Neat places: Best seafood spots in Christchurch

Monday, 24 September 2018

As an island nation, seafood is an integral part of the New Zealand cuisine and identity – and there is so much more to it than the humble fish and chips. Neat Places has gathered the best spots in town for indulging in some seriously delicious seafood.

Pescatore

50 Park Tce

Pescatore sits at the very high end of the spectrum when it comes to seafood restaurants. A luxurious setting on the second floor of The George hotel sets the tone for what to expect. You can choose between a five or seven-course degustation menu or take your pick from the a la carte menu filled with delicacies such as scampi, Cloudy Bay clams and poached fish. Pescatore's unique and contemporary dishes will satisfy even the hardest food critic. All the seafood used in the restaurant is sustainably sourced and as fresh as you can imagine.

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Set in the heart of Wigram, Fush is a whanau owned and operated seafood restaurant.

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Gatherings has recently added fish to its menu

Dux Dine

28 Riccarton Rd

The iconic Dux Dine has been around for years and continuously delivers the same high standard of food and service. Concentrating solely on seafood and vegetarian dishes, this is a must for seafood lovers. All the fish is caught in the South Island, with favourite staples such as groper, gurnard, and tarakihi complemented with seasonally available species such as scallops and oysters. Open from breakfast til dinner, the relaxed atmosphere at Dux Dine makes it the perfect spot to wind down and enjoy some quality seafood in good company.

Fush

104 The Runway

A whānau owned and operated seafood restaurant, Fush offers a taste of proper Kiwi kai and the experience of true Māori hospitality. Set in the heart of Wigram, this laid-back restaurant is a great spot to share the experience of delicious food with friends and family. When it comes to the kai moana, it's options galore – this truly is a haven for the seafood lover. Think rarities such as blue cod collars or smoked eel, delicacies such as soft shell crabs, and of course the much loved fish 'n' chips done to perfection. It's well worth heading to suburbia to discover what Fush is all about.

Louis Champagne

123 Victoria St

As the name suggests, Louis Champagne specialises in Champagne, oh and oysters. Located down an alleyway, this high-end bar and restaurant is fitted out in a luxurious manner with plush cream chairs, walls full of mirrors and a huge hanging chandelier that takes centre stage in the room. Offering a selection of warm and cold oysters plus larger dishes such as the sharing ocean plate, this is a spot to truly indulge in some seafood goodness and top-quality bubbly.

Gatherings 5/2 Papanui Rd

Previously a solely plant-based restaurant, Gatherings has recently added seafood into its menu. Not budging from its stance as an environmentally conscious and ethical restaurant, fish is sourced from a one-man operation using a boat and lines, taking only what has been ordered. Expect to find delicacies such as oysters, flounder roe and squid on the menu, along with a kai moana tasting menu ($80). Set within the Carlton Courts, this petite restaurant is a very special place worth discovering.

Discover more neat places around town at neatplaces.co.nz and download the free and offline Neat Places smartphone app.