Drexel’s opened their doors for business in 1986 at a time when dining out for breakfast was virtually unheard of.  Yet this venture into the unknown did not daunt Norm and Vee Drexel the originators of the Drexels breakfast experience.  Vee, a Kiwi chef trained in London, and Norm who worked his way through university in American restaurants, knew that by combining their skills they were onto a winner.

NZ’s original specialty breakfast
restaurant!

And so it proved, beyond their wildest expectations from day one the people of Christchurch embraced the then revolutionary concept of breakfast dining. From the made on the premises hash browns, through to the lusciously thick Iowa pancakes and the to die for eggs Benedict, the people of Christchurch just could not get enough.

The immediate success came with its own challenges. Suddenly the kitchen was not big enough and neither was the restaurant.  To meet the needs of such rapid word of mouth growth the original restaurant underwent several redesigns and expansions. Until in 2006 after 20 years of bursting at the seams the original Drexels was relocated into its currentlarger premises.

American style comfortable booth seating...

and a counter service breakfast bar provides seating for ninety, however booking remains essential on most days and imperative on the weekend. Though the restaurant is consistently very busy it still achieves a level of quiet ambiance whilst the staff are experts at making you feel comfortable and welcome. Styled on the American short order grill cooking, all meals are cooked to order and come to you directly from the grill ensuring your meal is piping hot when it reaches you.

The food speaks for itself

With more than ten million breakfasts served to their devoted customers, what is it that makes Drexel’s such an iconic part of the Christchurch dining market. Why not come and find out for yourself what has made Drexels an essential start to a Christchurch day for over twenty years.

To avoid disappointment
please remember to book!