
Gluten free options available
Recommendation: Eclairs & chocolate nut brittle
Herba Gormet
A completely gluten free stall in Riverside Market serving all sorts of delicious boxes. You can mix-and-match different proteins, salads, toppings & sauces so you really have full control about your meal. Some options could be fish & chips, chicken & salad, falafel & rice. It's a really great option to grab on the go!
Location: Riverside Market, City Centre
Price per meal: $20
Time to go: Anytime!
Dietary Requirements:
100% gluten free
Recommendation: Crumbed Fish & Kumara ribbons!
Kaiser Brew Garden
A terrace restaurant on top of Riverside Market with lots of gluten free options and a separate fryer. You can get a few small plates, or even go for one of their pizzas - I've had great experiences with the staff looking after me well. I recommend city out on the balcony (weather permitting) and enjoying some of their lovely cocktails.
Location: Riverside Market, City Centre
Price per meal: $18- $30
Booking Required: It's recommended
Dietary Requirements:
Gluten free, dairy free, vegan options available
Recommendation: Calamari & fried chicken
Fush
A fantastic Fish & Chips shop that have separate fryers for gluten free people! I've always been a huge fan of Fush, in fact I even went to their launch party in Wigram went they first opened. Anton and his family not only make great kai, but they also do a lot for their community. Definitely one to check out!
Location: Wigram
Price per meal: $20- $30
Best time to go: Anytime! Call or order online for pickup
Dietary Requirements:
Gluten free options available
Recommendation: Gluten free fish & chips
Ma Baker
This is a classic New Zealand bakery with a few gluten free options packaged & kept separately from everything else. You'll find pies that you can cook at home and a few delicious slices. Great to stock up on if you are in the area!
Location: Edgeware
Price per item: $5- $8
Best time to go: Anytime!
Dietary Requirements:
Gluten free options available
Recommendation: Butter chicken pie & belgium slice
Niche
For an incredible gluten free cheese scone, head to Niche in Sumner. Maybe if you aren't from New Zealand, you might not understand the hype about cheese scones, but let me tell you - they are the best accompaniment to any mid-morning coffee or road trip snack. They also have quite a few more bits that are gluten free in their cabinet, I think I even spotted a sandwich once!
Location: Sumner
Price per scone: $5- $6
Best time to go: Anytime! But it does get busy, so go early to increase scone chances
Dietary Requirements:
Gluten free options available
Recommendation: Cheese Scone
Truffle
A cafe in Merivale that has a small selection of gluten free baked goods - most notably, the cheese scone. Usually I wouldn't mention a place with so few gluten free options, but their cheese scone really is delicious. They can put it in a tray to heat it, or warm it up separately in the microwave (I chose the later for less cross contamination) or you can take it home to heat up. They do good coffee too!
Location: Merivale
Price per scone: $5- $6
Best time to go: Anytime! But it does get busy, so go early to increase scone chances
Dietary Requirements:
Gluten free options available
Recommendation: Cheese Scone
Moon Under Water
A lovely casual bar and restaurant in Somerfield that has loads of gluten free options, and a separate gluten free fryer. You can get personalised platter, fried chicken and cauliflower, pork belly bites, burgers, salads, and tacos.
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PLEASE NOTE: they have gluten free bases for the pizza but not a separate area to prepare so they are NOT coeliac safe!
Location: Somerfielld
Price per person: $30- $40
Best time to go: Anytime! But it does get busy, so good idea to book.
Dietary Requirements:
Gluten free options available
Recommendation: Tacos!
Costas Taverna
A greek restaurant in Papanui that has plenty of gluten free items on their menu, and well trained staff that are happy to take care of coeliacs.
It's a good reliable spot, and you can get gluten free pita bread. It's not mind-blowingly amazing gluten free food but it's filling and safe.
Location: Papanui
Price per scone: $30-$50
Booking: At the busy times!
Dietary Requirements:
Gluten free options available
Recommendation: Gluten Free Souvlaki Platter
Joe's Garage
A reliable brunch/lunch spot, with locations all over Christchurch & New Zealand. I've always felt well looked after, and they have loads of gluten free options including my favourite, "Gorgeous George" which is literally just eggs, smashed potatoes, bacon and hollandaise sauce. They do dinner as well. I've just never tried it!
Location: Several all over Christchurch
Price per scone: $20-$30
Booking: At the busy times!
Dietary Requirements:
Gluten free options available
Recommendation: Gorgeous George
St Pierres Sushi
UPDATE: some locations may advise against eating the teriyaki chicken, please talk to them before ordering
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This is a takeaway sushi shop that has a lot of gluten free items, including their teriyaki chicken. Some of their sauces 'contain no detectable gluten' due to processing, and it's something they test for as well. Just let them know you are gluten free and they will point out all the flavours you can choose from.
Location: Various
Price per meal: $8-$15
Best time to go: Anytime
Dietary Requirements:
No gluten containing options avaiable
Recommendation: Teriyaki chicken dragon sushi
Rollicking Gelato
It seems like these places are popping up all over - and the demand for it never seems to stop. While there are often lines out the door at Rollicking Gelato - it doesn't take long to get served. Their niche is the constant running chocolate tap that you can choose to get poured over your choice of ice-cream (it's worth it). Make sure you check which flavours are gluten free as they are constantly changing things up!
Location: Riverside Market, City Centre
Price per ice cream: $7- $10
Best time to go: Anytime
Dietary Requirements:
Gluten free, dairy free, vegan options available
Recommendation: Gerry Brown
GRE3N Juice Bar
Gre3n actually has 3 locations in Christchurch, 2 in the city centre and one in Ferrymead. It's a great place to stop in for a takeaway healthy bite to eat, or smoothie. The food is all healthy, with vegan & vegetarian optionn and always have plenty of gluten free goodies in the cabinets - make sure to check that they are gluten free!
Location: The Crossing, City Centre
Price per meal: $10- $20
Best time to go: Anytime
Dietary Requirements:
Gluten free, dairy free, vegan options available
Recommendation: Acai Bowls
Beach Bar
The Beach Bar is a beach side restaurant in the sunny suburb of Sumner. When I say beachside - I mean that it's literally on the beach, you can walk out the back onto the sand. There is a surprising amount of gluten free options available at this restaurant - I couldn't resist going for the Fish & Chips - what can I say, it was the middle of summer. The server assured me it was entirely gluten free, and it was delicious. Bookings recommended, as this is a hit with the locals.
Location: Sumner
Price per meal: $25- $40
Booking Required: It's recommended
Dietary Requirements:
Gluten free options available
Recommendation: Fish & Chips
Mexicos
Mexicos is a chain restaurant found in multiple locations around New Zealand. While not a gluten free restaurant, they offer a wide selection of gluten free mexican food. It's usual to order a few small plates here - my recommendation is the patatas bravas and the duck tacos. They also do a delicious plum and cinnamon margarita.
Location: City Centre
Price per person: $30- $40
Booking Required: It's recommended
Dietary Requirements:
Gluten free options available
Recommendation: Patatas Bravas, Duck Taco & Margaritas
Miro
Miro is a classy breakfast/lunch restaurant situated next to the Avon in one of the few remaining heritage buildings. They are known for their breakfast boards, which has a mixture of avocado on toast, seasonal fruits, muesli and yogurt. Very Instagramable. They don't have a gluten free menu but the servers are very helpful.
It's usually busy on the weekends so it's a good idea to book first.
Location: City Centre
Price per meal: $18- $30
Booking Required: It's recommended
Dietary Requirements:
Gluten free options available
Recommendation: Breakfasts
Barefoot Eatery
Located in the new Welles Street food spot - The Welder, Barefoot Eatery is entirely plant-based and has a range of gluten free options. A good spot for a quick brunch or lunch, they have burgers, nachos, acai bowls, plus a few more cabinet options. When I went recently I got the nachos, which I wasn't a huge fan of, but will give it another shot when I'm back in Christchurch
Location: Central City
Price per meal: $10-$25 per person
Booking required: No
Dietary Requirements:
All plant-based, gluten free options
Recommendation: Unsure, would be keen to try their acai bowls
Dosa Kitchen
UPDATE: they have removed their gluten free labels - please check before ordering.
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Dosa Kitchen is a mostly gluten free spot inside Riverside Market. Dosa is a traditional Indian dish made out of black gram and rice - similar to a crisp savoury crepe. They are usually served alongside sambar and chutney. The Dosa Kitchen does dosa several ways - both traditional and a little more western. Definitely worth a visit when you inevitably end up on that side of town!
Location: Central City
Price per meal: $15-$2
Time to go: Anytime!
Dietary Requirements: Lots of gluten free options, vege options available
Recommendation: Butter chicken and dosa
Some other places to check out...
FOG Food, Rollerston - A completely gluten free market stall + online shop.
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Park Ranger, Riccarton - A organic cafe that focus's on sustainability. Has a few GF goodies too. ​
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Divine Cakes, various locations - Divine sells regular and gluten free cakes, they often have smaller gluten free cupcakes or desserts available for takeaway as well. ​​​​​​​​​