Food Exchange

Tucked away in Novotel Christchurch Airport Hotel, it's easy for this restaurant to escape your radar. Now's the time to sit up and take notice of Food Exchange, one of the most glamorous retreats in the city.

The fact that it's based in Novotel should give you an indication of the kind of restaurant you can expect. A vision of modern excellence, architecture and design, Food Exchange is characterised by its sweeping halls, breath-taking lighting concept and attention to detail. The whole place is huge, affording diners enough space to really enjoy one another's company in private whilst also enjoying the hubbub of a communal space. And, if it's possible, the space feels even bigger due to the light grey colour scheme, the floor-to-ceiling windows and the minimal approach to décor. Food Exchange simply breathes that luxury inner city lifestyle.

As for the food, it's an international triumph. Taking inspiration from all corners of the globe, the mains touch down in Thailand for chicken noodle curry with Asian vegetables, in India for aloo tikka and chickpea chaat, and in Italy for freshly-made fettuccini with creamy burrata and tomato confit. New Zealand also gets a look-in too with some of the country's finest premium meats, including porterhouse steak, pork belly and lamb shoulder.

Enjoy the view a little longer with a crème brûlée; the ultimate sweet finisher that won't leave you feeling uncomfortably heavy, this most elegant of desserts is mighty fitting for such a setting.