Christchurch
ÅŒtautahi
Mexicos - City Centre
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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.
Open Sun-Thurs 12pm-9pm. Fri-Sat 12pm-10pm.
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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.
Open daily 8am-2:30pm.
The Totally Gluten Free Bakery - Sydenham
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Ah, 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 - lammingtons, 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!
Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Sat 9am-3pm. Closed Sundays.
The Caffeine Laboratory - City Centre
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If you are visiting Christchurch, you are bound to go up New Regent street - a category one heritage site rebuilt after the Canterbury earthquake. Sitting at the end on the corner is The Caffeine Laboratory, a well known place by the locals as a great places to sit with a coffee and watch the world (and trams) go by. They aren't a dedicated gluten free restaurant but have a few tasty options on their menu.
Open Mon-Fri 7am-3pm. Weekends 8am-3pm.
GRE3N Juice Bar - The Crossing
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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, raw and always have plenty of gluten free goodies in the cabinets - make sure to check that they are gluten free!
Open Mon-Fri 8am–5pm. Weekends 10am–5pm.
Dosa Kitchen - Riverside Market
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Dosa Kitchen is one of the few gluten free spots at the new riverside market - but it definitely makes up for it. 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!
Open Mon-Thurs 9am-6pm. Fri/Sat 9am-9pm. Sun 10am-5pm.
Rollicking Gelato - Several Locations
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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!
Open Sun-Thurs 11am-10pm. Fri/Sat 11am-11pm.
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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!
Open Mon-Fri 11:30am-9pm. Sat 12pm-9pm. Sun 12pm-8:30pm.
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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.
Open everyday - 9am till late.
Some other places to check out...
FOG Food, Rollerston - A completely gluten free market stall + online shop. Stall currently closed due to COVID but operating online.
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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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Hell's Pizza, various locations - This is a fantastic Pizza chain that offers coeliac friendly pizza bases (and plenty of vegan options) if you are meat inclined - I recommend the apricot chicken pizza!
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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.
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Ristretto, St Albans - A cafe near St Albans Park that always has plenty of gluten free options.
Divine Cakes - Orange Cupcake
Ristretto - vege loaf
Park Ranger - acai bowl