
5th Street
5 Elgin Street, Sydenham, Christchurch
A spectacular spot for evening dining seven days a week.
One quick scroll through our list of Christchurch restaurants and you’ll see picking somewhere to eat is going to be no easy task. Christchurch chefs and hospitality staff are at the forefront of a changing and growing city that has put the palates of the people at the top of its ‘must impress’ list. Sitting in for a meal at Christchurch restaurants can be romantic, interactive, lively, serene or simply a food experience like you’ve never had before. Depending on your tastes and eating requirements you may be thinking Christchurch eateries just can’t possibly cater for you, but if there’s one city that’s created its restaurant scene around new types of eaters, Christchurch is it.
A much-welcomed change in the times means Canterbury eateries are no longer content with serving up the classic meat and three vege, and instead offer any range of vegetarian, vegan or boundary-pushing new meals that are designed to get people talking. Vegans and vegetarians are in good hands here, where restaurants have recognised the growing number of empathetic eaters and designed some super tasty options for those who go without animal products.
Wanting somewhere to fit a whole table of fine folks? Christchurch restaurants are nothing short of gracious when it comes to hosting big tables of fun friends, and whether you’re celebrating a birthday, commiserating a loss, or getting together before an event - the waitstaff here will look after you as they would guests in their own home (the bonus here is that food comes to you and you needn’t even get out of your seat).
5th Street
5 Elgin Street, Sydenham, Christchurch
A spectacular spot for evening dining seven days a week.
Bacon Brothers
181 High Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
Bacon Brothers are on a mission to create the best damn burgers around.
Bessie
Level 1/178 Saint Asaph Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
Dark, a little brooding and faultless in its theme, Bessie is an immaculate display of fine dining in the inner city.
Black Burger
172 Saint Asaph Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
A lot of good things came out of 2020’s COVID-19 nationwide lockdown. Of all those good things Black Burger might just be the best.
Black Estate
614 Omihi Road, Waipara
A winery, tasting room and restaurant, Black Estate is famous not only for its organic and biodynamic wines but its refreshing approach to food.
Boo Radley's Food and Liquor
level 1/98 Victoria Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
Inventive in its approach to dining Boo Radley’s draws from the savant of comfort food: Southern American cuisine.
Bottle and Stone
20 Welles Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
A hole in the wall pizza joint in The Welder.
Burger Burger
10 Welles Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
Burger Burger is all about good times, good people and most importantly, good food. You’re in for a feast that hits the spot big time.
Chillingworth Road
478 Cranford Street, Papanui, Christchurch
Dinnertime is the hero of this Redwood destination, where degustation dining centres around classic cuisine, done well.
Cook 'N' With Gas
Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
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Earl
128 Lichfield Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
Earl is the new local for inner city residents and workers, bringing a breath of European bistro culture to central Christchurch.
El Quincho
96 Oxford Terrace, CBD, Christchurch
For a taste of Argentina head to El Quincho at Riverside Market.
Evil Genius Bar & Eatery
unit 2/1091 Ferry Road, Ferrymead, Christchurch
Evil Genius Bar & Eatery is a destination you need to get to know. Open from dawn ‘til way past dusk, offering everything from coffee to cocktails.
Fiddlesticks
Corner of Worcester Boulevard &, Montreal Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
With a focus on modern New Zealand cuisine where presentation is key, there are plenty of creative menu choices from breakfast through to dessert.
Fire and Slice Woodfired Pizza
7 Wakefield Avenue, Sumner, Christchurch
Most great things are built from the ground (or base) up, just like pizza. Woodfired pizza shop, Fire and Slice, located in Sumner village is no different.
Francesca's Italian Kitchen
149 Gloucester Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
A big ol’ slice of authentic, rustic Italian cuisine in the heart of Christchurch.
Fush
104 The Runway, Wigram, Christchurch
Fush offers a taste of proper kiwi kai and the experience of true New Zealand hospitality. The vision started from a desire to take the humble fish and chips to the next level.
Gatherings
5/2 Papanui Road, Merivale, Christchurch
Food is best enjoyed together, and when you’re tucked into the 25 seat restaurant that is Gatherings, you’ll remember why.
Greystone Wines
376 Omihi Road, Waipara
A day exploring the magic being made by Greystone Wines is a day well spent.
Inati
48 Hereford Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
Prepare to be wowed by the thoughtful and beautifully executed Inati.
Little High Lanes
Lanes in the Salt District, Enter off High Street, Tuam Street, St Asaph or Lichfield.
Little High Lanes is an eclectic blend of food, fashion and industry.
Midnight Shanghai
101/96 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch
Midnight Shanghai offers Christchurch elevated, modern Chinese fare with karaoke, handcrafted cocktails and a menu designed for sharing.
Miss Peppercorn
32 Nayland Street, Sumner, Christchurch
Miss Peppercorn is a modern eatery, celebrating the fragrant and mouth-numbing flavours of the owner's hometown in the Chinese province of Sichuan.
Ōtoromiro Hotel
52 Main Road, Governors Bay
Founded in 1870, the hotel still stands in all it’s colonial beauty, featuring seven fully-renovated guest rooms some with sea views and balcony access.
Permit Room
779 Colombo Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
This elegant eatery and bar offers authentic South Indian cuisine with a colonial-style theme.
Pomeroy's Old Brewery Inn
292 Kilmore Street, Christchurch
Pomeroy’s has been the catalyst of the Christchurch craft beer scene for years, with its ever-changing blackboard showcasing over 31 beers on offer.
Riccarton Noodle House
107 Riccarton Road, Riccarton, Christchurch
For a flavoursome lunch on the run, a family get together and a few hot brothy bowls that’ll leave you wanting more head to Riccarton Noodle House.
Riverside Market
96 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
This unique Christchurch establishment brings fresh produce, artisan bakeries, independent food stalls, rooftop bars and restaurants, high-class retail and eclectic market stalls all under one roof.
Sherpa Kai x The Commoners
10 Oxford Street, Lyttelton
This unique hospitality outfit offers frequent live music and Nepalese-inspired food - think delicious dumplings, craft beer, cocktails and a late night license to wash it all down.
Smokey T's
314 Cashel Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
Expect the softest, juiciest slow cooked meat you’ve ever tasted at Smokey T's.
SUPER
5 Norwich Quay, Lyttelton
Lyttelton’s Asian-fusion eatery, SUPER, is nothing short of what the name suggests.
The Birdwood
76 Malcolm Avenue, Beckenham, Christchurch
Much-loved neighbourhood cafe by day, knock-out contemporary Italian eatery by night – The Birdwood might just be the dream local hospo joint.
The Burger Joint
78 Brighton Mall, New Brighton, Christchurch
The Burger Joint has an ethos that is plain and simple – and pretty hard to miss, with it boldly printed across the entranceway: Real Food, Real Local.
The Little High Eatery
255 Saint Asaph Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
A collection of eateries housed in an open space building, Little High is more than your typical food cooperative.
The Monday Room
161 High Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
The way this restaurant changes constantly yet simultaneously remains a longtime local favourite speaks to just how special it is.
The Welder
20-26 Welles Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
The Welder is a unique health and wellbeing centre in stunningly repurposed buildings in the heart of South Town.
Tomi Japanese Restaurant
Edgeware Mall, 76 Edgeware Road, Saint Albans, Christchurch
Serving authentic Japanese cuisine, Tomi is most famous for their sashimi sourced from the local fish market.
Twenty Seven Steps
Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
An effortless combination of old and new, Twenty Seven Steps is a modern and sophisticated restaurant on New Regent Street.
Westend Stories
93C Cambridge Terrace, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
Westend Stories is a green oasis for those looking to temporarily escape the confines of their workplace.