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Your Guide to Christchurch's Best Dining Spots
Christchurch Restaurant Hire Guide for Events
Christchurch is quietly stepping up as one of New Zealand’s best places to eat. Maybe it’s the local produce from around Canterbury. Maybe it’s the chefs who care more about what’s on the plate than what’s on Instagram. Whatever the reason, the city’s food scene is having a moment and if you’re planning a birthday, team dinner, engagement do, or just want to get your crew together over great food, you’re in the right place.
What the Food Scene in Christchurch Looks Like
Christchurch has always had a solid food game, but in the past few years, it’s levelled up. The city’s dining scene now covers just about everything. You’ve got fine dining for special nights out, pan-Asian spots with bold flavours, neighbourhood bistros doing seasonal New Zealand cooking, and cafes that take their brunch seriously.
Asian flavours show up a lot: Japanese, Korean, Thai and Chinese influences are all here, especially in shared-plate places that suit groups. Italian food is strong too, with handmade pasta, pizza, and good wine lists to match. If you’re after something lighter or plant-based, you’ll find a few great spots doing veg-forward menus with local ingredients.
Christchurch also has a real cafe culture. There are plenty of places that serve coffee well into the afternoon, often with solid food on the side. Some of these spots flip into wine bars at night which is ideal if you want something casual but still good.
And if you’re up for a bit of a drive, the wineries in Waipara are perfect for long lunches. Some of the best food in the region is being served out there paired with local wine, overlooking the vines.
What Kind of Events Can You Host?
You’ve got options, no matter the size or mood. For birthdays or milestone dinners, you can do it in cosy wine bars or bright spaces with skylights and shared plates. Team lunches and end-of-year parties are sorted too, plenty of venues offer group menus, private rooms, and service. Planning something more personal, like an engagement or small wedding? You’ll find intimate rooftops, venues with views, or chef’s tables without needing to hire a sprawling space.
Here are some ideas:
Birthday lunches and milestone dinners. Cosy up in an artfully lit wine bar or book a long table under skylights.
Private corporate dinners. Between the city’s natural wine obsession and menus that flex from elegant to innovative, Christchurch is ideal for entertaining clients or celebrating a team win.
Engagement parties and intimate weddings. Rustic vineyards, city-view rooftops, and chef’s table setups all exist within a short drive, no need for a sprawling wedding venue if you want something more meaningful (and delicious!).
Some venues even link up with local hosts to run dinners like a casual food tour where you eat your way across multiple restaurants in one night. If that sounds like you, Christchurch makes it easy to pull off.
Dining Styles You’ll Find Around the City
Christchurch loves a shared plate, especially when it comes to pan-Asian flavours. From baos and spicy noodles to miso-glazed everything, these menus are built for groups and always a hit.
If you’re after something more elevated, there are plenty of fine dining spots offering tasting menus and chef’s table setups, often with an impressive local wine list to match. These places are elegant without being too intimidating.
For something a little more relaxed, the city’s modern bistros are doing great things with seasonal veg, handmade pasta, and Canterbury lamb.
Brunch is big in Christchurch too. Many cafés double as evening venues or offer private hire, perfect if you’re going for something low-key but still special.
And if you’re up for a weekend drive, winery dining in Waipara is worth the trip. You’ll find long lunches, estate wines, and a slow food approach that’s perfect for special occasions.
What to Expect
Many spots offer private dining rooms or layouts with long tables. Outdoor spaces are common and there’s usually the option to go BYO or choose a curated wine list. Some venues offer chef’s table experiences or open kitchens, while others build in extras like welcome drinks, canapes, or light styling to take the stress off hosting.
Hosting Tips
Weekends tend to book out fast, especially if you’re eyeing Sunday lunch. If you can go midweek, you might get more value and flexibility. Don’t forget to ask about wine pairings either. Christchurch venues often work closely with local winemakers and can recommend something unique. And if dinner sounds like a lot, brunch is a strong alternative, it’s still celebratory, often more affordable, and easier to organise.
It’s also worth checking if your event lines up with one of the city’s food and wine festivals. You might stumble onto something even better.
Christchurch is quietly stepping up as one of New Zealand’s best places to eat. Maybe it’s the local produce from around Canterbury. Maybe it’s the chefs who care more about what’s on the plate than what’s on Instagram. Whatever the reason, the city’s food scene is having a moment and if you’re planning a birthday, team dinner, engagement do, or just want to get your crew together over great food, you’re in the right place.
What the Food Scene in Christchurch Looks Like
Christchurch has always had a solid food game, but in the past few years, it’s levelled up. The city’s dining scene now covers just about everything. You’ve got fine dining for special nights out, pan-Asian spots with bold flavours, neighbourhood bistros doing seasonal New Zealand cooking, and cafes that take their brunch seriously.
Asian flavours show up a lot: Japanese, Korean, Thai and Chinese influences are all here, especially in shared-plate places that suit groups. Italian food is strong too, with handmade pasta, pizza, and good wine lists to match. If you’re after something lighter or plant-based, you’ll find a few great spots doing veg-forward menus with local ingredients.
Christchurch also has a real cafe culture. There are plenty of places that serve coffee well into the afternoon, often with solid food on the side. Some of these spots flip into wine bars at night which is ideal if you want something casual but still good.
And if you’re up for a bit of a drive, the wineries in Waipara are perfect for long lunches. Some of the best food in the region is being served out there paired with local wine, overlooking the vines.
What Kind of Events Can You Host?
You’ve got options, no matter the size or mood. For birthdays or milestone dinners, you can do it in cosy wine bars or bright spaces with skylights and shared plates. Team lunches and end-of-year parties are sorted too, plenty of venues offer group menus, private rooms, and service. Planning something more personal, like an engagement or small wedding? You’ll find intimate rooftops, venues with views, or chef’s tables without needing to hire a sprawling space.
Here are some ideas:
Birthday lunches and milestone dinners. Cosy up in an artfully lit wine bar or book a long table under skylights.
Private corporate dinners. Between the city’s natural wine obsession and menus that flex from elegant to innovative, Christchurch is ideal for entertaining clients or celebrating a team win.
Engagement parties and intimate weddings. Rustic vineyards, city-view rooftops, and chef’s table setups all exist within a short drive, no need for a sprawling wedding venue if you want something more meaningful (and delicious!).
Some venues even link up with local hosts to run dinners like a casual food tour where you eat your way across multiple restaurants in one night. If that sounds like you, Christchurch makes it easy to pull off.
Dining Styles You’ll Find Around the City
Christchurch loves a shared plate, especially when it comes to pan-Asian flavours. From baos and spicy noodles to miso-glazed everything, these menus are built for groups and always a hit.
If you’re after something more elevated, there are plenty of fine dining spots offering tasting menus and chef’s table setups, often with an impressive local wine list to match. These places are elegant without being too intimidating.
For something a little more relaxed, the city’s modern bistros are doing great things with seasonal veg, handmade pasta, and Canterbury lamb.
Brunch is big in Christchurch too. Many cafés double as evening venues or offer private hire, perfect if you’re going for something low-key but still special.
And if you’re up for a weekend drive, winery dining in Waipara is worth the trip. You’ll find long lunches, estate wines, and a slow food approach that’s perfect for special occasions.
What to Expect
Many spots offer private dining rooms or layouts with long tables. Outdoor spaces are common and there’s usually the option to go BYO or choose a curated wine list. Some venues offer chef’s table experiences or open kitchens, while others build in extras like welcome drinks, canapes, or light styling to take the stress off hosting.
Hosting Tips
Weekends tend to book out fast, especially if you’re eyeing Sunday lunch. If you can go midweek, you might get more value and flexibility. Don’t forget to ask about wine pairings either. Christchurch venues often work closely with local winemakers and can recommend something unique. And if dinner sounds like a lot, brunch is a strong alternative, it’s still celebratory, often more affordable, and easier to organise.
It’s also worth checking if your event lines up with one of the city’s food and wine festivals. You might stumble onto something even better.
