Hidden around the bend after entering Lyttleton Harbour, Corsair Bay is an age-old haunt for many a Canterbury beach-goer. Shelly, grassy, and warm water, it is easy to forget you’re in New Zealand while sun-baking on the Peninsula.

Earl has forged ahead as the winner of our Best Restaurant category. Touted as ‘your inner-city bistro’, Earl strikes the right chord with its food-centric wine bar (or wine-centric food bar). It has brought a welcoming fine casual dining lifestyle to Christchurch, with a friendly all-day venue that is laid back, while still delivering an around-the-clock sense of occasion. Owner Tom and Chef Sam are all about creating inviting spaces that become backdrops to their diners’ lives. Earl serves as a canvas for produce-driven dishes to offbeat diners geared towards great wine and conversation, synonymous with the flavour, energy and relaxed vibe inspired by the coastal European culture. Their food philosophy is to take simple and traditional dishes and execute them using exceptional ingredients, whilst having some fun. This presents a skilful yet still unpretentious blend of cuisines and ideas- ‘doing simple things well, rather than breaking new ground’ -and that is obviously working well for them.

OGB is a certified central city institution, taking out our Best Pub category in a clean sweep. The speakeasy-style bar is housed on the ground floor of the beautiful Heritage hotel, right in the centre of Cathedral Square. OGB’s service is exemplary with their old-school service vibe, and a menu that is a soul food delight. OGB could be considered a network – just down the hall, you will find Parlour Cocktail Bar (through a secret bookcase, no less), Woodward’s Barber Shop & the OGB Suites. Overlooking Cathedral Square is their charming outdoor courtyard – head along to experience live music, and expertly crafted food and drinks. There’s a reason they’ve won best pub. It’s because they’re the best public house offering in the city.

A relatively new kid on the block, as far as Christchurch’s fried chicken scene goes, Empire Chicken has well and truly made a name for itself. Beginning life in a food truck – it has now found its way into the city’s new beating heart, as part of the Riverside Market complex on Oxford Terrace. Whether it’s a burger – with a perfectly toasted bun – or just classic fried chicken, Empire has it sorted. The reason the chicken is so good comes down to a number of reasons. Firstly, the oil – it leaves the chicken crispy as anything without any grease – yet tender. Also, whatever the seasoning is that they use, it is delicious.

One thing is for certain – you Cantabrians are passionate about your coffee! No other category came close to the number of votes and comments about the ol’ cup of Joe. Speaking of Jo – owner Jo Lawler (we referred to Jo by her nickname Jo Little in our print copy) has been praised with a decent cup of coffee, great service and a clearly satisfied clientele ready to sing her praises. Nestled in the BNZ Centre, Little Brews Espresso is built on supporting local – right from their roasted beans to their compostable coffee cups. They believe that part of doing good business is giving back and each month they support causes their customers care about through a tip jar – plus they regularly donate to Forest and Bird and Save the Children. Sounds like they’re our new favourite coffee destination.

Oh, the memories we all have of Bally’s. It’s December, so we know what that means… the Ballantynes Christmas Window. As children, many of us have spent what seemed like hours staring at the articulated kooky characters in the shop-front windows along Cashel Mall. Now in 2019, the Christchurch institution is getting a facelift with the likes of Pottery Barn moving in – although it has changed a lot over the last ten years, Ballantynes remains unashamedly committed to Canterbury and it’s one of the few long-standing department stores remaining in a major Kiwi city. Are we really surprised that this retail icon came out on top? Ballantynes has been servicing the people of Canterbury since 1854 and doing it in style.

Congratulations to the team at Dinh Collective. A staggering 99 years of talent and experience across the team of six, all housed in one chic, Scandi style salon on Colombo Street. Salon owner and namesake Dannii Dinh herself has 20 years of industry experience, spending nine years working in Melbourne's leading salons, and even managed renowned salon Herr Blick. In the grand scheme of Christchurch ‘Chop shops’, Dinh Collective is still a baby – Dannii returned home to Christchurch in May 2017 to established the salon, touted as a unique space that she is proud to share with her team, and salon clients. A quick look at their social media shows exceptional cuts, colours and fabulous artistry.

It’s wonderful to have a destination such as Beauty at The Tannery take out the Best Beauty category – The Tannery itself is a premium destination on the east side of the city, and the team at Beauty at The Tannery really do offer a five-star experience. Coupled with their tight knit team of beauty professionals, you’re offered a place in a welcoming, friendly community. The boutique day spa offers an extensive range of treatments, from your everyday beauty requirements through to decadent relaxing spa packages, remedial and therapeutic massage treatments, tailor-made group bookings and private parties, men’s treatments and remedial massage. They provide a tranquil, welcoming environment where people can escape from everyday life and emerge feeling renewed, beautiful, and confident.

The triumphant return of Lumière to The Arts Centre gift wraps the unique occasion of what it means to go the cinema. The owners, cinephile Nick Paris and former Hollywood screenwriter Max Hoffman have more than 40 years of experience with the moving image and how it’s delivered. This boutique cinema is located in the West Lecture building, next to the Great Hall. The two theatres – The Bernhardt and The Bardot – feature state-of-the-art technology with vintage ambiance, luxurious seating, and a focus on service. Lumière presents engaging, contemplative, and sometimes confrontational films covering all genres. It is a mecca for cinephiles. Coupled with a café, a bespoke bar, and the funkiest carpet in town, Lumière is your pick for the best destination for film in Christchurch.

Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū is arguably the most important collection of art in our country and it deservedly wins our Best Gallery category. A catalyst for ambitious creativity in Ōtautahi Christchurch, with its artist collaborations, and extending the Gallery’s influence beyond its walls. A focus on investing in the creation of new work, from inception through to potential acquisition, and representing the Gallery’s programme in a new integrated way means the gallery reflects Christchurch, now. The collection is this city’s treasury of art, a pātaka of our history, a rich armoury of images, memories and ideas. It’s part of us, and it gets more interesting over time, as works of art connect with us and each other, combining with our histories to enrich us all.

Established in 2003, the Christchurch Farmer’s Market has swiftly grown to be our largest Saturday Farmers' Market for locals and visitors to visit. Located in the beautiful and historic grounds of Riccarton House and Bush, the market promises fresh produce, artisan baked goods, and handmade delicacies. Year round it’s proven to be a hotspot for a Saturday activity – come early winter frosts or muggy summer mornings. Make some time to wander around the ancient kahikatea forest, and take in the Māori and early European history. A visit to this market is quintessentially Cantabrian, and it’s a clear winner for Best Public Event.

It’s hard to think of a better playground in Christchurch – or New Zealand for that matter – than the Margaret Mahy Playground. Named after one of Aotearoa’s most famous authors, the Margaret Mahy Playground hosts children and families – and potentially intoxicated adults – day in and day out. Nestled in the East Frame and bordered by Manchester, Madras, and Armagh Streets, the playground has been in the city for around four years, providing everything from a multi-storey slide to a flying fox, to climbing nets and swings; all the while being delicately shaded by the ever-present poplar trees along the Avon River. Based on a similar playground in Melbourne, it came to be following the release of the government blueprint for the significantly damaged parts of the inner city and was one of the first anchor projects completed as part of the Ōtākaro/Avon River Loop. It’s easy to understand why this unique part of our blossoming city took the top award for Best Family Day Out.

Our cityscape has slowly bloomed with colour and art, where previously only drab concrete and raw rubble resided. Clearly the jewel in the crown was Owen Dippie’s Ballerina, originally created for an art festival from 2014, which is artfully poised on the back of the Isaac Theatre Royal, and now somewhat hidden by the growth of new buildings around her. Overwhelmingly so, you voted for her – and so Owen, and his ballerina win Best Street Art for 2019.

Photo: Shellie Evans