Find Your Ideal Restaurants in Christchurch

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.

How much do restaurants in Christchurch cost for events?

Based on VenueNow's historic data, on average, Christchurch restaurants cost between 65 to 95 NZD per person for functions. For example, an event for 100 people could cost between 0-0 NZD. Costs may differ based on your food and beverage requirements, AV requirements, event date and time and the type of venue you decide to book.

What should I consider when comparing Christchurch restaurants for events?

There are a number of different factors you should consider when comparing Christchurch restaurants for events. Firstly, you should review the standing and seated capacity of the venue to see if they can fit your attendees. Next you should review the costs associated with hiring the venue such as venue hire fees, food & drink packages, additional costs such as audio-visual equipment, and whether there is a minimum spend to hire the venue. Other important factors include the location, aesthetic, amenities and facilities of the venue to understand if the venue fits all of your requirements. A great way to do this is review the venue's listings on VenueNow and review their function packs attached to the page.

How do I find and book Christchurch restaurants for events?

Finding and booking Christchurch restaurants for events is easy with VenueNow. Simply follow these steps: (1) Enter your location, event type and number of people into VenueNow's search engine. (2) Narrow down your search results by adding filters such as your event date and time, preferred room layout and budget. (3) Once you've found some venues you're interested in, visit the venue listings and send your enquiry via VenueNow. The venue will receive your enquiry immediately and respond to you within 24 hours via email. We recommend contacting 3-5 different venues to ensure you get the best price. (4) Venues will respond with a quote via email based on your requirements, and may suggest alternate dates when they can host your event. (5) Once you're happy with the quote, you can confirm your booking with the venue, pay your deposit and start planning your event.

How far in advance should I book Christchurch restaurants for events?

On average, VenueNow customers book a venue 90 days in advance of the event. In some cases you are able to find venues that are available at short notice, however, availability for your preferred date and time may be limited. For large corporate events or weddings, we recommend booking your venue at least 3-6 months in advance, to ensure plenty of venues are available and you can lock in the best price for your requirements. Larger events also typically require additional planning with your attendees as well as any suppliers that may be required for the event.

Can VenueNow help me find Christchurch restaurants for an event?

We sure can! Not only can you find and book venues via on VenueNow yourself or using our Match AI feature, our team of Venue Booking Experts can help you find the perfect venue, collect quotes from multiple venues on your behalf, negotiate the best price with venues and book venues, all for free. Simply send us your event brief and our team will be in contact with venue recommendations within 24-48 hours.