Christchurch is a town that loves to dine, so you’ll be spoiled for choice at every mealtime here. Here are some of our top picks for every budget.
Twenty-Seven Steps
The climb up Regent Street is worth it; to reach this Christchurch legend that focusses on locally sourced seasonal produce cooked with artistic flair. The menu changes regularly here, and you’ll want to sample more than one dish – but make sure you leave room for one of their spectacular desserts.
Indian Sumner
The punny name might tempt you not to take this place too seriously, but when it comes to amazing Indian food they’re not joking around. They have a substantial selection for vegetarian diners here too, so whatever your eating preference, you will find a delicious feast here.
Inati
With the food being created in front of you, this is as much culinary theatre as it is dining – surely a unique fine-dining experience. They’ve split the menu into Sea, Earth, Land and Nectar and there’s a lot of good sharing options too, so invite all your friends and get stuck into something spectacular here.
Gatherings
This vegetarian restaurant is designed to be cosy for groups. If you have a special occasion to celebrate but you don’t want to overspend, the generous sharing plates and tasty goods on offer here are a fantastic choice. They have a menu that changes day to day based on what they source from local producers, and the quality is consistently high.
Thai Box
Another one on the “cheap and cheerful” end of the spectrum, this unassuming Thai restaurant is surrounded by galleries, and the arty presentation of some Thai classics seems only fitting here. They have all your favourite Thai dishes here, and the serving sizes are generous. It’s a place very friendly to vegans and gluten-free diners as well.
Bicycle Thief
The heritage building that houses this restaurant was build in the 1870s, but there is nothing old-fashioned about the menu here. The freshly cooked pizzas are hard to pass up but they have an extensive menu of other goodies as well, along with some desserts that are sure to have your eyes rolling with delight.
Tomi
If you love sushi, then Tomi is a must visit, and considered by many to be the very best Japanese restaurant in Christchurch. Their sashimi comes straight from the nearby fish market, so it really doesn’t get any fresher than this. The rest of their menu is also worth perusing, with all the favourites you would expect, and you can finish off with some black sesame or green tea ice cream.
