Yes, there is free customer parking at 132 Lichfield Street, right next to Earl - easy! Find parking instructions here.

What kind of food are we eating?

Earl (recently featured in the 2026 Michelin Guide!) serves classic European flavours - pasta, gnocchi, fish...Check out the menu here. Many of their dishes are, or can be made, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, nut-free or vegetarian. They also have gluten-free bread & pasta.

Do I need to be a guest at the Banks Peninsula retreat to join?

While we are hosting this event as part of our retreat week in Christchurch, everyone is welcome! It's the perfect opportunity to meet some new bookish friends without having to commit to a whole weekend away.

Yes, of course! Most people do - and you'll always know at least one person, me :)

Books & Bites - a bookish dinner in Christchurch

Name: Books & Bites - a bookish dinner in Christchurch
Start: 2026-08-26T18:00:00+1200
End: 2026-08-26T20:00:00+1200
Location: Earl

Wed, 26 Aug, 6pm - 8pm NZST

Earl

Christchurch, New Zealand

Hanna Rauch

4 followers · Contact host

Description

You love books & you've been looking for your people — this is where they are.

📚 Busy with Books is hosting a bookish dinner in Christchurch: good food, good conversation, and a table full of women who actually want to talk about what they've been reading.

We're gathering at Earl (featured in the 2026 Michelin Guide!) and we'll spend the evening doing what we love most: Talking about books. (And eating. Obviously 💁🏼‍♀️)

What to expect:

A relaxed, informal dinner
Great food from Earl (your order, your tab)
A small goodie to take home
Good conversation with women who get it
A cap of 10 guests to keep it intimate

We won't have a set book, so there's no pressure or homework.
Just show up, order something delicious, and talk books with strangers who are about to become your favourite reading friends.

Can't wait to meet you 📚

About Busy with Books:
BWB is a reading community for women across Australia & New Zealand. Since 2024, we've hosted sold-out reading retreats in New Zealand (coming to Australia soon!), run an online book community, and been featured in NZ Herald, Stuff, Woman's Day, and more.

FAQs

Is there parking?

Yes, there is free customer parking at 132 Lichfield Street, right next to Earl - easy! Find parking instructions here.
What kind of food are we eating?

Earl (recently featured in the 2026 Michelin Guide!) serves classic European flavours - pasta, gnocchi, fish...Check out the menu here. Many of their dishes are, or can be made, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, nut-free or vegetarian. They also have gluten-free bread & pasta.
Do I need to be a guest at the Banks Peninsula retreat to join?

While we are hosting this event as part of our retreat week in Christchurch, everyone is welcome! It's the perfect opportunity to meet some new bookish friends without having to commit to a whole weekend away.
Can I come solo?

Yes, of course! Most people do - and you'll always know at least one person, me :)