SUPER by name, super by nature
For Sahni Bennett, owner of SUPER, food is a love language.
SUPER was born from a desire to create something that felt like home, inspired by the places, cultures, and communities Sahni Bennett has grown to love. Time spent in Japan instilled a deep respect for seasonality, simplicity, and restraint.
“My roots in Aotearoa taught me to feed people from the heart, with care and abundance through te ao Māori,” she says.
Tucked inside Lyttelton’s historic Harbourmaster’s Building, SUPER has proudly occupied its sunny corner site and has been serving up soulful, delicious kai for nearly eight years. Its classic interior is softly lit with pink neon, casting warmth over dark timber walls and arched windows, while a custom sound system and DJ decks send sweet tunes through the bar and restaurant.
SUPER’s kaupapa is anchored in manaakitanga, felt the moment you walk through the door. There’s sincerity in the “How are you?” and genuine care in the answer. That spirit of generosity and connection is at the heart of what they do. Guests are welcomed like friends; strangers soon feel like whānau.
As an independent, wāhine-led space, SUPER strikes a natural balance of softness and strength. Its compact kitchen powers a 60-seat dining room that regularly hosts private functions, weddings, birthdays, and music-filled evenings. Weekends bring a lively brunch, a firm local favourite.
The menu is ever evolving, shaped by intuition, conversation, memory, and the rhythms of Papatūānuku. A fusion of Japanese and Māori influences gives rise to bold, exciting flavours that dance between comfort and surprise, a perfect balance.
Dishes like local ika in smoky boil-up broth, Rēwena fry breads with black garlic and kārengo butter, or cucumber with spicy moromi miso are grounded in tradition and reimagined with care. Every plate has purpose. Pair your kai with a glass (or two) from the carefully curated wine list, chosen to complement flavour, spark curiosity, and push the palate. The cocktails are equally thoughtful, and for dessert, don’t miss the miso caramel espresso martini.
Tikanga is present in quiet, intentional ways, in how people are treated, how the space is held, and how every person, guest or stranger, is woven into the rhythm of the place. Whanaungatanga lives in the way the team moves, each bringing something of their own and having that energy embraced.
Sahni holds deep respect for her team, not just because they share her vision, but because they bring it to life in extraordinary ways. SUPER was a brave idea, a dream built by one woman, from aroha and pride. It keeps growing by trusting its rhythm, doing things a little differently, and always leading with heart.
Whether you’re a Lyttelton local, popping over the hill from Ōtautahi, or visiting from further afield, SUPER is a destination worth the journey. That trip through the tunnel or around the winding harbour road leads to a town full of charm, independent spirit, and stunning views. Just a few steps from the water, SUPER is the kind of place that draws you in, and stays with you. It hums with life, from the tunes to the clink of glasses, from the first bite to the last goodbye.
It’s not just about the food. It’s about the connection.