Casual

Bar Yoku

The colourful entrance to Bar Yoku Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon. Restaurants key icon.

The ultimate izakaya experience in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Bar Yoku is something special.

Tanoshi

Hands holding chopsticks reaching for food on a plate.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Restaurants key icon.

Tanoshi has made a name for itself in Queenstown with three popular sites, each with a slightly different focus. But its Christchurch restaurant is a fusion of them all.

Victoria Free House

A beer and bangers and mash on a table at Victoria Free House Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Restaurants key icon.

A British-style pub, Victoria Free House is a slice of the old world in the heart of Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Frances Nation Café

Shelves lined with pantry goods inside a cafe.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon. Goods key icon.

Frances Nation Café is a go-to in Christchurch for superb coffee and delicious food.

Coffee Embassy

The cafe space at Coffee Embassy.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Pay attention next time you are driving down Fitzgerald Ave because here you will find a cafe and roastery home to some of the best brews and beans in the city.

Two Thumb Brewing Company on Manchester

The dark interior of a large warehouse bar.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon.

Everyone needs a good local pub in their lives, a place you can go with a relaxed atmosphere, where you are guaranteed to run into a few mates and, most importantly, enjoy a...

Scoundrel

Customers standing around at a counter inside a green decorated cafe.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

A destination on the east side of town, just a stone's throw away from Te Kaha Christchurch stadium, Scoundrel is one of those spots you wander into once and know instantly...

Triangle Espresso, Ashburton

The painted black brick exterior of Triangle Espresso in Ashburton.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Triangle Espresso is a landmark of Ashburton’s up-and-coming Triangle District.

The Rabbit, Ashburton

Customers being served at The Rabbit.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon. Restaurants key icon.

The Rabbit is an exciting eatery in the heart of The Triangle in Ashburton.

Cleavers Corner, Ashburton

A fake green wall inside a large restaurant.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon. Restaurants key icon.

Cleavers Corner is the locals' go-to in Ashburton.

The Cakelady, Ashburton

Colourful cakes beautifully decorated on a table at The Cakelady in Ashburton.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Tharina Nel is the Cakelady of Ashburton. A self-taught baker of incredible creations, she can whip up just about anything you can imagine.

Supreme Supreme

The red and brown interior of Supreme Supreme cafe in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Supreme Supreme doesn't do anything by halves.

Dune Café

Customers sitting at tables inside Dune Cafe New Brighton.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

On the corner of Bridge Street and Estuary Road in the heart of South Brighton, you’ll find Dune Café.

Eruption Brewing

The front counter inside Eruption Brewing in Lyttelton.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon. Restaurants key icon.

Located on the main drag of the harbourside township of Lyttelton, Eruption Brewing is a destination for good beer, good food and good vibes.

Kokomo

A whole plate of cooked fish.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon. Restaurants key icon.

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
Cafes key icon.

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
Cafes key icon.

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
Restaurants key icon.

Located in the heart of the CBD on Christchurch’s High Street, Rascal is a modern bistro offering innovative food and exceptional cocktails.

Akin Café

A man working on a laptop in a brightly lit cafe.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Akin is as clean-cut as a café can be.

The Church Pub

The busy bar inside The Church Pub.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Restaurants key icon.

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
Restaurants key icon.

Good things come in small packages, and Londo is a prime example of that age old proverb.

Moon Under Water

Exterior of Moon Under Water, Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon.

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

A plate of salads and boiled egg in a bowl on a table.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

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...

BUTTER Pastry

A man smiling from a small window.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon. Goods key icon.

At the Phillipstown end of Tuam Street in Christchurch stands a small kitchen where award winning pastry chef Corentin Esquenet works his magic.

Tiny Door

A phone being held up to a QR code.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Restaurants key icon.

Tiny Door is New Zealand’s very first hole-in-the-wall food experience, offering restaurant quality food in a quick-as-a-flash grab-and-go manner to the hungry people...

Bohemian Bakery St Martins

The sunny exterior of Bohemian Bakery cafe.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Bohemian Bakery’s St Martins shop provides the south of the city with all of the carby goodness familiar from the bakery’s other locations.

The Little High Eatery

A brightly decorated food station inside Little High.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon. Restaurants key icon.

A collection of eateries housed in an open space building, Little High is more than your typical food cooperative.

Muy Muy

Blue seats lined up against a burnt orange brick wall.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Restaurants key icon.

Muy Muy breathes a breath of warm Central American air to the edge of Christchurch's CBD.

Francesca's Italian Kitchen Christchurch

A chef working the kitchen at the back of a large restaurant.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Restaurants key icon.

A big ol’ slice of authentic, rustic Italian cuisine in the heart of Christchurch.

Westend Stories Café & Eatery

Pale wood wall and cafe seating with industrial lights at Westend Stories..
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon. Restaurants key icon.

Westend Stories is a green oasis for those looking to temporarily escape the confines of their workplace.

Castro’s Tapas & Bar

The inside of Castro's restaurant in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon. Restaurants key icon.

Named after its owner-operator and chef extraordinaire Richard Castro, this Riverside Market top-floor restaurant is an experience not to be missed.

Nikkei

Coloured lamp shades hanging down over tables and chairs at Nikkei.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon. Restaurants key icon.

Home of Christchurch's only Japanese Peruvian fusion restaurant, Nikkei is a unique foodie destination.

Ally & Sid

Customers sitting at tables inside a sunny cafe.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Everything about Ally & Sid is inviting - a breezy spot for excellent coffee, tasty cabinet fare and a big side of sunshine.

La Luna

Customers sitting at green and green booths inside a high ceilinged cafe.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Restaurants key icon.

A café by day, an a la carte restaurant by night, La Luna Eatery & Bar located in the heart of Rangiora, carries out each of its roles effortlessly.

C4 Coffee

A table of customers sitting next to a window inside C4.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

If you’re in Christchurch and seeking an exceptional coffee experience, C4 Coffee should be your primary destination.

Lux Espresso

The bench seating next to the counter inside Lux Espresso Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Positioned in the entrance of CoCA Gallery, Lux Espresso has a contemporary design and a wholesome breakfast and lunch menu.

Doubles

A customer ordering at the white and green counter at Doubles cafe Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Game, set, match! In a sunny spot on Worcester Boulevard, this tennis-themed café with a gram-worthy brunch menu is the new King of...

Zeek's

Two women sitting and chatting a table inside Zeek's Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Restaurants key icon.

Everyone deserves a good lunch, and you’ll get a great one at Zeek’s. Fresh, fast and super tasty is the name of the game.

Black Burger

Close up of someone holding their burger about to take a bite.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Restaurants key icon.

Found in the heart of the hustle and bustle of Christchurch's Riverside Market, is the small but perfectly primed kitchen that Black Burger calls home.

Child Sister

Costumer at the wooden counter ordering.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Seeking a calm environment with aesthetically-pleasing interior decor, complete with incredible coffee and delicious food to match? Then look no further, Child Sister has...

Tom's

Close up of a sandwich on a blue bench.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

If you are a sando aficionado and find yourself in the South Town area of Christchurch city centre, keep an eye out for the striking cobalt blue hue of Tom’s.

Sumner Social

Outdoor seating area at Sumner Social, Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon. Restaurants key icon.

The arrival of Sumner Social warrants high fives all around because, at last, the coastal suburb has a top-notch bar and restaurant with ocean views.

Bonobo Café

Birds-eye view of four dishes on a pink table at Bonobo, Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Bonobo: a benevolent primate, a trip-hop artist and more recently a plant-based cuisine destination in the seaside suburb of Sumner.

Pilgrim

Exterior view of Pilgrim in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

A tenacious stand alone espresso bar and café, Pilgrim has become a central city favourite amongst its regulars and central city workers that come and go for the...

The Old Vicarage

Coloured glass in the sunroom at The Old Vicarage, Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon. Cafes key icon. Restaurants key icon.

The Old Vicarage is exactly that, the former home of the Vicars from St Mary’s Church in Halswell.

Truffle Café

People sitting outside the front of Truffle café, Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

You may think of truffle as clandestine but this Merivale café - with the same name - is anything but.

Paddy McNaughton's

Exterior of Paddy McNaughton's, Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon.

Paddy McNaughton's is a pint-sized pub with Guinness and Magners on tap. It’s the closest thing to a Dublin pub this side of the equator. Live music every week.

The Mediterranean Food Company

Interior view of The Mediterranean Food Company shop area, Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon. Goods key icon. Restaurants key icon.

 Down the industrial eastern end of Tuam Street in an old brickery is a secluded slice of Italy.

Addington Coffee Co-op

View of big table of customers at Addington Coffee Co-op in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Addington Coffee Co-op is, simply put, a true Christchurch institution with laid-back vibes and house-roasted coffee.

Six Ounces

Avi pouring a glass of wine at Six Ounces, Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon. Cafes key icon.

There’s nothing quite like a cosy neighbourhood haunt and six ounces is exactly that.

Niche Coffee + Eatery

Table of delicious food at Niche Cafe and Eatery in Sumner.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Niche Coffee + Eatery, the latest addition to the hospitality scene of Sumner, fits like a glove to the seaside village.

Arbour Woodfire Pizza

Close up of slicing fresh pizza at Arbour in Lyttelton.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Restaurants key icon.

A standout eatery where you can expect to find perfectly charred pizzas and a plant-filled atmosphere.

Pink Lady

Close up of cocktail on a table.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon.

At the corner of Manchester Street and High you’ll find Muse Art Hotel, while at the top of the hotel, you’ll find Pink Lady.

The Spirits Workshop

Close up of 4 bottles of gin.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury

Head to The Spirits Workshop in Sydenham for a uniquely New Zealand spirit experience. Here you can sample gins and whiskies that reflect Aotearoa, meet the people that make it and see the whole process, too.

Saturdays

Eating oats with poached pear.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Saturdays is a celebration of not just the weekend, but every day. It’s an ode to what saturdays stand for: slowing down, enjoying one another and pairing it all with excellent food and drink.

Grizzly Baked Goods CBD

Bread, croissants and sandwiches behind glass at Grizzly Baked Goods in the Christchurch CBD.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury

Grizzly's shop at The Welder offers classic sourdough breads as well as cookies, donuts, sammies, bear claws and croissants.

El Quincho

Flatlay of meat platter from El Quincho.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Restaurants key icon.

For a taste of Argentina, head to El Quincho at Riverside Market.

Riccarton Noodle House

Close up of customers serving themselves fried rice.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Restaurants key icon.

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.

The Last Word

Looking down into the bar from upstairs.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon.

Prepare to be charmed by The Last Word’s relaxed, friendly environment and impressive drinks offering

Georges Road Wines

The wine maker testing the wine at Georges Road Wines in Waipara.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Accommodation key icon. Stay and explore key icon. Goods key icon.

If you like great wine, stunning scenery and a quick escape from the city head to Georges Road Wines in Waipara.

Greystone Wines

A woman in a white shirt holds a bottle of Greystone Rose Pet Nat against the vineyard's green backdrop at Greystone Wines.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Restaurants key icon.

A day exploring the magic being made by Greystone Wines in Waipara is a day well spent.

Posh Porridge

Eating a piece of loaded toast from Posh Porridge.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Posh Porridge offers boutique flavours and lashings of luxury toppings for its porridge bowls. Just pop into its Montreal St location and find out for yourself.

Cellar Door

Row of wine tasting glasses outside on a table at Cellar Door in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon.

The Cellar Door focus is on approachable wine drinking, seasonal fare and free flowing conversation. It feels like your ‘local’ but has a distinctive, exciting element, sans pretentiousness.

Foundation Café

Two people eating at a table in front of a window.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Foundation is fully licensed, serving up flavoursome fare seamlessly integrated into Otautahi’s world-class library, Tūranga.

Gelato & Tea

Chairs and signage on an old brick building.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Gelato & Tea offers homemade gelato and a range of tea drinks, alongside a selection of delicious sweet treats.

Ramen Ria

Outdoor seating at Ramen Ria
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Restaurants key icon.

Ramen Ria has all of the flavour and fun that can be found in some of Tokyo’s most well known, yet tucked away ramen joints.

The Welder

Looking across The Welder courtyard with big Palm plants.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury Editor's Pick
Cafes key icon. Goods key icon. Restaurants key icon.

The Welder is a unique health and wellbeing centre in stunningly repurposed buildings in the heart of South Town.

Gelato Lab

Customer holding her Gelato Lab ice cream.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury

Gelato Lab churns out traditional gelato in a number of delicious and ever-changing flavours, all made on-site by two passionate ladies.

gin gin

Woman pouring a cocktail at gin gin in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury Editor's Pick
Bars key icon.

gin gin's the spot whether you’re keen for an after work bevvie, a boogie, a place to host your own party, seriously good food, a night on the town, or some combination thereof.

The Burger Joint

Real food real local signage above counter.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Restaurants key icon.

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.

Switch New Brighton

View of seating area inside Switch with customers..
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Switch is a bit of an institution of the seaside suburb of New Brighton.

Grizzly Baked Goods

A woman orders at the Grizzly Baked Goods window in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Effortlessly cool with a friendly and inviting vibe, Grizzly Baked Goods will have you feeling like you’ve woken up in another city.

Smokey T's

Flatlay of BBQ meat and chips on a table.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon. Restaurants key icon.

Expect the softest, juiciest slow cooked meat you’ve ever tasted at Smokey T's.

Little Pom's

Close up of a chef drizzling syrup over a sweet meal in the kitchen at Little Poms café, Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Located in the same building as the ever-popular Pomeroy’s Old Brewery Inn, Little Poms is charming neighbourhood café all about good food made by Christchurch’s talented producers and artisans.

The Birdwood

Customers eating breakfast at The Birdwood, Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon. Cafes key icon. Restaurants key icon.

Much-loved neighbourhood cafe by day, knock-out contemporary Italian eatery by night – The Birdwood might just be the dream local hospo joint.

BOXed Quarter

Laneways and an overhead walkway within BOXed Quarter in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon. Fashion key icon.

A hub for all things food, creativity and culture, BOXed Quarter thinks outside the square.

Little Vintage Espresso

Customers queuing to order at the counter at Little Vintage Espresso in Amberley.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

A jewel in the Amberley crown, Little Vintage Espresso offers delicious homemade food and good coffee.

Pegasus Bay

Exterior entrance surrounded by trees at Pegasus Bay.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury

Pegasus Bay will blow you away with its beautiful setting and world-class wine.

SUPER

Inside the SUPER restaurant.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Restaurants key icon.

Lyttelton’s Asian-fusion eatery, SUPER, is nothing short of what the name suggests.

OGB

A man pouring a cocktail at OGB in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon.

A speakeasy-style bar, OGB serves up an old-school approach to hospitality.

Allpress Espresso

Two employees working behind the cafe counter at Allpress Espresso in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

The coffee here is just what you'd expect from the experienced Allpress roasters.

Black Estate

View out of window at Black Estate, North Canterbury towards vines.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Accommodation key icon. Restaurants key icon.

A winery, tasting room and restaurant, Black Estate is famous not only for its organic and biodynamic wines but its refreshing approach to food.

Civil and Naval

The building exterior of Civil and Naval in Lyttelton
Place Christchurch & Canterbury Editor's Pick
Bars key icon.

This Lyttelton spot offers a well thought-out sharing menu dotted with memorable plates along with excellent wine, beer and cocktails.

Dose Diner

Close up of the counter at Dose Diner in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Adding a much needed touch of ‘cool’ to Blenheim Road, Dose Diner takes a page from the book of the quirky Melbourne café scene.

Fiddlesticks

Close up of food being served Fiddlesticks in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Restaurants key icon.

With a focus on modern New Zealand cuisine where presentation is key, there are plenty of creative menu choices from breakfast through to dessert.

Ōtoromiro Hotel

Ōtoromiro Hotel exterior in Govenor's Bay.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Accommodation key icon. Restaurants key icon.

Perched at its grand position on a hillside at the end of Te Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour, the historical Ōtoromiro Hotel offers hard-to-beat views, friendly service and...

The Tannery

People walking through The Tannery Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon. Cafes key icon. Fashion key icon.

Prepared to be wowed by the sophisticated one-stop-shop that is The Tannery.

The Laboratory

Seating area with exposed brick wall.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon.

Offering an excellent range of craft beer, wood fired pizzas and tapas-style plates that are designed to be shared, this pub is a Lincoln local’s favourite.

Dispense Espresso

Man making coffee behind blue coffee machine at Dispense Espresso in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Dispense Espresso’s owner, Hamish Bell, knows a thing or two about what makes a café great.

Unknown Chapter

Seating area at Unknown Chapter.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

A sunny spot always bustling with life thanks to its epic brunch menu, homemade slices and cakes and speciality roasted coffee.

Park Ranger

Park Ranger cafe space.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon. Goods key icon.

A café that hasn’t missed a beat when it comes to the details, and one of the best to have opened its doors in the city.

Herba Gourmet

A painted Herba Gourmet sign on the interior wall.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

If you thought fast food was served greasy treats, think again. Herba Gourmet has rethought street food to bring fresh, healthy, fine food to diners on the go.