Great cabinet food
Pale ham and cheese paninis, slightly too-yellow custard squares, and the dreaded dry savoury scone. The words ‘‘cabinet food’’ might not conjure up the most seductive images in one’s mind. But allow Neat Places to end this stigma with this roundup of some of O¯ tautahi’s finest off-the-menu offerings.
The treasures that lie behind the glass of some of our favourite cafes may change your ordering habits forever.
Gentle Giant
158 Ferry Rd, Waltham
The cabinet at Gentle Giant could be the cafe’s only offering and people would still flock to it.
Brimming with next-level sandwiches, stuffed croissants, filled rolls, and outrageously enticing sweet treats in the form of slices, cookies and muffins, this is one cabinet you’ll be back to visit ASAP. Gentle Giant’s open seven days a week, meaning your weekday lunches and weekend grazing goods will never be boring again.
The Caffeine Laboratory
1 New Regent St, Christchurch Central
The Caffeine Laboratory provides a laidback spot in the central city for great coffee and excellent brunch. But look closer at what’s behind the glass while you order your coffee, and you’ll be overjoyed.
Warm peanut butter cookies, decadent doughnuts (think passionfruit and white chocolate), and impressive looking muffins grace the top while bagels, fried chicken sandwiches, vegetable baguettes and other savoury delights sit below.
Park Ranger
114 Riccarton Rd, Riccarton
This favourite local cafe is home to a seriously impressive lineup of cabinet food. Baked goodies and hearty sandwiches will keep any adventurer’s appetite sated. Brisket pastrami is made inhouse, and when served with Park Ranger’s excellent salads, makes for a very good Ploughman’s lunch.
Park Ranger, in many ways, doubles as cafe and deli. In keeping with the outdoors theme, there’s plenty here to pick up for a picnic lunch. Grab free-range eggs, locally grown asparagus (when it’s in season), sliced meats, and an assortment of excellent cheeses. Cabinet food heaven.
Coffee Embassy
107 Fitzgerald Ave, Christchurch Central
Pay attention next time you are driving down Fitzgerald Ave, because here you will find a cafe and roastery that is home to some of the best brews, beans and cabinet food in the city. The cabinet offering is super simple and super delicious. Filled rolls and sweet treats designed to go down perfectly with a coffee do just that.
Unknown Chapter
254 Saint Asaph St, Christchurch Central
Wholesome salads, quiches, frittatas, and creative sandwiches stack the cabinet at Saint Asaph St’s Unknown Chapter, making lunchtimes quick and easy for office-day commuters looking for food on the run, while cakes, slices and scones provide easy options for the afternoon sweet treat.
Friendly, casually cool staff behind the counter make churning out the coffees look easy, and the relaxed, non-pretentious vibe sees customers range from busy business folk to contractors.
Discover more neat places around town at neatplaces.co.nz and download the free and offline Neat Places smartphone app.
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Life & Style Director: Eleanor Black, eleanor.black @stuff.co.nz
Food writer: Laura Baker, laura.baker @stuff.co.nz,
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