One quick scroll through our list of Christchurch restaurants and you’ll see picking somewhere to eat is going to be no easy task.

Christchurch chefs and hospitality staff are at the forefront of a changing and growing city that has put the palates of the people at the top of its ‘must impress’ list. Sitting in for a meal at Christchurch restaurants can be romantic, interactive, lively, serene or simply a food experience like you’ve never had before.

Depending on your tastes and eating requirements you may be thinking Christchurch eateries just can’t possibly cater for you, but if there’s one city that’s created its restaurant scene around new types of eaters, Christchurch is it. 

A much-welcomed change in the times means Canterbury eateries are no longer content with serving up the classic meat and three vege, and instead offer any range of vegetarian, vegan or boundary-pushing new meals that are designed to get people talking. Vegans and vegetarians are in good hands here, where restaurants have recognised the growing number of empathetic eaters and designed some super tasty options for those who go without animal products. 

Wanting somewhere to fit a whole table of fine folks? Christchurch restaurants are nothing short of gracious when it comes to hosting big tables of fun friends, and whether you’re celebrating a birthday, commiserating a loss, or getting together before an event - the waitstaff here will look after you as they would guests in their own home (the bonus here is that food comes to you and you needn’t even get out of your seat).

Pedro’s Secret Vegan Picks in Christchurch

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Once upon a time, creamy sauces and flaky croissants were strictly off limits to the vegan community. Thanks to innovative chefs like Christchurch-based Pedro Johnston, this couldn't be further from today's reality.

Bomba

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Bomba on Lyttelton’s bustling London Street celebrates two of Italy’s greatest gifts to the culinary world… pizza and gelato.

Brewda

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Looking to wow your tastebuds and discover your new favourite watering hole in Christchurch? May we present Brewda, located in The Terrace Courtyard, a bar and eatery that...

Lillies

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An ethereal green glow emanates from the windows of what looks to be another garage workshop in Christchurch's industrial neighbourhood of Phillipstown.

Inati

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

Victoria Free House

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A British-style pub, Victoria Free House is a slice of the old world in the heart of Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Tanoshi

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Tanoshi has made a name for itself in Queenstown with three popular sites, each with a slightly different focus. But its Christchurch restaurant is a fusion of them all.

Bar Yoku

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The ultimate izakaya experience in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Bar Yoku is something special.

The Rabbit, Ashburton

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

The Best Eats Down Riccarton Road

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While for some Riccarton Road may conjure up images of slow crawling traffic, BYOs gone rogue or adolescent moments at the mall that they’d rather forget, the quantity of exceptional eateries makes up for the road’s lesser qualities.

Smoke Restaurant, Ashburton

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Ashburton's Smoke restaurant is a carnivore's haven specialising in American low and slow barbeque.

Cleavers Corner, Ashburton

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Cleavers Corner is the locals' go-to in Ashburton.

Little River Inn

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Surrounded by 360-degree views of rolling tussock hills, Little River Inn is a place for locals to gather, clink glasses and look out the window to remind themselves how...

Eruption Brewing

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Located on the main drag of the harbourside township of Lyttelton, Eruption Brewing is a destination for good beer, good food and good vibes.

Kokomo

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Kokomo brings a modern coastal dining experience to Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Rascal

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Located in the heart of the CBD on Christchurch’s High Street, Rascal is a modern bistro offering innovative food and exceptional cocktails.

Dine Out on the Neat Places’ Team's Restaurant Picks

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If there’s one thing we can be certain of, it’s that New Zealand’s restaurant scene is up there with the best. Whether it’s cheap eats or silver service, our country really does have it all. Our Neat Places team has taken the time to each pick their absolute favourite (or two!) places for dinner across the country and their reasoning behind each selection. Expect casual eateries and breweries to Italian pasta houses and Asian eats - there really is quite the range.

The Church Pub

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The Church on the corner of Manchester and Worcester Streets in the heart of the city is a cornerstone of Christchurch hospitality.

LONDO

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Good things come in small packages, and Londo is a prime example of that age old proverb.

The Lane

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Tucked next door to the Sudima Christchurch city hotel on Salisbury Street, The Lane is so much more than a hotel restaurant.

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.

Francesca's Italian Kitchen Christchurch

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A big ol’ slice of authentic, rustic Italian cuisine in the heart of Christchurch.

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.

La Luna

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A café by day, an a la carte restaurant by night, La Luna Eatery & Bar located in the heart of Rangiora, carries out each of its roles effortlessly.

Mapu

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Hidden down a small lane on Lyttelton's main drag, you'll find one of Christchurch's best-kept dining secrets. There is no signage, no walk-ins, no hours and no menu.

Best of 2023: The Neatest Newcomers of Christchurch’s Food Scene

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Sandwich shops, spritz bars, the return of old favourites, churches converted into pubs and open fire cooking. This year was arguably one of the most exciting times to be dining out in Christchurch Ōtautahi, as we were treated to an influx of new cafés, delis, wine bars, pubs and restaurants. From flashy riverside venues to humble hidden gems, here are 17 notable newcomers who opened their doors in 2023.

Gatherings

Art on the wall at Gatherings in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury Editor's Pick
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Living in harmony with the seasons has many benefits, and dining at Gatherings is undoubtedly one of them.

Odeon

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Take one of Christchurch’s best chefs and his wealth of international experience, add his Andalusian-inspired dishes to an epic and interesting wine list, and top it all off with a sumptuous, luxe decor and you get Odeon.

Kinji

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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.

Zeek's

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Everyone deserves a good lunch, and you’ll get a great one at Zeek’s. Fresh, fast and super tasty is the name of the game.

Downstairs Bar

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What do you get when you marry the cosy vibes of an intimate pub with the sophistication of an inner city wine bar? You end up with the best of both worlds and the result is Downstairs on New Regent Street.

Black Burger

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Found in the heart of the hustle and bustle of Christchurch's Riverside Market, is the small but perfectly primed kitchen that Black Burger calls home.

Our Pick of the Tastiest Veggie Burgers in Christchurch

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Ask a kid what their favourite food is, and you’re bound to get a simple answer: a burger. Ask a grown-up, and who knows what answer you’ll get, but in all honesty, there’s really that kid within most of us who finds digging their teeth into a good burger a satisfaction unlike anything else.

Three Donkeys

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Located in the heart of New Brighton, Three Donkeys is a small restaurant focused on an authentic yet elegantly modern take on Indian and Japanese cuisine.

The Old Vicarage

Coloured glass in the sunroom at The Old Vicarage, Christchurch.
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The Old Vicarage is exactly that, the former home of the Vicars from St Mary’s Church in Halswell.

Tussock Hill Vineyard

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The long and winding road up to Tussock Hill Vineyard & Cellar Door is as inconspicuous as it is rewarding.

The Mediterranean Food Company

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

Soul Quarter

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Soul Quarter captures the essence of a contemporary brasserie – great service, simple and seasonal dishes, and a splash of how you say, je ne sais quoi.

Pizza Trap

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Pizza Trap is a collaboration between the person behind Alligator Pizza and Space Academy, serving up neo-neapolitan pizzas with quality ingredients on hand-thrown, sourdough bases.

Tramway Restaurant

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The Tramway Restaurant is somewhat of a moving Christchurch institution. Most of us have seen it roll past us lit up with warm lighting, filled with happy diners waving at passers by.

Arbour Woodfire Pizza

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A standout eatery where you can expect to find perfectly charred pizzas and a plant-filled atmosphere.

The Recipe for a Neighbourhood Institution with Sarah Freeman of The Birdwood

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Is there much better than a great neighbourhood local? A place where everyone knows your name, usual order and favourite seat. A place you’ve frequented so often that it feels like an extension of your living room. Wellington and Auckland have endless ‘locals’, but here in Ōtautahi Christchurch, they’re a little harder to uncover. For residents of Beckenham, however, they’re blessed with The Birdwood. A prominent character building perfectly positioned in the heart of the community. A café by day in one space and a restaurant come evening in another, and now thanks to some renovations, there’s more connection between the two and a new bar to familiarise yourself with.

El Quincho

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For a taste of Argentina, head to El Quincho at Riverside Market.

Riccarton Noodle House

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For a flavoursome lunch on the run, a family get together and a few hot brothy bowls that’ll leave you wanting more head to Riccarton Noodle House.

Greystone Wines

A woman in a white shirt holds a bottle of Greystone Rose Pet Nat against the vineyard's green backdrop at Greystone Wines.
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A day exploring the magic being made by Greystone Wines in Waipara is a day well spent.

Midnight Shanghai

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Midnight Shanghai offers Christchurch elevated, modern Chinese fare with karaoke, handcrafted cocktails and a menu designed for sharing.

Ramen Ria

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Ramen Ria has all of the flavour and fun that can be found in some of Tokyo’s most well known, yet tucked away ramen joints.

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.

The Tale of Tussock Hill; The Journey of Vineyard to Table on Christchurch’s Port Hills

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Growing grapes on Christchurch's Port Hills is rare and, from what I've been told, not easy. Match that with an onsite restaurant with a vantage point looking over Christchurch City and the vineyard while enjoying your glass of organic goodness, and you've got Tussock Hill. It's only been open since 2021 but already feels like part of the landscape.

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.

The Burger Joint

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The Burger Joint has an ethos that is plain and simple – and pretty hard to miss, with it boldly printed across the entranceway: Real Food, Real Local.

Miss Peppercorn

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Miss Peppercorn is a modern eatery, celebrating the fragrant and mouth-numbing flavours of the owner's hometown in the Chinese province of Sichuan.

Earl

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

Dux Dine

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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.

Smokey T's

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

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.

5th Street

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A spectacular spot for evening dining seven days a week.

Exploring The Terrace: An Insider’s Guide

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Unearth the hidden gems of Christchurch Ōtautahi's most vibrant dining and entertainment precinct. Just a stone's throw from the picturesque Avon River, The Terrace is a hub where authenticity meets creativity, a meeting point for the intimate and the avant-garde.

SUPER

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Lyttelton’s Asian-fusion eatery, SUPER, is nothing short of what the name suggests.

Bessie

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Dark, a little brooding and faultless in its theme, Bessie is an immaculate display of fine dining in the inner city.

Pomeroy's Old Brewery Inn

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Pomeroy’s has been the catalyst of the Christchurch craft beer scene for years, with its ever-changing blackboard showcasing over 31 beers on offer.

Twenty Seven Steps

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An effortless combination of old and new, Twenty Seven Steps is a modern and sophisticated restaurant on New Regent Street.

The Tannery

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

Black Estate

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A winery, tasting room and restaurant, Black Estate is famous not only for its organic and biodynamic wines but its refreshing approach to food.

Our Pick of the Best Indian Restaurants in Christchurch

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Who doesn’t love a good curry with perfectly cooked rice and soft Naan bread? Add to that a side of raita, some onion bhajis, plus a mango lassi or perhaps a nice cold beer, and let the feast begin!

Boo's

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Inventive in its approach to dining, Boo's draws from the savant of comfort food: Southern American cuisine.

Ōtoromiro Hotel

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Perched at its grand position on a hillside at the end of Te Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour, the historical Ōtoromiro Hotel offers hard-to-beat views, friendly service and...

Fiddlesticks

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With a focus on modern New Zealand cuisine where presentation is key, there are plenty of creative menu choices from breakfast through to dessert.

Tomi Japanese Restaurant

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Serving authentic Japanese cuisine, Tomi is most famous for their sashimi sourced from the local fish market.