Best of 2025: 22 New & Neat Openings in Ōtautahi Christchurch

On the ground floor of what was once Christchurch’s most-tagged buildings, Rook is a sleek, hyper-modern cafe that is helping to change the narrative of this Hereford Street landmark. Expect the very best version of your go-to brew (with Ozone Coffee as the roaster of choice), an iconic cold foam drinks menu and simple but delicious cabinet food, all served in a glossy interior.

Finding good coffee in an industrial area is a tall order. Odds Coffee is a miraculous arrival to the streets of Middleton, serving not only exceptional coffee, but an incredible cabinet of gourmet sandwiches, fresh salads, and dreamy baked goods to match. Opening in February 2025, Odds is conveniently located right next to their bean supplier, Switch Espresso. The space is petite but they’ve maximised every corner, with inviting pops of royal blue, thoughtful seating and sustainable touches (including the textured walls made from recycled tetra packs). Great for those working by, and worth travelling across town for.

On the corner of Stanmore Road and Worcester Street, it was a great day when Peaches moved into Linwood Village. Tessa Peach, owner of Frances Nation in the Arts Centre, opened Peaches in May, where it quickly became a sunny north-facing refuge during its first few months over winter. Making the most of her design background, Tessa brought together a juicy colour palette, natural materials and a smart layout to set the scene for a delicious experience. As with all of Tessa’s projects, the offering prioritises local suppliers. Enjoy a cup of Prima coffee, yum sandwiches using fresh bread from a mix of beloved nearby bakeries, BUTTER treats, Bellbird Bakery pastries, and a shelf of pantry items from Aotearoa artisans.

Bellbird is by no means a new name in Ōtautahi, starting out at Farmers’ Markets way back in 2010. In August, the team opened a third location on Holmwood Road, much to the delight of bread and butter enthusiasts within the Merivale streets. Nestled in a block of local shops, the space is warm and welcoming, full of familiar faces from across the neighbourhood adding to its easy-going atmosphere. Come for coffee and croissants, pick up your weekly loaf, or meet a friend for fresh sandwiches.

A little further along the coast, Southpaw Brewing Company looks after the craft beer lovers of New Brighton. The Southpaw label has been around for several years, but it wasn’t until 2025 that husband and wife duo Cam and Penny were able to move the Hornby-based brewery to their own backyard. Whether fresh from work or the waves, look for the aqua-blue facade next time you’re in New Brighton and settle in for a couple of locally made pints and hearty eats while you watch Cam brewing up a storm in the background.

In a character-filled heritage space on High Street, Ashe is a contemporary gallery and design space that offers a relaxed, accessible entry point into Ōtautahi’s creative scene. Owned and run by Ashleigh Thompson, the collection champions artists and makers from across Aotearoa, showcasing a curated mix of emerging and established talent – from painters and printmakers to ceramicists and sculptors. Browse, chat, and discover pieces that resonate.

Arriving in Christchurch at the end of Spring, Wilson & Dorset brings their beautifully crafted sheepskin products to Christchurch. This beloved Central Otago brand was founded by Ben Wilson and Amanda Dorset almost two decades ago, and the duo jumped at the chance to add a Christchurch store to their history. Designed with James McNab, the space is warm and natural, letting the sheepskin shine. It’s a deliciously tactile shopping experience – glide your hand across a soft pillow or sink into a shaggy bean bag and you’ll struggle to walk away empty-handed.

Serving North American–style donuts from a hot-pink shipping container in the Sydenham Underpass, Grumpys proves joy can pop up in the most unexpected places. Born from a very specific craving, Canadian expat Madie Macauley and Kiwi chef Iain Collis are filling a sweet, hole-shaped gap in Ōtautahi’s food scene, complete with a neon donut and disco balls. The Old Fashioned is their signature – thick, flaky, tender inside and perfectly crisp outside. With rotating flavours, everything made in-house and plenty of coffee to offset the sugar, Grumpys is the kind of spot that turns even the crankiest mood around.

Naveya & Sloane has brought its signature sparkle to Ōtautahi, opening a polished new showroom on Oxford Terrace inside the historic Midland Club Building. Founded by partners Rachel Sloane and Alex Bunnett, the brand is known for jewellery made to mark life’s biggest moments, and the Christchurch space reflects that vision beautifully. Sunlight pours through grand bay windows onto marble cabinetry and gold accents, creating the perfect setting to explore their spell-binding collections – or dream up something bespoke.

Occupying a gravel plot on Colombo Street, just around the corner from Moon Under Water, Bird In The Hand serves juicy rotisserie chicken meals from their kitchen container window. Sam Dunford-Baker is the man behind the venture, wanting to provide whānau with a cheaper and healthier takeaway alternative that’s just as convenient and delicious. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 12pm-8pm, swing by for a chicken roll (a generous sammie just under $11 each), or pick up a combo meal to feed 1,3 or 6. The whole bird combo ranges from an affordable $49-$55, and comes with an entire hot rotisserie chicken, potatoes and your choice of salad.

Located on the first floor of The Terrace, Hugo brings the essence of French cuisine to Christchurch, in a modern Parisian environment. The interior is glossy, high-energy and romantic, with beautiful river views, a comprehensive French wine list, delicious cocktails and exquisite food. From burgundy snails and oysters to caviar and champagne, save this one for a special celebration (or make one up).

You may have already heard the screams for ice cream on the corner of Tuam and High Streets. One of Aotearoa’s most-loved ice cream brands landed in Ōtautahi just in time for warmer spring days. Inside the pink store, you’ll find a cabinet of 24 rotating flavours, including a few exciting seasonal specials! There’s ample space to sit and enjoy your scoop, and make sure to grab a pint for your freezer later.

Any place with a dedicated margarita menu has our attention. Xolo is the latest addition to The Welder, opened by Carlos and Karla, from Chile and Mexico respectively. The couple were keen to bring a more authentic representation of Mexican cuisine to Christchurch, going beyond just tacos and guac (though you’ll find those on the menu too). The menu is packed with zing, spice and freshness, and the drinks list is given just as much thought – a paradise for tequila lovers.

Ōtautahi locals have been enjoying slices of woodfired pizza from BASE’s Little High and Riverside locations for several years – and now they’ve gone and opened a brand new headquarters on Montreal Street. The latest venue is relaxed and casual, with plenty of indoor and outdoor space for everyone – big family dinners, afterwork drinks, and end-of-week lunches.

After turning his North Beach driveway into a wildly successful smashed burger pop-up across 2024, Piripi Baker found a permanent grill for Papa’s Smashies in the Sydenham Underpass earlier this year. The menu is simple – cheeseburger (single or double), fries, and a can of coke. It’s a classic formula that works a charm, often selling out in a matter of hours. As an involved member of the local hospo scene, you’ll still see Piripi popping up at his friends’ eateries for fun collabs and events.

Sweet As Waffles has fast become a New Brighton favourite, filling the mall with the unmistakable smell of fresh Belgian waffles. What began as Brad Stokes Cassidy’s weekend side hustle is now a charming, neon-lit shop serving fluffy, crisp waffles topped with Snickers, Oreo or raspberry goodness. The focus is simple, locally sourced ingredients – and locals have clearly caught on, with Sweet As waffles now popping up in café and hotel kitchens across the city.

Not exactly a hot take, but specialty drinks are having a moment, and Jotter is right at the centre of it. Operating out of a sweet little coffee cart on Colombo Street in Sydenham, Jo and Peter first opened their window in the winter, attracting locals from across the city in search of something a bit special. Masters in all things coffee and matcha, you’ll find an ever-changing line-up of creative seasonal drinks (try the Iced Thai Milk Tea) and 10/10 baked goods (the Korean garlic bun is already the stuff of legend).

You don’t usually associate petrol stations with great food, but this banh mi truck outside Mobil on Riccarton Road is convincing plenty of drivers to pull in for a different kind of refuel. Banh Mi & Beyond serves Vietnamese street food inspired by traditional family recipes – fresh banh mi, comforting phở, Vietnamese coffee and more. Owner Mike has become a bit of a local personality too, bringing warm, infectious energy to the truck (and their Instagram feed).

Since launching in 2019, Bomba has become a Lyttelton favourite, turning out soft, puffy, Napoli-style pizzas that locals adore. They’ve recently shifted just 50 metres from their original courtyard into a lively new indoor space, giving even more pizza lovers the chance to dine in. A bigger kitchen meant a new oven too, so be sure to admire the two-tonne, shiny gold beauty, handmade in Italy and shipped all the way to the port.

Renowned for their patisserie at the Christchurch Farmers’ Market and their tiny Riverside Market nook, Great Pastry Co opened Okioki on Victoria Street in September. Meaning “to rest or pause,” it’s an inviting space to sit down to enjoy a coffee and one (or ten) of the bakery’s iconic sweet treats. Now home to the team’s kitchen HQ, this spot offers a slightly bigger savoury menu too, including house-made focaccia sandwiches, their beloved Korean garlic bread, fresh soups, salads and more – making it an ideal lunchtime stop for workers in the area.

Sydenham scored a new crafty neighbour in April when Thomas and Amy opened their working brew bar, Renegade Brewing Co. Vibrant, experimental and proudly hands-on, the brewery and taproom sits inside an old glass manufacturing building, complete with a “built not bought” fit-out. Head up to the mezzanine to watch the brewing action, tuck into bites from rotating food trucks, or drop by for one of the many weekly music events.

Trading Friday to Sunday for now, Zoyi is an innovative addition to Christchurch city centre's ever-adapting food scene. Propped up outside Story restaurant on New Regent Street, this specialty cinnamon scroll stall is a delicious addition to the colourful heritage quarter. Owned by Sukh Singh, Zoyi's signature scrolls are decadent, delightfully big, and rotate through inventive flavours, alongside a selection of indulgent doughnuts and novelty canned treats.