Budget
Gingko
Allan pyatt house, 153 - 157 hereford st, tel: +64 3 374 2523. chinese cuisine from the szcheuan province. closed.
Perry's Cafe
145 madras street opposite christchurch polytechnic institute of technology. m-f 08:00-17:00. surprisingly good cafeteria-style food with touches of cafe class, gets crowded around lunchtime. $5-7.
Shinsengumi - The Sushi Revolution
169c wairakei rd, bryndwr. generous "lunch boxes". does lovely fresh salmon / avo sushi.
Midrange
Dux de Lux
41 hereford st, corner hereford & montreal sts, +64 3 366 6919, (http://www.thedux.co.nz). restaurant, bar and boutique brewery with vegetarian options and live bands four nights a week. can get a bit crowded and noisy. $15-20. *currently closed following the 22 february 2011 earthquake*
Holy Smoke
650 worcester st +64 3 9432222, closed su m nights. excellent quality restaurant specialising in food that has been manuka smoked in house. the smoked salmon alone is well worth the trip.
Under the Red Verandah
502 worcester st, +64 3 381 1109. closed m. under the red verandah offers a range of food incorporating fair trade coffee, free range eggs and gluten free baked goods.
Top end
The Santorini
Corner gloucester st & cambridge ter, +64 3 379 6975, (http://santorini.co.nz/). t-sa 18:00-late. a greek restaurant with live music and dancing. $24. closed.
Rotherhams of Riccarton
42 rotherham st next to riccarton mall, +64 3 341 5142, (http://www.rotherhamsofri...). tu-sa. bookings highly recommended, especially th-sa.
Sign of the Takahe
200 hackthorne rd, top of the port hills, +64 3 332 4052. 10:00-late daily. formal dining in a big gothic stone castle set on a hilltop. hosted president clinton's christchurch visit for the apec summit in 1999 and some scenes from peter jackson's film 'heavenly creatures' were shot here. reservation essential. $35. closed.
At Tony's
85 riccarton road, +64 3 341 6608. good teppanyaki with special all you can eat deals tu-th. closed -ferrymead restaurant still open.
Skint
Pak'n'Save
Buy from a local supermarket, the yellow colored Pak'n'Save is probably cheapest if you are prepared to go for whatever brand they have a special on at the time. Locally owned New World have lower prices on average, but do not focus on having extremely cheap specials.
The Funky Pumpkin
Fruit and vegetable shops offer locally grown high quality fresh produce for prices often much cheaper than supermarkets. The Funky Pumpkin (http://www.funkyp.co.nz) is one such example.