Visitors and locals in Canterbury will be pleased to hear their eating and drinking needs will be well met thanks to the high number of quality cafes Christchurch has to offer.

Many hospitality owners and operators have taken the opportunity to build new businesses at the same time as the city repairs itself post-earthquake, meaning there is a fresh and upbeat side to the cafes in town these days. From Sumner to Lyttelton and over the hill to the centre city, Christchurch hosts an outstanding collection of roasteries, bakeries, cafes and restaurants that could rival even some of the finest overseas dining options.


Big coffee lovers, Cantabrians also understand the importance of a good cup of espresso, meaning you are unlikely to find anything sub-par around these parts. Instead Christchurch cafes pride themselves on doing coffee, and doing coffee well, even going so far as to mix it up for the customers with cold brews, drip coffee or latte alternatives. A handful of roasters in the area means you can try out a local brew in every sense of the word, and often available as wholesale, you can try perfecting it at home yourself too.


A new wave of supporting local means most menus at cafes in Christchurch will likely feature plenty of Cantabrian ingredients also. A solid sense of community and desire to keep growing this young, fresh hospitality scene sees collaborations and businesses combining in a way that wasn’t seen before, and for those lucky enough to dine at these places, means tastier food on your plate.


For a hearty brunch to start the day, a coffee on the run, or a place to hold mid-afternoon meetings, Christchurch cafes have all your needs covered. From bustling bright spots popular with inner city workers, to those with a more laid-back and slow paced atmosphere, the café scene here caters to even the most hard-to-impress customers.

Spanner Turned Spatula: 11 Converted Warehouse Spaces in Christchurch

Exterior of Ozone Coffee on Walker Street in Christchurch
High ceilings, raw materials and a little grit meet warm hospitality, bold flavours and serious creativity. Here are some of our favourite spots that have taken the leap from industrial warehouse to delicious destination.

Airstream Icecream

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Nestled on Christchurch’s Rolleston Ave, just across from the Botanical Gardens, Airstream Café is a charming little gem operating from a lovingly restored...

Peaches

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On a sunny, north-facing corner in Linwood Village, Peaches is a welcome new addition to the neighbourhood.

Poca Poca Cafe

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

Sala Coffee

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This might come as a surprise to you, but one of Christchurch’s greatest specialty coffee shops is tucked away in an industrial warehouse space in Wigram.

Odds Coffee

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Finding a top-notch cafe in an industrial area can sometimes be a tall order.

Olympia

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Olympia Espresso on Christchurch’s Papanui Road is the definition of ‘good things come in small packages’.

Fluffy Bake Shop

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Christchurch-dwellers or visitors to the garden city with a penchant for pastries, Fluffy Bake Shop needs to be at the top of your must-visit list.

Ozone Coffee Walker Street

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The ultimate coffee hosts, Ozone Coffee, has a reputation around New Zealand and beyond for producing superior specialty coffee.

Best on Bread: 12 Top Sandwich Spots in Christchurch

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Not all sandwiches were made equal so we've rounded up some of our favourite spots to grab a sammy in Christchurch.

Soulful Coffee Shop Diamond Harbour

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Picture this… you’ve just disembarked from the ferry at Diamond Harbour and the need for coffee is strong, luckily after an easy 10 minute stroll you arrive in...

Jolly Deli

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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.

The Crossing

The Crossing courtyard.
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The Crossing is one of Christchurch’s greatest accomplishments post-earthquakes and has become the city centre’s premium shopping destination.

dainty

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Discerning coffee drinkers and brunch lovers Dainty will quickly become your home away from home.

Grizzly Baked Goods Cashel Street

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Christchurch locals will need no introduction to Grizzly Baked Goods; first appearing on the scene at the Christchurch Farmers Market with their epic bagels in 2013 and...

Bellbird Bakery – Riverside Market

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Bellbird Bakery isn’t a new name for Ōtautahi households.

Comfort in a Bowl: Where to Find the Best Soups in Christchurch

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Would it really be winter without soup? Whether it’s silky pumpkin, a hearty bowl of Italian minestrone, or flavour-packed phở, there’s something about soup that transcends trend and geography.

NOKI

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On the corner of Papanui Road and Bealey Ave, NOKI harnesses the deliciousness of Korean ingredients to make brunch interesting again.

Swoon Store

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Everything you need to know about this store is in the name.

Frances Nation Café

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Frances Nation Café is a go-to in Christchurch for superb coffee and delicious food.

Coffee Embassy

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Pay attention next time you are driving down Fitzgerald Ave because here you will find a cafe and roastery home to some of the best brews and beans in the city.

Triangle Espresso, Ashburton

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Triangle Espresso is a landmark of Ashburton’s up-and-coming Triangle District.

The Rabbit, Ashburton

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

The Cakelady, Ashburton

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Tharina Nel is the Cakelady of Ashburton. A self-taught baker of incredible creations, she can whip up just about anything you can imagine.

Dune Café

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On the corner of Bridge Street and Estuary Road in the heart of South Brighton, you’ll find Dune Café.

Where to Find the Best Baked Goods in Christchurch

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Pastry has been kicking around since Egyptian times so it’s high time we put together a list for the best spots to pick up a flaky delight in Ōtautahi – with a few other baked goods thrown in the mix.

Central Deli Sandwiches

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Central Deli Sandwiches is a permanent daytime pop-up within Christchurch's New Regent Street restaurant Story.

Kokomo

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Kokomo brings a modern coastal dining experience to Ōtautahi Christchurch.

The Lil Brew Espresso Bar

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Located within an iconic heritage building in the heart of Redcliffs, The Lil Brew Espresso Bar is quite possibly the cutest cafe in town.

Akin Café

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

Estelle

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A sophisticated sibling to Tom’s sandwich bar on Christchurch's Southwark Street, Estelle sits neatly just a few strides and a diagonal road crossing away in a space...

BUTTER Pastry

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At the Phillipstown end of Tuam Street in Christchurch stands a small kitchen where award winning pastry chef Corentin Esquenet works his magic.

Not Eggs Benny: 11 Interesting Brunch Spots in Christchurch

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From Malaysian-inspired breakfasts to exciting bagel fillings, bougie oats to bánh mì, hokey pokey lattes to meatball subs, next time you’re planning a brunch date, skip the eggs on toast and try something new from these 11 standout cafés in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Bohemian Bakery St Martins

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Bohemian Bakery’s St Martins shop provides the south of the city with all of the carby goodness familiar from the bakery’s other locations.

The Little High Eatery

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A collection of eateries housed in an open space building, Little High is more than your typical food cooperative.

Westend Stories Café & Eatery

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Westend Stories is a green oasis for those looking to temporarily escape the confines of their workplace.

Sweet Soul Patisserie

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Step in through the floor-to-ceiling glass doors of Sweet Soul Patisserie, and you will immediately be greeted with an air of amicable sophistication.

Lux Espresso

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Positioned in the entrance of CoCA Gallery, Lux Espresso has a contemporary design and a wholesome breakfast and lunch menu.

Doubles

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Game, set, match! In a sunny spot on Worcester Boulevard, this tennis-themed café with a gram-worthy brunch menu is the new King of...

Mind Your Temper

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If you’re feeling grumpy or a little blue, a visit to Mind Your Temper is sure to lighten your mood.

Child Sister

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Seeking a calm environment with aesthetically-pleasing interior decor, complete with incredible coffee and delicious food to match? Then look no further, Child Sister has...

The Hunt for Christchurch's Hottest Hot Cross Buns

Person holding box of four Hot Cross Buns outside Grizzly in Christchurch
It’s that magical time of year, where the comforting scent of warm spices, citrus and melted butter fills the neighbourhood. Ah, Hot Cross Bun season. Where would we be without these Easter treats providing the best end-of-summer coping mechanism. Whether you need to put in a bulk order for Easter weekend or fancy a quick single hit on the go, we went on a taste-testing mission (a tough job but someone’s gotta do it) to bring you this guide to Christchurch’s hottest hot cross buns.

Tom's

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If you are a sando aficionado and find yourself in the South Town area of Christchurch city centre, keep an eye out for the striking cobalt blue hue of Tom’s.

General Post

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You’ll find a few golden nuggets interspersed around Tai Tapu, and General Post is one of them. This small neighbourhood cafe has tonnes of practicality and style.

Truffle Café

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You may think of truffle as clandestine but this Merivale café - with the same name - is anything but.

Mediterranean Foods

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 Down the industrial eastern end of Tuam Street in an old brickery is a secluded slice of Italy.

Addington Coffee Co-op

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Addington Coffee Co-op is, simply put, a true Christchurch institution with laid-back vibes and house-roasted coffee.

Six Ounces

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There’s nothing quite like a cosy neighbourhood haunt and six ounces is exactly that.

Live the Digital Nomad Life with 11 Christchurch Cafés That Have Free Wifi

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The sparkle can dim on working from home day after day when you only have the dog or cat for company and you’re at a desk you’ve squeezed into the spare bedroom, surrounded by all kinds of miscellaneous items. Sometimes you need to be around the energy of others, enjoy a cup of coffee made by someone else and have a change in scene. Or perhaps you’re visiting Christchurch and are working remotely, you want to sample the epic food scene whilst still ticking off your work to-do list.

Mona Vale Homestead & Pantry

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Mona Vale Homestead & Pantry in Christchurch creates an idyllic setting for a beautifully appointed restaurant, perched along the Avon River.

Saturdays

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Saturdays is a celebration of not just the weekend, but every day. It’s an ode to what saturdays stand for: slowing down, enjoying one another and pairing it all with excellent food and drink.

Posh Porridge

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Posh Porridge offers boutique flavours and lashings of luxury toppings for its porridge bowls. Just pop into its Montreal St location and find out for yourself.

Foundation Café

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Foundation is fully licensed, serving up flavoursome fare seamlessly integrated into Otautahi’s world-class library, Tūranga.

The Welder

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The Welder is a unique health and wellbeing centre in stunningly repurposed buildings in the heart of South Town.

Evil Genius

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Evil Genius Bar, Restaurant & Lair is a destination you need to get to know. Open from dawn ‘til way past dusk, it has everything from coffee to cocktails.

J’AIME

Blue shop exterior and glass cabinet of J’aime les macarons in Christchurch.
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Hundreds of colourful macarons with punchy and interesting flavours are produced out of the J’AIME kitchen each day.

Switch New Brighton

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Switch is a bit of an institution of the seaside suburb of New Brighton.

9 Christchurch Cafés Serving a Matcha Made in Heaven

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In Ōtautahi Christchurch, some of our favourite coffee shops, cafés and bakeries are embracing the matcha lifestyle, whisking the powder into drinks, served hot or iced, and perhaps pimped up with vanilla, maple syrup and blended strawberries (just like Wicked, you can only run from this pink and green trend for so long). No longer just in the hands of the barista, you’ll also find matcha injected into some of your favourite baked goods: cookies, basque cheesecake, tiramisu, and more.

Prima Roastery

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Whether you’re after a caffeine kick, a cool spot for a catch up, a resupply of beans or a new espresso machine, Prima is the place - they’ve got parking out the back, too.

Dux Dine

Bi-fold white doors onto deck and courtyard area of Dux Dine in Christchurch.
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Dux Dine is one of those rare gems where anyone and everyone has a place at the table, in a cosy, home-like atmosphere.

Untouched World

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The only fashion company in the world to be recognised by the United Nations for sustainability, Untouched World is a true leader in the field of ethical lifestyle fashion.

Grizzly Baked Goods

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Effortlessly cool with a friendly and inviting vibe, Grizzly Baked Goods will have you feeling like you’ve woken up in another city.

Smokey T's

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Expect the softest, juiciest slow cooked meat you’ve ever tasted at Smokey T's.

Little Pom's

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Located in the same building as the ever-popular Pomeroy’s Old Brewery Inn, Little Pom's is a charming neighbourhood café all about good food made by Christchurch’s talented producers and artisans.

Where to Eat & Drink by the Beaches and Bays of Ōtautahi Christchurch

Lush garden area at Ōtoromiro Hotel in Governor's Bay overlooking water and hills
You don’t need to go far to find salty H2O in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Without trying to make anyone jealous, us locals are pretty lucky to have easy access to long stretches of sand, cute beach villages and sparkling bays to float in. And when we’ve emerged from the water and wiped the sand from between our toes, there’s always a great coffee shop, brunch spot, pizzeria or fun modern restaurant to dive into next.

The Birdwood

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Much-loved neighbourhood cafe by day, knock-out contemporary Italian eatery by night – The Birdwood might just be the dream local hospo joint.

The Arts Centre

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A much-loved heritage hub for all things creative and cultural, Christchurch’s Arts Centre is a real jewel in the city’s crown.

BOXed Quarter

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A hub for all things food, creativity and culture, BOXed Quarter thinks outside the square.

Little Vintage Espresso

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A jewel in the Amberley crown, Little Vintage Espresso offers delicious homemade food and good coffee.

Allpress Espresso

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The coffee here is just what you'd expect from the experienced Allpress roasters.

Dispense Espresso

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Dispense Espresso’s owner, Hamish Bell, knows a thing or two about what makes a café great.

The Tannery

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Prepared to be wowed by the sophisticated one-stop-shop that is The Tannery.

Unknown Chapter

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A sunny spot always bustling with life thanks to its epic brunch menu, homemade slices and cakes and speciality roasted coffee.

Te Kohanga Taiao Sensory Nature Play Park: Powered by Hummingbird

A playground on a sunny day.
Regular visitors to Brooker Ave in Christchurch’s Red Zone will have noticed some changes recently, with the establishment of the Te Kohanga Taiao Sensory Nature Play Park. Nestled within restoration plantings in the Avon-Ōtākaro Forest Park, this new accessible sensory nature space was made possible thanks to a partnership between Hummingbird Coffee Roasters, The Green Lab and the Christchurch City Council. These two businesses have gone above and beyond when it comes to Christchurch’s regeneration post-earthquakes. This latest collaboration saw Hummingbird donate $60,000 to The Green Lab, who, as environmental green space experts, have worked their magic on what was once a deserted residential playground site. They have thoughtfully revived and designed a nature haven that focuses on sustainability, accessibility and biodiversity.

Park Ranger

Park Ranger cafe space.
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A café that hasn’t missed a beat when it comes to the details, and one of the best to have opened its doors in the city.

Dose Diner

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Adding a much needed touch of ‘cool’ to Blenheim Road, Dose Diner takes a page from the book of the quirky Melbourne café scene.

Lyttelton Coffee Company

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