Christchurch and Canterbury Restaurants

Christchurch has an exciting foodie scene, and many new restaurants, cafés, and bars have opened in recent years. Restaurants are usually open every day; if they do close, it’s either Sunday or Monday. Outside Christchurch, restaurants are more likely to close on Monday and Tuesday and during the winter.

The Waipara Valley is seeing a surge in exotic food production. North Canterbury is now a key producer in the country's fledgling black truffle industry. Locally sourced saffron, hazelnuts, manuka (an indigenous kind of tea tree) honey, olive oil, and ostrich meat are making their way onto area menus.

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  • 1. Dux Central

    $$$

    This restaurant's laneway setting and beautifully restored two-level building gives it a London pub feel. With food and drinks to suit all tastes, it's a popular hangout for locals day and night. Plush dining rooms and a wide covered veranda lead to a manicured garden that is also a year-round source of produce for this busy kitchen. The pizzas are hard to skip (try the salmon), and the lime-and-coriander-crusted fish is a treat. Staff go out of their way to make you feel at home for brunch, lunch, dinner, or a drink anytime. The emphasis here is on seafood, vegetarian, and vegan dishes. The Dux also brews its own acclaimed beers.

    10 Poplar St., Christchurch, Canterbury, 8011, New Zealand
    03-366–6919

    Known For

    • Nearly 200 beers, including their own brews, and an extensive wine list
    • Great options for vegans, seafood lovers, and meat-eaters alike
    • DJs and live bands late night
  • 2. Ilex Cafe

    $$

    One of the city's most beautiful pieces of architecture also houses one its most popular cafés. Christchurch Botanic Gardens's rare plants and nurseries sit alongside a busy dining room in this modern take on a glass conservatory. With their own vegetables and herbs just outside, the ilex chefs are no doubt inspired by the 52 acres surrounding them. Line up with the locals for well-priced and inventive seasonal soups, pies, and salads washed down with organic soda or a glass of wine. The clever cakes and desserts-in-a jar taste as good as they look. On a fine day grab a picnic blanket from the friendly staff and spread out on the impressive lawn.

    Armagh St., Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
    03-941--5556

    Known For

    • Fresh produce from local suppliers and the kitchen garden
    • Creative brunch fare
    • Clever kids' menu
  • 3. Little Vintage Espresso

    $$

    Tucked away down a side street off the main road, this cute little café with a red door is packed with country locals and is fast becoming a popular visitor stop, too. Besides the great coffee, there's also an excellent selection of well-priced baked goods, including delicious muffins, and a tasty brunch menu to suit all appetites.

    20 Markham St., Amberley, Canterbury, 7410, New Zealand
    03-314--9580

    Known For

    • Cinnamon scrolls
    • Delicious gluten-free cakes and slices
    • Power-packed salads

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
  • 4. Powerhouse Cafe and Restaurant

    $$$

    Now a popular café for locals, the Powerhouse building used to contain a small hydroelectric generator that supplied power to the old Queen Mary Hospital and a few streetlights. Today, it opens at 8 am offering a great brunch menu to suit all tastes with local and free-range ingredients used in dishes that are all house-made.

    8 Jacks Pass Rd., Hanmer Springs, Canterbury, 7334, New Zealand
    03-315–5252

    Known For

    • Hearty high-country breakfasts
    • Lots of gluten-free options
    • Wonderful fresh salads for lunch

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner Sun.–Fri.
  • 5. South Town Club

    $$

    A great place to get a coffee fix, this hip café is styled with a utilitarian look based on a distinctive red-and-white grid pattern. Careful attention to detail is evident on the food side, too, with simple house-made, organic, and locally sourced breakfast and lunch dishes. Countertop goodies are served with excellent coffee, sodas, shakes, and smoothies. Sit at the communal bar or smart wooden tables.

    10 Welles St., Christchurch, Canterbury, 8011, New Zealand
    03-365--0445

    Known For

    • Trendy ex-garage location on Christchurch's coolest street
    • Great coffee and can't-miss milkshakes
    • Jack's eggs omelet for breakfast, miso-glazed mushroom dish for lunch

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner
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  • 6. Super

    $$$

    This eatery's clever take on Asian fusion has won rave reviews from locals thanks to its selection of carefully crafted dishes that are perfect for sharing. It's set in the beautiful Old Royal Hotel Building on the waterfront, and the atmosphere is stylish and relaxed.

    5 Norwich Quay, Lyttelton, Canterbury, 8082, New Zealand
    021-0862–2632

    Known For

    • Tasty okonomiyaka (Japanese pancakes with a twist)
    • Locally sourced, organic produce with lots of vegan options
    • Intriguing desserts
  • 7. The Wobbly Kea Café and Bar

    $$$

    This pleasant place in the heart of the alpine village is named for the cheeky mountain parrots that circle above it day after day. Open daily from 10 am to 8 pm, the cafe offers a wide menu that includes great pizza, bratwurst bangers and mash, and the fresh beer-battered fish.

    108 Main Rd., Arthur's Pass, Canterbury, 7875, New Zealand
    03-318–9101

    Known For

    • Bratwurst bangers and mash
    • Great breakfasts
    • Classic pub atmosphere
  • 8. Welles Street

    $$$

    This inner-city pub anchors the emerging South Town neighborhood of the Central Business District, and this big indoor–outdoor space has plenty of atmosphere. Menu items range from contemporary pub food to Mediterranean cuisine, all made using local produce. You cant beat the souvlaki served with Greek donuts. They often have live music, and there's a pool table in the back.

    44 Welles St., Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
    03-366--0172

    Known For

    • Amazing free-range rotisserie chicken
    • 18 beers on tap and massive wine list
    • Outdoor seating year-round

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