Gatherings

Living in harmony with the seasons has many benefits, and dining at Gatherings is undoubtedly one of them. Long known for its innovative but grounded approach to culinary excellence, this local Canterbury institution keeps evolving in ways that continue to delight our senses. 

In keeping with a philosophy that is mindful of what we take from the earth and when - Gatherings’ menu is rooted in local, accessible, and seasonal ingredients. You can expect to enjoy an abundance of sustainably caught New Zealand seafood alongside locally grown organic produce. Founding chef, Alex Davies, believes good food reflects the season and location in which it is being prepared. With that principle at the forefront, he passionately supports local producers and thoughtfully considers how he can best continue serving his community.

Dining at Gatherings feels like home. Except if home meant being served deliciously fresh seasonal dishes from two of Christchurch’s top chefs - and not having to do the dishes afterwards. The cosy space is full of recycled wooden furniture (made by a local carpenter) and creative art pieces. Tables are adorned simply with vases of tussock and local natives while, as it should be, the informal, friendly service and excellent food take centre stage.

Enjoying more intimate family dinners at home during lockdowns inspired Alex to take Gatherings in a new direction. Influenced by the Chinese style of dining, where many dishes are shared between family and friends, Gatherings’ menu was restructured to reflect this casual but thoughtful way of enjoying food. Bringing on the legendary Finbar McCarthy as Head Chef in 2021 was a key element in driving Gatherings’ evolution of family and community-centred dining forward.

As the first New Zealand restaurant to exclusively serve natural wines, Gatherings has been a pioneer since its inception. Their pursuit of creative mastery earned them the coveted Cuisine Good Food Awards Hat in 2017, and their commitment to sustainable innovation has ensured they’ve maintained the Hat every year since. It’s no wonder chefs and hospitality professionals from all over New Zealand (and abroad) travel to see what the team at Gatherings are getting up to. The synergistic collaboration between head chefs Alex Davies and Finbar McCarthy makes for an unmissable epicurean experience.