The wonderful world of Preserved Eatery

Thanks to refrigeration, preservatives and ready-made meals, we no longer have to think too hard about how we’ll survive the long and lean winter months. But in a bygone era, it was a different story. Those who lacked the skills to preserve and ferment their food for year-round storage faced a rather unpleasant time. Back then, a “real food diet” was more than a fad, it was a matter of survival.

Luckily, our lives no longer depend on our ability to cure meat, preserve fruit or grow a self-sufficient garden, but it’s good to know there are plenty of people out there keeping this knowledge alive.

And you’ll find such a bunch of knowledgeable folk at Preserved Eatery on Christchurch’s Diamond Harbour. Comprising of a cooking school, a shop, a deli (house-cured bacon and pork crackling – do we need to say anymore?) and the Preserved Eatery, it’s a mecca for real food enthusiasts.

Keeping it real

At the heart of this Banks Peninsula establishment is Preserved Eatery. A place where all that ancient wisdom and time-honoured techniques are lovingly transformed into platefuls of wholehearted goodness. It’s a place where terms like local, seasonal, free-range and artisan are not used for marketing purposes; they are used in the truest form.

On the menu at Preserved Eatery, you’ll find dishes that reflect the philosophy of owner Anna Mahy and her dedicated team. The deli churns out charcuterie delights like hand-crafted bacon and sausages as well as hand-made pasta and cheese. For those looking to sample food prepared using traditional methods like sauerkraut or kefir, this is your chance. If it can be salted, brined, dehydrated, fermented or pickled, chances are you'll find it here.

The diligent efforts of Mahy and her team have not gone unnoticed. Preserved Eatery has appeared in Dish Magazine as well TVNZ's foodie show, Topp Country.

Take the journey

There are two options for getting to Preserved Eatery, both of which set the scene for the relaxing dining experience ahead of you. You can take the scenic drive along Banks Peninsula or a 10-minute ferry across the harbour from Lyttleton. 

With free-range, house-cured bacon and sausages on the menu, Preserved Eatery doesn’t seem to ever have a problem getting diners to make the journey from Christchurch.

Preserved Eatery is open for breakfast and lunch every day except for Wednesday and open for dinner on Friday and Saturdays. You’ll find a full menu as well as daytime cabinet food available.

So, whether you’re a real food fanatic or just a fanatical foodie, it’s hard not to fall in love with a restaurant that is this dedicated to their food philosophy. A place where the food itself has a story to tell, and you will leave with your own story to tell.