Just a short drive north of Christchurch city you’ll find the charming river town of Kaiapoi, surrounded by rugged coastline and charming beaches. There’s also a host of delicious food stops to fuel your adventuring. If you’re lucky enough to have a long weekend or flexible working hours, here’s a brilliant way to spend your Friday, eating and drinking your way around this pocket of North Canterbury.
Start your market morning with a warming cup of Three Llamas coffee in this cosy café / eatery. Located in the residential Silverstream subdivision, and open seven days a week, the team at Urban Revival keep their neighbourhood and visitors well caffeinated. If your hunger starts early, grab a freshly baked muffin or date scone to enjoy with your brew before hitting the Farmers Market. They’re also open Friday evenings for dinner – so if you fancied, you could end your day with a glass of something local and relax in front of the fire place.
Dubbed one of the four best Farmers’ Markets in the country, every Friday morning from 9am til 12.30pm you’ll find passionate stallholders at the Ohoka Domain in Waimakariri selling their locally grown produce and delicious treats. Running since 2008, this iconic farmers market is open all year, in all weather. Try to resist one of the fresh custard squares while loading up the chilly bins with locally grown produce to weekly staples including eggs, honey and meat.
Head north and stop off at Three Llamas Gourmet Coffee – a funky little spot in Woodend to stock up on your coffee beans and brew equipment. If you’re looking for another caffeine hit, their quality, gourmet coffee is sourced from a little corner of Northern Peru. They’ve built a close relationship with their organic coffee growers over the years, which ensures the end product is nothing but the best. The store is open six days a week, selling their full range of specialty coffee plus a fascinating selection of other organic ingredients from Northern Peru – oh and there’s a decadent cold brew coffee chocolate cake that you won’t want to miss.
Continue north via SH1 and you’ll soon spot The Office Café, tucked inside the Old School Collective. Aptly names North Canterbury’s newest shopping destination, this renovated school yard has come to life with boutique clothing, antiques, a florist, a hairdresser and even yoga. Once you’ve perused the shops you’ll find the perfect brunch stop, where you can order from the breakfast or brunch menu, or opt for a cabinet treat such as an impressive mussel and kūmara pie or an Asian noodle salad. With a bunch of locally made goods on shelves and on the menu, you can grab a loaf of Rachel Scott Sourdough to take home and some hemp products from The Brothers Green.
Further north again, you’ll find the rustic and historic café space that was once a pottery shop. It now provides travellers and locals with a warm community space five days a week (closed Monday/Tuesday). Housed next to The Mill complex where you can discover local and international art, giftware, as well as China and pottery treats. The food offerings are fun and generous; with a jam donut porridge to smokey beans, a design-your-own toastie for the kids and a banana cinnamon roll smoothie to slurp your way through the afternoon.
