Top 32 Gluten-Free Vegetarian Havens to Explore in Canterbury

Isabel Smart

Best place for a gluten free treat

Nicole Fröhlich

I was happy to find a gluten free place to eat. I enjoyed the food and the service.

Sarah Capon

Great place to get a burger for a coeliac, though only if you go on a day the buns are fresh! I went twice, and the first time my gf bun was really nice, but the second time it completely broke apart within the first two bites, making it too hard to eat without a knife and fork. These are things we deal with as gluten free people anyway, so it wasn’t surprising, but a little disappointing after such a good bun the time before. Otherwise the burgers were great, the chicken nuggets were really nicely cooked, and the chips were yum too!

Rachel Andersen

Loved it. Delicious gluten free, dairy free and soy free meals.

kiwisaz

Love this place so much. One of my absolute fav Go-To places. Excellent gluten free range of food. Great service. Great view and atmosphere.

Sam Goodin

Avocado on toast was so good 👍 - gluten free is a bonus. Thanks guys

Chauntelle Marr

Gluten free french toast

Nicole Trayner-Smith

As a gluten free person Lucianos is a dream with heaps of cabinet and menu items catering to those with a gf diet. Coffee was fantastic. I can see why it’s so busy all the time. Parking was a tad difficult and I could see that people couldn’t find seats hence just 4 stars for atmosphere

Angela McEwan

This place is amazing. The food is such high quality and at good prices. I really appreciated all the gluten free options, both savoury and sweet. The staff were helpful and inviting and obviously care a lot about what they do. The world is a better place with Amore Cafe. Thank you!

Angela Woolley

Fantastic night out. Staff were amazing and made us so welcome. We had someone with Celiac disease. Most of the menu is gluten free but for the bits that weren't the staff made sure she had an alternative. Thank you all, you were fantastic

Di Crawford-Errington

Beautiful food, beautiful people. Great options for those with allergies and coeliacs. Definitely will be back.

Zusje Knowles

In short, I’ve been here twice and I’d choose to dine elsewhere in chch in places I know do a much better experience for this price. I don’t have pictures from our visit but they wouldn’t justify anything anyway. The truffle fries had no truffle, just pecorino cheese on top to make them look like truffle fries, a common hack/ trick. The gluten free pizza base could do with some work/improvements, we’ve definitely had better. The kids menu items are $20 which is so expensive for what you get. We ordered the kids macaroni, and for that portion (the size of a bread and butter plate in a small cast iron sizzler) it would cost $3 to make and they’re charging $20, already steep for a kids meal so I expected it to be amaaaazing. It also came out on a sizzling plate, from a kids menu!? Why would you serve a piping hot cast iron plate to children? It makes absolutely no sense. The staff could do with some major training on the drinks list, it’s a small wine list and wouldn’t take very long to teach the staff what is what, they knew nothing about wine whatsoever. The flavour of our pizza was ok, the beef cheek was lovely, they also have a sparking red wine which was new for us and delicious (even if the waitress didn’t know if it was actually sparkling red wine). All in all I’d choose other restaurants over this next time for sure. There just aren’t enough redeeming factors.

Laura Carolina

The Breakfast Burger is delicious! The tasty patty came adorned with hash-brown sticks, on a bun with cheez melted onto it. Menu includes smoothies, milkshakes, housemade ginger ale, hot chocolate; buddha bowl, onion rings, daily soup, breakfast plate and more. Shop shelves have many interesting products and include some good things for travellers, such as peanut-butter sachets, oatmilk powder and containers of pâté and “fish” salad. Lots of sweet things to choose from. Chiller has takeaway sandwich filling, coleslaw, Dunedin-made cheezy spreads, etc. Appetizers and gift boxes available to take away. Spices, soup mixes, fresh bread and ciabatta buns, handmade soaps and many gluten-free items. Cabinet is full of fabulous sandwiches, wraps, savoury piesand many baked treats. I’ve tried the Pinkalicious slice and iced carrot-cake cupcake - both scrumptious. No animal products anywhere in the store. Catering, wholesale and online shop available.

Megan Stericker

Loved dining here on Valentine’s Day! My partner and I both had carbonara - mine was gluten free and (according to him) just as good as his! Great staff too, really enjoyable evening.

Warren Frost

Great warm fire, and good variation of dairy and gluten free food. Well done!

Ary Mackinnon

Calamari and cauliflower were amazing, great flavour and the dipping for the calamari was particularly inspired. Got the chowder for a main with extra garlic bread for a main, poor waitress forgot until she came back to the table but rectified fairly quickly. Chowder was delicious but nuclear in temperature. We got the pasta for the other main with added fish - the fish was perfectly done, but the pasta was very one dimensional and unbalanced. The staff were very quick to rectify when I asked for it to be coeliac friendly, big kudos to the waiter that stepped in to get that fixed up. Overall pretty good, but got stuck between two loud tables in a corner while the rest of the restaurant appeared empty.

Suren Sivalingam JP (Suren)

The Lotus-Heart is an exceptional establishment in Christchurch, which includes a vegetarian restaurant, gift shop, and health food store. The restaurant offers an extensive menu of vegetarian and vegan dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The staff are friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. I appreciated the restaurant's commitment to sustainability and ethical practices, which was evident in everything from the eco-friendly packaging to the fair-trade coffee and tea. The restaurant is a must-visit for anyone looking for a satisfying and sustainable vegetarian dining experience. The gift shop at The Lotus-Heart is a delightful addition to the establishment, offering a carefully curated selection of unique and beautiful gifts made by local artists and artisans. I was impressed by the shop's commitment to sustainability, with many items made from eco-friendly and recycled materials. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful, and I found the perfect gift for a friend. The health food store is another gem at The Lotus-Heart, providing a range of organic and natural foods, supplements, and personal care products to support healthy living. The store stocks a wide variety of locally-sourced, organic produce, including fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and grains. They also have a range of gluten-free products, herbal teas, and spices available. The store offers a selection of nutritional supplements, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal remedies to support a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, they offer a range of personal care products that are free from harmful chemicals and toxins. Overall, The Lotus-Heart is a must-visit establishment for anyone looking for a satisfying and sustainable vegetarian dining experience, unique and sustainable gifts, or natural and organic food and personal care products. The establishment's commitment to sustainability and ethical practices is evident in everything they do, and it's no wonder that they have become a beloved institution in Christchurch.

Kathy Ryder

My husband and I have been coming here for 20 years and bringing our kids since they were babies. It's a small family business. Delicious food with lots of options. Most of the menu items are vegan/ plant based. Everything on the menu is vegetarian. There are several gluten free options. A must visit for vegetarians and vegans. We have taken non vegetarian friends and family members and they enjoy the food too. Some of our favourites are tasty siew mai, steamed dumplings, fried tofu, cheeky nuggets, wontons, crispy tofu balls and the lemon honey red roast.

Rosie Foster

Amazing meal at Sushi Train! Loads of gluten free and vegan options which was so nice, great service and tasty food.

Bhoomika Varandani

Amazing food and lovely staff! Honestly the best cafe in town so far❤️❤️ I go there often… especially for creamy mushrooms and tofu tacos🍄🌮🤩🤩😍 Alot of vegetarian,vegan and gluten free options.Highly recommend💯💯

Lisa Grant

Unfortunately it wasn’t a great experience, I gifted a friend a high tea experience and from the beginning she said things just didn’t go how they should. Their reservation was never recorded so when they arrived they were told there was no such booking, it took 3 attempts for someone to take their Tea order and the Gluten free food was far less then expected. She said the food she received was very nice so that’s a plus it was more around the whole experience. Thank you

C Norris

Perfect for a catch up with Celiac friends. Great Kemah Naan and Saag Chicken.

Caroline

Beautiful food - fantastic flavours, original combinations, and great options for gluten free vegetarians. Highly recommended.

Saskia Corrigan

Both me and my mum had an awesome food experience, shared starter of fresh spring rolls and the salmon green curry + crispy fish with sweet and sour vegetables was amazing. They looked after me my coeliac requirements very well. Highly recommend 👌

Madeline Kirby

The rudest experience I’ve had in New Zealand. BF wanted a drink so headed there to order one. Unfortunately I am coeliac and so have to be very careful where I eat so sourced food from a safe eatery and came over to join him. The waiter came to bring his drink and said we couldn’t have food so I explained the situation. I asked if they served coeliac safe food and he said no. If it had been packed out and we were taking up a space (even though we were paying customers) I would have more understanding but the place was literally dead, we were the only ones there and we sat outside as well. The manager stormed out the second my bf finished his drink, snatching it off the table and berated us. I tried to explain I had an allergy but she refused to listen. She Said her staff had made a mistake and they do supply ‘coeliac safe food’ (clearly they do not as the staff was completely unaware) and told us to move along. Walking inside and calling names at us Based on other reviews this is not a one off experience. Take a few steps next door, to the Akaroa Fish & Chip shop the service is excellent, so friendly and kind,food is so good and theres a reason it’s packed!

Dorthy Atkins

Sarah H (Ava)

A serene haven within the bustling city - this tranquil café nestled in the heart of a Buddhist temple on Riccarton Road offers a unique oasis. Catering to vegetarians and those with gluten-free preferences, it extends a culinary experience that transcends dietary choices. Despite not being a vegetarian myself, I found the food here to be exceptionally delicious and of superior quality. With each visit, I eagerly delve into a new dish, each proving to be a delightful gastronomic adventure. Moreover, the presence of an art gallery and meditation suite adds layers to the experience, inviting exploration beyond culinary delights. Every visit to this sanctuary leaves me with a profound sense of tranquility, a testament to its serene ambiance and soul-soothing environment.

Sarah Mosley

Fabulous food, we wanted Napli food and had that (yummy!) and some delicious Indian cuisine as well. We were a bit tricky with some of Us Gluten free and another Dairy free but nothing was a problem and the service was great! Highly recommend!

Paul Petch

Ordered vegan dish take away. While eating I noticed what looked like egg!!! Yes they added egg to a vegan dish. Be careful as they promote being vegan and gluten free friendly.

Angelah Crossan

I asked for a meal with no gluten, soy coriander or peanuts and was given a soup that was water, bok choy, Carrot, and rice noodles. It's not hard to add a bit of flavor and try a little bit harder.

Jessica Nemeth

Best Indian food in Christchurch. Awesome restaurant with an authentic atmosphere and incredible food. They have an entire vegan menu and tons of gluten free options! Highly recommend!

Debra Dutton