Guidebook for Christchurch
Food Scene
Hands down our favourite place to eat. Always good. Modern Asian fusion, the sticky beef wontons and the duck and lychee salad are like eating heaven. You will probably need to book.
If you don't feel like going out then King of Snake can actually do their meals to takeaway - you will just need to go and collect them (8 min walk from the apartment).
101 locals recommend
King of Snake
79 Victoria StHands down our favourite place to eat. Always good. Modern Asian fusion, the sticky beef wontons and the duck and lychee salad are like eating heaven. You will probably need to book.
If you don't feel like going out then King of Snake can actually do their meals to takeaway - you will just need to go and collect them (8 min walk from the apartment).
This is Rowan’s “go to” lunch when in the city. They are the city’s specialty cheesemaker and when it’s lunchtime ask them for a sandwich and let them know what your favourite cheese is – what you get in return is super fresh ciabatta, delicious cheese, lettuce and chutney. Amazing.
A bit tricky to find - when you’re at the corner of Montreal and Worchester walk inside the Arts Centre complex and you’ll find it facing south.
Canterbury Cheesemongers
Settlers CrescentThis is Rowan’s “go to” lunch when in the city. They are the city’s specialty cheesemaker and when it’s lunchtime ask them for a sandwich and let them know what your favourite cheese is – what you get in return is super fresh ciabatta, delicious cheese, lettuce and chutney. Amazing.
A bit tricky to find - when you’re at the corner of Montreal and Worchester walk inside the Arts Centre complex and you’ll find it facing south.
Every trip to Christchurch (especially during spring and summer) has to include a visit to the stunning botanic gardens. This café sits in the heart of the gardens and has a lovely outlook on sunny days.
12 locals recommend
Ilex Café
Every trip to Christchurch (especially during spring and summer) has to include a visit to the stunning botanic gardens. This café sits in the heart of the gardens and has a lovely outlook on sunny days.
This café is open 7am-10pm but our recommendation is brunch – especially the corn fritters. It’s become an institution now in Christchurch as they were one of the first to open post-earthquake. The building is amazing and they’ve put in this tubing system throughout the building so that if you order the sliders they get delivered to you through the tube – that is only available 3-7pm.
107 locals recommend
C1 Espresso
185 High StThis café is open 7am-10pm but our recommendation is brunch – especially the corn fritters. It’s become an institution now in Christchurch as they were one of the first to open post-earthquake. The building is amazing and they’ve put in this tubing system throughout the building so that if you order the sliders they get delivered to you through the tube – that is only available 3-7pm.
We are big coffee drinkers and this is our café of choice (especially Aarons – he is there no joke every day). If you’re wandering around town or going on the tram then stop in New Regent Street and make this the place you recharge.
19 locals recommend
The Caffeine Laboratory
We are big coffee drinkers and this is our café of choice (especially Aarons – he is there no joke every day). If you’re wandering around town or going on the tram then stop in New Regent Street and make this the place you recharge.
If you’ve got a car then this is a great choice that isn’t in the city centre. Relaxed vibe and big outdoor area, pretty much sums up Christchurch really.
24 locals recommend
Under The Red Verandah
29 Tancred StIf you’ve got a car then this is a great choice that isn’t in the city centre. Relaxed vibe and big outdoor area, pretty much sums up Christchurch really.
This is pretty much everyone in Christchurch’s favourite Mexican restaurant. The tacos are delicious and cheap.
86 locals recommend
Mexicano's
131 Victoria StThis is pretty much everyone in Christchurch’s favourite Mexican restaurant. The tacos are delicious and cheap.
This place is great if you’re looking for somewhere cheap to eat that is still going to taste delicious. Communal tables and Japanese-style food.
18 locals recommend
Hachi Hachi
177 Victoria StThis place is great if you’re looking for somewhere cheap to eat that is still going to taste delicious. Communal tables and Japanese-style food.
Friday Night Food Trucks – If you’re in Christchurch on a Friday night then this is the place to be. Lots of options, various prices, music etc. Runs in Cathedral Square between 4-9pm every Friday during the summer.
Friday Street Food Market
Cathedral SquareFriday Night Food Trucks – If you’re in Christchurch on a Friday night then this is the place to be. Lots of options, various prices, music etc. Runs in Cathedral Square between 4-9pm every Friday during the summer.
Another good dining/drinking combo that we like a lot is eating at Potsticker Dumpling Bar (144 Lichfield Street) and then going next door to Dux Central (6 Poplar Street) to try the locally brewed beers – definitely try the Ginger Tom. About a 2 minute walk away is also Stranges Lane (89 Lichfield Street) which has a cool laneway with quirky and unique bars.
14 locals recommend
Pot Sticker Dumpling Bar
144 Lichfield StAnother good dining/drinking combo that we like a lot is eating at Potsticker Dumpling Bar (144 Lichfield Street) and then going next door to Dux Central (6 Poplar Street) to try the locally brewed beers – definitely try the Ginger Tom. About a 2 minute walk away is also Stranges Lane (89 Lichfield Street) which has a cool laneway with quirky and unique bars.
This is the closest restaurant to the apartment. It has been in Christchurch for as long as we can remember and it is always delicious. They have a focus on deserts but their mains are great and focus on NZ cuisine.
36 locals recommend
Strawberry Fare
15 Bealey AveThis is the closest restaurant to the apartment. It has been in Christchurch for as long as we can remember and it is always delicious. They have a focus on deserts but their mains are great and focus on NZ cuisine.
If you are a big foodie then you need to know about this place. It is cosy little restaurant focusing on degustation using local produce. They offer 5-12 course options that vary in price between $105-$185 and you definitely need to book. It was rated NZ’s best restaurant by one of our top foodie magazine’s last year and it perfect for special occasions. It is a 25 minute drive from the apartment so you definitely need a car to get here.
16 locals recommend
Roots Restaurant
8 London StIf you are a big foodie then you need to know about this place. It is cosy little restaurant focusing on degustation using local produce. They offer 5-12 course options that vary in price between $105-$185 and you definitely need to book. It was rated NZ’s best restaurant by one of our top foodie magazine’s last year and it perfect for special occasions. It is a 25 minute drive from the apartment so you definitely need a car to get here.
Eating in? Don’t want to go out but don’t want to cook. Our delicious recommendation that is super close by is Pedros House of Lamb. They operate out of a container, and only sell gourmet NZ lamb slow cooked with potatoes. They only do takeaway so the idea is to eat it at home. 6 min walk to 17 Papanui Road (call to order before you walk down there +64 3 387 0707).
31 locals recommend
Pedro's House of Lamb
17 Papanui RdEating in? Don’t want to go out but don’t want to cook. Our delicious recommendation that is super close by is Pedros House of Lamb. They operate out of a container, and only sell gourmet NZ lamb slow cooked with potatoes. They only do takeaway so the idea is to eat it at home. 6 min walk to 17 Papanui Road (call to order before you walk down there +64 3 387 0707).
Local products that range from fruit and veggies to baked goods, wine and beer and preserved foods. When she is there our favourite stall is “Cakes by Anna” who sell the most beautifully presented cakes, yum yum Pear, Date and Salted Caramel Cake! You can also get tasty things like locally produced olive oil, honey, teas, chocolate. Every Saturday 9am-1pm.
72 locals recommend
Christchurch Farmers' Market
16 Kahu RdLocal products that range from fruit and veggies to baked goods, wine and beer and preserved foods. When she is there our favourite stall is “Cakes by Anna” who sell the most beautifully presented cakes, yum yum Pear, Date and Salted Caramel Cake! You can also get tasty things like locally produced olive oil, honey, teas, chocolate. Every Saturday 9am-1pm.
This market is smaller and a bit more rustic than the Christchurch Farmers Market. If you’re going to head over to Akaroa this could be your first pit stop. Lots of tasty local produce. Every Saturday from 10am-1pm.
49 locals recommend
Lyttelton Farmers Market
London StreetThis market is smaller and a bit more rustic than the Christchurch Farmers Market. If you’re going to head over to Akaroa this could be your first pit stop. Lots of tasty local produce. Every Saturday from 10am-1pm.
Drinks & Nightlife
This is next door to Mexicano’s and is one of our favourite bars in Christchurch. You can also order the above tacos while drinking at the bar.
30 locals recommend
The Dirty Land
131 Victoria StThis is next door to Mexicano’s and is one of our favourite bars in Christchurch. You can also order the above tacos while drinking at the bar.
Up a staircase this is always a great place for a couple of drinks. Gets pretty busy on Friday and Saturday nights - have live music including open mic some nights.
30 locals recommend
Boo Radley's Food & Liquor
98 Victoria StUp a staircase this is always a great place for a couple of drinks. Gets pretty busy on Friday and Saturday nights - have live music including open mic some nights.
Another good dining/drinking combo that we like a lot is eating at Potsticker Dumpling Bar (144 Lichfield Street) and then going next door to Dux Central (6 Poplar Street) to try the locally brewed beers – definitely try the Ginger Tom. About a 2 minute walk away is also Stranges Lane (89 Lichfield Street) which has a cool laneway with quirky and unique bars.
66 locals recommend
Dux Central
144 Lichfield StAnother good dining/drinking combo that we like a lot is eating at Potsticker Dumpling Bar (144 Lichfield Street) and then going next door to Dux Central (6 Poplar Street) to try the locally brewed beers – definitely try the Ginger Tom. About a 2 minute walk away is also Stranges Lane (89 Lichfield Street) which has a cool laneway with quirky and unique bars.
This is Christchurch’s version of an old English pub and it always has a good atmosphere. It’s quite enclosed so you’ll find lots of locals go there when it’s a bit grey outside. Brilliant selection of local craft beers.
74 locals recommend
Pomeroy's Old Brewery Inn
292 Kilmore StThis is Christchurch’s version of an old English pub and it always has a good atmosphere. It’s quite enclosed so you’ll find lots of locals go there when it’s a bit grey outside. Brilliant selection of local craft beers.
This is a great place we go when it’s a nice warm evening because it’s got one of the best outdoor bar area in town. Tucked away in an alleyway behind a restaurant called Cooking with Gas.
10 locals recommend
Astro Lounge
23 Worcester BlvdThis is a great place we go when it’s a nice warm evening because it’s got one of the best outdoor bar area in town. Tucked away in an alleyway behind a restaurant called Cooking with Gas.
Shopping
In central Christchurch and this is our shipping container shopping mall which has become a bit of an icon for the city post-earthquake. The shops are really good (lots of local NZ and good quality) and there is a mass of food trucks including the institution that is Dimitri’s souvlakis. The line might look long but they’re pretty quick and it’s worth the wait.
77 locals recommend
Container Mall
76-100 Cashel StreetIn central Christchurch and this is our shipping container shopping mall which has become a bit of an icon for the city post-earthquake. The shops are really good (lots of local NZ and good quality) and there is a mass of food trucks including the institution that is Dimitri’s souvlakis. The line might look long but they’re pretty quick and it’s worth the wait.
This is a boutique shopping space that has old-time charm in its beautiful industrial architecture. Great shops including retail, craft and hospitality. It’s a 15 minute drive from the apartment but worth the drive.
205 locals recommend
The Tannery
3 Garlands RdThis is a boutique shopping space that has old-time charm in its beautiful industrial architecture. Great shops including retail, craft and hospitality. It’s a 15 minute drive from the apartment but worth the drive.
Arts & Culture
This is a special exhibition from the Canterbury Museum that you will find in the Re:START shopping area that specifically gives an overview of the earthquakes. It takes a few perspectives and is very well done to understand what happened in 2010/11.
40 locals recommend
Quake City
299 Durham St NThis is a special exhibition from the Canterbury Museum that you will find in the Re:START shopping area that specifically gives an overview of the earthquakes. It takes a few perspectives and is very well done to understand what happened in 2010/11.
This is our beautiful inner city theatre which re-opened in 2014. There is always something interesting on so worth checking out while you’re in town. 145 Gloucester Street and www.isaactheatreroyal.co.nz/whats-on
72 locals recommend
Isaac Theatre Royal
145 Gloucester StThis is our beautiful inner city theatre which re-opened in 2014. There is always something interesting on so worth checking out while you’re in town. 145 Gloucester Street and www.isaactheatreroyal.co.nz/whats-on
Scared Scriptless – If you like late night impromptu comedy then this will make you laugh. It’s not in the city centre so you will need to drive to the Court Theatre. 10:15pm Friday and Saturdays.
49 locals recommend
The Court Theatre
36 Bernard StScared Scriptless – If you like late night impromptu comedy then this will make you laugh. It’s not in the city centre so you will need to drive to the Court Theatre. 10:15pm Friday and Saturdays.
The museum is a great place to let kids explore but the highlight of the visit is a trip to the Discovery Room. This area designed just for kids will have them digging for fossils, lots of things to touch and feel, puzzles and live spiders. $2 per person, Under 3s are free.
390 locals recommend
Canterbury Museum
66 Rolleston AveThe museum is a great place to let kids explore but the highlight of the visit is a trip to the Discovery Room. This area designed just for kids will have them digging for fossils, lots of things to touch and feel, puzzles and live spiders. $2 per person, Under 3s are free.
The creative scene in Christchurch has been flourishing since the 2011 earthquakes with lots of outdoor installations taking over the city. Our city gallery is definitely worth a look as part of your visit.
Also, if you want more information about the street art around the city then this website has all the details about the individual pieces on an interactive online map - http://christchurchstreetart.co.nz
304 locals recommend
Christchurch Art Gallery (Te Puna o Waiwhetu)
312 Montreal StThe creative scene in Christchurch has been flourishing since the 2011 earthquakes with lots of outdoor installations taking over the city. Our city gallery is definitely worth a look as part of your visit.
Also, if you want more information about the street art around the city then this website has all the details about the individual pieces on an interactive online map - http://christchurchstreetart.co.nz
Entertainment & Activities
Renting Canoes down the River Avon/Botanic Gardens – Having little kids we are heavy users of the Botanic Gardens and during spring and summer the gardens are relaxing and spectacular. Renting canoes is just one way to see them and is a little more fun.
18 locals recommend
Antigua Boatsheds Canoe Hire
2 Cambridge TerraceRenting Canoes down the River Avon/Botanic Gardens – Having little kids we are heavy users of the Botanic Gardens and during spring and summer the gardens are relaxing and spectacular. Renting canoes is just one way to see them and is a little more fun.
Our toddler calls this the “monkey monkey” playground. Named after one of NZ’s most inspiring children’s authors this playground is phenomenal for creative play - a giant slide, big whirly slide, flying foxes, lots of place to climb and bounce. During hot summer days there is an awesome water play area.
150 locals recommend
Margaret Mahy Playground
Armagh StreetOur toddler calls this the “monkey monkey” playground. Named after one of NZ’s most inspiring children’s authors this playground is phenomenal for creative play - a giant slide, big whirly slide, flying foxes, lots of place to climb and bounce. During hot summer days there is an awesome water play area.
At the Cathedral Junction Tram Stop stop is the Imagination Station (open 7 days, 10am-6pm). This is a free place where kids (and adults!) can play with heaps of Lego and Duplo. Brilliant for rainy days with little ones.
Imagination Station
60 Cathedral SquareAt the Cathedral Junction Tram Stop stop is the Imagination Station (open 7 days, 10am-6pm). This is a free place where kids (and adults!) can play with heaps of Lego and Duplo. Brilliant for rainy days with little ones.
Parks & Nature
If exploring nature is your kids preference then "the Gardens" is ideal. Trees to climb, lakes and the river to watch fish and ducks, tonnes of hidden paths and interesting sculptures. For adults, there are two cafes (one is Ilex mentioned in our cafes section) and the other is called Duck Duck. It’s next to the playground/paddling pool and you can buy duck seed there if your little one is keen on feeding the ducks.
297 locals recommend
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Rolleston AvenueIf exploring nature is your kids preference then "the Gardens" is ideal. Trees to climb, lakes and the river to watch fish and ducks, tonnes of hidden paths and interesting sculptures. For adults, there are two cafes (one is Ilex mentioned in our cafes section) and the other is called Duck Duck. It’s next to the playground/paddling pool and you can buy duck seed there if your little one is keen on feeding the ducks.
There are a lot of good options for walking tracks near the city. Our pick if you want to sweat a little is the Rapaki Track. Brilliant views of the city and takes roughly 2 hours return (up and down!)
50 locals recommend
Rapaki Track
66-26 Rapaki RdThere are a lot of good options for walking tracks near the city. Our pick if you want to sweat a little is the Rapaki Track. Brilliant views of the city and takes roughly 2 hours return (up and down!)
This is hands down one of the most spectacular walks that is easy access from the city. Best idea is to park at the Taylors Mistake beach car park and walk from there. It takes about 3 hours (but you could make it shorter by just heading back whenever you want) and has some stunning harbour views. There are a few steps so not the easiest with prams but we have done it -- so doable when you have two people. It's also a great track to do as a run.
43 locals recommend
Godley Head Carpark
This is hands down one of the most spectacular walks that is easy access from the city. Best idea is to park at the Taylors Mistake beach car park and walk from there. It takes about 3 hours (but you could make it shorter by just heading back whenever you want) and has some stunning harbour views. There are a few steps so not the easiest with prams but we have done it -- so doable when you have two people. It's also a great track to do as a run.
This is really new (opened late December) so neither of us have been here yet but the whole city is super excited about it. With a chair lift taking you up the valley, it is predominantly for mountain bikers (you can rent the bikes) but they also have zip lines and walks within the park.
100 locals recommend
Christchurch Adventure Park
225 Worsleys RoadThis is really new (opened late December) so neither of us have been here yet but the whole city is super excited about it. With a chair lift taking you up the valley, it is predominantly for mountain bikers (you can rent the bikes) but they also have zip lines and walks within the park.
This is Aaron’s pick for mountain biking - Bottle Lake Forest. It is a woodland area with a variety of tracks for different abilities.
37 locals recommend
Bottle Lake Forest
Waitikiri DriveThis is Aaron’s pick for mountain biking - Bottle Lake Forest. It is a woodland area with a variety of tracks for different abilities.
Getting Around
This is the central bus interchange where all the city buses arrive.
191 locals recommend
Christchurch Bus Interchange
Colombo StreetThis is the central bus interchange where all the city buses arrive.
If you are catching the TransAlpine train across to Greymouth/West Coast then this is where you will depart or arrive from.
20 locals recommend
Christchurch Railway Station
If you are catching the TransAlpine train across to Greymouth/West Coast then this is where you will depart or arrive from.