I eat out more than I probably should—my bank account would agree. Usually, the meals are worth every cent, but sometimes I walk away wondering if my taste buds took a wrong turn.

A few months back, I was out of town and found a restaurant online. The place looked good enough to eat at, but the steak was a letdown. It came out over-salted and a bit overcooked for my liking.

So when I spent a couple of months in Selwyn for some business, I made sure to do my homework before choosing where to eat. I asked locals and dug through forums, then visited the restaurants myself and tried their menu.

Here are the ones that I’d happily drive south for!

1. Maddison Eatery

Address: 971 Goulds Road, Rolleston 

Contact Details: +642102302045

Operating Hours: 

• Tuesday – 11 AM to 3 PM 
• Wednesday to Friday- 10 AM to 3 PM, 5:30 PM to 9 PM 
• Saturday – 9 AM to 3 PM, 5:30 PM to 9 PM 
• Sunday – 9 AM to 3 PM, 5 PM to 8 PM 

Website

Maddison Eatery has a giant chessboard and a putting green, perfect for killing time before your meal. I’ve loved hanging out in their bright, welcoming space every time I’ve visited.

All of their meals are prepared from scratch using local ingredients. The menu also offers a wide range of options, from breakfast to dinner. 

For breakfast, I had to try their apple pie pancakes. Fluffy stacks come layered with cinnamon compote, crunchy almonds, and crispy bacon. The candied apple syrup is the real star—it’s sweet but plays perfectly with the mascarpone cream.

One regular told me their go-to is The Maddison Classic, so I tried it as well. The lamb-and-mint sausages pair well with mushrooms glazed in beef drippings, as well as those crispy bone marrow potatoes. 

I visited again for dinner and had their pan-fried salmon. Sadly, it wasn’t as good as the other dishes I’ve tried in the restaurant—kind of bland, even with the rich miso cauliflower puree on the side.

The 10-hour braised beef rib is where Maddison really shines. The ribs are fall-apart tender, served with duck fat potatoes and apple-fennel slaw. I left wishing I’d worn stretchy pants.

Fantastic food, great value for money

“We had an amazing anniversary dinner at Maddison Eatery! The bruschetta was incredibly fresh, and the calamari was to die for—the dip and sliced chillies were a perfect touch. For the main course, the charcoal chargrilled chicken was a great choice, and the bone-in ribeye was cooked to perfection, with the roasted bone marrow adding a rich, indulgent element. Desserts were just as impressive—the chocolate brownie was amazing, the pecan pie with whiskey liqueur was beautifully paired, and you can never go wrong with a classic apple crumble with warm sauce. Overall, fantastic food, great value for money, and a wonderful dining experience. Highly recommend!”

– Abhi Kurade, Google Reviews 

Everyone raved about the food

‘We went for Mothers Day Breakfast. Loved everything from the friendly welcome, gorgeous decor, amazing coffee (best I’ve had since moving here 6 months ago) and truly delicious meals. We had the Classic, French Toast, Eggs Bene and Pancakes…everyone raved about the food. Kids enjoyed playing Chess while we waited for food too. We will be back!!”

– Loren Duly, Google Reviews 

2. The Laboratory

Address: 17 West Belt, Lincoln 7608, New Zealand

Contact Details: +6433253006

Operating Hours: 

• Tuesday to Thursday – 11 AM to 10 PM 
• Friday to Sunday – 11 AM to 10:30 PM 

Website

The Laboratory is a microbrewery with wood-fired pizzas and a tucked-away 15-seat cinema in the courtyard. 

The cinema is cozy, with plush seats and a retro screening vibe. Booking online was a breeze, but diners who want to eat before the film should definitely lock in a table.

I grabbed a bite before the movie and only waited about 10 minutes for a table. Getting the waiter’s attention, though, was like trying to hail a cab in a downpour.

I went straight for the pizza. The Gamba Chorizo comes on a thin, blistered crust. It’s loaded with smoky chorizo, fat prawns, and a zigzag of chipotle mayo. The jalapeño heat sticks around, but the mayo smooths it out.

A diner I spoke to at the next table swore by the Jalapeno Cheese pizza. He liked how they pile on melty brie, venison salami, and dried garlic.

Their beer lineup is just as good. The bartender walked me through the taps and finished with a cask-conditioned bitter from the handpump. Malty, smooth, and honestly tasted like a British pub in a glass. 

The woodfired pizzas are fairly good

“Cool place, quirky and interesting.  Always warm and cozy on a winters day. Interesting selection of drinks, many of which they brew themselves, and the bar staff are happy to let you try before you buy, but I didn’t really dig being called “mate” by the waitress. The woodfired pizzas are fairly good, I haven’t had any of the other mains lately but I see the menu has changed at some point, the mains used to be a bit weird but they look like more regular pub meals now, so I’ll come back and have one at some point. Definitely worth a look for the experience, go upstairs and check out the mezzanine, it’s freaky.  Good one 👍”

– skot mcleod, Google Reviews 

We’ve had the BEST pizza in NZ here so far

“We’ve had the BEST pizza in NZ here so far! It’s a lovely restaurant with a unique history and good food. It’s a must-visit when in Lincoln. Be aware that they’re not open every night”

– Jennifer Warkentin, Google Reviews

3. The Sparrow

Address: 2 Eastfield Drive

Contact Details: +6439263743

Operating Hours: 

• Tuesday to Thursday – 3 PM to 9:30 PM 
• Friday to Sunday – 12 PM to 9:30 PM 

Website

The Sparrow is worth a visit for the cocktails alone. Happy hour runs 3 to 6 PM (Tuesday through Sunday), so there’s plenty of time to get good deals.

The Painkiller is my go-to. I love how the dark rum and blood orange play together—each sip is smooth and full of tropical flavor.

A regular told me to try the Bitter French, and I’m glad I did. I loved the gin’s piney bite and that prosecco fizz that the drink has.

Their wine list is solid, with picks like the d’Arenberg Hermit Crab Marsanne/Viognier. Even with a slightly odd finish, I liked the pear and floral notes.

I couldn’t pass up their braised beef tacos. The pickled onions, spicy salsa, and smoked aioli all worked together for a killer bite.

Someone else said the house-made pappardelle keeps them coming back. Big prawns and scallops are soaked in a garlic-chili cream sauce and wrapped around fresh pasta ribbons. The Parmesan adds a nutty depth without making it salty.

Most of the food hits the mark, though one person mentioned the pork ribs were a bit dry and overcooked.

This would be my number 1 resto to go to 

“Oh! Sparrow I love you. Came here to have our dinner.I was lucky enough that the fish of the day was a Salmon.After hearing the word Salmon – I did stopped listening and kept saying YES.How I wish they will put this Salmon in their menu and this would be my number 1 resto to go to when I wanted Salmon. My other half got A steak and it was cook in perfection with their gravy that he almost lick his plate. It was only one staff but she was great in managing the all table.From getting an order, getting the payment and cleaning the table and checking the customers. The atmosphere were good as well – not much noice and ypu can hear each other.We might just be lucky with no kids having a tantrums when were there.”

– Mai Venture, Google Reviews 

Amongst the best we have ever tasted

“This is the first time we have visited the Sparrow since it’s inception some months ago. The welcome was warm and our table was in the sunshine. We ordered a mixture of starters and pizza to share. The calamari was beautifully crispy and tender inside. The crispy potato skins were equally delicious. The two pizzas we ordered between the four of us were great with everyone agreeing they were amongst the best we have ever tasted.”

– Joy & Paul Evans, Google Reviews 

4. Smoke Rolleston

Address: 59 Tennyson Street, Rolleston 7614

Contact Details: +6432600936

Operating Hours: 

• Tuesday & Wednesday – 4 PM to 9 PM 
• Thursday – 11 AM to 9 PM 
• Friday & Saturday – 11 AM to 9:30 PM 
• Sunday – 11 AM to 9 PM 

Website

Smoke Rolleston is Selwyn’s answer to American BBQ. One bite of their smoked meats and I could tell they’ve put in the hours perfecting their craft.

I kicked things off with the Smoke Platter—three meats of the customer’s choice. The brisket soaked up all the marinade. Meanwhile, the smoky pulled pork was perfect for DIY tacos with warm tortillas, pickles, and slaw.

The lamb, though, was my favorite. Not only was it melt-in-my-mouth tender, but the lamb maintained a smoky, spiced flavour from the meat rub they used. 

Even the Mac n Cheese is a winner, with gooey cheddar hiding under a garlicky crumb.

For a bit of everything, a couple told me they always get the Roadhouse Tray. The Pitmaster sausages and chicken wings are made for dunking in their house BBQ sauces.

The only gripe I heard was about the chicken waffle. I liked the crispy fried chicken, but the waffle got soggy from the syrup, and there wasn’t enough smoky bacon.

Most amazing brisket loaded fries with Mac and cheese

“Beautiful restaurant, lovely staff. Greeted from the moment we walked through the door. Nice and warm on a cold day. Drinks and food delivered to table In a perfectly acceptable time. I had the most amazing brisket loaded fries with Mac and cheese. So soft it melted on my mouth. My wife had the roast spud special with pork slices that had been cooked to perfection. Absolutely Incredible experience…. We will be back very soon to try some more”

– Connor Stockman, Google Reviews 

The food was excellent

“The Buffalo Wings were legit, and delicious!  Fried to a nice crisp and sauce was spot on. We are from Buffalo NY, USA, (where the Buffalo style wings were created) so we know our wings. In Buffalo, they are served with bleu cheese dressing dip and never ranch (and it is served as a side dip and not drizzled over the wings), but otherwise very legit Buffalo wings. Overall, a very nice place. All the The food was excellent. Mac & cheese was a little bland to our taste, but it was fine. Beers were ice cold. Highly recommend this place!”

– William Saunders, Google Reviews 

5. Memory’s Cafe and Restaurant

Address: 227 Leeston Road, Springston 

Contact Details: +6433295554

Operating Hours: Thursday to Sunday – 11 AM to 3 PM 

Website

Dining at Memory’s Cafe & Restaurant is a whimsical experience. I love the beautiful garden surroundings, their large courtyard area, Petanque pit, and that smoky wood-fired pizza oven. 

Their fortnightly rotating menu is built entirely around moods, the weather, and seasons. Their philosophy on food is interesting, as they believe a customer’s tastes change over time. 

No matter the season, though, I love that they keep their menu nutritious and use fresh local produce. For example, their salmon stacks come layered with tangy cream cheese and capers, perched on a lemon-kissed spinach salad. 

The baked brie, though, was my favorite. It reminded me of Thanksgiving season as it came oozing with a pear-cranberry compote and thyme. I slathered it on their crusty artisan bread for that extra indulgence and lightness. 

The asparagus crepes were just as delicious. The asparagus was drenched in a lemon-herb sauce that paired well with the glass of local pinot I ordered.

The only thing I wasn’t too big on was the slight 15-minute wait, despite having made reservations.

Delicious and presented awesomely

“We just got back from dining at this place and it’s really worth the detour!  The grounds are really beautiful in Autumn, lots of leaves and the cafe has lots of really interesting details and great atmosphere. We got the baked brie and the Berliner custard doughnut, both were excellent; delicious and presented awesomely.  The coffee was really outstanding, it’s not espresso, and that is juuust fine. If you have a chat with the owner, she (might) tell you how she found it :-)”

– Mercury, Google Reviews 

Everything tasted A-M-A-Zing

“Wow. Just wow.

We were looking for a nice quiet place to have an anniversary lunch. We stumbled across this place nicely tucked up a drive way. There are some parks at the entrance as well as closer to the entrance of the drive way. Lovely intimate walkway towards the restaurant (see pics). The atmosphere was just lovely with nice music. Plenty of seating of your choice. Food-wise, it was top grade. No doubt about that! Even my 9&11 year old enjoyed their meal! Their pastries are all flown from France and freshly baked to order! The croissant 🥐 is the best my daughter has eaten. The cheese&onion twist is recommended by my 11 year old. It’s crispy on the outside and nice and moist with cheesey inside. The best he has tried in a very long time!

Thumbs up from everyone. You can tell that the chef put a lot of love in the food. Everything tasted A-M-A-Zing 🙌🏻

Totally recommend. I would recommend to book as the place gets fill up quick. 👍🏻”

– Charlene Smith, Google Reviews