I remember it like it was yesterday: the promising smell of a sizzling steak at my first corporate dinners. 

But as soon as I sank my knife into that slab of meat, I started to regret ordering the steak. It was tough, chewy, and flavourless.

Ever since that night, I’ve kept my ears open for recommendations on the finest steakhouses. And I’ve done multiple taste tests at the top steakhouses in Christchurch, so you don’t need to. 

So, if you’re like me and you cherish a perfectly cooked steak, here’s who made it onto my list of the best steakhouses in Christchurch. 

How much does it cost to get a steak dinner in Christchurch?

A steak dinner in Christchurch costs at least 35 NZD without sides or drinks. This price is just an estimate and will vary depending on the steak cut you choose and the steakhouse you go to.

How I Chose the Best Steakhouses in Christchurch 

Quality of Meat – First things first, it’s all about the meat. When it comes to a steakhouse, you want top-notch and high-quality cuts. I checked if the restaurants sourced their beef locally or from reputable suppliers.

Cooking Precision – I looked for steakhouses where the chefs know their art. Whether you like it rare, medium-rare, or well-done, the steak should come out exactly as you’ve ordered. 

Atmosphere – I paid attention to the restaurant’s atmosphere. Is it cosy and inviting? Sometimes, you just want to relax and savour your meal in a place that feels just right, whether it’s a classy setting or a laid-back, rustic spot.

Side Dishes – The sides can make or break your meal. I looked for places that offer a variety of well-cooked, flavorful accompaniments that complement the main event without stealing the spotlight.

1. Riverside Corner Grill

Riverside Corner Grill might not be anything fancy, but it’s a spot I find myself returning to again and again. It’s got that warm, neighbourhood vibe with staff who welcome you with a smile. 

The 250-gramme Ribeye Steak here is the star of the show. It’s juicy, tender, and bursting with flavour. The perfectly charred exterior adds a smoky kick that takes it up a notch. 

Their crisp garden salad gives a refreshing counterbalance to the steak’s richness. The fries are another highlight. They’re golden, well-seasoned, and satisfying.

Although the steak steals the spotlight, the steak sandwich is just as good. Made with high-quality flank steak that’s cooked perfectly to a juicy medium-rare doneness, it’s nestled between toasted sourdough bread. 

The steak sandwich is also served with caramelised onions and aioli, giving it a touch of sweetness and creamy richness.

My only gripe about this place is that the limited parking can be a bit frustrating.

Customer Reviews

 The best steak sandwich I’ve ever had

“What a great find! Our fantastic chef put together the best steak sandwich I’ve ever had, it was flavoursome and didn’t fall apart while my partner had what he deems the  best lambs fry and bacon EVER!…The fomo was strong, I will return for the lambs fry and bacon.”

Melanie Sherrard, Google Reviews

Cooked us a perfect rare 

“Delicious steak and fries. They didn’t even ask us for how we wanted the steak and still cooked us a perfect rare. Would definitely recommend.”

Earwig Wu, Google Reviews

2. Bessie 

Bessie is a top pick for steak lovers who know their way around a steak. Known for their dry-aged meat, Bessie has a special drying room where they age their cuts for at least 45 days. This process really brings out the flavour and enhances the meat’s texture. 

Plus, all of their steaks are cooked in a charcoal oven, which sears the meat to juicy perfection.

When I come here, I like to get their 200-gramme prime eye fillet. The grass-fed Canterbury beef is kicked up another notch by their chimichurri sauce – fresh, herby, and perfectly zesty.

For sides, the roasted spring potatoes with garlic and rosemary are irresistible. They’re crispy, and they won’t leave you with lingering garlic breath. 

Another favourite is the creamed spinach with sour cream and pecorino. It’s rich and creamy and has a satisfying salty kick.

One downside, though, is that the tables are a bit close together, so it can get noisy. 

Customer Reviews

The 37 day dry-aged ribeye on the bone was excellent

“Extremely enjoyable dinner. The 37 day dry-aged ribeye on the bone (500g) and the lamb tenderloin on the bone (400g) were excellent, with the lamb being a particular stand-out. The addition of bone marrow adds a creamy dimension to the meats. The sides of the duck fat potato croquettes and the freekah salad were also tasty. Service was good as well.”

Isobel Tan Google Review  

Cooked to perfection, would say the best steak I tasted in christchurch

“Nice ambiance, great staff and very good food. We had a dozen of oysters for entrèe and it was so fresh 😊. Had dry aged tbone, rib eye and the normal wagyu for mains.  Cooked to perfection 👌 would say the best steak I tasted in christchurch. Definitely would come back for more. Not much of a wine guy but the coctails are awesome. Would recomend whiskey sour and their own version of espresso martini. Ending the night with a good serving of desserts which the kids enjoyed. Loved it 👌.”

Francis Gaje Google Review  

3. Jaba Grill & Bar

Jaba Grill & Bar is the place to go for the finest Kopa charcoal grill steaks in town. 

The moment I stepped into this restaurant, the staff were attentive. They knew their menu inside out, which made all the difference in deciding what to order.

I decided on their signature ember-cooked caveman-style 500-gramme Angus T-bone steak. Since it’s cooked on a Kopa charcoal grill, the steak has a unique smoky flavour that’s hard to find anywhere else.

It was paired with kumara mousse and kumara crisps, adding a pleasant sweetness that balanced the meat’s rich flavours.

However, be prepared to spend a bit more here. The prices are on the higher side, but the superb food and excellent service make it well worth the cost.

Customer Reviews

Everything was timely and we were clearly valued as customers

“What joy to dine at Jaba! From the moment we arrived, we felt the warmth and vibe, were seated and orders taken promptly by someone engaged and interested in us. Everything was timely and we were clearly valued as customers. The food was devine and our steaks were highly rated by all 4 of us. Probably the best I’ve had locally. I highly recommend the Whisky eh! Cocktail to accompany your meal.

We enjoyed the desserts of Pannacotta and Dark Chocolate Brownie. The overall experience was perfect ❤️💯”

• Glenn Sagar Google Review  

One of the most memorable steaks we’ve tried

“One of the most memorable steaks we’ve tried. We ordered a few dishes to share – the Tomahawk, bone marrow and venison carpaccio, and a cheesecake for dessert. It was my first time trying bone marrow and I’m glad I did. It went very nice with the bread provided. The venison carpaccio was good as well, so was the dessert. What stood out for me was the Tomahawk. The steak was cooked medium rare. It had a nicely charred flavour on the outside, and tender on the inside. Would return if I’m ever in the area again. Chatted with the lady at the cashier and discovered that she’s visiting my home country in 2 weeks time. If she reads this – “I hope you enjoy your holiday as much as I enjoyed my visit to the restaurant.” 🙂 “

• Samantha Google Review 

4. Bloody Mary’s 

Bloody Mary’s is where you go for steak and whisky. 

The dark wood and leather decor create a cosy and intimate environment, perfect for special occasions and casual nights out. The staff also displays warm hospitality and quickly seats diners when they arrive.

During my visit, I had their 300-gramme Greenstone Creek scotch fillet. Hand-selected and expertly aged, this steak had an exceptional flavour, tender texture and perfect char. The beef tallow-roasted potatoes were crispy on the outside and irresistibly good.

Their vast collection of whiskies is also impressive. I opted for their Jack Daniels Honey Whisky, which paired well with the steak thanks to its subtle sweetness and rich barley notes.

However, the port wine and thyme jus fell short of expectations.  It lacked the richness and depth needed to elevate the steak further.

Customer Reviews

A superb steak house with elegance

“Dining here again 🙌 …Absolutely amazing dinner! Atmosphere and service! We were looked after by the lovely Hannah – thank you so much! You are awesome! From the moment we arrived, everything was well executed. A superb steak house with elegance 😍 … I had the Lamb Backstrap and it was Devine!!!”

Daniel Griffin, Google Reviews 

Great steak restaurant

“Great steak restaurant. First time I’ve had Chateaubriand as a sharing steak dish. Had it cooked Medium to share, which was probably sacrilege and I should’ve had it Medium-Rare. Pricey but good at $115 for two. If you’re with someone who wants it well done get the Lamb Shoulder.”

John Crossland, Google Reviews

5. Jimmy’s Smokehouse

Jimmy’s is the place to go for good smoked steaks. The rustic yet modern decor makes this spot a good place for an intimate steak dinner.

I started off with the garlic bread and their portobello mushrooms. The garlic bread was crispy, soft, and buttery – had me stuffing my face. And their portobello mushrooms, paired with the tangy salsa and spicy mayo, offered an intriguing flavour combination.

As for their steaks, the 700-gramm tomahawk is a showstopper. The marbling of fat throughout the meat kept the steak juicy. The garlic butter and red wine sauce added a rich and savoury layer of complexity that was hard to resist. 

Their 400g, though, was a bit too dry for my liking despite being cooked to a near-perfect medium-rare.

Another downside worth mentioning is the long wait. Even with a reservation, I still waited for some time to get seated at my table. 

Customer Reviews

I had the best steak here

“I had the best steak here. So tender and well-seasoned, that you’ll have to find this place again. Also fish and chips are fantastic. You can feel it as you bite it. Other side dishes and drinks do a great job to enjoy main dishes much more. Tried other smokehouses nearby but cannot name one single place better than here.”

김준하, Google Reviews

Beautifully, perfectly cooked steak 

Intriguing spot, good service, beautifully, perfectly cooked steak. Great accompaniments including the coleslaw. (Many places have overly thick oily mayo, but this was light and piquant. ) nice drinks range including non-alcoholic. Mains are quite large, bring an appetite.

Tracy Price, Google Reviews 

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