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. 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.
  • 3. 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
  • 4. 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
  • 5. 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
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

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