Fancy Restaurants in Christchurch for Fine Dining

Blending its historical roots and homely ambience with premium alfresco dining, The Old Vicarage is an elegant choice for your next upscale dinner out in Christchurch. Dine in the courtyard and bask in the golden sunset, all while surrounded by charming and manicured gardens. With its rich ambience, where scents and sounds whorl between the rooms, and old leather-bound books line shelves, you’re in for an unforgettable evening. The Old Vicarage is an ideal fancy restaurant in Christchurch for your next cosy dinner out.  

Mapu is not your average fine dining experience - it's an intimate culinary adventure in an experimental kitchen that seats only six guests at a time. Offering a personalised five-course menu crafted from locally sourced, seasonal ingredients - each dining experience is a surprise, guided by Chef Giulio's passion for storytelling and sustainable cooking. Guests are often invited to explore his private garden, where edible blooms and native New Zealand plants inspire the day's dishes, making it an experience to remember. 

Tucked into the heart of New Regency Street, Gin Gin delivers an elegant dining experience paired with a cosy atmosphere. This vibrant restaurant with its live music offers the choice of outdoor patio seating, or their intimate indoor dining suite, where you can sip on their diverse selection of gin and indulgent cocktails, or sample their signature goji-brined fried chicken with shiitake mushrooms. Gin Gin will deliver a unique experience for your upscale evening! 

Bessie is a moody, intimate steakhouse that’s perfect for fine dining lovers who appreciate bold flavours and top-tier cuts. Their expert dry-aging process and high-temp charcoal oven create steaks with unmatched depth and tenderness. Add a curated wine list and sleek atmosphere, and you’ve got a spot that elevates classic steakhouse dining into a true Christchurch fine dining experience worthy of a visit. 

Nestled along the waterfront, the Bully Hayes Restaurant & Bar, located just outside Christchurch, is a true dining haven. Soak up the unparalleled views of the Akaroa Harbour in the indoor or outdoor setting and enjoy the light scent of lavender tangled in the air, and vibrant purple flowers. This restaurant delivers a luxurious menu featuring fresh and local ingredients, including seafood and their famous sauvignon blanc from the Marlborough region.

Where fine dining is transformed into a theatrical experience, the Inati Restaurant is an unforgettable choice. Guests are tucked around the chef’s kitchen and are treated to a culinary show. With seasonal sharing plates that evolve with each of the seasons, comprised of ingredients from Canterbury, they deliver an elegant flair to traditional dining, designed to evoke joy and ensure that each visit is unique and memorable.

Blending European and Asian influences, King of Snake delivers a stunning contemporary setting for your next fancy night out in Christchurch. Choose from a full a la carte dining experience or just cocktails and bites at the bar. With its deep brown walls and furniture and peculiar round chairs, the dining suite exudes a classy aesthetic that merges well with the lush splashes of greenery and warm hanging lanterns. Both warm and moody, King of Snake invites couples seeking a romantic luxury dinner out, or simply friends and family wishing to indulge or celebrate a special occasion.