Join Cityscape on a global adventure of cuisine and culture. We check out Christchurch’s massive variety of restaurants, starting right here with Kiwi cuisine and heading across the culinary continents.
New Zealand & Pacific
50 Bistro at The George is an award-winning restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, serving modern New Zealand cuisine and health-wise dining made with local produce. The menu at Barberra, in Cambridge Terrace, is based on fresh, seasonal ingredients and the flavours and influences of the Pacific Rim. Go there for a modern, fresh take on dining. In the Sudima Christchurch City hotel, Vices & Virtues is a modern and welcoming restaurant and bar with dishes including line-caught fish, Canterbury Wairiri Buffalo Burrata and New Zealand Angus eye fillet.
No.4 Bar & Restaurant in Merivale does a mean fancy fish 'n' chips or Kiwi lamb rack, and it's also got a plethora of international flavours on the menu. In Halswell, the talented chefs at The Old Vicarage can cater for all dietary requirements. The menu boasts Dukkah Crusted Lamb Salad, an antipasto platter, Smoked Venison Short Rib and New York Strip Loin alongside some exquisite eats cooked on the outdoor charcoal BBQ. At the historic Ōtoromiro Hotel (formerly Governors Bay Hotel), the menu boasts classic beer battered fish 'n' chips, seafood soup, tasty sharing plates and delicious desserts.
ASIA
CHINA
The city’s home of Chinese food on a grand scale is Madam Kwong’s, which recalls the bustling dining establishments of Shanghai and Hong Kong. Lunch is all about yum cha, where the tasty morsels are served in bamboo steamers, while traditional Cantonese and Sichuan cuisine is cranked out at night. Cantonese cuisine specialist TaiChi Restaurant offers a traditional yum cha experience, Chinese tea and a huge variety of handmade dim sum.
Get into mouth-watering Shanghai-inspired street food at Shanghai Street Dumplings, featuring crispy pot stickers, noodles and other delectable delicacies. The team behind Pot Sticker Dumpling Bar in Lichfield Street have matched the best of Kiwi attitude with traditional Chinese dumpling-making methods, and they’ve got an ‘eat on the go kiosk’ at The Colombo. In Little High, Eightgrains rocks boutique Chinese food that includes handmade dumplings, baos and some excellent Taiwanese and Sichuan cuisine classics.
TAIWAN
Papanui hotspot Little Taipei Restaurant offers a traditional Taiwanese menu rocking a tantalising mix of the classic mild, sweet and savoury flavours of the island. Broaden your culinary horizons with a bubble tea or a Taiwanese fruit-flavoured beer.
JAPAN
In Edgeware, the calm, wood-detailed interior of Tomi Japanese Restaurant is a prelude to a traditional Japanese feast and a premium sake range – among the best that are available. In Addington you’ll find KUMO Japanese Cuisine – park up alongside the sushi train and take your pick of its tantalising contents, or order from the traditional sushi and yakitori dishes and fusion mash-ups on the menu. At Church Corner in Upper Riccarton, Ramen Miyako is a top stop for unbeatable hand-made ramen, with fresh stock and noodles made in house every day from scratch.
SASUKE Riccarton has an extensive menu that includes dishes ranging from donburi to curry, sushi, bento boxes and noodles. Tucked away at The Tannery, you’ll find Nori Table and its large selection of sushi, with over 40 delicious and unique varieties. The restaurant also offers Japanese curry and udon – you'll be spoilt for choice with a divine blend of flavours throughout all the dishes. In Lyttelton, SUPER is a welcome addition to the port’s restaurant scene that offers a Kiwi take on modern Japanese cuisine.
INDIA
You’ll find the authentic home of Indian cuisine at Coriander’s Ethnic Indian Restaurant. Dotted around the city, these outlets offer a consistent commitment to great service and authentic, piquant flavours. For some central city sweetness, hit up Bolina Sweets, which has a mains menu as well as its enormous selection of specialist Indian desserts including gulab jamun and lassi.
Riccarton Road's Top In Town is Christchurch's home of Mughlai food, complemented by a large variety of vegetarian dishes, Manchurian, Hyderabadi, and delicious cuisines from other parts of South Asia. Also in Riccarton is Arjee Bhajee, mixing up the Indian culinary norms with Nepali variations as well as Euro fusion curries. For a royal experience, see Maharaja in Papanui, an Indian restaurant and cocktail bar dedicated to premium service and a relaxing dining environment.
KOREA
Tucked in the Boxed Quarter you’ll find Steampunk Laboratory rocking street food staple cupbop. For KFC of a different kind try Monster Chicken’s signature Korean Fried Chicken in Church Corner and next to Hagley Park.
Grab a bangin’ bibimbap at The Station (housed in an old train station) in Papanui and head to Korea House in Riccarton for BBQ-at-your-table eats and a selection of Korean classics. Up in Shirley, Big Bang Chicken and Sushi is doing a fine trade in Korean fried chicken alongside Japanese cuisine staples like sushi, ramen and donburi.
VIETNAM
Traditional Vietnamese cuisine is done properly at Upper Riccarton’s Hello Vietnam Restaurant. Try the tasty, fresh Vietnamese cuisine at one of Nom Nom Kitchen’s three cosy restaurants in Strowan, Rangiora and Lyttelton. In the CBD, fresh and traditional Viet cuisine meets modern funky style at You Hanoi Me in Victoria Street.
CAMBODIA
Experience delicious, authentic Cambodian cuisine – noodle soups, satays and stir-fries fired out fresh from the wok at Khmer Cambodian Cuisine, just minutes from Northlands Mall. Inside the ENTX complex in Colombo Street you'll find Khmer Angkor, with custom-made noodle soups, plenty of shared plates and classic Cambodian fare.
PHILIPPINES
Immerse yourself in the melting pot of flavours of the original fusion cuisine at Sari Sari Filipino Kitchen, in the central city. Check out the Chicken Adobo and the Salmon Kare Kare.
THAILAND
Victoria Street is a real Thai restaurant hotspot; look out for Kum Pun Thai Restaurant with intimate dining and the traditional tastes of Thailand in a relaxed environment. Thai fusion hothouse Spice Paragon is where stylish surrounds meet the bold and delicious flavours of next-level Thai.
Up in Richmond you'll find Red Poppy Thai Restaurant, with an impressive range of authentic Thai food. The Black Pepper sizzling plate arrives at your table bubbling hot and aromatic. And Riccarton is home to Thai Orchid, Tripadvisor's top Thai dining spot in Christchurch for several years running, featuring a cocktail bar and garden bar complete with its own waterfall.
MALAYSIA
Malaysia Delights occupies a tiny corner in Riverside Market, and serves up a massive amount of flavour. Don't miss the Malaysian classics like beef rendang and spicy laksa noodles.
ASIAN INSPIRED
At his New Regent Street restaurant Story, chef Shafeeq Ismail blends Indian flavours and local ingredients to create dishes that diners love to love. At The Dish in Montreal Street, a sleek interior and excellent design complement a menu bursting with flavour and dietary options. The wide selection of vegetarian, vegan and gluten free dishes is supplemented by many other offerings with a vegan or gluten free alternative.
For fast-casual Asian fusion in the city, head to J-Bings for the eponymous Chinese crêpes stuffed with delicious fillings. In Victoria Street, King of Snake has a well-earned reputation as one of the city’s best restaurants, with a sexy, casual atmosphere that belies just how seriously it takes Asian food. Nom Nom Kitchen offers a range of fresh and tasty Asian fare, from the likes of traditional Vietnamese prawn cakes with kumara to Thailand’s tom yum soup, Indonesian nasi goreng and Beijing sizzling black bean.
USA
Authentic Americana experiences can be found via the pop culture cool of Sun Dog Diner, featuring an all-day breakfast menu and serious Mex-appeal alongside classics like mac 'n' cheese, and the nostalgia of Diner 66, which taps that Happy Days vibe with the classic black-and-white-tile and neon look.
If you’re looking for a classic New York-style steakhouse experience, Bloody Mary’s at the Rydges Latimer is a brooding, sophisticated space furnished with dark oak and buttery leather where they take steaks very seriously. If it's burgers you're after, then Burger Station's restaurants in Riccarton and Richmond have a massive selection of classic and gourmet burgers to eat in or to go.
CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA
MEXICO
Mexicano’s in Victoria Street serves up fine Mexican street food in stylish surrounds with an emphasis on fun – provided you’re able to get a table (book early). With a Tarantino-cool fitout and buzzing atmosphere finished off with an authentic south-of-the-border soundtrack, Mexico in Manchester Street offers fresh and feisty Mexican fare and a laidback vibe. 'Christchurch’s craziest Mexican joint', Chiwahwah Mexican Cantina Bar, has set up shop on The Terrace with a massive tequila menu.
LATIN AMERICA
With some serious street food cred, the team at Caribe Latin Kitchen in Little High turn out tasty treats like arepas, tapas, tacos and more, plus stunning cocktails. Mere metres away, sister outfit El Fogón Grill is a South American-style grill house, offering a wide range of the tastes of Argentina, Brazil and more. If it’s authentic Argentinian BBQ – or asado – you are after, then head to El Quincho in Riverside Market. All dishes are cooked using mānuka and kānuka wood, giving the meat a unique and mature smoky flavour.
AFRICA
The melting pot that is modern Africa has given the world the fusion food of Nando’s. Loved the world over, Nando's butterflied chicken is marinated for over 48 hours in PERi-PERi and then grilled to succulent perfection. Find Nando's restaurants in the central city, Papanui and Riccarton.
MOROCCO
Established by local chef and food identity Simo, Mosaic by Simo is a Moroccan culinary adventure in Addington serving up delectable tagines, salads and Mediterranean deli items. And Chez Simo’s Cafe & Bistro in Ilam offers a Moroccan-French-inspired menu.
MIDDLE EAST
In Riccarton, Prince of Persia Restaurant rocks tasty Afghan and Iranian fare, with handmade kebabs grilled over a charcoal fire.
EUROPE
ITALY
There are several excellent Italian food options within the city. Near the Isaac Theatre Royal you’ll find Francesca’s Italian Kitchen, using local, seasonal produce to create an ever-changing, highly tempting menu of Italian classics. In Colombo Street, Venuti’s modern takes on classic Italian fare such as the Veal Picante are served in a welcoming atmosphere and are accompanied by a collection of excellent Kiwi and Italian wines.
Pizza Republic is a new offering in Ferrymead, featuring an experienced crew who have been making gourmet pizzas in Christchurch since way back when. The oldest restaurant in Christchurch, Spagalimis Pizzeria & Bar, has made itself a local legend thanks to its amazing pizzas. One of the newest pizza slingers in town is Dice & Slice, where you can easily spend hours playing classic and modern board games with friends.
Fire & Slice is the definitive spot in Sumner to dine out on woodfired pizza – the secret is the delectable dough which sits for two days to develop flavour. Over in Lyttelton, famous pop-up pizzeria Arbour has found a permanent home, serving up woodfired masterpieces in the portside 'hood.
SPAIN
Head to The Welder for Salut Salut and its deliciously authentic tapas and wine. In Riverside Market, Castro’s Tapas & Bar is winning over a legion of followers with tangy sangria. A highlight of the tapas menu is the chargrilled octopus with smoked paprika dressing and mashed potato. In the Botanic Gardens, the ever-popular Curator’s House Restaurant has tasty tapas and piquant paella on the menu.
GERMANY
For a mouth-watering take on classic German sausage, head to Fritz’s Wieners in Riverside Market or track down Fritz's food truck at your next festival or event. Also at Riverside, head upstairs for Bavarian-inspired hospitality and delicious fare to share and enjoy at Kaiser Brew Garden.
MEDITERRANEAN
For a restaurant-quality dish you can take home, head to Pedro’s House of Lamb in Merivale or Sydenham and sample the beautiful slow-cooked lamb shoulder, served with a side of scalloped potatoes and salad. It’s one of the few places in New Zealand where you can dine on export-quality lamb usually destined for overseas.
IRISH
For a taste of the Emerald Isle, head to The Craic Irish Bar in Riccarton Road and sample the Irish Stew. The comprehensive menu is available day and night.
EURO FUSION
In the central city you’ll find the stylish Universo Brasserie & Bar, housed in the contemporary cool of the Christchurch Art Gallery, which dispenses deliciousness in the form of cured salmon and mouth-watering meats, alongside other exotic border-pushing creations and exceptional cocktails. Not far away, Strawberry Fare is rightly famous for its primo desserts as well as fine Euro fare that combines the influences of Italy, France and Scandinavia. Meanwhile in historic New Regent Street, modern yet classic bistro Twenty Seven Steps is sleek, stylish and welcoming, with a relaxed atmosphere rocking serious gourmet credentials from owners Emma Mettrick and Paul Howells.
Dine out at 5th Street and explore the pleasure of shared dining and a regularly-rotating menu, with added emphasis on a quality range of drinks. Fiddlesticks Restaurant & Bar in Worcester Boulevard is a sophisticated, sociable and relaxed restaurant and bar perfect for whiling away some time with friends, family or a significant other. For a date night, check out the Feature Feast, an ever-changing bespoke shared feast for two.
The fresh local ingredients and striking combinations of Lichfield Street’s Earl will leave you wanting to return for more. The Euro-chic interior and the bustle of the open kitchen make this ideal for any occasion, be it an intimate dinner for two or somewhere to take out-of-town guests. Town Tonic in Addington uses only the freshest produce from local growers to create an ever-evolving menu that boasts exceptional dishes and caters for all dietary requirements.