Montreal Bar and Restaurant

While most hotel bars and restaurants are often only frequented by out-of-towners, we’ve found the exception – and it’s a very stylish one. Open all week long from 7am until late, The Montreal Bar & Restaurant lures Christchurch locals in with a sophisticated and contemporary offering ready to fill your plate and cup (or coupe glass) at every moment of the day.

Inspiration runs high in the kitchen of The Montreal, with an ever-evolving menu offering up endless reasons to regularly return. There’s a focus on freshness and simplicity, where seasonal and local ingredients are taken for a spin around the globe and land back on your table with elegance. The lunch and dinner menu makes for a great sharing experience, particularly the selection of small plates and stone-baked flatbreads. Lumina Lamb Shoulder Supreme (available on Saturdays and Sundays from 5pm) has quickly become a favourite centrepiece for friends and family to dig into, served with sous vide carrots, seasonal greens, and truffle and ricotta potato mash. And to top it all off, there’s a range of New Zealand beers, a carefully curated list of wines from vineyards near and far, and perfectly crafted cocktails.

With a prime location in the heart of the Central City, there’s a magical quality about The Montreal that transforms it into a serene and secluded space amongst the hustle and bustle. Everything moves with the seasons, with a green courtyard and lush garden space that comes alive during spring and summer, as well as a crackling outdoor and indoor fire to keep you cosy once the frosty days set in. Inside, warm wooden tones and plush leather furnishings are met with colourful and modern artworks adding a good dose of fun.

It’s not an easy feat to tick all the boxes, but The Montreal has certainly impressed us with their effortless ability to execute every mealtime. Coffee and croissants or cocktails and ceviche, we’re here for it all.