Bar pub in Christchurch

“Thanks so much for a fantastic night on Saturday night! We booked the Poplar Social club for a birthday party, and it was great! Sarah was wonderful to deal with before the event, helpful and professional with great suggestions, and we felt organised and in control. The night went completely to plan, including timing for all the food, and Adam was absolutely fantastic behind the bar and helped make it such a great night. Thanks so much guys, it was awesome”

“We were seated promptly and given food and drink menus. Both of us opted for the beef fillet, one rare and the other medium rare. They were done to perfection, melted in your mouth and were tasty. The accompanying vegetables were also first rate. There was a good wine list , although not all were available by the glass. My glass of Cabernet Sauvignon was a standout. We thought the atmosphere and service were great and would we would return here to eat.”

“I had a great experience at this restaurant the other day. The interior is both elegant and inviting, creating a sophisticated ambiance. We visited for lunch as a group of 8 including locals who are regulars here. Many of us opted for the highly recommended their “Chefs pie”: Beef & Ale Pie, a generous portion of flaky pastry filled with savory beef,buttery cabbage, creamy mashed potatoes, and rich gravy. It was a delicious and satisfying choice. The other dishes ordered by our group were equally well-received. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made us feel welcome. We'll definitely be returning to this wonderful restaurant.”

“Great little pit stop about a half hour north of Christchurch. Home style food, lovely staff, great BLT, good coffee.”

“If in Christchurch, you can’t miss out on this place. Not only it is located in one of the most picturesque places in town, but it is actually really good. Plenty of wines to choose from, and delicious food to pair it with. Music was great and service as well.”

“What a great experience. Very cool barman who presented us with hot water bottles upon arrival, helped us choose a table and put the heater on above us. He looked after us so well and because of him we stayed a lot longer than we had intended and spent a lot more than we would have.”

“The place has 3 floors with plenty of seating. The rooftop is perfect for some water views and sunshine. The staff are so friendly and they even have some card games to play. The beer is all locally brewed and great! We loved the IPA. The edamame was so unique with miso sauce!!”

“Best pub in the area by a country mile!”

“The kitchen staff are so lovely and kind. I was sitting upstairs and they were all just so lovely to me. Jared is the best ☺️”

“Georgia is an amazing Bar Manager. She provides amazing service and is a knowledgeable and experienced craft beer connoisseur. I recommend Volstead to anyone in Canterbury interested in tasting the best beer in town!”

“I was really impressed by rascals! Our server, Adam, was the perfect balance of present, attentive and invisible. He gave us some really great wine and cocktail recommendations and was generally very knowledgeable about all the food/drinks menus- he made us feel really welcome and relaxed! The food was fabulous, our highlights were definitely the venison tataki and the crab pani puri was easily one of the best dishes I've eaten in a very long time! All of the cocktails we had were also interesting, delicious and absolutely perfectly balanced. It was so good we went back for a bottle of wine and some patatas bravas the next day! Thanks to the team for making our night so special!”

The kitchen at A Rolling Stone takes a classic fish‑and‑chips path and lets the food speak. Fillets arrive fresh and the fry keeps clean. A family‑friendly feel comes through naturally. Buns hold well and patties come juicy.

Formaggio’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria delivers a pizza‑first line‑up that’s straight to the point. Gluten‑free needs are handled with care. Music and pace keep a casual tone. Front‑of‑house runs with calm, helpful energy.

The kitchen at Thirsty Acres takes a classic fish‑and‑chips path and lets the food speak. Gluten‑free needs are handled with care. Pricing lines up with the offer. There’s room for an easy weekend brunch.

At Parts & Service, the menu stays burger‑led and no‑fuss. Vegetarian picks read as complete plates. Front‑of‑house runs with calm, helpful energy. Combinations read bold but stay balanced. Plates off...

Evil Genius favours a simple, bistro‑style mix with clear flavours. Gluten‑free needs are handled with care. Vegetarian picks read as complete plates. The room sits relaxed with an easy buzz. Front‑of...

“One of the nicest places in the city for Sunday high tea brunch. French creperie with multiple choices of both sweet and sour French crepes, including some vegan options. There are plenty of suggested options, but you can also go wild and create your own one. Crepes are really amazing, very tasty, good size portions and amazing taste. It’s really great that there is vegan options available, made of buckwheat. If you have not enough of sugar you can finish with a great desert selection. Coffee is slightly bitter and not the best blend , but tea selection is perfect.”

“We went to The Old Leithfield Hotel for dinner on a busy Saturday night (super rugby final) with our 5 month old baby. Even though we didn't have a booking the friendly wait staff went out of their way to accommodate us and made sure we were comfortable. We both had the roast which was generous and delicious. The beef was tender and the veges perfect it was the best pub experience with a young baby, and the best roast beef. We also had the salt and pepper squid entree which was fantastic. Perfectly tender and crispy! Thank you very much to the team at The Old Leithfield Hotel.”

“Very nice original bar First time visitors and customer service was brilliant with lovely atmosphere in the bar.. We'll be back ...”

“Best place in town for corn chips and dip! The queso dip is insane. I had to order some to take home with me after our meal. Frozen margaritas are my favourite also. Will be back regularly for sure!”

“Went for lunch. I had the roast port and it was huge I had to ask for a doggie bag as I only got through half of it. Very reasonable prices and quiet atmosphere. Will definitely recommend and be going back”

“Love this little Bar, hidden gem. Great Chinese vibe, entry is via "dry cleaners" very different to other bars in Christchurch. Friendly staff, steating outside with blankets is a nice touch. Good cocktails and great $10 happy hour. Great to be able to order snacks from You Hanoi Me.”

“Great experience!! We hosted our end of year work function here for Lunch and it was so amazing. There was heaps of food, great staff and really nice outdoor function room! Very good experience organising this with staff before the event and they were lovely to deal with. Everyone reported they had an amazing time and one of the things everyone has said since the event was "would love to do this again next year". 10/10”

“Came here tonight, have been before but not recently. Service was fantastic, the waitress was very helpful and attentive. I have an egg allergy and they were very accommodating and helpful. Food was fantastic, we got 2 starters and 3 mains between us (3) and they were all very tasty. Atmosphere was nice, pretty quiet with it being a Tuesday. Highly recommend you come here and we will be back.”

“The food was delicious and outstandingly well prepared. We had 11 out of the 17 menu items, every one of them was delicious and full of flavor. The person who was serving us made our visit the best and exciting with every plate she served us. Will go back every year we are scheduled to pickup cargo. Awesome food and wonderful atmosphere.”

“We’ve had the BEST pizza in NZ here so far! It's a lovely restaurant with a unique history and good food. It's a must-visit when in Lincoln. Be aware that they’re not open every night.”

“Wonderful food and excellent service, we had the Lamb Rump with potato gratin and the Chicken and Bacon pasta. Generous portions and very tasty. Can thoroughly recommend. A visit to Zest Timaru is a must.”

“Really cool place & the bar had a great atmosphere. The people running the venue were lovely and very helpful. It is by a main road but great value for what you get and conveniently close to the airport.”

“A very unique café with an internal garden that creates a small indoor sanctuary. There’s also a designer clothing store right next to it, adding to the charm. You’ll need to book in advance if you want a good spot, as it can get quite busy on weekends. I’ll try to come early next time to fully enjoy the atmosphere. The coffee was decent.”

“We went out to a recommended restaurant for dinner, and the experience was wonderful. The waitress was exceptionally warm, gentle, and welcoming. The dishes take some time to be served since everything is prepared fresh, but it is absolutely worth the wait. For starters, we ordered: – Smoked Burrata with strawberries – beautifully presented and incredibly tasty. – Wild Mushroom Gyoza, served with sesame sauce, chili oil, and an Asian-style salad. An excellent dish, with perfectly steamed dumplings. For the main courses, which are the restaurant’s signature dishes: 1. Fish of the day – salmon, served tender, delicate, and absolutely delicious. 2. Braised Beef Cheek – slow-cooked with miso and sweet potato purée. The dishes were outstanding, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. There is both visual elegance and exceptional taste in every plate. Of course, we couldn’t leave without dessert. We ordered the pudding, which is their signature dessert, and it was excellent as well. We enjoyed the meal so much that we will definitely return to enjoy this wonderful food again, clearly prepared with great care and passion by the chef.”