One of our first dinners was at Bar Yoku, a Japanese Izakaya-style eatery a few minutes’ drive from the main restaurant precinct. I’d walked past Yoku before (while picking up lunch at the excellent Grizzly Baked Goods inside the same building) and always felt envious of the people parked up with a cold beer and a plate of sushi. So I made the most of this visit, choosing one of the horigotatsu sunken tables and ordering almost everything on the menu.

Bar Yoku offers a unique dining experience that blends the best of Japanese izakaya culture with a modern twist. This vibrant spot is perfect for those looking to enjoy Japanese shared plates in a casual, sociable environment. The menu features a variety of small dishes, from succulent yakitori to fresh sashimi, all designed to be enjoyed alongside an extensive selection of sake and Japanese whiskies.

Bar Yoku, located in the City Centre, stands out as the only Yakitori joint in Christchurch, serving traditional Japanese street food in a relaxed and authentic environment. The menu includes chicken, Wagyu beef, and vegetarian options. Kinji in Bryndwr specializes in sushi, with owner-operator and master sushi chef Kinji Hamada's signature dishes being sashimi and nigiri-style sushi.

Paying homage to Japanese izakaya bars, Bar Yoku offers sanctuary at the end of a busy work day. Named after the term shinrin-yoku, meaning "taking in the forest atmosphere", this urban bar invites you to retreat into its dim settings or internal garden and soak in its exotic environment while still being inside The Welder, at the heart of Christchurch.

The only Yakitori joint in Ōtautahi, Bar Yoku dishes out traditional Japanese street food in a relaxed and authentic environment. Enter through the hanging curtains into the dim restaurant and be instantly transported to another world. Here the barbeque stays hot, the Asahi taps run, and Sake is poured from lunch ‘til deep into the dark hours.

[There’s no better place to drop by with a group of friends than an izakaya. Integrating a distinctly urban twist to the traditional Japanese bar, Yoku transports you to another world through flavour and environment. The establishment adds a unique flair to the menu with dishes such as their highly popular sushi tacos.

You’ll need more than one visit to explore the options at this cosy izakaya, which serves Japanese food with a twist. There’s an intimate atmosphere in the restaurant but also a courtyard and bar where you can eat with a view of the coals. The beverage list has a fittingly Japanese slant.

Renowned for its unique take on Japanese cuisine, featuring “smokin'” Yakitori, delectable sushi tacos, the freshest raw delicacies, and a tantalizing array of shareable Izakaya dishes, Bar Yoku secures the title of Outstanding Casual Dining/Street Food.

Cosy up in a booth, Isakaya-style, at Bar Yoku and order delicious things on sticks, sushi tacos, fabulous fresh sashimi, and fried shared plates. Watch as the flames at the grill sear and flame your truly authentic Japanese fare.

20 Welles Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand. This is my absolute favorite spot for group dinners. Every time I come here, I order the karaage mushrooms and cabbage.

As a coeliac sometimes it’s hard eating out but the waitress was so helpful and informative with my ordering and it did NOT disappoint!. So yummy :) highly recommend the karaage chicken….

Bar Yoku in The Welder is a cosy den of Japanese cuisine, inspired by Tokyo's small laneway bars, with a garden to relax in and cocktails with house-made botanical infusions.

Bar Yoku, Beers, Scoundrel, and Smoke ‘n’ Barrel are all up for the Outstanding Street Food / Casual Dining category.