Christchurch

Christchurch, the largest city on New Zealand's South Island, has recovered from a devastating earthquake and is experiencing a phenomenal resurgence. It is a unique look at the reconstruction of a city and on urban renewal. The Avon River is the city's lifeblood, and the lush native forests surrounding Christchurch are well worth trekking.
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Top places to visit

1Christchurch Botanic Gardens

4.7
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4.5
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Mentioned on 
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Botanical garden
Nature & Parks
Christchurch's Botanic Gardens is a vast, sprawling garden that offers visitors a diverse range of plants from around the world. Spanning 30 hectares, the gardens are particularly beautiful in spring when the trees are in full bloom. There are several themed gardens to explore as well as a playground for kids and a cafe with gift shop. Guided walks depart from either Canterbury Museum or the Botanic Gardens visitor center every hour from October to May.
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Always an amazing place for a walk any time of year. Beautifully curated with many different zones for different plants. Lots of choices for picnic spots. Each of the tropical houses or fern houses are a must see with the range of colourful flowers and plants
A beautiful place. Visited from Auckland and spent a good few hours here, can’t beat it on a gorgeous sunny day! Lots if birds who all look very happy, plus a range of trees, flowers and stunning scenery. The conservatory is a great experience and full of interesting plants. Will definitely be back!
Not without a reason this city is called Garden City. Regardless of the time of they year and if you are a local or visiting tourist - Botanic Gardens never disappoint. It’s one of the most beautiful gardens in New Zealand. Plenty of walkways to explore amazing collections of flowers, bushes and some of the oldest trees in the country. Walkways by the river are especially rewarding and calming with the water. There are some “hidden” houses offering some indoor plants and tropical flora, rose garden is especially beautiful during blooming time in spring, but so is everything else. Autumn colours have it’s unique charm too. Something for everyone, families, couples and groups. For parents with kids there is dedicated playground area. Parking places are quite limited but there are some surrounding streets around Harley Park where you can always find a spot.
My favourite place in Christchurch! Beautiful, calm, well maintained. The trails are easy, clean and there are many surprises along the way, such as small lakes, birds, different types of trees, flowers and other plants. The place is magical
Christchurch Botanic Gardens is a wonderful place to visit. The park is spacious, well-maintained, and quite enjoyable. The river trail is a highlight with adorable ducks swimming around. It's a bit disappointing that the museum nearby was closed during our visit, but overall, it's a fantastic spot to take your kids for a leisurely walk and playtime.
Beautiful! Love beautiful flowers & colors during spring and plentiful roses (in rose garden) in early summer. You'll amaze to see many types of roses with various colors! They have playground and small pool (open on summer) and its kid's friendly park. Love to come here with kids
Lovely botanical garden during spring. Lots of flowers from azalea, magnolias and camellias. Roses are in bud flowers, need to wait a little bit for the blossoms. Lot of flowers too in the hot house as you can see on the picture. Another little house for the fern with wood moas. Car park is free during three hours, it is enough to visit all the park.
This botanical garden is undoubtedly one of the finest, showcasing the mesmerizing beauty of nature's seasonal transformations through meticulous arrangement of plants and flowers. Taking leisurely walks through its various sections offers a delightful contrast and rejuvenating viewpoints. Our weekly strolls here have evolved into a cherished tradition, made even more convenient by the abundance of parking spaces available on weekdays.
What a beautiful part of Christchurch! An amazing free thing to do in the city. Large parking lot but can fill up quickly. So many areas to walk around and enjoy nature.
Easily one of the best features of the Garden City Ōtautahi Christchurch. I absolutely love the Botanic Gardens and frequently visit for a stroll with friends or by myself as it is so refreshing. There's lots of birdsong and gorgeous flowers all year round. No matter how many times I visit there is always something new to see! I highly recommend it to anyone visiting the city.
The gardens are completely free. We did, however, book a guided tour in a little bus, which was $25pp. I never thought I would see a Californian Red Wood tree in my lifetime, and they have 7 of them in the park. Well, it's worth a visit. It's definitely one of the best parks I have seen in all my travels.
The Botanical Gardens in Christchurch are absolutely stunning. Beautifully maintained, filled with diverse plant life, and perfect for a peaceful walk. A must-visit for nature enthusiasts. Highly recommended!
Loved the gardens and the 2 lovely staff we saw (at Door 1) adding touches to the fairy walk for the July 2022 school holidays. Highly recommend checking out the amazing tree near the peacock fountain! Look forward to the next school holiday activity there!
Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand•https://www.ccc.govt.nz/parks-and-gardens/christchurch-botanic-g…

2TranzAlpine: Scenic Train Christchurch - Greymouth

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4.5
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Transportation
Tour operator
The TranzAlpine Train is a scenic train journey between Christchurch and Greymouth in the Southern Alps. The journey takes about 5 hours and offers breathtaking views of the alpine landscape, with excursions including passes over staggering viaducts and breathtaking mountain passes.
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We did one way from Greymouth to Christchurch and it was great. Easy check in process at Greymouth Station. You don't choose your seats when booking, your seats are allocated when you check in at the station. Lovely views, approx 5 hours on the train. 4 of us went (all adults), got seated around a table. We found this comfy and roomy enough. If you don't get seated around a table, the other seats are 2 people seated next to each other with tray tables that fold down from the seat above (like airline seats). There are 2 USB ports to charge devices, overhead luggage storage so no bags have to be stored under the table and headphone commentary along the way. I found the commentary actually okay to listen to, often I get bored with this stuff but I actually listened to some of it when I wasn't standing in the observation carriage. The observation carriage is great for seeing views and feeling the wind rush past you but the seated carriages have large windows for viewing if you don't walk to the observation carriage. We purchased some hot drinks and snacks and found it reasonably priced, I was expecting it to be somewhat overpriced for being on a train but it was standard pricing. The drinks and food were yum. The entire train was clean, tidy. The toilets were clean! The Cafe carriage has seating but was closed understandably due to covid but food can be taken back to your allocated seat/table. Easy to walk between carriages and we were seated on a carriage between the Cafe and observation carriage so didn't have far to walk which was great. We hired a rental car from Christchurch, drove across to the West Coast. On the day of the train trip we dropped our car off at the Greymouth rental company, which was across the road from the station (perfect) and got on the train. This was our first time doing the train and we liked it, would likely do it again. But I would probably recommend only doing it one way as I imagine a two way journey makes a long trip on a train, especially if do a return trip all on one day. We are happy we did the one way journey only, as felt it was long enough for us. More a personal preference. Otherwise highly recommended to do.
I love train travel so we booked return trip. It was a wonderful day. The views are amazing. The train was very clean and comfortable and the staff were lovely. We were lucky to get a table for two of us on the way to Greymouth and that is great when you want to eat/ drink. The train was full coming back so couldn't move from the airline type seats. They were very comfortable just felt more enclosed with a seat in front of you. Doing the journey both ways have me some great photo opportunities - in the morning everything was green and sunny while in the afternoon it started snowing and giving everything a dusting of white. Beautiful, but very cold in the observation car when the snow started. Overall, it was fantastic and I'd do it again.
We went from Christchurch to Arturs Pass where we rejoined our Bus tour. I spent the entire trip in the Cattle (Viewing) Car and loved the entire trip. Although the passenger cars were beautiful, clean, spacious, warm - I wanted the fresh air experience where i could take pictures without glass and reflections. Well worth going to the open air car if you are a photographer. It wasn't busy initially but got packed when we got into the foothills and mountains so you had to pick a side and stick with it. You miss some scenery that way but the same thing would have happened in the passenger cars. Beautiful trip.
TranzAlpine Scenic Train Journey from Christchurch to Greymouth is a must do. It's definitely worth the train ride instead of driving, especially for the driver as you can actually enjoy the scenery for once. Pick up the rental car from Greymouth instead, which is right inside the Greymouth Train Station. Go to to open air carriage for the best photo opportunities!
A smooth yet expensive scenic train ride from one end of New Zealand to another through the river valleys and into the alps. The train is clean and the seats are comfortable. The bigger glass windows enable passengers to have a better view during the relaxing journey. Overall experience was good but not great. Slightly disappointed with the overall scenery throughout the ride because it wasn’t as scenic as expected.
Great scenery along the journey. Takes 4.5 hours as moves fairly slowly. Comfortable seats and an open air car to get a different set of views. Provides good commentary through headlines (provided) but was in audible as kept cutting out continuously which was very frustrating!
We took the scenic plus from Christchurch to Moana and back. The views both ways were gorgeous. At Moana, we went for a couple of short walks that were very beautiful. On the return journey we weren’t very happy with the food. It was not flavourful, and the staff claimed to run out of certain items. But the views and scenery were as enjoyable as ever. I think we paid over $2,000 for three tickets both ways and food should have been good both ways. The staff were very polite and friendly.
A lovely 5 hour long train ride and amazing scenery along the way. Stand on the right hand side of the viewing deck going to Greymouth and you will get the best shots.
Very nice trip. Beautiful country. Very competent rail personnel all with smiles. The breakfast and lunch offerings are tasty. We enjoyed the Grower's breakfast and the vegetarian pie. Then later we split Proper Crisps (Garden Medley) and a McCoy Sparkling Apple Cranberry.
I travelled to Arthur's Pass on this train and loved it. Check in was easy, my seat comfortable, there is scenery both sides to experience so it is not necessary to sit on right side. The cafe has a variety of options and coffee nice. Service and commentary excellent. I highly recommend this rail journey in New Zealand.
We travelled on the TranzAlpine from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass with a small tour group to travel on a minivan by road back to Christchurch. The train travel was thru scenic Canterbury Plains to the climb up the Southern Alps. The seating was comfortable and the dining car was functional to have a coffee and a tasty savoury scone.
I travelled from Christchurch to Arthurs Pass, overnighted 2 nights at Alpine Motel and returned on the same train. Buffet car serves hot and cold food, tea, coffee, mulled wine and other alcohol. Staff all fantastic and helpful. Not much of interest to see close up on leaving Christchurch but it gets more interesting the closer the train gets to the mountains and there is a good audio commentary available over free headphones. Some great walks of varying length and difficulty once you get to Arthurs Pass, only one place open for meals as Arthurs itself is closed and up for sale and Keas Cafe (also for sale) didnt open over the 2 days I was there and locals said it opens irregularly. You could come back on the same day as the train arrives Arthurs Pass around 10:40 , continues to Greymouth then returns to Arthurs Pass at 4:30 pm for a 7pm arrival back to Christchurch.
Troup Drive, Addington, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand•https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/tours-and-trains/scenic-trains/t…

3International Antarctic Centre

4.4
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4.5
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Museums
Amusement park
The International Antarctic Centre is an attraction in Christchurch, New Zealand that showcases the importance of the city to scientific research conducted on Antarctica. The venue has three spaces which can hold up to 250 guests each, and offers extraordinary ways for your conference to stand out from the rest.
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This attraction is a must visit for anyone who is in Christchurch. It offers great educational value. There is comprehensive information about Antarctica, life on the continent, ongoing preservation efforts about the continent and much more. Certainly made us more aware of the importance of protecting and preserving our environment and indeed our planet. Invaluable experience!
Had a few hours to fill in so headed here. Best suited if you had kids of any age but still enjoyed our visit. Lots to learn and very interactive. Be warned if you do the artic storm experience, wear more than a thin t-shirt
Very interesting and a lot of factual information, geological samples and real life footage. The VIP Penguin Backstage Pass is so worth it, with a really fascinating presentation of Antarctica wild life and the little blue penguins up-close encounter. The bumpy Hägglund Field Trip is fun and unique!!! Absolutely recommended!
If u are visiting Christchurch this has to be on ur to do list when u have kids. Keep at least 3-4 hours aside. The penguin feeding shows, the storm session and 4D movie all have timings so if u want to see all. Even I enjoyed the whole experience along with my daughter.
Fantastic experience. Plan to spend a good 3-4 hours. Penguin feeding, 4D cinema, snowstorm experiences are amazing. One of its kind center giving visitors a feel of what it's like to experience the great icy continent of Antarctica. Good Cafe. Accessible by public transport, close to the Christchurch International Airport.
Lovely experience, the guides and staff super friendly, and helpful, the cafe could improve in their food, however staff was still very friendly 😊.. Loved the huskies, well looked after, and the owner so, Informative, I had backstage pass, and learnt a lot about the penguins, so interesting and enjoyed the 4D theater experience, and if cis the Hagglund ride was fun. A+
Unique attraction and worth the visit. Penguins were funny, a little lazy and the Huskies were adorable. Well informed staff with a real passion for what they do.
It was a great way to spend the day. Loved seeing the Huskys and watching the penguins have their feed. Next time I wouldn't visit during the school holidays as we were often pushed away from things before being able to finish reading as the kids wanted to use the items.
Unfortunately I went wrong day and time to visit. People staying at same motel had been a few days earlier and said it was great and went round twice, so thought I'd go. Unfortunately they hadn't mentioned I needed to be there at a certain time and on particular days to see everything and I hadn't bothered to check on google as I just went on what they'd told me. Only day I could go was Wednesday morning, so missed out on the Huskies (not there Wed/Thurs?). Also missed out on penguin feeding as got there 20min too late (be there well before 1030am if going in morning). By time I'd stopped and looked at the penguins (rescues that can't be released back into the wild) and a few other things inside was 5 mins late for the 4D show and they'd locked the door so missed that too. (they do say it happens in threes, lol). Best bit while there was the hagglund ride outside and only paid $30, I think because penguin feeding had already finished and no huskies either. Would I go back, probably not, but could be an entertaining morning for families with young kids.
This is right next to the airport and has luggage storage, so it was a perfect getaway to avoid just waiting in the airport all afternoon! There are a lot of penguins, and they are all so cute. We did the VIP backstage tour, which was super cool, and I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to learn more about penguin conservation efforts in NZ, or to anyone who just wants to see a cute little penguin up close and personal. I would definitely recommend a visit here!
A really fun place to visit. Some really cool interactive experiences. I loved the ride in the Hagglunds. The snow storm chamber was brilliant, and the blue penguin, and husky shows were great. Also had a nice gift shop with some fun stuff, and lovely staff. Definitely worth visiting the International Antarctic Centre.
Friendly staff and a fun atmosphere. The penguin feeding was a delight to watch. Our daughter loved to see the Huskies up close and really enjoyed being around their trainer, he was the highlight for her. Very informative about the Huskies and kept everyone safe, we learned a lot from him regarding safety around dogs in general. Definitely stop at the gift store at the end, there are some great soft animals for the little ones.
Our family spent a fabulous morning at the Antarctic Centre. Staff all very helpful and obliging. Loved all the visual effects and penguin feeding. Grandson especially loved the ride in the snow machine 😁
Corner Roy Place and, Orchard Road, Christchurch Airport, Christchurch 8052, New Zealand•http://www.iceberg.co.nz/

4Canterbury Museum

4.6
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Museum
History museum
The Canterbury Museum is a fine institution in the city center which houses a diverse range of artifacts that span New Zealands history and culture. From permanent exhibitions covering a wide range of topics to special exhibitions, there's something for everyone to enjoy at this museum.
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One of my favourite places in the world. The simulated historical shopping street is a particular delight and had been since childhood decades ago. A must visit in the Botanical Gardens and Arts Centre area.
Staff was very friendly. The museum is closed but they had an urban art exhibit called Thrive on. We quite enjoyed this! It takes you all over the building, including offices and conference rooms that have been converted into art. Great way to spend an afternoon.
Firstly I have to emphasize how friendly and helpful the staff are. They're so excited about explaining all the items and the book called 150 Items in Canterbury Museum. I love the "Six Extinction" theme held with some casts from Botswana Studio. They're doing a great job casting the original fossils for the other part of the world to see. Especially Scotty the T-rex.
Awesome attraction. Great range of displays and history. My favorite part was the bird hall. Lots of lovely birds there.
Visited when they had the Dinosaur exhibit going. It was pretty awesome to see the mechanical Dinosaurs but was a rather over priced entry fee for what they had. Still something fun to see though. I've been to this museum several times over the years and not much has changed but that's fine by me. It is a cool experience for first timers or people who are nostalgic. Staff are friendly and very helpful so that is a huge plus. Will definitely visit again in the future.
The SHIFT Urban Art Takeover is undoubtedly the most unique and captivating museum I've ever set foot in! Essentially, it's a massive playground constructed where talented street artists showcase their work. Graffiti masterpieces adorn every surface. Be aware that there's a $25 admission fee, and the exhibit concludes on April 11th. I wholeheartedly suggest paying a visit before this incredible experience disappears.
The dinos where awesome. Must see. $10 for adults and $5 for children. The Maori section was more of a racist view of our history. But the rest was pretty cool. Because of the dino section a large section of the museum has been blocked
We went and saw the Shift exhibition in February 2023. Tickets are $25 for adults ($20 for seniors). An interesting contrast between the old, formal nature of the building and such contemporary art. You will find a great variety of styles. Well worth a visit.
While the museum is being reconstructed there is a pop-up featuring some of the best exhibits in the collection. There's a meteorite, a T-rex skeleton, Antarctic memorabilia and the most amazing prehistoric creature a squid in a 5m shell! The pop-up is free to enter and takes about an hour to tour.
66 Gloucester Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand•https://www.canterburymuseum.com/

5Christchurch Gondola

4.5
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4.5
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Mentioned on 
2 lists 
Mountain cable car
Transportation
The Christchurch Gondola offers 360 degree panoramic views of the city and surrounding areas, making it a perfect way to explore Christchurch from the top. The cafe on-site serves up delicious food and drinks, while the gift shop has some great souvenirs for visitors to take home.
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What's not to like! Amazing views going all the way up in the Gondola. The souvenir shop is always good to browse through with great prices and friendly staff. Stunning views from the cafe at the top and the Christchurch Discovery tour downstairs is the best of the lot . 7 minutes of informative and we'll done entertainment. All this for $35! Well done Otautahi 👍
We spent a morning here, riding the gondola, enjoying the views from the observation deck, and having a quick lunch. There was a little ride you could do called Journey Through Time, telling a little of the history of Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. While it was interesting, we felt that the presentation did not discuss much of the Maori history, instead dwelling more significantly on the history of the European settlers who came 900-odd years later. It would have been nice to see a little more of the Maori history. There was also not adequately signed access for people with disabilities, and a lot of stairs in the absence of an elevator (if there was an elevator, we did not discover it). Other than these two things, it was a really great way to spend the morning and the views from the top are phenomenal. It's definitely worth a visit.
Amazing experience. Not for people who are scared of heights. Day wasn't perfect for me because of rain. Didn't capture the view. Good cafe at the summit. A souvenir shop as well.
Top tourist attraction. Easy to use. We went on a Thursday 3rd week in August. It was quiet, with easy parking, no queues, few people. Would imagine there would be a wait when there are tourist buses and during school holidays etc; Stunning views. Loved the sheep grazing on the steep hillside below the gondola. Gondola was clean and tidy. Cafe was clean and spacious with views all around. Coffee long black and a latte were good. Huge gift shop with something for everyone. Didn't do the video, which was available.
We liked it overall, the view is undoubtedly mind blowing, staffs members are nice and friendly, it wasn’t crowded when we were there which was nice. However we eventually missed the complementary discovery ride because we weren’t informed the whole site closes at 4:30 and the discovery ride closes at 4 until the last minute, I guess it’s mainly our own fault that we didn’t check the operation hours, we just didn’t expect it to close so early, but I feel we could use some better and earlier notifications, especially we just got up there at 3pm.
Great view with a cafe at the top with outdoors seating. There were sheep on the slopes grazing while we took the Gondola up. Plenty of free parking on site. Do take note that the last ride down is at 1630hrs so cater for ample time for shopping at the souvenir shop, which had quite a number of good deals.
The ride up the hill with the gondola was really fun. Views are spectacular. Choosing a day with clear skies is important, even with a little cloud cover there is a chance of poor visibility. Cafe at the top has decent food, a bit pricey and not a lot of options, but good for lunch. My only critique is the smell in the gift shop, don't know if it was just the day we went there, but it smelt like urine.
Amazing views, definitely a place to visit when the sky is clear. Great food and drinks available once you reach the top. And a free photo download, I wish we were able to choose the photo.
Beautiful, spectacular, and mesmerizing panoramic view at the summit of Christchurch Gondola! Christchurch Gondola attraction is the highlight of Christchurch! Apart from the million-dollar view, the gondola ride itself was relaxing and enjoyable. There is also a cafe at the summit which serves good western food and of course, it comes with a priceless view! Highly recommended to anyone and do not miss the opportunity to visit this scenic place!
Visited the gondola on a recent trip to Christchurch and was very pleasantly surprised! The views going up were epic. It wasn't too crowded the day we were there, so no long wait times. We also went on the Discovery Ride, which was interesting. If there is one negative, then to me, it would be the discovery ride. I think it needs a bit of an update. The views from the viewing platform were epic as we were there on a super clear day. Great Cafe at the top and a little gift / souvenir shop.
10 Bridle Path Road, Heathcote Valley, Christchurch 8022, New Zealand•https://www.christchurchattractions.nz/christchurch-gondola/
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Top places to eat

1Fiddlesticks Restaurant and Bar

4.5
(1871)
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4.5
(1731)
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Mentioned on 
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affordable
Restaurant
The vibrant restaurant Fiddlesticks offers an extensive range of beers, wines and spirits, as well as a delicious menu that takes advantage of local produce. The rustic setting is perfect for any event type, from intimate drinks gatherings to large dinners with friends.
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The food here was amazing, they have a very basic menu in the sense there is a lamb, beef, chicken, vege, pasta and fish option but they do all of their food so well. Everything was absolutely delicious and well cooked. The staff were very friendly and attentive.
Everything was so amazing! This is a popular spot (and we now see why!), so on a Friday night, all inside seating was taken by reservation, but they were able to accommodate us with outside tables (they have heaters). The staff was friendly and our 3 dishes were sooo good. The market fish was Warehou paired with a fried muscle cake, grilled fennel, and some fried kale. I cleared the plate it was so amazing. It also had a pumpkin sauce of sorts. The polenta sticks were fab too. You won’t get a bad dish here. This is definitely more of a fancy spot with smaller portions but amazing taste. If you’re in town, give it a try. Also, we’re from the USA, so remember when you’re done, you walk to the register and pay. They won’t bring the bill to you.
Amazing place. Amazing food and the service was really good. FFC is just too good. A bit disappointed with the bao. Didn't enjoy the the combination of Bao and bbq sauce. The creamy mushrooms are to die for🤤
We went for the first time, and what a surprise... The flavours were just amazing. The lamb shoulder, Akaroa salmon, kids tempura fish so good that we ordered 3 portions as we couldn’t stop eating. All in all, a lovely restaurant, with delicious food and great service well worth a visit. Well done team. Cheers!!!
Took a gamble and ordered the Tempura Fish aka fish and chips. This is hands down the best fish and chips I have ever had. Having traveled around the world and trying many famous fish and chips this is saying something. This is a must eat.
We arrived at Christchurch in the evening and this was our first meal here. It’s a pleasant surprise. Food and dessert are real good, price is reasonable. We enjoyed our first meal in Christchurch.
Have had dinner here several times, first time for brunch. Great service, great food. The pancakes would have to be the best I have sampled. Nicely presented and with the perfect ice-cream accompliment, including a finishing touch that sets it above the rest.
Honestly quite disappointing given the number of great reviews. Felt the food was overly salty and lackluster. We came for lunch and got the baked lamb potato bites, pesto eggs, and the jalapeño and chorizo hash. Service was also OK. They do have gluten free options
If you have the budget, this is an absolute recommend for me when you’re going to the botanical gardens. It’s near the garden and the tram actually stops right in front of it. I went for breakfast and their breakfast menu is just *chef’s kiss* I would recommend booking if you’re going for lunch or dinner though.
Corner of Worcester Boulevard &, Montreal Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand•http://fiddlesticksbar.co.nz/

2Bloody Mary's

4.4
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4.5
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expensive
Bar & grill
Lounge
Bloody Mary's is a top-quality, high-end bar and grill that features a steakhouse menu in a swanky setting. It has a terrace and private rooms, ideal for any occasion. The restaurant is decorated elegantly with a private dining hall, velvet chairs and classy chandeliers. Bloody Mary's offers breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner throughout the week.
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Spectacular 10 👌 Everything we ate was cooked with passion, craft, skills and perfection. Every bite was a melting moment. Thank you to the lovely staff who managed our large order 😀 You all did a fantastic job! I've shared my experience on my social media platforms. Thank you Chefs...for blessing us with your cooking talents. I left Bloody Mary's with extremely happy taste buds and tummy.
Had our best meal in Christchurch! We didn’t have a reservation so we’re seated at the bar before any seat was available. In a short time we placed our orders with the help from our waitress. Everything we had was delicious. The steak, the fried oysters to the dessert. The layered potato was one of the highlight too. We loved how everything was not of big portion which made us always want more. A good place for family or friend gathering. The wait staff also gave advice on the food options as well as the drink.
Best meal I ever had so far! Crazy how I've only tried this once, for sure not the last time though. Thoroughly enjoyed everything my friends and I had. Their steaks were so well done and so filling as well. The experience of being in Bloody Mary's were superb. Greatly and highly recommend! Will definitely be back!
Beautiful meal, lovely surroundings and very friendly and efficient staff. We very much enjoyed our visit and meals. (I took my dessert away with me to eat later 🙂 thus the paper under the dessert)
My 1st time visiting but it won't be my last. It's classy, modern, clean,staff were friendly, well except for one but no matter. I hope the rest of her day went well. There is a great selection of food for a buffet breakfast. Everything was fresh,tasty and appealing. Parking is going to be your nemesis. If you making a booking, add 10 minutes extra to look for parking. Other than that, loved it!
This is our third time coming to Bloody Mary's and it does not disappoint. The menu changes throughout the year which keeps it interesting. The decor and atmosphere are refined but relaxed. The customer service is always friendly, we are always looked after. The price point is higher than average, but that hasn't stopped us coming back, it just limits our visits to special occasions. Would highly recommend trying the rhubarb and strawberry crumble with custard, although everything else on the menu is amazing too.
Great restaurant in central Christchurch. Wonderful meals, warm ambience, great service. What more could you want? There is a real country-lodge feel to “Bloody Mary’s”, with a familiar and cosy feel to it. The meals let the high quality ingredients do the talking, and my steak was cooked perfectly. Loved the lemon meringue pie, and the kingfish starter was fresh. Will definitely be back!
The staff were very friendly and courteous. Excellent service from the table server taking drink orders then the food orders. They didn't take your orders then dissappear, they were always floating around and checking in on us to see if we needed more drinks and to see how the meals were. My wife had the salmon main which she said was "bloody fantastic". I had the prime rib which is cut at the table and the server gives you the run down on the prep of this rib. I'm not big on eating ribs but this was fantastic. Their breakfast buffet is well worth the cost, totally recommend if you're in the area.
Dining here again 🙌 …Absolutely amazing dinner! Atmosphere and service! We were looked after by the lovely Hannah - thank you so much! You are awesome! From the moment we arrived, everything was well executed. A superb steak house with elegance 😍 … I had the Lamb Backstrap and it was Devine!!!
Breakfast buffet is amazing! Plenty of choices for sausages, bacon, scrambled eggs, croissants, toast, coffees, etc, just love it! Warm ambience dining, great service! Will definitely come back and try the dinner menu.
30 Latimer Square, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand•http://www.bloodymarys.co.nz/

3Casa Publica

4.4
(1600)
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4.5
(1432)
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Mentioned on 
1 list 
affordable
Restaurant
The Casa Publica restaurant is a great place to enjoy elevated South American dishes while listening to live music and sampling over 100 rum varieties. The guacamole bar is especially noteworthy - it features classic guacamole, smoked bacon and chicken guacamole, as well as personal favourite roast field mushroom guac!. The bartenders are expert in rum and craft cocktails, so you can enjoy some amazing flavours in style.
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What an amazing experience at Casa Publica!! The food was amazing, the best part were the pita chips and guac... to die for!! And count yourself lucky if you are served by Olivier !! He knew all the history of the rums and made our night that much better. Highly recommend.
The Casa Publica restaurant offers a wonderful dining experience that is sure to please foodies and casual diners alike. From the moment you walk in the door, you are greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere that is perfect for a night out with friends, a romantic dinner for two, or even a family celebration. One of the standout features of the restaurant is its menu, which offers a wide variety of Mexican-inspired dishes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. Whether you're in the mood for classic favorites like tacos and burritos or you're looking to try something new and adventurous like the grilled octopus or roasted pork belly, there's something for everyone on the menu. But it's not just the food that sets the Casa Publica restaurant apart - it's the attention to detail and the commitment to quality that really makes this place special. The ingredients are always fresh and locally sourced, and the chefs take pride in creating dishes that are not only delicious but also visually stunning. In terms of parking options, there is paid parking available on the road side, but it's limited to 1 hour up to 8.30pm. There is also Wilson Parking available in nearby areas, which can be a good option for longer stays. Another option is to park near the Margaret Mahy playground, which is a short walk from the restaurant. In addition to the food, the service at Casa Publica is top-notch. The staff is friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu, and they go out of their way to ensure that every guest feels welcome and taken care of. Overall, I would highly recommend the Casa Publica restaurant to anyone looking for an unforgettable dining experience. From the delicious food to the warm atmosphere and attentive service, this restaurant is truly a gem that is not to be missed. Just be sure to plan your parking accordingly to avoid any issues.
Good time. No reservation, seated at the bar. Bartender was friendly and animated while making drinks. 👍🏽 Got guacamole, which is made at the table it was pretty tasty. Drinks are made with love. Would come back to try other items on the menu. Tried the following- Guac 👍🏽👍🏽 Honey Fried Cauliflower - I would definitely order again 2 tacos - pork carnitas & coconut braised chicken. Chicken was hands down my favorite. Tortilla was a thin flour tortilla.
Had an amazing experience, food was top notch never had ribs so good. And portions were massive. Olivier our waiter was great and super attentive, his knowledge of rums was very impressive and remembered an entire tables order without writing anything down. Will definitely be coming back.
Absolutely amazing place. Good rum, good margaritas, beautiful food. The service was very friendly and doing the "trust the chef" option for $60 each was brilliant. We got VERY well fed for our money! The guacamole was heavenly. I can't recommend this place enough for anyone visiting christchurch!
Took my wife here for her birthday dinner, absolutely phenomenal food! The staff are extremely knowledgeable with the menu and different Rum selections, all the staff were friendly and professional but happy to have a laugh with you. Perfectly made Piná Coladas, big wraps to the bar staff too! The staff here are a big asset to this restaurant. Can't highly recommend this place more and when back in NZ again I will definitely having dinner there again!. Thank you
We had the ceviche ,soft shell crab and the steak along with a cocktail. It was all amazing! The location is fantastic , try to get a seat by the window if you go for lunch . The lady taking care of our table was very welcoming . I'm glad I picked this restaurant to celebrate my birthday
The restaurant is located in a good location, good view, nice decoration and pretty chill and comfortable seating for the whole group or couple. There is a diverse menu of alcoholic drinks, delicious food, very friendly staff, fast and professional service. Especially they close later than the restaurants in the area.
Great experience. I had the chef choice with the wine pairing. Great Guacamole followed by fish tacos, pineapple salsa and shrimp ceviche. Mains was chicken skewer and desserts were churros and Argentinian chocolate cake. Good size portions too and great wine/Rhum.
180 Armagh Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand•http://casapublica.co.nz/

4Tutto Bene Restaurant & Pizzeria

4.5
(1268)
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4.5
(1237)
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Mentioned on 
1 list 
affordable
Italian restaurant
Tutto Bene Restaurant & Pizzeria is a family-friendly Italian restaurant with great food and a lively atmosphere. The restaurant has outdoor seating, street parking, and wheelchair accessible facilities. It also accepts American Express, Mastercard, and Visa.
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Loved the folded pizza (Calzone Paradiso) and the other authentic preps.
We went here last night with my family plus my nephew down from Auckland. We ordered the Spaghetti Roberto, Carbonara, NZ pizza and lasagne with a garlic bread for the table. The service as per usual with excellent and our meals came very quickly which I always wonder if that’s a good thing or not?!? I found the garlic bread to be extremely salty and left my piece on my plate. The carbonara was nice and hot and tasty - I did the like the zucchini in it. That was different. Dad and my nephew really enjoyed their Spaghetti Roberto. Mom enjoyed her lasagne and there was so much of it she took the rest home. My husband had the pizza and wasn’t a great fan of it - he said he could get better at Hells pizza for less the cost. He has had it once before before covid and wanted to have it again to see if it had improved somewhat but it hasn’t. One thing I wanted to point out is the online menu is different to what you actually see at the restaurant and on that note, we chose Tutto Bene again for the fact it had steak on the online menu thinking we could get that but were given a menu without it. I did ask the staff member but weren’t given a definitive answer as to why it wasn’t on the menu. That was disappointing. Maybe on the online menu it should actually mention that the online menu is different to the in-house menu. Maybe it does and I did search for something that said that but couldn’t find anything. All in all, I really don’t think the prices reflect the hype. I wouldn’t go back by my own choice. We paid $71.00 for the carbonara and pizza and garlic bread. Using the online menu this didn’t add to $71.00 so that may need to be updated.
Warm service! Stunning food that's piping hot! We loved it! Always busy so remember to book 🤓
The restaurant was highly recommended so we went there for a dinner. The service was fantastic, super friendly and fast. Good things first: The wine ,the starter and the desert were amazing. But the cannelloni tasted like they were cooked hours ago. Also the Gnocchi were average quality and italian herbs were missing. If you have ever been in Italy you would agree this is far away from the fresh food you get there. We liked the Italian music.
Great food, very nice atmosphere.
Atmosphere and service was fantastic. Pasta=Meh. Wasn't the best pasta, chewy cannaloni. Sauce=Meh. It's OK. Nothing to go WOW about... Changed since I was here years ago. It's ok, but don't expect amazing. Sorry
192 Papanui Road, St Albans, Christchurch 8014, New Zealand•http://www.tuttobene.co.nz/

5Twenty Seven Steps

4.7
(878)
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4.5
(1178)
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Mentioned on 
+4 other lists 
expensive
Modern European restaurant
Twenty Seven Steps is a sleek and modern European restaurant that has been hugely successful in Christchurch since its opening in 2015. The restaurant specializes in contemporary European cuisine with unpretentious meals full of heart and flavour, alongside predominantly local wines. The restaurant's centrepiece windows are arched Art Deco beauties that reflect the location on New Regent Street.
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Service is good. Food is great. We celebrated our friend's birthday here. She was.happy.
This was our first visit to Twenty Seven Steps. We went for dinner on a week day. All in all, it was a wonderful experience. We started with a drink ‘Downstairs’ (that’s the name of the place!) before heading up. The restaurant was absolutely full, which shows its popularity. Between three of us, we shared two starters and two mains. Everything was delicious and well presented. The flavours were quite different to the ordinary. We loved all the dishes. We finished our evening with one dessert shared between three. Highly recommended. I will be happy to dine here again.
If there were more stars to rate 27 Steps, I'd probably use them all. We had a family birthday day (a group of six adults and one child) and everything was amazing! Our bubbly and super friendly server Nova was the highlight for us, she was just so much fun and attentive, nothing was a problem and everything was done with a smile. The food came out in good time, and was absolutely delicious! Even the bread at the start was amazing. There's a great wine menu too, some nice beers and it's such a cool location on Christchurch's New Regent Street where the tram goes past. 100% recommend Twenty Seven Steps.
Absolutely amazing! We had our last diner in Christchurch in this amazing restaurant and it did not disappoint! Lovely place with great atmosphere, the staff is super nice and you are welcomed with the most amazing homemade bread that is soooo good ! We had some dishes to share and we loved every single bite! Thanks for making our last night in Christchurch so special! The street where the restaurant is at is also so nice and unique very nice that we had a table at the window to see the fun architecture and rainbow lights !
One of the best in Christchurch. Booking is highly recommended. We ordered their lamb rack and venison. Both dishes were cooked faultlessly, they are complete meal too. We were served with their complementary entree - pumpkin bread, which was very tasty.
Absolutely beautiful lamb rack. And the dessert is to die for. Staff is very friendly.
If you want amazing 5 star restaurant quality food then look no further. Everything ordered was above and beyond what we expected, the flavours, love and care that has gone into making every dish shows, I couldn’t fault anything. The staff were very kind and accomodating, relaxed restaurant setting and the food and drinks were fantastic. Hard to get in so booking is essential and rightly so.
The best dinner for our last night in Christchurch. We ordered the pork belly appetiser off the specials menu and it was melt in your mouth divine. The lamb is a must try - probably the best lamb dish I’ve ever had.
I went to Twenty Seven Steps for dinner on a Saturday night and arrived with already high expectations, but my expectations were well and truly surpassed! The restaurant has a fantastic location in the heart of New Regent Street, with huge windows looking out over the beautifully illuminated Spanish Mission buildings and all the action on the street below. Complimentary house bread was quickly served and I started with the "Miss World" cocktail, which expertly paired the bitterness of the gin with sweetness from the Campari, vermouth and pinot noir. For a starter I chose the tempura harissa cauliflower. Whilst all the dishes were spectacular this would have to be the standout, it was just so surprising! The cauliflower was super crispy and paired well with the peanut chilli oil and almond and garlic aioli. For my main course it wouldn't be a trip to Aotearoa without venison, so I went with the Tai Tapu venison tenderloin. Served blue, rare or medium rare, I went with medium rare and it was still super tender and flavourful. It paired well with the confit potato and seasonal vegetables. The recommended wine pairing, a Mount Edward Pinot Noir from Central Otago was an inspired suggestion. For dessert I had the sticky date pudding and a glass of Mazuran's Special Reserve Port, a sweet finish to a perfect meal. Service was excellent, the staff are all really friendly and welcoming and know the menu well. Didn't feel at all pretentious as some establishments do; it was still casual and welcoming, which was something I noticed when they were describing the specials and went into detail on what some of the lesser known items actually were. Timing on each course was perfect as well, didn't feel rushed at all. All things considered I think the prices were very reasonable. Would recommend Twenty Seven Steps for visitors and locals alike!
Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand•http://www.twentysevensteps.co.nz/
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