A cuisine a day in Christchurch

Have you ever wanted to find all the must-eat restaurants in Christchurch in one place? Well, we good folks have listed some of the best restaurants on First Table in the Garden City, so you can try a new cuisine daily. And with First Table, you can do this without the spending guilts.

Japanese restaurant Christchurch: Tony's Teppan Yaki 

One of First Table’s top-rated restaurants in Christchurch, Tony’s Teppan Yaki is your go-to for delicious Japanese eats. Watch the masters at work on the grill, and try out Tony's Combo, a feast of seafood, chicken, beef, vegetables from the teppanyaki and served with rice and miso soup. Or taste their mouth-watering sushi, tempura or sashimi for melt-in-the-mouth goodness. Finish off on a sweet note with green tea ice cream, tempura banana or tiramisu. 

Italian restaurant Christchurch: Cafe Valentino

For over thirty years, Cafe Valentino has been serving up a slice of Italy in the heart of Christchurch. We must start with the pizzas, cooked to perfection in the woodfired oven. All the classics are available plus original flavours like Gamberetti with prawns, prosciutto, spinach, red capsicum and cherry tomatoes. An enormous pasta menu will satisfy the fussiest tums, and mains feature the likes of Canterbury Angus ribeye or chicken parmigiana. We can assure you no one will leave hungry!

Indian restaurant Christchurch: Mumbaiwala

A restaurant concept based on the bustling streets of Mumbai, Mumbaiwala is emulating a vibrant Mumbai street with roadside stalls serving up delicious Indian street food. Visit the ‘from the streets’ section for squid bhajee, lamb kofta balls and Mumbai chicken. The tandoor grill for murgh or palak paneer tikka, and you can’t go wrong with the chefs must try lamb dhansak.  Be sure to order plenty of naan to mop up the last of your delicious curry, and enjoy! 

Thai restaurant Christchurch: Spice Paragon

Thai cuisine with a modern twist, Spice Paragon is one of Christchurch’s best fusion restaurants in its dining scene. Begin with light bites of salt ‘n’ pepper crispy squid or crispy pork balls. Then expect an Asian twist on American BBQ faves, like the slow-cooked beef cheek or the low and slow-smoked beef brisket with smooth red curry sauce. For a lighter flavour, try the creamy and sour coconut poached chicken or the SP chicken pad Thai in egg-net, with peanuts and cashew.

Mexican restaurant Christchurch: Mexico Christchurch

Like any Mexican restaurant worth its weight in corn chips, Mexico is a fun, colourful, immersive dining experience packed full of moreish Mexican street-inspired eats. Taste tasty tacos with braised pork belly, Piri Piri chicken or Baja battered fish, or is a braised beef cheek birria more your thing? Or check out the not to be missed Mexico fried chicken with jalapeño mayo or the crispy cauliflower florets with cumin and lime crema. Wash down with a margarita with ten flavours to choose from, and did someone say tequila?

Brazilian restaurant Christchurch: Brazooka - BBQ Brazil

Make sure you come hunngryyy to Brazooka, as this restaurant is all about all-you-can-eat Brazilian meats! Marinated to perfection, think beef spareribs, chicken drumsticks, pork loin, pork belly and homemade Brazilian sausage. Want to feel a little healthy? Fear not, there’s a selection of salads, polenta, and bean dishes to even out the feast. With no ordering or waiting in this serving style, just sit back, relax and enjoy as skewers and side dishes arrive at your table.

Seafood restaurant Christchurch: Salt on the Pier

The only restaurant on Christchurch’s New Brighton Pier, Salt looks out towards the Pacific Ocean for wide-open views of the big blue. And with the ocean a stone's throw away, you can expect nothing but the finest, freshest seafood. Think salt and pepper calamari, beer-battered market fish, mussels cooked in white wine, Akaroa salmon with garlic mash, Thai Seafood curry and the kiwi favourite surf and turf for those who simply can’t go without steak. 

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