Discover the best places to eat, drink, shop, and explore among the sweeping golden hills, frothing beaches and vibrant downtown of Christchurch.

Officially the oldest established city in New Zealand, this Canterbury city has suffered its fair share of hard times over the years. The February 2011 earthquake struck Christchurch a massive blow, but thanks to a loyal population of hardworking people, the city has once again found its feet. Home to a mix of pre-earthquake favourites and exciting new eateries, bars, and shops, Christchurch has a big city buzz with a world-class hospitality scene.

One of only four cities in the world to have been planned around the layout of the city square, it’s easy to get from A to B in the centre of the Garden City. With Christchurch's plans to accommodate more cyclists and pedestrians, the city is well on its way to becoming an enticing destination for tourists as well as locals

Sweeping golden hills, stunning beaches, and snow-capped mountains a short drive away make Christchurch the hub of an outdoor-loving population.

Hosting a bustling summer season of events, mainly based out of inner-city Hagley Park, Christchurch has plenty of creative talent to showcase when it comes to adventure, performance, art, and music. Match that with an innovative start-up culture and urban business scene, and Christchurch is definitely a city to watch.

12 Hours Christchurch

A photo of Riverside Market in Christchurch.

The best things to see, eat, and do in Christchurch

Rolleston Fields: Experience the New Side to Rolleston

The exterior of the Rolleston library on a sunny day.
Christchurch & Canterbury

Hit the motorway heading south from the centre of Christchurch, and in a mere 15-20 minutes, you’ll arrive in New Zealand’s fastest-growing town, Rolleston. Once dubbed “the town of the future”, it’s apparent this is now very much a reality with a booming population, plenty of investment and exciting new developments appearing on the scene. With its modern, design-led town centre, it’s clear to see why so many people from around the country and further afield are choosing to call Rolleston home.

Our Pick of the Tastiest Veggie Burgers in Christchurch

Close up of hands holding a vegan burger.
Christchurch & Canterbury

Ask a kid what their favourite food is, and you’re bound to get a simple answer: a burger. Ask a grown-up, and who knows what answer you’ll get, but in all honesty, there’s really that kid within most of us who finds digging their teeth into a good burger a satisfaction unlike anything else.

The Recipe for a Neighbourhood Institution with Sarah Freeman of The Birdwood

A blonde woman sitting at a bar smiling to camera.
Christchurch & Canterbury

Is there much better than a great neighbourhood local? A place where everyone knows your name, usual order and favourite seat. A place you’ve frequented so often that it feels like an extension of your living room. Wellington and Auckland have endless ‘locals’, but here in Ōtautahi Christchurch, they’re a little harder to uncover. For residents of Beckenham, however, they’re blessed with The Birdwood. A prominent character building perfectly positioned in the heart of the community. A café by day in one space and a restaurant come evening in another, and now thanks to some renovations, there’s more connection between the two and a new bar to familiarise yourself with.

The Emerging Organic Wine Brands of Waipara, North Canterbury

A hand holding a bottle of wine in the air on a sunny day.
Christchurch & Canterbury

If you look beyond the standout Waipara wine brands we all know and love, four passionate young Canterbury winemakers are doing things a little differently. We spoke with each of them to better understand their inspiration and wine styles.

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Frances Nation Home

The inside of Frances Nation Home.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury

A store devoted to celebrating beautiful, made-to-last daily wares from New Zealand makers.

Movementor Pilates

An empty pilates studio.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Movementor is a well-known Pilates studio situated within the Beckenham hub at the corner of Christchurch’s Colombo and Tennyson Streets.

Dune Café

Customers sitting at tables inside Dune Cafe New Brighton.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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On the corner of Bridge Street and Estuary Road in the heart of South Brighton, you’ll find Dune Café.

Eruption Brewing

The two storey exterior of Eruption Brewing.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Located on the main drag of the harbourside township of Lyttelton, Eruption Brewing is a destination for good beer, good food and good vibes.

Get your Pocket Guide for Christchurch & Canterbury

A photo of the latest Neat Places Christchurch pocket guide.

Discover the best places to eat, drink, shop, and explore among the sweeping golden hills, frothing beaches and vibrant downtown of Christchurch.

Kokomo

Two groups of people chatting in a darkly lit building.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Kokomo brings a modern coastal dining experience to Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Central Deli Sandwiches

A large Central Deli Sandwiches poster framed on a wall.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Central Deli Sandwiches is a permanent daytime pop-up within Christchurch's New Regent Street restaurant Story.

The Lil' Brew Espresso Bar

A little corner of a cafe on a sunny day.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Located within an iconic heritage building in the heart of Redcliffs, The Lil Brew Espresso Bar is quite possibly the cutest cafe in town.

Rascal

Hands holding a bowl of food made at Rascal in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Located in the heart of the CBD on Christchurch’s High Street, Rascal is a modern bistro offering innovative food and exceptional cocktails.

The Church Pub

The busy bar inside The Church Pub.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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The Church on the corner of Manchester and Worcester Streets in the heart of the city is a cornerstone of Christchurch hospitality.

LONDO

A man placing a plate of food on the counter at Londo in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Good things come in small packages, and Londo is a prime example of that age old proverb.

Hinewai Reserve

A view of the ocean from the Banks Peninsula.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Not far from the township of Akaroa (walking distance if you’re really game), lies an idyllic haven of regenerating native bush nestled in the wild south east corner...

Lovoir Day Spa

The entrance to Lovoir Day Spa in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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As soon as you step inside Lovoir Day Spa at The Crossing in Christchurch, you will find yourself enveloped by an atmosphere of luxury and sophistication.

Moon Under Water

Exterior of Moon Under Water, Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Moon Under Water features all the best aspects of a classic pub that's up with the times when it comes to great brews, food and service.

Estelle

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Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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A sophisticated sibling to Tom’s sandwich bar on Christchurch's Southwark Street, Estelle sits neatly just a few strides and a diagonal road crossing away in a space...

The Lane

A customer sitting at a table inside a brightly coloured restaurant.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Tucked next door to the Sudima Christchurch city hotel on Salisbury Street, The Lane is so much more than a hotel restaurant.

BUTTER Pastry

A man smiling from a small window.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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At the Phillipstown end of Tuam Street in Christchurch stands a small kitchen where award winning pastry chef Corentin Esquenet works his magic.