Food · Christchurch · New Zealand
What to eat in Christchurch
The dishes, drinks and food experiences that define Christchurch, and where locals actually eat them.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand, CC0
.jpg){kind=link}
Quick answer
Start with Canterbury lamb, Whitebait fritter and Green-lipped mussels. The markets at Riccarton House and in Lyttelton on Saturday mornings sell local cheese, bread, berries, coffee and hot breakfasts; arrive early for the best choice. Cafés often stop serving food by mid-afternoon; plan brunch and lunch earlier than you might in Europe.
Key facts
- Signature dish
- Canterbury lamb
- Vegetarian-friendly picks
- 5
- Tipping
- Tipping is not expected; prices include tax and staff are paid a minimum wage.
- Food experiences
- 3
10 foods to try
Dish
1.Canterbury lamb
Lamb raised on the Canterbury Plains is a regional point of pride, served as roast rack, slow-cooked shoulder or lamb shanks in pubs and restaurants.
Where: Restaurants and gastropubs in the central city, Merivale and Lyttelton.
Dish
2.Whitebait fritter
Tiny juvenile fish bound with egg into an omelette-like fritter and served on buttered white bread with lemon. Whitebait season runs in spring, roughly September to November.
Where: Cafés and seafood shops when in season, especially on the West Coast and around Canterbury.
Dish
3.Green-lipped mussels
Large New Zealand mussels with a green-edged shell, steamed with white wine and garlic or served in chowder.
Where: Seafood restaurants in the central city and around Lyttelton Harbour.
Dish
4.Akaroa salmon
King salmon farmed in Akaroa Harbour on Banks Peninsula, served raw, cured, hot-smoked or pan-fried.
Where: Restaurant menus across the city and in Akaroa itself.
Snack
5.Mince and cheese pie
The classic Kiwi bakery pie of minced beef in gravy topped with melted cheese, eaten as a quick lunch or roadside snack.
Where: Bakeries across the city and in towns on the road to Akaroa, Kaikōura and Arthur's Pass.
Dessert · Vegetarian
6.Pavlova
A meringue dessert with a crisp shell and marshmallowy centre, topped with whipped cream and fruit such as kiwifruit and berries; a summer and Christmas favourite.
Where: Cafés and restaurant dessert menus, especially in summer.
Dessert · Vegetarian
7.Hokey pokey ice cream
Vanilla ice cream studded with crunchy honeycomb toffee, New Zealand's best-known ice-cream flavour.
Where: Ice-cream shops along the Sumner and New Brighton seafronts and supermarkets everywhere.
Drink · Vegetarian
8.Flat white
Espresso with velvety steamed milk and a thin layer of microfoam; café culture is serious, and most cafés roast or source specialty beans.
Where: Independent cafés across the central city, Merivale and Sumner.
Drink · Vegetarian
9.Waipara Valley wine
The Waipara Valley north of the city produces aromatic Riesling, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc from cool-climate vineyards.
Where: Wine bars and restaurant lists in the city, or cellar doors in the Waipara Valley.
Drink · Vegetarian
10.Canterbury craft beer
Christchurch has a strong craft-beer scene of small breweries making hoppy pale ales, stouts and sours, many with taprooms.
Where: Brewery taprooms in the central city, Addington and Lyttelton.
Food experiences
Saturday farmers' markets
The markets at Riccarton House and in Lyttelton on Saturday mornings sell local cheese, bread, berries, coffee and hot breakfasts; arrive early for the best choice.
Riverside Market and the Terrace
Graze through the Riverside Market's food counters, then move to the bars and restaurants overlooking the Avon on Oxford Terrace.
Waipara wine tasting
About an hour north, Waipara Valley wineries offer tastings and long lunches among the vines; book a tour if you plan to taste several.
Quick bites and street food
- Mince and cheese pie — Bakeries across the city and in towns on the road to Akaroa, Kaikōura and Arthur's Pass.
Vegetarian options
Of the 10 foods in this guide, 5 are usually vegetarian: Pavlova, Hokey pokey ice cream, Flat white, Waipara Valley wine and Canterbury craft beer. Check preparation with staff, as stocks and fats vary.
Eating out: tips and etiquette
- Cafés often stop serving food by mid-afternoon; plan brunch and lunch earlier than you might in Europe.
- Dinner is relatively early, with many kitchens busiest from about 6pm to 8:30pm.
- Tap water is free and served without asking in most cafés and restaurants.
- Some restaurants are BYO wine with a small corkage fee; check when booking.
- Book weekend dinners at popular central-city restaurants a few days ahead.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected; prices include tax and staff are paid a minimum wage. Leaving about 10% or rounding up for excellent service in a restaurant is appreciated but optional.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Kia ora | Hello / thank you (Māori) |
| Ka kite anō | See you again (Māori) |
| Sweet as | Great / no problem |
| Tramping | Hiking |
| Dairy | Corner shop |
| Jandals | Flip-flops |
Questions travellers ask
+What food is Christchurch famous for?
Canterbury lamb, Whitebait fritter, Green-lipped mussels and Akaroa salmon. Lamb raised on the Canterbury Plains is a regional point of pride, served as roast rack, slow-cooked shoulder or lamb shanks in pubs and restaurants.
+Is Christchurch good for vegetarians?
Several local staples are meat-free, including Pavlova, Hokey pokey ice cream and Flat white.
+Do you tip in restaurants in Christchurch?
Tipping is not expected; prices include tax and staff are paid a minimum wage. Leaving about 10% or rounding up for excellent service in a restaurant is appreciated but optional.