Last Updated: September 25, 2024
While considered small in many countries, Christchurch, New Zealand has many restaurants and food offerings that rival larger cities and communities worldwide. As the city continues to boom, restaurants seem to be opening left and right, leaving visitors and locals with abundant options spanning various cuisine options.
Whether you visit the downtown area or the suburbs, you’ll find Christchurch restaurants teeming with cuisine that fits every palate. From cheap eats to fine dining options, this New Zealand city truly has something for everyone.
The 10 restaurants below are options we have visited and will visit again soon; try them on your next trip as these are the best places to eat in Christchurch.
Best Christchurch Restaurants Map
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Amazonita
Amazonita is a fun restaurant with unique decor crafted by Izzard Design, an Auckland design studio. The plant-filled exterior offers a clue to what you’ll find inside the restaurant – an Amazon-inspired masterpiece decked out with even more foliage. You can try delicious food options like beef cheek pappardelle and Peruvian roasted chicken breast here. Amazonita serves lunch and dinner most days, with the option to enjoy weekend brunch offerings.
Twenty Seven Steps (New Regent Street)
At Twenty Seven Steps, a sleek vibe and filling traditional European food with contemporary touches await you. This Christchurch restaurant is a hidden gem on New Regent Street, a small road known for having some of the best bars, cafes, and Christchurch restaurants. Twenty Seven Steps is own and run by Emma Mettrick and Welshman Paul Howells, the duo who opened and ran Little Bistro in 2010. The menu includes chard rotolo and venison tenderloin. Ensure you save room for dessert here, as the options are out of this world.
Address:
Central City, Christchurch, NZ
Civil & Naval
Civil & Naval is one of the best places to eat in Christchurch. Here, you’ll find plenty of craft beer and tapas options, making it a great spot to stop at between seeing the local sites. The interior of this eatery is intimate, so it’s a great spot to catch up with friends or enjoy a relaxed meal with your significant other. You’ll find some fun dishes on the menu, like miso buttered edamame and crumbed calamari. Vegetarian menu items are also available.
Address:
16 London Street, Lyttelton, NZ
Sakura
If you’re craving Japanese cuisine, you’ll want to stop at Sakura restaurant in Christchurch, New Zealand. You’ll find authentic food here and beautiful decor inspired by Japan. This eatery provides an izakaya menu, which is meant to encourage you to relax, enjoy a drink, and stay awhile. You’ll find classic sushi rolls and more creative options on the menu. If you’re looking for a spot to sit and catch up with a friend over great food, Sakura is an excellent option.
Empire Chicken (Riverside Market)
We walked down to this eatery, which is tucked away in Riverside Market, a large indoor market offering local food with restaurants, cafes, and bars. Empire Chicken began as a food truck in Christchurch and was quickly adopted as a favorite by locals. The chef uses locally sourced free-range chicken to craft delicious menu items ranging from sandwiches to tenders. This restaurant is a great spot to grab food between stops on your itinerary, with offerings of breakfast and lunch items.
5th Street
For an elegant dining experience, you’ll want to visit 5th Street. This eatery features lovely decor with hanging greenery and beautiful artwork throughout. The menu includes an array of creative dishes, like Angus beef cruda and triple-cooked agria. We learned that it is run by the same chef who opened Hello Sunday, which is another local restaurant well-known for its brunch offerings. At 5th Street, we ordered the small, medium, or large plates, which are best split between friends.
Address:
Inati
Inati is the perfect place for a romantic dinner date. Ensure you try the chef’s table experience here, as it offers insight into the meal you’re about to consume. If you’re feeling adventurous, book yourself for the “Trust Us” meal which the chef selects. Inati is run by the former head chef at Gordon Ramsay’s The Warrington.
Pomeroy’s Old Brewery Inn
Head to Pomeroy’s Old Brewery Inn for comforting pub grub, excellent service, and a laid back environment. This eatery is family owned, which has been serving Christchurch locals and visitors since 2001. Their fish and chips and cauliflower burger are top choices. Make sure you try a craft beer with your meal here in one of the best places to eat in Christchurch.
OGB
We loved our visit to this Christchurch, New Zealand restaurant and bar, which is tucked away inside a beautiful historic government building. OGB is a fun speakeasy-style bar with delicious food options. The staff members make the atmosphere even more fun by wearing newsboy hats and suspenders. You’ll find options like steak sandwiches and grass-fed burgers on the menu, along with Gluten-free and vegan options are also available. We drank several of the cocktails on the menu, as they’re known for their creative spirits.
Evil Genius
As mentioned, Christchurch, New Zealand has a diverse selection of restaurants. Evil Genius is part of the ethnic offerings in the area, serving Asian-inspired cuisine. This restaurant’s decor is funky and trendy, creating a great atmosphere for a relaxed drink and bite. The menu includes bao buns, Korean spiced tofu, and gojira dumplings. Indoor and outdoor seating is available here, with excellent water views if you sit outside. We think this is one of the best places to eat in Christchurch.
Best Time to Visit Christchurch, New Zealand
We have linked a great website to this button showing the weather for this location by the month. Clicking below will take you to Weather-and-Climate.com.
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