Christchurch's restaurant scene has matured significantly since the rebuild. The city now has a genuine diversity of dining options — from award-winning tasting menus to casual neighbourhood places that punch well above their price point. Canterbury's produce is extraordinary, and the best restaurants here know how to use it.
The CBD precinct around Oxford Terrace and the Riverside Market has become the city's main dining hub. Suburbs like Sydenham, Merivale, and Addington have strong neighbourhood restaurant scenes worth seeking out. Here are the places that consistently deliver.
Fiddlesticks — Oxford Terrace
One of Christchurch's most reliable restaurants for a proper night out. Fiddlesticks sits on Oxford Terrace with good river views and serves a menu that draws on Canterbury produce thoughtfully. The wine list is well-chosen, service is professional without being stiff, and it handles the full range of occasions — from birthday dinners to business lunches.
Roots Restaurant — Lyttelton
Roots is one of New Zealand's best restaurants — a tasting menu experience in a converted heritage building in Lyttelton. Chef Giulio Sturla works with local and foraged ingredients in a way that feels genuinely creative rather than gimmicky. It's not cheap and you need to book weeks in advance, but it's a meal that sticks in the memory. A proper occasion restaurant.
Gatherings — Colombo Street
Gatherings has built a loyal following for its ingredient-driven, seasonal menu. The space is comfortable, the cooking is consistently good, and the team runs it with evident care. It sits in a nicely converted space in the inner city and works well for both casual dinners and more special occasions.
Riverside Market — CBD
The Riverside Market on Oxford Terrace is the city's best food hall — a curated collection of food and drink traders in a purpose-built riverside space. It's not a single restaurant but the quality of individual traders is high. Go for the variety — you can eat ramen next to your friend eating woodfired pizza. Also excellent for a casual lunch.
King of Snake — Victoria Street
King of Snake brings an Asian-inspired menu to a beautifully designed interior space on Victoria Street. The cocktail programme is one of the city's best, and the food — Southeast Asian influenced small plates — is made with real skill. Great for groups, late-night dining, or a stylish date night option.
Lola Rojo — Central City
Consistently excellent Spanish tapas in a relaxed, convivial setting. Lola Rojo captures the sharing-food spirit of Barcelona and applies it with genuine skill. The wine list has good Iberian options and the service team knows the menu well. One of the city's best options for a relaxed but special dinner with friends.
Saggio di Vino — Victoria Street
One of Christchurch's longest-running fine dining Italian restaurants. Saggio di Vino delivers polished Italian cooking with an exceptional wine cellar — particularly strong in Italian varietals. It's the kind of restaurant where the owner knows the regulars and the kitchen takes real pride in the pasta. Book ahead for Friday and Saturday nights.
Local Tips
- Friday and Saturday evenings at good CBD restaurants require advance booking — especially for tables of four or more.
- Many restaurants offer a better value set menu at lunch — worth checking if you want the experience at a lower price.
- Riverside Market is walk-in friendly and great for when you can't agree on a single cuisine.
- Christchurch has a strong BYO culture — many restaurants allow it with a small corkage fee, saving significantly on wine.
- The inner-city precinct has improved enormously — don't judge the dining scene by what it was pre-rebuild.
Get Personalised Recommendations
Ask @OpenLocallyNZBot on Telegram — describe what you're after and get instant local advice.
Chat with Open Locally