Our Favourite Picks For A Father’s Day Lunch In Christchurch

 Heaven is a place on earth, and we have found it in Christchurch; Smokey T’s is the ultimate lunch spot for Father’s Day. The BBQ-inspired cuisine is insanely delicious; the meat falls off the bone, melts in your mouth and raises the bar on BBQ expectations. 

Dive in feet first with the platter for two; this is the best way to experience a little bit of everything. Loaded with 12-hour smoked brisket, pork belly, pork ribs, buffalo wings, jalapeno cheese sausages, 4 grilled tortillas, slaw, pickles, Smokey T’s original sauce and a side of waffle fries. Our mouths are watering at the thought of that beautiful platter. There is only one thing we like to drink when we visit this spot and that is Smokey T’s sauced ale for the complete experience.

Low-key, relaxed lunch vibes are where it’s at; Zaffron is a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city. If your dad is a foodie, like us, then the fusion of Thai and Vietnamese cuisine is sure to put a smile on his face. Everything on the menu looks divine, and we could easily dine upon the starters alone with tasty dishes like prawn cakes, pork spare ribs, Vietnamese fresh spring rolls and sticky nibbles. The latter is deep-fried chicken wings caramelised with a special sauce. 

Our favourite signature dish at Zaffron is the roasted pork belly stir-fried noodles; the stir-fried egg noodles are flavoured with Thai honey and garlic sauce with a roasted pork belly masterly placed on top with a side of Bok choy. Perfection!

Whatever the occasion, Miro has you covered; the heritage building is a beauty and has been the centre of many celebrations, including Father’s Day. The roaring fireplace and sun-soaked courtyard are only a few of Miro’s winning features. The cuisine is homely and modern, showcasing local and seasonal produce with a flare of creativity that tastes sensational. 

Begin your dining experience with a charcuterie board, mackerel crudo, or pumpkin churros with chickpea citrus foam and Kawakawa dukkah. For the main event, we recommend the pan-fried market fish with warm potatoes, an olive oil salad, vichyssoise sauce and cos lettuce. The warm flavours work in harmony and are irresistible on a chilly day.  

Give dad a taste of the finer things in life and dine at 50 Bistro, located on the ground floor of The George. The stylish restaurant flows into a sun-soaked conservatory with a living wall and fire tables. The neo-bistro specialises in modern New Zealand cuisine, with a focus on seasonal and local produce. 

The menu is swoon-worthy with fennel cured Akaroa salmon, Hokkaido scallops, duck liver parfait and lumina lamb rump. However, if there is one dish that truly steals the show, it is the Frutti di mare; green lip mussels with prawns, squid, arrabbiata sauce, lemon pangrattato and linguine.  

For the vegetarian and seafood-loving fathers out there, Dux Dine is top tier. The sun-soaked garden bar is the perfect spot for family gatherings and tasty lunches. Order an array of tapa-style dishes for the table and enjoy the likes of crispy buttermilk calamari, quinoa cakes, pumpkin arancini and seafood chowder. 

Otherwise, the jackfruit burger is unbeatable; pairing pulled BBQ jackfruit with slaw, tomatoes and pickled carrots on a brioche bun with fries. You cannot visit Dux Dine without dabbling in the infamous gin selection; there are botanical beauties from across the globe eagerly awaiting your approval. 

Lu Lu’s Bar and Eatery is renowned for creating kai that fuses the old and the new world into one delicious plate. The traditional Māori cuisine is passionate, flavourful and hearty. Lu Lu’s is sure to be a bustling spot this Father’s Day as people eagerly await an opportunity to dine upon Hangi-style kumara bites, pork and watercress spring rolls, brisket frybread burgers and Lu Lu’s ribs. 

Sample all of Lu Lu’s signature dishes; opt for the tapa platter. We will definitely be going for the Miti Deluxe platter with Lu Lu’s ribs on kumara mash, brisket on potatoes, pork belly with apple sauce, and Hangi-style chicken breast thinly sliced on a bed of cranberry sauce, frybread and salad.