Chiwahwah Restaurant & Bar – Christchurch

Chiwahwah Christchurch.

We have visited Christchurch many times since living there. This time around, after enjoying a scenic walk on the banks of the Avon River we decided to explore the vibrant restaurant scene on foot. We had already decided to try out some authentic Mexican cuisine from the newly opened Chiwahwah Restaurant & Bar located at 136 Oxford Terrace. Here is our take on this amazing eatery.

Bookings:

You can make online bookings for lunch or dinner through the restaurant’s website. For tables at the bar and outdoor courtyard area you can casually wander in without having to pre-book. Luckily for us we were early enough to be able to walk in without a booking.

Décor:

The restaurant is situated on the ground floor of a modern building. The façade looks inviting with lots of potted greens and a wrought iron bird cage hanging near the entrance. The interiors are modern with a lot of wood-work, Indian handicrafts and indoor plants to give a chic yet ethnic feel. The intricate rustic ceiling work, the beehive like light installations- lends a distinct Mexican vibe to the setting.

Food:
For appetizers I choose Fried tobacco squid with tomato and garlic while my partner picked  Smoked beef rib with a dash of cumin onion, sour cream and spiced nuts. For the main course I chose Chiwahwah’s famous Mexican fried chicken with assorted herbs and slow cooked Baby pork ribs marinated in onion, garlic and spices- for my partner. The menu variety is diverse and the food is good enough to transport you to Mexico in spirit. The meat dishes are perfectly cooked with the right amount of tenderness, texture and burst of spices.

Drinks:

The drinks menu offers a wide assortment of Wines, Cocktails and Beers. Alternately you can choose from a selection of Rum, Vodka, Whiskey, Gins or Tequila shots. While I ordered a ten years old Barros ( 60 ml) to go with my food selection my partner chose A Cuban classic Mojito- Granny Smith.

What we love about the place?

Well everything. Right from the ambience to the food offerings and the generous portions served. The service is prompt even with a full house and the attention to detail like the skeleton themed  graphics on the menu, the hanging lights- just makes this a place you want to visit for a great experience.