Your Ultimate Guide To Dining At Riverside Market

One of the most recognisable food halls in the country, Riverside Market blends together dozens of international cuisines and cultures to present us with a diverse selection of some of the finest food in Canterbury. You can find Riverside Market at 96 Oxford Terrace in Christchurch Central City. Happy dining!

Hikari Sushi Train is a beloved eatery in the Riverside Market; due to its unique experience and authentic flavours. Shake up the way you dine out with a sushi train, a non-stop rotation of Japanese cuisine. Enjoy the tasty morsels off the conveyor belt; try exciting and colourful bites like the chicken katsu sushi and salmon sashimi. Another show-stopping dish is the miso soup, renowned for its authentic taste.

Our two favourite things in the world are gelato and tea, so it’s no wonder we’re so gravitated to Gelato and Tea. The gelato is made in-house, and flavours range from classic to quirky; experiment with new and exciting combinations or stick to what you know. From passionfruit and mango to crème brûlée and Snickers bar, there is something to suit every palate. The tea side of the menu is just as adventurous with bubble tea, fruity tea, smoothies and iced drinks.

Ramen Ria is an authentic Japanese street-style ramen bar that makes its noodles fresh in-house on the daily, alongside its traditional and rich bone broth. Every aspect of this restaurant is a cultural experience, from the cuisine to the imported beer, Japanese influenced cocktails and the décor. The classic ramen dishes are served with free-range soy egg ajitama, sweet corn, seaweed nori and spring onions. The signature miso is a crowd-pleaser; the Sapporo-inspired ramen comes with togarashi miso broth, grilled pork chashu, Sichuan spiced ground pork, garlic kikurage mushrooms and firecracker chilli oil.

Many may know the legendary Bacon Bros – it is a household name in Otautahi. Turns out their sister-eatery, Shaka Bros, is just as delectable. If you are a burger-enthusiast, this is the spot for you. The menu is split up into bacon, beef, chicken, vegan and vegetarian. Our favourite bite to eat is the iconic happy burger, made with bacon, lettuce, avocado, egg, hash browns and cheese. Shaka Bros strives to provide fresh, locally sourced ingredients to create its masterpieces.

We love a two for one; Cluck Cluck Slurp is a conjoint restaurant with Cluck Cluck serving up mouth-watering free-range chicken and pork from the rotisserie, and Slurp, dishes up the best Japanese-style ramen in town. Cluck Cluck’s sandwiches are iconic; the tender roast pork belly is a crowd-pleaser with pickled slaw, aioli and BBQ sauce. For those who prefer a taste of Slurp, we recommend the signature Tonkatsu ramen with a perfectly marinated soft-boiled egg on top.

The Creperie has mastered the art of creating elegant, delicious and authentic crepes. These handmade beauties come drizzled in chocolate, sprinkled with icing sugar and topped with fresh fruit; however you like them, The Creperie serves them. There is no other way we like to spend our Sunday mornings than indulging in a sugary treat. Some weeks we opt for the jam and berries combination, and other times we stick to the tried and true Chocolate Extravaganza; it is heavenly.

Kiwis love BBQs, always have, always will. Dining at El Quincho will introduce you to a whole new BBQ experience; they create mouth-watering Argentina wood-fired BBQ fare, specifically the traditional Asado. The menu features 21-day aged beef, Argentina chorizo, wild potatoes, empanadas and grilled polenta. Pair the delicious meat with a glass of red and enjoy the spectacular flavours El Qunicho has to offer.

Get your fix of Kiwiana treats at Aha Wildlife Bakery, taking inspiration from our country’s beloved fauna and a variety of international animals – the tasty treats are delicious and memorable. Aha is renowned for its quirky, vegan, kiwi-shaped pretzels; they are a must-try when visiting. You can also get your hands on gingerbread penguins!

You cannot go wrong with fried chicken, and Empire Chicken is here to cure all cravings. Enjoy snack boxes and dinner boxes showcasing the finest fried chicken in town; throw in a splash of reaper sauce to kick things up a notch. The burger selection is swoon-worthy with, you guessed it, chicken patties as the star of the show. Our favourite is the salsa burger – pairing chicken with a chilli-pineapple salsa with bacon, aioli and slaw in a brioche bun.