Guidebook for Christchurch
Food Scene
Tutto Bene Restaurant & Pizzeria
192 Papanui RdGreat Pizzas, including vegetarian & vegan
Coffee Culture Merivale
235 Papanui RdGreat bagels & good magazines!
Leinster Rd Bistro
158 Leinster RdHistoric Spanish Mission-style architecture, lovingly restored. Lots of cafes & a couple of late night bars.
36 locals recommend
New Regent Street Precinct
Historic Spanish Mission-style architecture, lovingly restored. Lots of cafes & a couple of late night bars.
An upmarket food court with a variety of outlets including Chinese, Thai, Pizza, Argentinian and a cocktail bar. Very popular in the evenings so often noisy & crowded. Parking on St Asaph St.
180 locals recommend
Little High Eatery
255 St Asaph StAn upmarket food court with a variety of outlets including Chinese, Thai, Pizza, Argentinian and a cocktail bar. Very popular in the evenings so often noisy & crowded. Parking on St Asaph St.
Extremely popular "food court" style for lunch or take away snack: Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, Burgers, or even Maori Kai, plus sweet treats, bakery, craft beer etc.
Great for outdoor eating in warmer weather.
99 locals recommend
Riverside Market
96 Oxford TerraceExtremely popular "food court" style for lunch or take away snack: Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, Burgers, or even Maori Kai, plus sweet treats, bakery, craft beer etc.
Great for outdoor eating in warmer weather.
Drinks & Nightlife
No.4 Bar and Restaurant
4 Mansfield AveThe Brewers
177 Papanui RdFriendly pub scene with sports on TV. Food is OK too.
Open 24 hr Friday through to 3am Monday.
3am closing on weeknights.
128 locals recommend
Christchurch Casino
30 Victoria StOpen 24 hr Friday through to 3am Monday.
3am closing on weeknights.
Strange & Co
Popular with locals after work & in the evenings .
Fat Eddie's
76 Hereford StGreat balcony with westerly aspect for warm evenings.
Parks & Nature
Beautiful gardens; peaceful atmosphere; good cafe; "Lazy Sundays" - free music events in summer.
297 locals recommend
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Rolleston AvenueBeautiful gardens; peaceful atmosphere; good cafe; "Lazy Sundays" - free music events in summer.
Good place for a morning run; often has outdoor events & festivals in summer.
252 locals recommend
North Hagley Park
14 Riccarton AveGood place for a morning run; often has outdoor events & festivals in summer.
Closest Beach (12-15 min by car); best for walking/swimming at low tide; always swim between the flags. Good cafe nearby.
7 locals recommend
Waimairi Beach
Closest Beach (12-15 min by car); best for walking/swimming at low tide; always swim between the flags. Good cafe nearby.
Go for a beach walk or enjoy an ice cream at Salt on the Pier.
The "whale" playground is a family favourite & He Puna Taimoana (hot pools) are great for couples (bookings required).
46 locals recommend
New Brighton
Go for a beach walk or enjoy an ice cream at Salt on the Pier.
The "whale" playground is a family favourite & He Puna Taimoana (hot pools) are great for couples (bookings required).
Travis Wetland Nature Heritage Park
280 Beach RdPleasant walk for bird watchers.
Historic walking track with great views on a fine day - allow 1 hr return to the base of the Gondola or a bit longer if continuing on to Lyttelton .
You can access the start by the #28 bus or return to your car from Lyttelton by the same bus.
14 locals recommend
Bridle Path
Historic walking track with great views on a fine day - allow 1 hr return to the base of the Gondola or a bit longer if continuing on to Lyttelton .
You can access the start by the #28 bus or return to your car from Lyttelton by the same bus.
Sumner Pharmacy
17 Wakefield AveGood playground; esplanade, cafes - winter or summer.
Arts & Culture
The Maori hall & native bird displays are worth a look.
Entry is free (donation appreciated).
390 locals recommend
Canterbury Museum
66 Rolleston AveThe Maori hall & native bird displays are worth a look.
Entry is free (donation appreciated).
Interesting permanent collection and thought-provoking touring exhibitions. Great gift shop.
Free admission.
304 locals recommend
Christchurch Art Gallery (Te Puna o Waiwhetu)
312 Montreal StInteresting permanent collection and thought-provoking touring exhibitions. Great gift shop.
Free admission.
Professional theatre with daily shows year-round. Programme changes every 5-6 weeks. Wood-fired pizza restaurant, wine bar & coffee counter in Foyer. Free parking for theatre patrons.
49 locals recommend
The Court Theatre
36 Bernard StProfessional theatre with daily shows year-round. Programme changes every 5-6 weeks. Wood-fired pizza restaurant, wine bar & coffee counter in Foyer. Free parking for theatre patrons.
Shopping
Upmarket clothing plus all basic needs from supermarket to pharmacy to books/paper goods to key cutting. Several cafes & a sushi bar.
50 locals recommend
Merivale Mall station
Upmarket clothing plus all basic needs from supermarket to pharmacy to books/paper goods to key cutting. Several cafes & a sushi bar.
Stock up on all the travel gear at MacPac & Kathmandu; enjoy a movie at Hoyts...
40 locals recommend
Northlands Mall (Christchurch) station
Stock up on all the travel gear at MacPac & Kathmandu; enjoy a movie at Hoyts...
The Tannery
3 Garlands RdInteresting mix of unique shops, a deli & a movie theatre.
The Crossing
166 Cashel StBrowse upmarket shops like Country Road or slum it at H&M!
Iconic Christchurch retailer for upmarket department store goods, including gifts.
52 locals recommend
Ballantynes
Cashel StreetIconic Christchurch retailer for upmarket department store goods, including gifts.
Getting Around
The Blue Bus goes from Rangiora/Belfast in the north to Princess Margaret Hospital in the south. It runs every 15 minutes 7 days a week. Cash fare is $4 with one free transfer within 2 hr.
191 locals recommend
Christchurch Bus Interchange
Colombo StreetThe Blue Bus goes from Rangiora/Belfast in the north to Princess Margaret Hospital in the south. It runs every 15 minutes 7 days a week. Cash fare is $4 with one free transfer within 2 hr.
Sightseeing
Christchurch Transitional Cathedral
234 Hereford StShiguru Ban designed inspirational building.
Beautiful place of contemplation & memorial, with the names of all 185 victims of the Christchurch Earthquakes inscribed on the marble wall.
12 locals recommend
Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial
Montreal StreetBeautiful place of contemplation & memorial, with the names of all 185 victims of the Christchurch Earthquakes inscribed on the marble wall.