There's little culinary reason to leave the city centre and head out to the suburbs, but if you are staying along Papanui Road or in the northern reaches of the city, then there are some handy and reputable places to dine nearby.

Aikmans , 154 Aikmans Rd, Merivale. A moderately priced café/bar with a laid-back atmosphere, and serving all-day breakfast, and a broad range of salads, pasta dishes and curries for lunch and dinner. More of a bar as the evening wears on. Licensed.

Bologna , 6 Papanui Rd (tel 03/379 7497). Tiny country Italian restaurant with a short menu of traditional and gourmet pizzas plus pasta dishes and Italian desserts, all served without fuss at modest prices. There's a bottle store across the road; handy since it is BYO only.

Brigitte's Espresso/Wine Bar , Hawkesbury Building, Aikmans Rd, Merivale. Conveniently located opposite Aikmans , this is a another relaxed place with an open courtyard at the back, and good-quality Mediterranean and Kiwi-style food as well as some wonderful New Zealand-Thai combinations, all at moderate prices. Licensed.

Kannigas Thai , 18a Papanui Rd (tel 03/355 6228). Great Thai food served in fairly soulless surroundings at low prices - try the chicken pad Thai ($12) or ginger prawn and rice ($15). BYO.