Canterbury's food & wine scene
Canterbury is one of New Zealand’s great food regions. Discover the producers, the restaurants and the stories behind the food.
Canterbury's food story - chefs, producers & food experiences
From Akaroa salmon to Waipara pinot noir, Canterbury's food story is rooted in the land, shaped by its people, and unlike anywhere else in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The food & wine scene in Christchurch & Canterbury
Welcome to Waitaha Canterbury, where unique geography and distinct seasons lead to unparalleled flavours.
Our harvest comes from land flanked by the Southern Alps, braided rivers and the Pacific Ocean, where it is grown and gathered, farmed and foraged by the hands of skilled growers and makers.
At the heart of this region is Ōtautahi Christchurch, a rebuilt city made for sharing good times and good food. This is where the region’s harvest is shared and celebrated, and where you’ll find everything from double-hatted restaurants to food trucks gathered at an underpass, from farm-to-table passion projects to neighbourhood pizza bars featuring organic wines.
Whatever you like to eat or drink, Christchurch is made for it — and it's all made right here.
“When farmers grow things well, it tastes better. If someone is really caring and passionate about what they’re doing, and you’re eating that within the seasons... then it is just going to taste better.”Alex Davies - Gatherings owner & chef
In Christchurch chefs & farmers are friends & neighbours
Chefs here are connected to the land through their suppliers, and know they are lucky to be so close to the ingredients craved by restaurants across New Zealand.
As Inati chef Simon Levy says, “There’s a reason restaurants around New Zealand are eager to feature Akaroa salmon, Canterbury lamb and Canterbury truffles on their menus. The quality of Canterbury produce is recognised nationally.”
Here, great ingredients are built in the back of friendships, making for artisanal dishes that are expressions of relationships on a plate.
You can browse and pick up the region’s harvest at one of the many farmers' markets that spring up on weekends or sample a huge range of artisanal treats at Riverside Market in the central city.
Meet the faces & friendships behind the food
Great ingredients truly shine when paired with creative minds.
Read the stories of Waitaha's top chefs below — discover the journeys, passions, inspirations, and tight-knit industry friendships that power their successful restaurants and unique offerings.
Great ingredients make for great food & good times on any budget
High-end dining may grab the headlines and awards, but you can experience the bounty of the region in all kinds of places. Cantabrians love their pies, and for more than 40 years, tucking into a Sheffield Pie on the Great Alpine Highway has been the perfect fuel for a road trip into the scenic High Country.
Christchurch is low-key obsessed with takeaway sushi, and visitors rave about the quality of Canterbury’s Akaroa Salmon, raised in a stunning harbour near the city, where you’ll find fresh seafood and stunning vistas. And if you see lamb on the menu, order it.
Find your new favourite spot wherever you stay in the city with our guide to the city’s food precincts, its best burgers, or cap your day in the city with a scoop or three from one of the best gelato shops or ice cream parlours.
When you’re in the walkable, snackable city of Christchurch, you’re never far from some good kai!
Explore the food & wine scene
10 must try restaurants in Christchurch
From fine dining to relaxed neighbourhood bistros - these are ten restaurants worth booking a table for.
From the vineyard to the brewery, to the coast
Canterbury grows the grain, Christchurch crafts the beer
Canterbury is a powerhouse producer of malted barley and an emerging hops habitat, so little wonder Christchurch is known for craft beer brewing.
Wherever you are in the city, you’ll find a refreshing brew nearby. Check out our guide to the city’s best craft brewers and pubs, or pop into the Canterbury Brewers Collective at Riverside Market to sample a revolving selection of the city’s best.
Waipara is Christchurch’s backyard boutique wine district
Just 60 minutes from the city centre, Waipara is home to a collection of varied terroir and microclimates that make for some of the country’s most interesting wines.
The wineries here tend to be family-owned and run by winemakers who are passionate about their vision. Many follow organic and low-intervention methods, and this ethos, along with seams of limestone that run through the region, which also features gravel deposits from Canterbury’s unique braided rivers, makes for distinctive Rieslings and Pinot Noirs.
You can take tours of the region from the city or dine at the award-winning winery's restaurant at Black Estate or Greystone Winery.
Canterbury's coastal seafood
Nestled in the crater of an ancient volcano and framed by brilliant turquoise waters, Akaroa is far more than just a slice of New Zealand's French history — it is a premier destination for seafood lovers.
Just 90 minutes from Christchurch, this captivating harbour village and its surrounding bays offer a spectacular showcase of ocean-to-table dining.
From world-class Akaroa king salmon and pristine local oysters paired with crisp boutique wines to humble fish and chips enjoyed right on the beach, this is where Canterbury comes to feast on the ocean's bounty.