Five places in Christchurch that take walk-ins

Booked-out, fully-committed Saturday nights happen to everyone. Here is the short list of Christchurch spots that almost always have room — and are still worth showing up for.

1. Bellbird Bakery (Woolston)

Pizza by the slab from a wood oven. Show up, point at what you want, eat at the long communal table.

2. King of Snake (Victoria St)

South-east Asian small plates, dim lighting, the kind of place you drift in and out of. Bar seats almost always free.

3. Hello Sunday (Sydenham)

All-day brunch that goes till 3pm. Long queues sometimes form on weekends but they move fast.

4. Riverside Market (Central)

Three floors of vendors. If one is full there are six others.

5. Pomeroys (Kilmore St)

Old-school pub, real fires in winter, beer garden in summer. Walk-ins forever.

If you want to know which of these is open right now, just ask the bot.