Bessie

Restaurants key icon.
Restaurants key icon.

Monday6:00 – 9:30 pm.

Tuesday6:00 – 9:30 pm.

Wednesday6:00 – 9:30 pm.

Thursday6:00 – 9:30 pm.

Friday5:30 – 10:00 pm.

Saturday5:30 – 10:00 pm.

Sunday6:00 – 9:30 pm.

Level 1/178 Saint Asaph Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

03 595 2799

Dark, a little brooding and faultless in its theme, Bessie is an immaculate display of fine dining in the inner city. Antlers take the place of coat hooks, while saws, cleavers and skillets hang from the kitchen framing and fur pelts dangle off chairs. Heavy menus are encased in leather and brass edging giving a modern day twist. Long tables, black leather booths and plenty of tables for two, mean the space flawlessly caters to all size groups.

Friendly staff greet you upon arrival and talk you through the menu (they are definitely worth listening to for condiment advice). A bar tucked at the street end provides an elegant area to wait for a table, or simply to start the night with a tipple or two of the fine stuff they keep on the shelves.

Not afraid to show you where your food comes from, Bessie has nearly all the meat options on show in their special dry-aged cabinet which sits pride of place next to the kitchen. The meat hanging here is aged for days in extremely specific conditions (low humidity, low temperature) and is finished off once ordered, in an old Spanish charcoal oven.

What otherwise might be seen as garish and a little shocking, is quietly stylish, the effort having gone into making sure the space is so well presented that the hanging beef is less of an eyesore and more of an awe induced moment. It’s not often animal carcasses are displayed for public viewing, but Bessie makes sure it’s done well.

Keen endorsers of sharing, the larger meat meals are served on chunky wooden blocks with carving knifes tucked underneath. Bessie staff will happily advise you on how to cut your meat.

In a clever move and an obvious push away from the current plant-based eating lifestyle, Bessie caters to those who love meat, and meat done well. Using only Canterbury meat and produce, diners can be sure they’re eating some of the best quality products around. The dark, dimly lit interior lends the whole place a quiet, sophisticated atmosphere where you’re free to enjoy some of Christchurch’s most original fine dining.

Words by Rosie Morrison & Photography by Naomi Haussmann

Information not correct? Report an error

Location

Level 1/178 Saint Asaph Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

Nearby Places

Inati

A hand spoons a garnish onto a dish on a wooden board.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Restaurants key icon.

Prepare to be wowed by the thoughtful and beautifully executed Inati.

Jolly Deli

Customer holding a Jolly Deli sandwich.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

Jolly Deli on Christchurch’s Tuam Street sees two of the city’s food scene stars join forces to serve up some of the best sammies around the ‘03.

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.

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.

Similar Places

Dux Central

Dux Central exterior, Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon. Restaurants key icon.

If bars could be left or right handed, Dux Central would be ambidextrous. There’s nothing this place can’t be.

Truffle Café

Exterior 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.

Earl

Couple enjoying plates of clam pasta, salad and steak alongside a glass of red wine
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Restaurants key icon.

Earl is a local for inner-city residents and workers, bringing a breath of European bistro culture to central Christchurch.

Kinji

The Chef of Kinji Japanese restaurant standing in the middle of the restaurant smiling.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Restaurants key icon.

Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted with Irasshaimase, a traditional Japanese welcome, and immediately feel transported to another continent. If you’re after an authentic Japanese dining experience with truly exceptional cuisine then you need to book a table at Kinji and do it soon.