The Food Guide to Christchurch: Places to Eat & Food Tours

© ChristchurchNZ

The Best Food Tours in Christchurch

Whether you crave New Zealand wine, tour the local markets or do something unusual like truffle hunting, Christchurch is bound to have a food tour or activity to suit your palette.

Waipara Wine Tours

Explore one of the South Island’s most underrated wine regions, the Waipara Valley, with one of the wine tours from Christchurch.

You’ll be picked up from your accommodation and enjoy a 45-minute journey to the Waipara wine region, getting insights about the landscapes and small towns you pass through along the way.

Wine tours typically visit around four specially-selected boutique wineries, either your guide’s favourites or ones curated to fit your group’s taste.

Small-group wine tours are available with Leisure Tours, Giles Tours, Canterbury Trails and Kiwi Horizons Travel, while NZSI Tours & Travel offers private wine tours.

You can even amp up the experience by dropping into a Waipara winery with Christchurch Helicopters or Way to Go Heliservices.

Riverside Kitchen Cooking Class

For a more hands-on experience than simply going to a restaurant, learn to make your own delectable dishes at one of Christchurch’s cooking classes. A popular go-to is the Riverside Kitchen (upstairs at Riverside Market, 96–100 Oxford Terrace), offering a lively schedule of demonstrations and hands-on classes.

Covering cuisines such as Japanese, Malay, Middle Eastern, Indian, Vietnamese, and Spanish tapas, each session typically lasts two to three hours.

Classes begin with a chef demonstration followed by cooking your dishes with guidance, using fresh local produce from the market below. The experience concludes with a plated three-course meal paired with selected New Zealand wines, served at a communal oak table.

Christchurch Markets

While we list a lot more food tours and experiences in the 10 Things to Do in Christchurch for Foodies, something that’s free to attend is the farmers’ markets.

In Christchurch, you have plenty to choose from, whether it’s the Christchurch Farmers’ Market (16 Kahu Road, Fendalton) on a Saturday morning or Riccarton Markets (165 Racecourse Road, Broomfield) on a Sunday morning.

The Lyttelton Farmers’ Market (London Street, Lyttelton) is one of the region’s most renowned markets and a great opportunity to explore this cool little harbour suburb on a Saturday.

Finally, if you’re not visiting on a weekend, then head to the Riverside Market (96 Oxford Terrace) which is an indoor market venue in the city centre, which is open seven days a week.

More Food Tours in Christchurch

• Enjoy fine dining while touring on the Christchurch Tramway Restaurant
• Learn a new recipe and the Asian Garden Cooking School
• Taste and tour The Spirits Workshop Distillery
• Join the truffle hunt between June and August with King Truffles
• Be treated to a bespoke picnic with Christchurch Luxury Picnics.

For more details on each experience, see the 10 Foodie Experiences in Christchurch.

© ChristchurchNZ

About The Best Places to Eat in Christchurch

After discovering Christchurch’s dining scene, you’ll wish you were a local. But since you’re probably on a limited time in the city, here are some of our top recommendations for restaurants in Christchurch.

Where to Eat: The Best Restaurant in Christchurch

Situated upstairs on the colourful New Regent Street, Twenty Seven Steps (16 New Regent Street) offers seasonal dishes with European or Middle Eastern influences served in a snug, convivial atmosphere.

Just a few doors away, Story (8 New Regent Street) serves intimate two- or three-course menus framed around fresh local produce; it’s consistently praised on local forums for its evolving weekly offerings.

Inati (48 Hereford Street) remains a go-to for gourmet sharing-style cuisine featuring refined Canterbury ingredients. The multi-course “trust the chef” menus continue to delight diners seeking adventurous fine dining experiences.

Bloody Mary’s (30 Latimer Square) continues to receive praise for its consistency, although it has shifted more towards high-end steakhouse fare than traditional fine dining.

For more fine dining recommendations, check out The Luxury Guide to Christchurch.

Where to Eat: International Restaurants in Christchurch

Needless to say, Christchurch is a melting pot of cultures with a few international gems in the dining scene.

The acclaimed Kinji (279B Greers Road, Bryndwr) and Zen Sushi & Dumplings (301 Montreal Street) serve fresh, flavourful Japanese cuisine in a refined yet casual setting.

Discover New Zealand’s love for gourmet burgers at Bacon Brothers (inside Little High Eatery, 255 Saint Asaph Street), a fun and funky spot known for hearty Kiwi-style burgers with vegan options like jackfruit and coconut “bacon”.

Thai cuisine lovers will find reliable favourites at Thai Orchid (21 Riccarton Road), a longstanding favourite serving authentic dishes for lunch and dinner.

A go-to for riverside international dining is “The Terrace”, a stylish stretch along the Avon River. Highlights include Delilah (122 Oxford Terrace) for lush interiors and European-style sharing plates, Amaterrace (134 Oxford Terrace) for a teppanyaki experience with flair, and Amazonita (126 Oxford Terrace) offering Mediterranean-inspired charcoal-grilled cuisine in a tropical cocktail setting.

These restaurants also have a romantic flair, which is why they also feature in The Honeymoon & Romantic Getaway Guide to Christchurch.

Where to Eat: New Zealand Restaurants in Christchurch

In Merivale, Gatherings (5/2 Papanui Road) is a refined small-restaurant gem. Offering a “trust the chef” sharing-plate experience focused on Canterbury seafood and veg, it’s popular for its quietly elegant ambience and standout New Zealand wines.

Back in the CBD, The Monday Room (161 High Street) delivers modern classic New Zealand cuisine via a chef’s banquet menu, with attention to dietary needs and superb sourcing from local growers.

Some other noteworthy mentions include the ever-popular 5th Street (5 Elgin Street, Sydenham) for its bold, flavourful New Zealand and international dishes, and Jaba Grill & Bar (2/150 Lichfield Street) for its charcoal-grilled steaks and ribs in a friendly, casual setting.

Where to Eat: The Best Cafes in Christchurch

And, if you need something to do during the morning or afternoon, you can always rely on one of Christchurch’s cafes. The Garden City’s café scene is a vibrant tapestry of flavours and atmospheres that won’t disappoint.

Some noteworthy mentions include Little Pom’s (294 Kilmore Street) for its brunch staples with a creative twist, and Black Betty Cafe (165 Madras Street) for its impressive array of coffee brew methods and hearty fare.

Coffee enthusiasts will appreciate Unknown Chapter Coffee Roasters (254 Saint Asaph Street) for its stylish light-filled space, house-roasted beans, and seasonal brunch offerings.

For a health-conscious option, Barefoot Eatery (20 Welles Street) continues to impress with its beautifully plated, plant-based meals that are completely dairy-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free, yet bursting with flavour.

Outside of the city centre, Hello Sunday (6 Elgin Street, Sydenham) delights with one of the most diverse and unique brunch menus in the city, served in a charming historic building.

Meanwhile, Addington Coffee Co-op (297 Lincoln Road, Addington) stands out for its commitment to fairtrade coffee, community values, and an ethically-minded menu that has won the hearts of locals.

© The George

About The Best Places to Eat in Christchurch

When it comes to gastronomical experiences at your accommodation, Christchurch has a choice of resorts with fabulous restaurants or self-catering accommodation, should you want to spruce something up with local ingredients.

Although we outline all your options in the 20 Best Hotels in Christchurch and 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Christchurch, here are some of our top picks for foodies.

The George – Boutique Hotel in Christchurch with Restaurant

With Hagley Park on its doorstep and footsteps away from taking your morning run along the Avon River, The George is not only ideally positioned but it’s a hotel built to impress.

This refined retreat offers an exceptional blend of luxury and warm hospitality in the heart of Christchurch. The hotel boasts 53 stylishly appointed rooms, from its entry-level “Executive Rooms” to the lavish three-bedroom suite of “The Residence”.

Indulge in exquisite culinary experiences at 50 Bistro, which continues to offer casually elegant, contemporary New Zealand cuisine in a refined hotel setting. With sunny conservatory seating and bar snacks available throughout the day, it’s a versatile option for various dining experiences.

Other luxurious touches include EV and Tesla charging stations, works of contemporary New Zealand art on display throughout the hotel, and an intimate ambience perfect for those seeking a personalised stay.

Discover why The George is one of Christchurch’s most beloved boutique hotels and book your stay through Booking.com or Expedia!

Southwark Hotel & Apartments – Affordable Self-Catering Stays Near the City Centre

Southwark Hotel & Apartments, offers modern studios and spacious apartments within walking distance of Christchurch’s city centre.

Perfect for budget-conscious travellers, these self-contained accommodations come equipped with kitchenettes, Netflix, unlimited free WiFi, and heat pumps (excluding compact studios) for a comfortable stay.

Guests have access to a large communal kitchen with a full oven/hob and SkyTv, as well as laundry facilities. With 24-hour reception, it’s an ideal base for exploring the city, whether you’re travelling solo or in a group of up to four.

What’s more, the price is pretty darn irresistible.

Learn more about what makes Southwark Hotel & Apartments ideal for self-caterers, and secure your stay through Booking.com or Expedia!

© ChristchurchNZ

Alternative Things to Do in Christchurch

Although it might be hard to believe after reading this food guide to Christchurch, there are things to do in the city that don’t involve food. Shocking, we know! We recommend complementing your foodie getaway with some of the other must-dos in Christchurch, including:

• Wandering around the Botanic Gardens and Hagley Park
• Checking out the Christchurch Art Gallery
• Hiking or mountain biking in the Port Hills
• Strolling, punting or a waka paddling tour alongside the Avon River
• Riding the TranzAlpine
• Riding the Christchurch Hop-On Hop-Off Tram
• Fly over the city on a giant zipline at the Christchurch Adventure Park
• Experiencing the Poles at the International Antarctic Centre…

… And much more! For more details on each, check out the 45 Best Things to Do in Christchurch.