Christchurch, New Zealand — Food and Dining
Restaurants in Christchurch, New Zealand
Restaurants
Expensive
Indochine
This trendy restaurant - ‘best Christchurch restaurant winner' in 2007 and several times ‘NZ restaurant of the year finalist' - serves excellent modern Asian food in stylish surroundings. The dim sums are particularly popular, and the cocktail list is an added bonus.
209 Cambridge Terrace
Tel: (03) 365 7323.
Website: www.indochine.co.nz
LeBonBolli
Popular, award-winning French restaurant in the Arts Center. Le Bon Bolli features an exciting, cosy brasserie downstairs with an elegant fine dining restaurant upstairs.
Corner of Worcester Boulevard and Montreal Street
Tel: (03) 374 9444.
Website: www.lebonbolli.co.nz
Moderate
Annie'sWineBarandRestaurant
Rustic surroundings, convivial atmosphere, good food, and a superb wine list have made this charming bar and restaurant in the Arts Center a perennial favorite with locals and tourists alike.
Arts Center, Gloucester Street
Tel: (03) 365 0566.
Website: www.annieswinebar.co.nz
Sticky Fingers Restaurant and Bar
This favorite socializing venue overlooks the Avon River and serves up award-winning food. Extensive wine list. Lively bar open late.
Oxford Terrace
Tel: (09) 366 6452.
Website: www.stickyfingers.co.nz
Cheap
Brigitte'sRestaurant andBar
This espresso bar is worth seeking out in Merivale as it is a good place to enjoy lunch in a relaxed atmosphere. Good selection of wines, fruit juices, sandwiches and cakes, as well as more substantial dishes.
Papanui at Aikmans Road, Merivale
Tel: (03) 355 6150.
Website: www.brigittes.co.nz
DuxdeLux
Popular pub in the cultural precinct, serving fresh produce and tasty vegetarian fare in relaxed surroundings. Plenty of choice, including dishes featuring fish and seafood, pizza, snacks and full meals. Award-winning beers brewed on the premises. The Tavern Bar showcases Kiwi music in courtyard.
Corner of Hereford and Montreal Streets
Tel: (03) 366 6919.
Website: www.thedux.co.nz
Nightlife
Christchurch has a good selection of bars, and nightlife in the city is very active at the weekend. SOL Square is Christchurch's new hottest district, an ‘urban garden' of eclectic bars and eateries, laced with live music, glowing lights, and outdoor fireplaces in wintertime.
Bars
Café Bleu
A bit more upmarket than Bog Irish Bar, Café Bleu is also a popular place for a drink in Christchurch.
88 Cashel Mall
Tel: (03) 377 2888.
Website: www.cafebleu.co.nz
The Bard on Avon
Christchurch's Bard on Avon is a traditional English pub which serves a wide variety of English ales as well as New Zealand beers and wines. Live music is on Thursday through Sunday and there is a quiz night every Sunday.
86 Gloucester Street (corner of Oxford Terrace)
Tel: (03) 377 1493.
Website: www.bardonavon.co.nz
The Bog Irish Bar
A popular bar to go for a drink in Christchurch, The Bog provides an authentic Irish atmosphere and live entertainment six nights a week.
82 Cashel Mall
Tel: (03) 379 7141.
Website: www.thebog.co.nz
Clubs
Azure Bar and Restaurant
Party all night long after a cosy dinner at the Azure Club and Restaurant, one of Christchurch most popular nightspots. Dance to local DJs playing house and trance.
128 Oxford Terrace
Tel: (03) 365 6088.
Ferment
Another famous Christchurch nightspot.
130 Oxford Terrace
Tel: (03) 377 9898.
Website: www.fermentbar.com
The Grumpy Mole Saloon
The long bar, large dance floor, huge tables (great for dancing on) and the amazing display of Western artifacts (both genuine and replicated) give this Western-themed bar a wonderful atmosphere and feel.
Corner Cashel and Manchester Streets
Tel: (03) 371 9301.
Website: www.grumpymole.com
Live Music
Sammy's Jazz Review
An upmarket jazz bar and restaurant, with great live music seven nights a week. Sunday to Tuesday, the music is quieter with guitar performances. Wednesday hosts a classic jazz trio, while Thursday to Saturday is a mix of classic jazz, guitar and funky jazz.
14 Bedford Row (off Manchester Street)
Tel: (03) 377 8618.
Southern Blues Bar
Live music and dancing seven nights a week.
198 Madras Street
Tel: (03) 365 1654.
