185 High St, Christchurch Central, Christchurch, New Zealand, 8142
Serves meat, vegan options available. Cafe and restaurant re-established after the quakes of 2011. Vegetarian and vegan breakfast items include dishes such as tofu scramble. Has a vegan food cabinet, always serving a vegan muffin, sometimes raw vegan food, usually vegan meatball and cheese pizza slice. Vegan slider option is quinoa patty with mushrooms. Chips and sides are vegan too and suitable drinks are available. Open Mon-Sun 7:00am-10:00pm.
Categories: Vegan-friendly, Lacto, Ovo, Pizza, Raw, Western, Beer/Wine, Bakery, European, Non-veg
7 Reviews
First Review by RosannaKent
Contributions +3657
Curly fry and Stephen Fry - Edit
We had vegan sliders here for our first meal in Christchurch this visit. All were delicious, even the pumpkin one, but the standout for me was the cauliflower, which was surprisingly delicious. We also made a couple of visits for dairy-free smoothies: delicious berry, mango and feijoa (separately) with vegan ice cream. Curly fries were good, but muffins a but hit-and-miss, with one of them so dry it practically disintegrating when I bit into it. Fortunately the next one was better (but wish they had savoury vegan ones). Sewing machine water dispenser, secret door and Stephen Fry reading Harry Potter in the toilets briefly amusing.
Pros: Good sliders, Good smoothies
Cons: Muffin experience a bit mixed
Contributions +74
Intriguing place - Edit
Really enjoy the vibes in this unique place. Very well done, and nice little touches, such as the bookshelf sliding door, the sewing machine water tap, and Harry Potter playing in the toilets. Not to mention their renowned ceiling tubes. It is cool to eat curly fries knowing they've been shooting through the ceiling. The food here is generally good, but unfortunately the vegan muffins I've had here have been stodgy/dry. Also it's incredibly expensive, I think last time I went the cheapest thing was $4.50, even for a small biscuit. Also the coffee is expensive and served in small cups. This place is possibly a bit overrated. Nonetheless, good for a special treat, and a must try in CHCH.
Updated from previous review on 2017-09-07
Pros: Individual/different, Great vibes
Cons: Expensive, Can be crowded
Contributions +23
Consistently good vibe & service - Edit
C1 is a long time favourite cafe
The coffee is one of the best in town & comes out quickly even when it's really busy
Unfortunately my favourite tofu scramble has disappeared from the menu after many years but there are some other alternatives to try
Lovely home made GF casava bread 😊
Pros: Consistent service , Cool atmosphere , Vegan muffins
Cons: Bring back tofu a scramble, Lots of egg based breakfasts
Contributions +115
Fun and quirky - Edit
The menu has recently changed and now includes three vegan slider options. The vegan muffins (which are also gluten free) are always nice and the waffles with cauliflower nuggets are really good. There's limited savoury options in the cabinets though for vegans and the coffees, while nice, are small for the price.
Pros: Sliders delivered by tube to your table, Variety of options, Good coffee
Cons: Small cups, Can be very busy and noisy
Contributions +1018
So loud! - Edit
It is good that C1 has a few vegan options and it is a very quirky and interesting place to dine and it is in a heritage building which is rare in post quake Christchurch. However it must be said that the staff usually look pretty unhappy, the music is way too loud and the choice of music often obnoxious so it is not an easy place to enjoy company with friends. Plus the plant based milk they use for coffee and hot chocolates (not sure if it is soy or what) is very thin and not creamy as it should be. The hot chocolates are served in small glasses and cost a lot for what you get.
They do at least always have a vegan muffin though have yet to see one not 'veganised' by adding mashed banana which means every muffin is a banana muffin. In 2017 you'd expect they would have found other ways to make a muffin vegan but it is a good muffin to be fair.
It is really good though for being open late which is not common in Christchurch.
Pros: interesting building, has some vegan options, open late
Cons: loud loud loud, unhappy staff, overuse of banana in the muffins
Contributions +141
Not just coffee! - Edit
This fabulous fun place has a game theme. With pinball machines, lego counter, and a fabulous fun way to deliver burgers! (I'll let you find out for yourself) Two delicious vegan burger choices (a bit spicy for my taste) but you could ask for less spicy if you wanted. Lots of vegan cakes and also a vegan meatball pizza! Definitely recommend this fun atmospheric place!
Pros: It's fun and there's lots of vegan choices
Cons: Burgers too spicy for my taste
Contributions +25
yummm - Edit
their vegan meatball cheese pizza slices are herby and satisfying and delicious, perfect on a cold day with one of their coffees. love that they are open late and its a great place to visit. i do have an issue with the fact that they serve butter with the vegan muffin and they dont have coat hangers in the bathrooms i went in.
Pros: great veganised meals, great coffee, fast service, cool music, open 15hrs 7 days a week
Cons: butter w vegan muffin...
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