Muslims globally usually have challenges finding halal-certified restaurants during their halal vacation, especially in countries with a minority Muslim population. However, this is different in Christchurch, New Zealand. Christchurch (Garden City) has established itself as a tourist hotspot, with a friendly and welcoming place for Muslims to visit. The city has mosques, prayer grounds, and, notably, Halal restaurants.
Halal foods are allowed to be eaten under Islamic laws. Any other food is haram. Halal does not just depend on the type of food ingredients or items but also takes into consideration the process of preparing the foods and slaughtering the animals involved. Animal slaughtering should be done with minimal suffering and reciting God’s name during the sacrifice.
Therefore, during Halal vacation, mainly after Ramadan or any time of the year, one should look at restaurants serving halal meals, opt for vegan, vegetarian, or seafood, or check around for halal certification logos. In New Zealand, the certification is closely monitored by the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) and the New Zealand Islamic Development Trust (NZIDT).
In this article, we will focus on how you can locate the top 7 restaurants that prepare halal-friendly cuisines in Christchurch.
7 Halal Cuisine in Christchurch for an Islamic Vacation in NZ
#1:- Afghan Restaurant Addington, Christchurch (AFG Restaurant)
Afghan Restaurant Addington, Christchurch (AFG Restaurant), owned by Br. Abdul, an Afghan, is dubbed as one of Christchurch City’s “best-kept secrets”. The reason for this title is plausible. Although it is open mainly in the evenings, Abdul’s restaurant has no specific menu and operates irregular opening times. However, with this irregularity, there is always a long queue at the spot for their tasty and fantastic food whenever its door is flung open. In fact, about a decade ago, fans whose cravings for their mouthwatering food know no bounds voluntarily opened a dedicated Facebook page ‘Is AFG Open? ‘ to keep everyone updated if the restaurant is open. From here, foodies can confirm by asking on the page if the restaurant is open before going there.
The restaurant is located at 316 Lincoln Road, Addington, Christchurch 8024, New Zealand. The fastest route from the city is via Durham St S and Moorhouse Ave, which is a six-minute ride from the city centre. However, if you are coming from the Christchurch International Airport to AFG restaurant via Memorial Ave, it’s a 17-minute drive with your car. Take advantage of meals like the amazing homemade house salad and specialty chicken, seasoned rice, and chargrilled kebabs. The restaurant caters to people interested in Middle Eastern and Afghan Halal-friendly cuisine, with the dining options being takeaway or sitting to eat there.
As of 2020, Tourism New Zealand, in collaboration with the Kiwi Muslim Directory, listed AFG as one of the verified restaurants as a Halal outlet owned and managed by a Muslim. The restaurant assures that the food is Halal friendly and has a 4.5/5 average rating on Tripadvisor.
#2:- Two Fat Indians – City Central, Christchurch
Two Fat Indians restaurant have been around since 2000. It is owned by Br. Nasir Khan, who is proudly a Muslim and has gone a long way in promoting Halal-friendly Indian cuisine in Christchurch and beyond. Apart from the seating to eat, takeout, or delivery option at their restaurants, they also go as far as catering for events at local mosques, the Muslim community, and even for cricket players from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Their out-of-restaurant catering services are available for small and large groups of people, which you could try out for your family during Halal vacation.
Fortunately, Two Fat Indians – City Central, Christchurch, is located on Unit 4, 88 Cashel Street (Beside, the riverside car park, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand, which is very close to the city centre and just a 2-minute drive in a car from the city centre via Cambridge Terrace, and 20 minutes from the city’s international airport via memorial avenue. They are open between the period of 12-9.30 pm every day except for Friday and Saturday when they stay till 10 pm. Booking and ordering are also possible online.
Tourism New Zealand and the Kiwi Muslim Directory recognise the restaurant owner as a Muslim and a Halal-friendly restaurant. They have a fantastic menu, and many tourists rate their Indian cuisine well, earning them a 4.5/5 rating on TripAdvisor. You can check out their vegetarian-friendly, vegan, and gluten-free options for meals on your next arrival in Christchurch.
#3:- Mashawe Mediterranean BBQ, Christchurch
Mashawe restaurant had just opened less than two years ago. But has proven to be one of the best in a short while; nothing can be taken away from it. The restaurant is owned by Chef Ahmed Igneam, a chef with 18 years of experience who worked last with King of Charcoal, a Riccarton’s Mediterranean restaurant, before opening his own. Chief Igneam specializes in rich varieties of traditional Mediterranean dishes common in places like Greece, Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Italy, to mention a few.
The restaurant is located on the corner of Gloucester and New Regent Streets, precisely at 1 New Regent Street, Christchurch, New Zealand. You can either dine in the restaurant, order takeaway or make reservations. You may also make your bookings online, and the restaurant opens from 11.30 am – 10 pm around the week, except for Friday and Saturday when they close by 11 pm, and totally close on Monday. Visitors to the restaurant attest that their dishes are amazing leading to a 5-star rating, although from just two reviews on Tripadvisor at the time of writing and a whooping 4.9/5 reviews from 350+ reviews on Google. More information is available on their dedicated Facebook page.
#4:- Zak’s Kebab House, Christchurch
Zak’s Kebab house is a top restaurant for kiwis and tourists interested in the best Kebabs and desserts in town. The family-owned restaurant is located at 81 Lichfield Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand. That is a 3-minute drive by car from the city centre via Cambridge Terrace and Lichfield St and a 20-minute drive from the city’s international airport via Memorial Ave. The kitchen is open when you go between 10 am to 7 pm daily and up to 8 pm on Thursday which is their opening period.
Some of the Halal-friendly meals you cannot avoid missing on your visit to the restaurant are Zak’s Shawarma, The Mindy Rice Box, Wrap On Chips, Heavy Duty Souvlaki, and Baklava to mention a few. You can dine in, get a takeaway, or order online for a delivery if you are in town but are not free to visit the kebab spot. Additionally, if you need catering services, the Zaks can also provide that at your Halal Vacation spot.
Tourists and Kiwis who have visited them are amazed at the fantastic outdoors, botanic gardens, and ever-smiling workers they have. No wonder they have a 4.9/5 rating from over 400+ Google reviews. You can check the restaurant out here.
#5:- Indo Tempeh House, Christchurch
Whether you need a vegan or a vegetarian diet, Indo Tempeh House is the place to be! Restaurant owner Nana and her husband have been doing a great job in manufacturing tempeh – a fermented soy product (substitute for meat), which they use to prepare several tempeh-based traditional or modern Indonesian cuisines.
This family-owned kitchen and manufacturing point is at 9 / 310 Wilsons Rd, Waltham, Christchurch. But their takeaway stall is located on the ground floor inside Riverside Market, close to Lichfield St Entrance on 96 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch Central, Christchurch. From the city centre, you can get to the stall via Memory Avenue by riding in a car for 8 minutes. However, if you are close to the international airport, the restaurant is 21 minutes away via Oxford Terrace or Cambridge Terrace. But once you get there, You are in for a special treat when you get there between 10 am to 6 pm on Monday to Saturday and between 10 am to 5 pm on Sundays. You can taste delicious meals like Vegan Tempeh Lover Meal, Tempeh Rissole, tempeh fried rice, and Kremes Chicken Meal.
The restaurant has a 4.5/5 average rating on Tripadvisor. It is listed and verified by Tourism New Zealand and the Kiwi Muslim Directory as a Halal outlet owned and managed by a Muslim and preparing Halal cuisine.
#6:- Aslan 57 Mediterranean Kitchen, Christchurch
Whether you want an Arab Qatayef meal during Ramadan or you want a taste of delicious Halal-friendly Kebab and salads or any other Greek, Mediterranean, and Turkish cuisines, Aslan 57 is an excellent option. Owner Ahmad Aslan, a Jordan native and a Muslim, ensured that the takeaway spot reopened in August 2022 after it was gutted by fire a year earlier.
The takeaway is located at 239d Colombo Street, Sydenham, Christchurch. It is an 8-minute car drive from the city centre via Durham St S or Montreal St, or you can join the 107, 535, LS2, and Purple line buses. The city international airport is 24 minutes away via State Hwy 73 and State Hwy 76.
While Aslan 57 is a takeaway option, you can also order online and get delivery through Ubereats or other delivery services. The restaurant mainly opens at 11 a.m. and closes late at night, except on Sunday, when it does not open. There are also parking facilities within the street.
#7:- The Best Grill, Christchurch
Give your taste buds a delicious experience you have never had by tasting the best grilled lovely Souvlaki, Salad, and Kebab. Best Grill uses freshly locally sourced ingredients daily. Chief Ashraf has been running this Mediterranean cuisine steakhouse restaurant for a few years now and ensuring that anyone who comes around has a fantastic gastronomic journey at their location on 32 Oxford Street Eats On Oxford Complex, Christchurch, New Zealand. If you are at the city’s centre, you are just 5 5-minute drive away from the restaurant via Cambridge Terrace and Oxford Terrace or Cambridge Terrace and St Asaph St. But, if you are coming from the international airport, you are 19 minutes away via Memorial Ave.
Their trading period spans between 11 am to 10 pm from Monday to Friday, 12 noon to 11 pm on Saturdays, and is totally closed on Sunday, hence you could grab a sumptuous lunch or dinner there. You can also host a small group in their 60-seat capacity seating space with excellent grills. The takeaway option is available. You can also use Uber Eats, which can be delivered to you anywhere in Christchurch. It has a 4.7/5 star in 130 reviews given on Google.
Final Take
All of the top 7 restaurants listed in this guide serve Halal meals and are owned by Muslims. You just need to pick the one that serves the meal you want and that is close to where you are. With any of them, you are in for a beautiful treat. If you find yourself some other Halal restaurants in Christchurch, please comment below and it might be useful for other fellow travellers.
Last modified: November 18, 2024