Christchurch Recommendations

I hope you'll enjoy my list of ever-growing recommendations related to what to do/see/eat/drink in Christchurch. Please click on the links to be directed to the appropriate websites. All recommendations are unsolicited, and I have truly enjoyed my experiences at all of the spots listed below. I suppose I could start a page of Must Avoid places too... but that wouldn't make me very many friends, would it?

 If you are curious about a spot that's not on the list, please ask!

Experiences

Cave Stream: ok, technically this is not in Christchurch. It's 90 minutes west, but it is still in Canterbury, and it's sooooo cool! Dress warm, bring your headlamp, and experience something pretty unique!
Hagley Park: the city's largest of many parks, and home to Christchurch Botanical Gardens. A favorite place of mine.
Taylors Mistake: secluded and scenic, its the (close) place to go if you're a surfer, but also just the coolest little beach around. Located on the east side of Sumner, it is close, but makes you feel far from home.
Victoria Park: home to the best mountain bike tracks in Canterbury, and hopefully a future mountain bike park. Vic park serves up beautiful trails for hikers and mountain-bikers alike, and tracks range from easy to very advanced.

Restaurants

Black Bettys: Great coffee. Great breakfast.
Clink: located in beachy little Sumner and the food is lovely. But seriously, get their tequila mojito and thank me later.
Gor:lla: Good. Simple. Local.
Kinji: phenomenal sushi.
Harlequin Public House: Ohmygosh what an awesome anniversary dinner we had there! This is a new restaurant, just opened August 2013, down on the corner of (gonna be) posh little Victoria St. The oysters, grilled veggies, and lamb sausages were all to die for. And don't skip the punch! Update: as of June 2014 I am mad at Harlequin. My food was decent (B+) but the smallest portion for the largest price. And trust me, I'm no penny pinching belly stuffer. The only reason it stays on the list is a great atmosphere in a very central location.
Mexicano's: The tacos are damn tasty, and as close to Mexican food as I can get here. But even better- the margaritas!
Orleans: Trendy atmosphere serving up authentic-ish New Orleans style food such as the chicken waffle, sweet potato gnocci with pulled pork, and homemade apple pie. Not for those concerned about caloric intake!
Pomoroy's: Seirously guys. Do you want great food and even greater beer? Craft beer? Yes! This English style pub is for you. It's for everyone. Go there now.
The Coffee House Restaurant & Cafe: offering much more than (exceptional) coffee, The Coffee House also does breakfast, lunch and dinner. A great place for a date in the CBD!
Under the Red Verandah: hands down the best breakfast we have had in Christchurch. And we are very, very serious about breakfast.

Bars and Nightlife

Cassels & Sons Brewery: some of Christchurch's finest home brewers opened up their own pub, and thank goodness they did! Great beer and great pizzas await you, both at the pub in Woolston, and at the CBD Bar owned by the Cassels guys, but located downtown (in the CBD, duh.)
The Institution: Real. Craft. Beer. with a badass low key atmosphere.
The Monday Room: serving up the fancy hand mixed cocktails with quality ingredients and spirits, in a speakeasy-esque ambiance. Definitely a fav!
The Dark Room: How many of your local dives have Monday night magic? Yeah, I didn't think so. They have magic craft beers on tap as well.
Smash Palace: Biker Bar and Garage turned hipster hangout and... well still biker bar... home of the bus bar, one of my favorite earthquake renovations, and one helluva good burger.
Volstead Trading Company: Fabulous craft beer selection. Get your wallet out.

Where to Shop

Liberty Market: my favorite organic foods store. The selection is limited, as most organic stores are, but I find it fills a lot of gaps that the local grocery chains leave wide open. Prices are also much more fair than at the other organic store.
Re:START Mall: Located in the central CBD on Cashel St., Re:START is Christchurch's creative pulse amongst the wreckage. Besides shopping, there are cafes to sample and frequently bands and buskers to entertain.