Christchurch has the largest number and widest range of
restaurants
in the South Island. It has long discarded most of the dowdier establishments of old and has wholeheartedly adopted the national penchant for Pacific Rim cuisine with an admixture of influences from just about everywhere else. To whet your appetite, buy a copy of the comprehensive
Classic Canterbury Dining Out Guide
from the visitor centre ($4.95). Top-quality gourmet cuisine is increasingly well represented, and now nicely balances the selection of ethnic restaurants on offer. There's also a growing number of fun, themed establishments featuring live music, and for a more down-to-earth atmosphere, many of the city's
pubs
serve hearty food to soak up their brews.
With more and more
cafés
and
bars
offering substantial food, distinctions between eating and drinking venues are increasingly blurred, and many of the establishments listed under "Drinking"
are perfectly good places in which to enjoy a main meal.
All the places we've listed are open daily, unless otherwise stated
Central Christchurch
For eating there is little reason to venture beyond the Four Avenues, in fact you'll find most of what you need in the grid of downtown streets close to Cathedral Square, notably along Colombo Street, Cashel Street, Manchester Street and High Street. One...
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Papanui Road and Merivale
There's little culinary reason to leave the city centre and head out to the suburbs, but if you are staying along Papanui Road or in the northern reaches of the city, then there are some handy and reputable places to dine nearby.
All the...
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New Brighton and Sumner
You are not going to starve during your day at the beach. With one notable exception, New Brighton makes do with cheap-and-cheerful beachfront cafés and takeaways, but Sumner is well endowed with notable places to dine and drink. You might even want to...
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