Story

Restaurants key icon.
Restaurants key icon.

MondayClosed.

TuesdayClosed.

Wednesday5:00 – 10:00 pm.

Thursday5:00 – 10:00 pm.

Friday5:00 – 10:00 pm.

Saturday5:00 – 10:00 pm.

Sunday5:00 – 10:00 pm.

8 New Regent Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

03 261 9441

Story is a small restaurant with a big heart. Located in the historic New Regent Quarter, the upstairs space where up to a mere twenty guests can be seated is intimate and inviting. The dark walls and ceiling along with olive-green bench seating and wooden, Scandi-style chairs create a sophisticated den-like atmosphere.

A creation of chef Shafeeq Ismail, Story is a restaurant inspired by his own culinary experiences working around the world. It is also a space for other chefs to showcase their work; a space for culinary stories to take place. The heavily seasonal menu on offer here at any given time is a result of collaboration between Shafeeq and the guest chef, some of whom stay for a month or two, while others may stick around for longer.

Expect the unexpected when it comes to the dishes. Combinations you would not have come across before are sure to appear in front of you. That being said, there is nothing intimidating about dining at Story – the food is accessible, yet every mouthful is bound to be an adventure. Beautiful desserts are also a thing of pride here, so make sure not to bypass a sweet treat at the end of your meal.

Wine served at Story is predominantly organic, from vineyards across Aotearoa. Cocktails are mixed with foraged items and house-made syrups, and are sure to please the eye as well as those taste buds. The knowledgeable hosts are more than happy to advise and explain anything on the menu and help you decide on the best beverage pairing.

Bookings are essential and you're advised to lock your date in well ahead of time. All dietary needs can be catered for too, but make sure to let the chefs know in advance.

Words by Petra Nyman & Photography by Nancy Zhou

Information not correct? Report an error

Location

8 New Regent Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

Nearby Places

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.

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.

Telling Tales

Books on shelves and seating area at Telling Tales, Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury

Igniting the love of reading in children is a magical gift and one that Telling Tales know plenty about.

Tiger Baby Bar

A seating area inside Tiger Baby Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon.

Tucked away off Lichfield Street in the heart of Christchurch’s city centre you’ll find one of the gems of Ōtautahi’s bar scene, Tiger Baby.

Similar Places

5th Street

Close up of a seared fillet of fish in a shallow bowl of sauce at 5th Street restaurant Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Restaurants key icon.

A spectacular spot for evening dining seven days a week.

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.

Lyttelton Coffee Company

Customers hanging out on the deck at Lyttelton Coffee Company cafe.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

A quirky place humming with activity, this place is home to a coffee roastery and a cafe big on sustainability, community and authentic fare.

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...