Eateries
8 May 2026
New & trending foodie spots to try in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Discover Christchurch's newest dining spots from intimate bars to viral eateries and fresh café openings across the city.
Where to find Christchurch's newest restaurants, cafes, bars & treat spots
The Christchurch food scene is buzzing with exciting new openings and fresh flavours. Whether you're after intimate cocktail bars, gourmet toasties, artisan gelato, or viral cookie shops, here's your guide to the latest must-visit spots transforming Christchurch into a culinary destination. From the CBD to Riccarton, these new venues are already making waves with locals and visitors alike.
What is the name of the new gelato store next to The Muse Hotel? Material Gelato
From the team behind former Little High favourite Paleta Gelateria, Material Gelato is a newly opened artisan gelato bar on Manchester Street, next to The Muse Hotel.
Made using high-quality ingredients and traditional techniques, this city-centre spot is serving seriously fine gelato, from timeless classics to creative seasonal flavours.
Whether you're after a post-dinner treat, an afternoon pick-me-up or a sweet excuse to wander the central city, Material Gelato is well worth a visit.
Good for:
- A post-dinner treat
- Sunny-day strolls through the city centre
- Artisan gelato lovers
Where is Christchurch's newest alfresco bar? Babylon at Riverside Market
Perched above Riverside Market, Babylon Alfresco Bar is one of Christchurch's newest additions to the dining scene.
Bringing together European-inspired share plates, premium local wines and a relaxed open-air setting, Babylon is designed for long lunches, after-work drinks and lingering evenings with friends.
The venue embraces the idea of hospitality as a meeting place, serving everything from oysters and champagne to charcoal-grilled dishes and seasonal small plates.
With effortless indoor-outdoor flow, it's quickly becoming one of the city's go-to spots for a drink in the sun or a leisurely meal.
Good for:
- Alfresco dining above Riverside Market, overlooking The Terrace
- Shared plates and long lunches
- Oysters, bubbles and local wine
- After-work drinks and weekend catch-ups
- Outdoor dining in the heart of the CBD
Which boutique patisserie has opened at The Arts Centre? Grace Patisserie
Grace Patisserie has opened in The Arts Centre's historic engineering building, serving handcrafted petit gâteaux, macarons, celebration cakes, specialty matcha, tea and cold brew coffee.
Combining classic pastry techniques with contemporary flavours, it's a must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Originally founded in Wellington, Grace Patisserie has built a reputation for beautifully crafted pastries and cakes, and is now serving locals and visitors in the heart of the city
Good for:
- Macarons and French-inspired pastries
- Matcha, tea and coffee dates
- Afternoon treats in the city centre
- Celebration cakes and special occasions
What is the new restaurant opening on High Street? Marlowe
Opened in September, Marlowe is being brought to life by hospitality duo Olly Le Maitre and Santiago Burgos.
Founded on a philosophy of warm, intuitive hospitality, Marlowe delivers European-inspired cooking built around exceptional New Zealand produce.
Whether you're dropping in for a quick glass of wine, settling into a long lunch, or enjoying an intimate multi-course dinner, the experience is anchored by a world-class wine and drinks list featuring top local drops alongside renowned international producers.
Good for:
- European-inspired dining showcasing local NZ produce
- A carefully curated global and local wine list
- Warm, expert hospitality right in the heart of High Street
What is the new restaurant in Mairehau? Hayez
Tucked away on Warrington Street, Hayez brings serious culinary intent to Christchurch’s inner northern suburbs.
Operated by a small, focused team, Hayez delivers a dynamic menu drawn directly from Canterbury growers and seasonal market catches.
Paired with an exceptionally curated wine list featuring rare cellar releases and thoughtful by-the-glass matches, it's the ideal neighbourhood spot for long, lingering dinners.
Good for:
- Seasonal, market-driven bistro dining
- Outstanding, thoughtfully curated wine pairings
- Relaxed, unpretentious high-end hospitality
- Neighbourhood dining in the northern suburbs
What is the new restaurant beside Tūranga? Edizi
Say hello to Edizi — a new all-day kitchen and bar in the centre of Christchurch, pouring specialty coffee by day and serving seasonal plates and cocktails well into the evening.
Whether you’re searching for a new Christchurch brunch spot, date night restaurant, after-work drinks, or your next go-to local, Edizi brings warm hospitality and seriously good food to the city centre.
Now open at 158 Gloucester Street (right across from Isaac Theatre Royal).
Good for:
- Coffee worth waking up for
- Seasonal menus made from scratch
- Fire-cooked plates & shared dining
- Cocktails that’ll keep you out a little longer
What is the name of the viral bánh mì place in Riccarton? Bruce’s Bánh Mì
If you’ve noticed a line forming outside a bright yellow shopfront on Riccarton Road, you’ve found Bruce’s bánh mì.
Bringing authentic Vietnamese street food to the suburbs, Bruce and his team have mastered the art of the perfect baguette: shatteringly crisp on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside.
While the classic pork liver pate is a must-try for purists, it’s the lemongrass chicken and the succulent pork belly that have locals coming back weekly.
Each roll is perfectly balanced, loaded with zingy pickled carrots, fresh coriander, and just the right amount of chilli heat.
It’s fast, fresh, and arguably one of the best value-for-money lunches in Ōtautahi right now.
Good for:
- Authentic Vietnamese street food
- Quick, high-quality lunch on the go
- Generous fillings and traditional recipes
- A vibrant, friendly atmosphere in the heart of Riccarton
Where can you find viral Dubai chocolate desserts in Christchurch? Sip N Dip
If your social feed has been taken over by Dubai chocolate and loaded acai bowls, Sip N Dip is the reason why.
This high-energy dessert spot has quickly expanded across Christchurch, bringing a decadent, Middle Eastern-inspired twist to the city’s late-night food scene.
Known for their signature Knafeh Strawberry Cups and the viral Dubai Pistachio Strawberry Cup, Sip N Dip does it all.
Whether you're after a refreshing organic acai bowl topped with Biscoff and fresh fruit or a thick, Nutella-loaded cheesecake, this is the ultimate destination for those with a serious sweet tooth.
Good for:
- Viral dessert trends (Dubai chocolate and Knafeh)
- Loaded organic acai bowls
- Late-night sugar cravings
- Dessert dates and group treats
Where can you get authentic 72-hour fermented pizza? Gussy’s Pizza
If you're looking for the city's newest cult-favorite slice, head to the Sydenham underpass. Gussy’s is all about the biga — a traditional pre-fermentation process that results in a 16-inch XL pizza with a signature airy, charred crust and deep flavour.
Tucked away in the gritty, unpretentious Sydenham Underpass on Sandyford Street, Gussy’s has quickly moved from a hidden gem to a must-visit spot for pizza enthusiasts.
Whether it's their sweet-and-spicy Pepperoni with Hot Honey or the rich, garlic-butter-crusted Umami Mushroom, each pizza is a labour of love that takes three days to prep before hitting the oven.
Good for:
- Authentic, slow-fermented XL pizza
- Casual vibes
- A quick, high-quality takeaway
- Trying unique flavour combos like Vodka Cheese or Hot Honey Pepperoni
New kids on the block regularly
Christchurch's food scene is constantly evolving, so keep checking back for updates on opening dates and new additions to this list. Got a tip about a new opening? Let us know!
Be sure to share your foodie inspiration with us @otautahichristchurch
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