Twenty Seven Steps

Restaurants key icon.
Restaurants key icon.

Monday5:00 – 10:00 pm.

Tuesday5:00 – 10:00 pm.

Wednesday5:00 – 10:00 pm.

Thursday5:00 – 10:00 pm.

Friday5:00 – 10:00 pm.

Saturday5:00 – 10:00 pm.

SundayClosed.

Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

03 366 2727

Twenty Seven Steps is run by Emma and Paul, the good folk who used to own Akaroa’s favourite restaurant, The Little Bistro. As the restaurant’s name suggests, there is a short climb up the steps (no, there aren't 27) to the restaurant, which occupies a large upstairs space: it is essentially four upstairs shops combined into one. An effortless combination of old and new, Twenty Seven Steps is modern and sophisticated. The respect for this building’s heritage in a city where heritage has somewhat crumbled away is special, and the beautiful and quintessentially New Regent Street, arched windows are the heroes of the space.

Emma scoured op shops far and wide (as far as Temuka, in fact) to inject plenty of character into the restaurant. There are retro-style mismatched amber glass light shades, kitsch paintings adorned with coat hooks for your jacket and vintage style tea-cups to hold olives, together with souvenir teaspoons to assist with scooping.

Drink offerings are excellent – there’s plenty of good wine, with a focus on the tipple of local producers, together with a good selection of craft beer too. The venue’s blend of the classic with the new extends through to the cocktail options and hearty European-style fare. There is a distinctly modern take on the menu which features ingredients that are seasonal and, as far as possible, locally sourced. For once it’s a menu featuring dishes that aren’t necessarily designed to be shared, and that’s a refreshing change. Expect big pieces of meat or fish topped with locally grown veggies and deliciously rich jus.

The kind of place that Christchurch feels to have been void of for some time, Twenty Seven Steps is just the place the city needs: a sophisticated and modern bistro, where service, food and drink are up to a fine dining standard without all of the associated pomp and fluff.

Words by Grace Hall & Photography by Naomi Haussmann and Nancy Zhou

Information not correct? Report an error

Location

Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

Nearby Places

Bar Franco

Busy dining room and open kitchen at Bar Franco.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon. Restaurants key icon.

If you’re looking for a slice of La Dolce Vita in the centre of Christchurch city, walk into Bar Franco and you’ll know instantly you’ve found it.

Scorpio Books

A woman sitting on a dark brown leather couch reading a book, surrounded by bookshelves, in Scorpio Books.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury

The city's best independent bookshop; come here for the latest and greatest novels and non-fiction.

Telling Tales

Books and toys on shelves and a couch with big soft toys at Telling Tales children's bookshop, Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury

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

Stencil

Leather handbags hanging in the window at Stencil.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Fashion key icon.

Variety is the spice of life, and you’ll certainly find something to spice up your wardrobe at Stencil.

Similar Places

Mumma Bear

Exterior of Mumma Bear's retail space.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury

In a quiet block of neighbourhood shops in Christchurch’s seaside suburb of Mt Pleasant, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find Mumma Bear’s retail space...

Akin Café

Customers enjoying their coffees in Akin.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

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

The Rabbit, Ashburton

A man and woman standing in the entrance of The Rabbit restaurant, cafe and bar in Ashburton.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon. Restaurants key icon.

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

Poca Poca Cafe

Customer walking to a bar leaner table at Poca Poca.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Neighbourhood cafes bring charm, sustenance and perhaps most importantly, a place to gather, Poca Poca Cafe off Christchurch’s Cashmere Road fits this criteria to a tee.