Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Ovo
Western
European
Vegetarian cafe opened Dec 2017. Offers coffee, sandwiches, bowl meals. Reported closed July 2023.
52 Reviews
First Review by perkonius
tbfnz
Points +978
Great vegan options with a nice atmosphere - Edit
The vegan breakfast and cabinet items here are really good. The place is run by a lovely couple who really try to provide tasty options with consistent standards.
Read moreDefinitely up there as one of our favourite cafes!
* Note: Due to COVID they may still only be doing cabinet food only due to a lack of kitchen staff availability.
Pros: Really good food, Lovely, helpful owners/staff, Warm, inviting atmosphere
nicole_m
Did you just visit a week ago when you posted this review or was your visit a while ago? I’ve been trying to find out if they’ve reopened yet from their Christmas holidays
Read moretbfnz
It was a wee while ago, last year. When I spoke to the owners they were going to hold off getting kitchen staff for a while for to the difficulty businesses were having retaining staff. I'll get hold of them tomorrow and update :)
Read moretbfnz
I spoke to the owners today and, due to labour market concerns, the kitchen remains closed and they don't have any plans to open for full service again any time soon, sadly. They still have drinks and cabinet food, but that's it :(
Read morenicole_m
That’s still good - I love their breakfast ciabatta!
Read moreGuest
Angverm7271
Points +22
Can not wait to have reopen so amazing worth the wait!! - Edit
Service is amazing food is even BETTER!!!!
Read morePros: Great vegan options, Best service, Amazing coffee
Guest
BlakeQuartly
Points +163
Amazing! - Edit
The cabinet kai was delicious and the menu looks awesome. Heaps of good vegan options. Nice vibe as well. Will definitely be going back.
Read moreGuest
OlivePrice
Points +73
BEST tofu scramble - Edit
This cafe does the best tofu scramble in chch, I go there often. It is sort of spicy, just as an FYI. Coffee is great and owners are so lovely.
Read moreGuest
Orion
Points +1487
Easy 5 stars - Edit
Inviting, quiet, clean, fresh cafe with extremely friendly and kind staff.
Read moreThe food and coffee were both 5 stars too.
Highly recommend.
Pros: Amazing food, Nicest staff/owners, Clean, cozy cafe
Guest
FrancesSch
Points +95
I love this place. - Edit
Great food, friendly, sunny and not noisy. My ‘go to’.
Read moreGuest
BeaRowe24
Points +269
So lovely 😍 - Edit
Went here today as I’ve heard such good things about it and I wasn’t disappointed! The staff are so friendly and welcoming. The cafe is very clean and the decor inside is so nice. I sat at a table in the window in the sun on a very comfy chair. I ordered the avocado and edamame mash on toast, it was brilliant and was presented beautifully. There was no issue accommodating me with my nut allergy either. The only downfall is that I didn’t have room for any cake! I will be back for sure ☺️
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options including cake, Awesome staff and great service, Really pretty inside, very clean
Guest
channellehazel
Points +353
So so lovely - Edit
I’ve been to this cafe a lot of times, and the service is always good, the food always top notch, and it’s very comfortable inside.
Read moreIn terms of the food, it’s always really yummy, though I admit I usually order the vegan eggs benedict, which is easily my favourite out of all the places in Christchurch that offer it. The chef there is amazing - nothing disappoints. I suppose the food is on the pricey side, but for me it’s always worth it.
The staff are so kind and friendly. One time I came in bedraggled and cold from a wet winter day, and they offered me a little towel to dry myself off, and set a warm cup of water on the table when I sat down to help me warm up. It’s little things like that that make Raw Sugar such a special place for me.
Pros: Such delicious food, Awesome staff members , Comfortable environment
Cons: A little expensive
Guest
NicoleCracknell
Points +62
Best Tofu! - Edit
Breakfast here is a must the Tofu is amazing 😍
Read moreGuest
NicoleButler
Points +50
Amazing breakfast - Edit
The french toast was delicious, the toadt itself was two generous slices, beautifully cooked with cinnamon, there were so many gorgeous toppings and the fruit was fresh and crisp. The vegan ice cream was so creamy, and they make a great coconut mylk latte.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options,, The vegan options are clearly marked with v or vo,, Staff were so friendly
Cons: None!
Guest
kelseykot
Points +52
Incredible vegan eggs Benedict - Edit
Great location, street paid parking, friendly staff, they take reservations, the food came out fast, and it was amazing!
Read morePros: Mostly vegan food, incredible vegan eggs Benedict, Delicious tofu scramble, option for spicy or not, Jackfruit toastie is heavenly!
Guest
pozzie
Points +27
Great food and lovely staff - Edit
We have eaten here a few times now and are never disappointed. Lovely food and staff. Highly recommend
Read morePros: Lovely food, Great service
Guest
StanTiatia
Points +18
Best breakfast - Edit
Loved the spicy scrambled tofu, when they say it’s hot... they mean it! Waffle fries were great too. Free wifi and friendly service
Read moreGuest
SparkyKilgour
Points +48
The highlight of any Christchurch visit. - Edit
Great staff! Great food. Stay near this place so I can eat here the whole time I'm in this city.
Read morePros: All of it.
Guest
Hodgie
Points +393
Loved every bit of it! - Edit
This cafe is SO great! If I lived here I would come here all the time.
Read moreYou can really tell the effort they put into making a good atmosphere and the food looking and tasting amazing.
I'm coming back tomorrow for sure 😋
Pros: Almost everything can be done vegan., Reasonably priced.
Guest
EliseElicious
Points +251
Super pretty interior, delish food. - Edit
I tried the vegan French toast and it was so delicious! The blueberry compote and the seasonal fruits on the dish was also really good! Definitely will be coming here again before I leave NZ! Staff are also very friendly!
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options , Friendly staff , Tasty
Guest
nicole_m
Points +4458
Great staff, great food - Edit
The staff here are always friendly and helpful and the food is always good. The waffle chips are hard to pass, but the menu and cabinet both always have great options too. It’s not all vegan here, but most of it is or can be made vegan. There are also great vegan drink options, including iced coffee/chocolate, which can be hard to find elsewhere in this city.
Read morePros: Lovely staff, Tasty food
Cons: In the CBD, so parking must be paid for
Guest
BellaW
Points +16
Such yummy food!!! - Edit
I went for brunch with my non vegan sister and we both absolutely loved our meals. I had the brekkie bun from the cabinet with scrambled tofu, vegan hollandaise and hash brown in ciabatta and it was so delicious and only $8. She got the French toast and absolutely raved about it. We got waffle fries and they were some of the best fries I have ever eaten. I cannot recommend raw sugar enough! Such friendly staff and we got our food super fast, super happy :)
Read morePros: Wide range of delicious vegan options , Good range of prices, Food that caters for everyone- even non vegans
Guest
Veggie_Bird
Points +878
Lovely people and delicious breakfasts - Edit
You must try The tofu scramble!
Read moreGuest
KathH
Points +74
Best Tofu Bene - Edit
I keep meaning to try something else but I can’t get past the bene!! So good.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options , Friendly staff, Great quality
Guest
Yasminesan
Points +1953
Delicious food and lovely staff - Edit
The menu here is varied and interesting. We had the cheese and marmite scroll warmed up, the mushroom roll, and the eggs benedict. It was all delicious - especially the vegan eggs benedict - hollandaise was delicious, the greens cooked to perfection. The coffee looked well done but we didn’t have it. There is WiFi and filtered water and the people working here are wonderfully lovely. The only reason this is not 5 stars is the atmosphere - wasn’t a big fan of the cheesy Christmas music (seasonal hazard!) and the space is very large and bright but it lacks cosiness and familiarity. But that’s really it - the space isn’t so nice to sit in but everything else was perfect.
Read morePros: Taste, Staff, Amenities
Cons: Atmosphere, Mid range prices
Guest
KarlaHolswich
Points +58
Great food, lovely people. - Edit
Tofu benedict was delicious, French toast was also great and beautifully presented. The staff are super lovely too... I took four eleven year olds for a birthday lunch and they brought out a slice of vegan cheesecake with a candle in it as a treat for the birthday girl.
Read morePros: So many pros, only positive feedback.
Cons: None
Guest
CasaraCurtis
Points +68
Best cafe in Christchurch - Edit
The vegan eggs Benedict are to die for! My husband and I come here every week for them.
Read moreGuest
LenaBaumert
Points +391
Yummy - Edit
So far I tried the eggs benedict, the vegan scrambled egg burger (with hash brown and mayo) and the "mookie". Everything was really delicious especially the mookie😄The interior is quite different but very cosy. Staff is really helpful and friendly
Read morePros: Mostly vegan options, a few vegetarian options , available
Guest
SuitableCoconut
Points +345
Awesome, and very reasonably priced! - Edit
Awesome place, nice fitout and delicious food
Read moreGuest
ArchieFibonacci
Points +214
French toast is to die for! - Edit
Visited raw sugar for the first time today and will definitely be back!
Read moreI got the French toast which was crispy, delicious and I think the best I have had at any cafe in chch (vegan or otherwise)! BF got the hash fries which were perfectly salted and crispy, and came with some amazing spicy vegan mayonnaise. He also got two vegan sausages which he wasn't super keen on - not sure which brand they use but they tasted a lot like cheerios to me. BF found them too sweet but I thought they were OK.
Coconut latte was also lovely, I'll try almond next time though as it was quite sweet. Lots of raw slices and yummy looking cabinet food too.
Pros: Great food, Nice decor and lots of room, not too loud, Staff were so lovely!
Guest
JamesJameson
Points +20
Sunday Breakfast - Edit
a new vegan I was sceptical about the idea of 'scambled tofu'. Ordered on the strength of Happy Cow reviews. Wow! What a delightful surprise....My friend enjoyed his great looking scrambled eggs but I reckon I scooped the pool here......can't believe tofu could be so delicious. Ordered the 'spicy' option...really really good! Flat soy white and short espresso fine, in a good coffee town. Service genuinely friendly and sincere. A very good new find. Will be back.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2019-02-02
Pros: tasty vegan food, lovely service, open early on Sunday morning
Cons: unusually random furniture style, a blind might help with that early sun
Guest
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