Under $100: Christchurch

It has been nearly five years since two earthquakes devastated Christchurch and while there are still signs of damage, the city is on the bounce back, largely due to their adaptive nature. If you like pop-up restaurants, you’ll like Christchurch. The city revitalized while still undergoing reconstruction with a pop-up culture like no other.

Crafted Coffee Company, ReSTART Mall © Sheila Thomson | Flickr

This is best exemplified by Re:Start shopping precinct, a collection of more than 30 retailers operating out of colorful storage containers. Claiming to be the world’s first pop-up mall (it’s not, there have been several around the world), Re:Start is a great place to start the day with some shopping and a coffee from Crafted.

Christchurch is in a unique situation as a city under reconstruction. While the city has improved a lot in the past few years, there are still some gaps in the revitalization. Aiming to change that is Gap Filler, an urban regeneration initiative that helps build a variety of temporary projects around the city. Vacant spaces still in ruins undergo a short-term transformation into mini-golf courses, street food markets, silent nightclubs and art installations. Gap Fillers are always changing, so check their website to see what’s up.

Pallet Pavilion, Gap Filler Project © Jocelyn Kinghorn | Flickr

For dinner, stop by Christchurch favorite Smash Palace. This burger-and-beer joint is a pop-up restaurant housed in a converted bus. The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere and is frequented by locals. If you’re in town on the weekend, Smash Palace also serves a great brunch as well.