Christchurch locals like us know the struggle – you have a group of hungry friends, a special event that demands celebration, and zero patience for menus that don’t share well.

If that kind of problem sounds familiar to you, we have just the answer you’re looking for. Our team rounded up some true legends in the city when it comes to group dining. And yes, we made sure to only pick ones we will dare to come back to.

Book a table today and thank us later! 

1. The Monday Room

The Monday Room wins in terms of flexibility, thanks to their ability to accommodate groups from 12 to 40. There are different types of spaces here too, both private and semi-private, which are ideal for more intimate gatherings.

When it comes to food, their “Trust the Chef” banquet menu stands out. Crafted by chef-owner Hanna Cooper-Grieve, this option is ideal for sharing and a communal dining experience.

Staff were super attentive too. When we visited as a group of 15, we were pleasantly satisfied with how attentive they were. Some of our members had dietary needs, and they accommodated the requests with no fuss.

For those who are planning big events, we see The Monday Room as a good option too. This is because they have AV-equipped rooms and even wine libraries for a more upscale gathering.

If you’re planning to drop by, it’s best to book at least 2 weeks in advance, especially if you’re eyeing for weekend evenings. It can be hard to secure a spot, so being early is your best strategy. 

Great time for a group

“A restaurant not to be missed! Our best culinary experience to end our trip. We had a great time as a group with the “trust chef” menu which I recommend 👍 …”

Mathieu | Google Reviews

Good food that impresses 

“Had the chef’s special between 8 of us. So good. I picked the place for the group and everyone was impressed.”

Cody Maxted | Google Reviews

2. Fiddlesticks Restaurant and Bar

Located in the heart of Christchurch, Fiddlesticks is perfect for those who love convenience and accessibility. The place is upscale yet cosy, making it a flexible choice for either intimate meetups or livelier events.

With function spaces that can cater to up to 50 people, the venue is ideal for mid-size events. What’s better is that their attention to detail remains constant throughout, with courses arriving promptly with no mistakes.

For the food, we find their prices reasonable, particularly when it comes to their 3-course meal. Every person only has to spend $70 to $80 to enjoy generous portions and high quality dishes.

Even the drink portion makes it easy for guests to manage food preferences. This is because they can choose between a cash bar, a bar tab system, or a set drinks selection.

The layout of the space just happens to be not enough for gatherings involving over 50 people. While that’s not an issue for casual outings, it may be a dealbreaker for clients planning large events.

Wide variety of food 

“Lovely place for our group booking for management team dinner.  LOTS of food in the three course menu we selected. Delicious vegan options.”

Karyn | Google Reviews

Good atmosphere and spacious venue

“We went as a work group of 8.  All enjoyed our meals and the service provided.  Good atmosphere and a venue with rooms small enough that the noise level allowed for conversation around the table.  Good value dining.”

Raewyn Penman | Google Reviews

3. Dux Dine

Dux Dine is a gorgeous spot for groups who love a relaxed dining experience in a charming location. Housed in a historic villa in Riccarton, the restaurant is an ideal stop for private celebrations or casual gatherings.

There are plenty of dining options that we loved, including indoor dining rooms, outdoor patios, and booth seating. There are even private spaces for more exclusive get-togethers, though booking them can be tough.

Their food is amazing, with faves such as buttermilk fried calamari and lemon butter risotto. Meals are consistently good with subtle flavours and textures that don’t overpower the senses.

Set lunches are available in tiers, ranging from $40 to $48 per person. At this rate, it’s one of the most affordable options on our list – a great value considering the options include appetizers, mains, and desserts already.

Communication was just a bit wonky on our end – we had a group reservation, but we ended up waiting longer without notice due to errors on their end. We recommend asking them for updates to prevent this.

Friendly staff and fantastic food

“Great Location and the food fantastic. Well looked after by friendly staff. All the food arrived for us all at the same even though we were a large group..”

John Martin | Google Reviews

Wonderful place for a large group

“Wonderful place to share a dining experience with a large group of friends.”

Bron Mckavanagh | Google Reviews

4. Bloody Mary’s

With its luxurious interior, it’s not hard to fall for Bloody Mary’s, especially if you’re planning a formal gathering with your friends. They have distinct spaces that can sit anywhere between 30 to 70 people for all event types.

Since the experience is more high-end, it’s unsurprising to note that the service is beyond what we expected. Food was served promptly, and the staff were generally attentive to inquiries and requests. 

The flexibility of food is solid too – for starters, the breakfast buffet has all the classics, including bacon, eggs, and croissants. While the eggs can be slightly soggy at times, the taste remains consistently good.

For main meals, we recommend their Chef’s Table, which can seat 10 persons. It’s ideal for intimate dining with a view of the kitchen pass. You can enjoy their entire menu and full bar here – just take note that a deposit is required. 

Unfortunately, the restaurant doesn’t allow split billing for large groups, which is understandably frustrating. We recommend arranging payment conditions with your group beforehand.

Lovely staff and amazing food

“Had my 50th birthday here with a group of friends. It was stunning we had the best time and the staff were so lovely and the food,everyone loved it. I’m so going back there. The waiter Aidan was a trouper. Thank you team for making this particular birthday so great for me and my friends xx”

Lisa shields | Google Reviews

Great service and friendly staff

“Celebrating our anniversary on 22nd Feb at Bloody Mary’s. The service is great, love the friendly staff. Food is amazing and the atmosphere is awesome.”

Nyun Fung Su | Google Reviews

5. 5th Street

The 5th Street has services that are finely tuned for groups. We came as a part of 9 and were offered a nice set menu that’s perfect for a communal type of dining – kind of like what you get at family restaurants.

The set menu has all the proteins you can think of like lamb, beef, and chicken. There are also interesting combinations like crispy roast potatoes and broccolini with bacon jam. It’s not that hearty when shared, but the variety is just right for any palette.

The level of service is top-tier too – they’re inquisitive without being obtrusive and are just generally warm throughout. They accept requests for dietary restrictions too, serving food fast without mix-ups.

The ambience of the place is modern, so it’s pretty versatile for any type of event including birthdays, anniversaries, or casual meetups. Plus, the prices aren’t insanely expensive for the quality and service you get.

We’d just like to give you a fair heads up if you’re dining with them in the evenings – the noise levels can be a little too much. It’s alright if you like that kind of energy, but for something more laidback, skip the busy weekend evenings.

Amazing food and atmosphere 

“Awesome food and atmosphere..lovey staff too..great place with a group with all the sharing plates.”

Fiona Balvers | Google Reviews

Wide variety of amazing food 

“OMG! Amazing food. I was with a group of 9 and had a set menu. It was so varied and delicious. The roast potatoes are amazing as are the lamb and beef and the fish.

A bit noisy as it was a busy night. Was served the wrong beer so lost 1 star fir that.”

Tony Ford | Google Reviews

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