Curator's House serves Spanish food from a heritage residence inside Christchurch Botanic Gardens, pairing the character of the building with produce grown immediately around it. Javier and Jackie Garcia Knight opened the restaurant in 2000 after developing the house and a demonstration fruit and vegetable garden with the Friends of the Botanic Gardens. Guests can wander the grounds, dine outside in warm weather or settle into the fireside rooms in winter, making the seasons part of both the menu and the setting.
Tapas provide the most flexible introduction to the kitchen. Marinated Spanish olives and tomato-rubbed toast can start a light lunch, while grilled house chorizo, garlic prawns, Andalusian-style calamari and mushroom and Parmesan croquettes build a broader shared selection. Patatas bravas arrive with roasted capsicum and tomato dressing and alioli; baked goat cheese brings lemon oil and rosemary. Even the simple garden salad connects directly to the location, combining leafy greens with beetroot and whatever seasonal treasures are ready nearby.
The larger dishes make the Spanish influence more substantial without losing sight of Canterbury ingredients. Lamb shoulder is slow roasted with garden rosemary and red wine, while suquet cooks fish and prawns through a tomato and onion sofrito with almond picada. Pork belly uses sherry in a rich sauce, and flat-iron steak is kept direct with fries and salad. Paella is cooked to order in its pan: the seafood version combines prawns, clams, mussels and calamari with saffron and Calasparra rice, alongside a seasonal vegetarian version.
Dessert offers a compact Spanish finish. Tarta de Santiago brings almond cake and chocolate ice cream, while crema Catalana perfumes its custard with citrus, vanilla and cinnamon beneath the caramelised top. Chocolate mousse with raspberry, pistachio and syrup-soaked apricot provides another route, and a cheese board uses seasonal garden chutney. The restaurant's mix of tapas, long-cooked mains and garden produce makes it adaptable: visitors can stop for several small plates, reserve a deliberate lunch, or allow the historic house to frame an evening meal.
Address: 7 Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand
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Curator's House Restaurant Menu
Tapas
These little tastes of Spanish gastronomy are to share between friends, enjoy at any time and any occasion. Traditionally accompanied by a good wine or beer. Ideal to enjoy before your main course arrives. Dietary codes: DF – Dairy Free, VV – Vegan, V – Vegetarian, GF – Gluten Free ingredients; DF* – can be made Dairy Free, VV* – can be made Vegan, V* – can be made Vegetarian, GF* – can be made Gluten Free.
Olives
Marinated in garden herbs (GF, DF, V, VV)
Toasted Sourdough
Grizzly Bakery bread with Catalan style crushed tomato & virgin olive oil drizzle (DF, V, VV, GF*) (4 slices)
Patatas Bravas
Hand cut agria potato wedges with aioli & an oven roasted capsicum & tomato dressing (DF, V, VV*, GF)
Sherry Mushrooms
Sauteed Swiss mushrooms, with a sherry & fennel dressing (GF, DF, V, VV)
Mushroom Croquetas
Traditional mushroom & parmesan cheese croquettes (V Contains rennet) (4 units)
Chicken Croquetas
Traditional free-range chicken & chorizo croquettes (4 units)
Prawns Al Ajillo
Australian Banana prawns pan-fried in their shell, smothered in garlic & olive oil, with a hint of chilli (GF, DF) (4 units)
Chorizo A La Parilla
Our award-winning free-range Chorizo Garcia, sliced & chargrilled (GF, DF)
Calamares A La Andaluza
Flash fried, dusted in pimentón served with aioli & fresh lemon (GF, DF)
Clams A La Marinera
Cloudy Bay clams steamed in sofrito & stock (GF, DF) (subject to availability)
Baked Goat's Cheese
Lemon oil, rosemary & honey, served with crostini (GF*)(V)
Cheese Board
Served with seasonal garden chutney, crackers & treats
Tapas Tasting Selection
A small taste of our favorited tapas, ideal for two to share as an entrée or add a few more tapas for a meal. Chorizo, calamares, Chicken & chorizo Croquetas, beetroot & feta salad
Vegetarian Selection
Mushroom & parmesan Croquetas, sherry mushrooms, baked goats cheese, breised leeks
Baked Eggs
Baked free range eggs atop potato cubes, spinach, lightly spiced tomato & capsicum sauce
Platters
Tapas Tasting Selection
Chorizo, chicken & chorizo croquetas, calamares, beetroot & feta salad
Vegetarian Tapas Selection
Mushroom & parmesan croquetas (rennet), baked goats cheese, sherry mushrooms, braised leeks
Cheese Board
With pear & fig chutney, crackers & treats (Brie, Blue or Manchego sheep)
Soup / Salad
Seasonal Vegetable Soup
Served with a slice of sourdough bread (V,DF*,GF*)
GARDEN SALAD
Leafy greens, beetroot, mixed seeds & garden treasures (GF, DF, V VV) (Add Crumbed fried chicken $8)
Huevos A La Flamenca / Baked Eggs
HUEVOS A LA FLAMENCA / BAKED EGGS
Baked free range eggs atop fried potato cubes, spinach, lightly spiced tomato & capsicum sauce. Served with a slice of Sourdough toast (GF* DF*) (add chorizo $6) (add mushrooms $6)
Main Dishes – Mar / Sea
Chargrilled Fish Of The Day
Beetroot and balsamic puree with tender braised leeks & garlic sauté potatoes (GF, DF)
Zarzuela De Mariscos
A seafood casserole of fresh fish, wild Australian banana prawn, clams & mussels. All cooked in a sofrito of onion & tomato, almond picada & garlic. Served with a slice of sourdough bread (DF)
Paella De Marisco (For Two)
Our signature Seafood Paella cooked following Javier’s special recipe. Wild Australian banana prawns, clams, mussels, calamari, tomato sofrito, saffron & Albufera rice (GF, DF) (Allow 30 mins cooking time)
Main Dishes – Huerta / Garden
Zarzuela Vegana
A kumara, chickpea & mushroom casserole made with a tomato sofrito & almond picada served with a slice of sourdough bread (DF, V, VV)
Paella Vegetariana
Seasonal vegetables with tomato sofrito, saffron & Albufera rice (GF, DF, V, VV*) (Allow 30 mins cooking time)
Main Dishes – Carne / Meat
Cordero Asado Feast For Two
Slow roasted Canterbury lamb shoulder with Abuela’s red wine reduction, served with freshly picked rosemary, duck fat potatoes & seasonal vegetables (GF, DF)
Angus Flat-Iron Steak 200g
Peter Timbs butchery marbled steak, sous vide & finished on the grill. With or without truffle butter (gluten). Served with your choice of two sides: Duck fat potatoes/ Agria fries/ Seasonal vegetables/ Garden salad (GF, DF)
Caldo Gallego
Tender braised chicken leg on the bone in a white bean & chorizo stew, with spinach & a slice of sourdough bread (GF* DF*)
Pork Belly
Confit rolled pork belly, with a rich creamy sauce made with trotter stock & Spanish sherry. With mushrooms, scalloped potatoes & greens (GF)
Sides
Small garden salad
(GF, DF, V, VV)
Seasonal vegetables
(GF, DF, V, VV)
Duck fat potatoes
(GF, DF)
Hand cut agria Fries with tomato
(GF, DF, V, VV)
House made Aioli
Toasted organic seeded sourdough bread slice
Desserts
Affogato
Vanilla bean ice cream served with a shot of espresso & pistachio & almond biscotti (GF*, VV*, DF*) (Add a liqueur of your choice – Amaretto, Grand Marnier, Drambuie, Frangelico, Baileys, Cointreau, Kahlua, Tia Maria)
Crema Catalana
Our house specialty. Traditional Spanish set custard with hints of lemon, vanilla & cinnamon. Topped with caramelised sugar & served with pistachio & almond biscotti and berry compote (GF*)
Tarta De Santiago
The famous spongelike Spanish almond tarte, originating from the Pilgrim’s town of Santiago de Compostela. Dusted in icing sugar & accompanied by chocolate ice-cream, Chantilly cream & apricot coulis (GF, DF*)
Rich Chocolate Mousse
Served with a raspberry & pistachio crumble & syrup-soaked apricots (GF, V,VV,DF)
Cheese Board
Served with a pear & fig chutney, crackers & treats (Brie, Bue or Manchego sheep)
Soups & Salad
Small $13.00 Large $19.00
Seasonal Vegetable Soup with a slice of bread
(V)
Garden Salad
Leafy greens with beetroot & seasonal treasures from our garden (DF V VV)
Mains
Cordero Asado – Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder for two
Slow roasted Canterbury lamb shoulder served with freshly picked rosemary, red wine reduction, gourmet potatoes & seasonal vegetables (LF/GF)
Fish of the day
Beetroot & balsamic puree, garlic saute poatoes with tender braised leeks (GF DF)
Seafood Casserole
Fresh fish & seafood cooked in a sofrito of onion & tomato, almond picada, garlic & slice of toasted bread (DF)
Vegan Zarzuela
Kumara, chickpea & mushroom casserole with tomato sofrito & almond picada (DF V VV)
Angus Flat-Iron Beef Steak 200g
Served to you liking with truffle butter or naked and a choice of 2 sides between: duck fat potatoes, fries, seasonal vegetables & salad.
Caldo Gallego
Tender Braised chicken leg on the bone in a white bean & chorizo stew, with spinach & a slice of sourdough bread (GF & DF on request)
Pork Belly
Confit rolled pork belly, with a rich creamy sauce made with trotter stock & Spanish sherry. With mushrooms, scalloped potatoes & greens (GF)
Arroz – Rice Dish
Cooked & served in paella pan – allow minimum 30 minutes cooking time
Paella de Marisco for two – House Speciality
Seafood including wild Australian banana prawn, clams, mussels & calamari cooked with, tomatoes, vegetables, saffron & calasparra rice (L/GF) Price: $45.00pp (minimum order 2 people $90.00)
Vegetarian Paella
With seasonal vegetables (DF/GF/V)(vegan on rquest)
Juice & Soft Drinks
Orange – Pineapple – Cranberry – Apple – Tomato
Coca cola – Lemonade – Ginger ale – Coke no sugar – Tonic – Soda
Ginger beer – Lemon lime & bitters
Three Boys Apricot Kombucha
To Finish – Whiskey
JOHNNY WALKER
Black Label Scotch
TALISKER 10 YEAR
THE DALMORE
DELAMAIN COGNAC GRANDE
To Finish – Licor
AMARETTO
BAILEYS
DRAMBUIE
KAHLUA
GRAND MARNIER
COINTREAU
FRANGELICO
TIA MARIA
To Finish – Café / Coffee
Oat milk – vanilla syrup – large +.50c
SHORT/LONG BLACK, AMERICANO
FLAT WHITE, CAFÉ LATTE, CAPPUCCINO
MOCHACCINO, CHAI LATTE, HOT CHOCOLATE
ICED LATTE
ICED AMERICANO
ICE COFFEE/ICE CHOCOLATE
topped with whipped cream
To Finish – Te / Tea
HARNEY & SONS
Breakfast, Earl Grey, Jasmine Green, Passion plum
VIK GROWS TISANE TEA
Curated Tisanes made by our Head Chef Vikki with inspiration from both our & her garden. Chamomile, Mint & Fennel Melange, Tri Citrus & Spicy Ginger
Cava, Methode Traditionelle & Champagne
Flute/Bottle
Dibon Cava Brut Selection, Penedes, Spain, NV
Creamy in the centre with elegant palate, organic, baked apple & crusty sourdough
Vilarnau Cava Brut Reserva Rosé Delicate, Spain, NV
Pale pink, organic with violets, roses & berries. Smooth, creamy, fresh & elegant palate
Quartz Reef Methode Traditionnelle, Central Otago NV
Biodynamic, apple, lime & brioche with creamy acidity
Taittinger Cuvee Prestige, France, NV
A chardonnay led champagne, elegant, creamy & refined
Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut, France, NV
Full bodied with great richness and depth, toasty, nutty & concentrated
Spanish Whites
150ml/250ml/Bottle
Mesta Verdejo, Castilla, 2023
Crisp & aromatic with notes of fennel, citrus, herbal & floral elements. Dry & refreshing
Alba Martin Albariño, Rias Baixas, 2023
Fresh & fruity with white stone fruit aromas & citric notes, lively palate with lingering finish
Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah
150ml/250ml/Bottle
Black Barn Merlot Cabernet, Hawkes Bay, 2023
Dark red berry, smoke & spice notes, with plum, blackberry, clove & vanilla flavours
Pegasus Bay Merlot Cabernet, Waipara, 2023
Deep ruby, with aromas of blackberry, plums, cassis & mocha. Rich, ripe tannins
Craggy Range Hawkes Bay Syrah, 2023
Deep purple hues with blackberry, lavender & black pepper flavours
Pegasus Bay Reserve Maestro, Waipara, 2020
Deep purple with a dark, earthy & savoury nose. Black forest fruit, mushroom & smoked game flavours bolstered with liquorice, mixed spice, eucalyptus.
Spanish Sherries
50ml
Tio Pepe Fino (dry)
Pedro Ximenez Dulce (sweet)
Harney & Sons Fine Black Teas
Dorchester English Breakfast
Earl Grey Supreme
Jasmine Green
Passion Plum
Curated Tisane Teas
Mint & Fennel
Chamomile
Tri-Citrus & Spicy Ginger
-lemon verbena, lemon meyer, lemongrass, ginger, turmeric & calendula petals
Sangria – Chilled Spanish Wine Fruit Punch
Glass/500ml
Traditional Red Sangria
Champagne Sangria
Singria – Non-alcoholic Sangria
Tinto De Verano – Red wine, soda, lemonade & Fresh orange
Cocktails
Aperol Spritz
Aperol, prosecco & splash of soda
Pimm’s Cup
Pimm’s, ginger ale, lemonade & fresh fruit
Hugo
Larios Dry gin, prosecco, house elderflower fresh lemon & soda
Mocktail
Fresh mint, soda & elderflower syrup
Beer
On Tap: 330ml/400ml
Three Boys Hikari Lager 4.5%
On Tap
Three Boys Easy Juice Hazy 4%
On Tap
Three Boys Lager 4.5%
330ml Bottle
Three Boys Pilsner 5.5%
330ml Bottle
Coffee
Oat – vanilla syrup – decaf – large – extra milk 0.5
Short black – Long black- Americano
Flat White – Latte – Cappuccino
Mochaccino – Chai Latte – Hot Chocolate
Fluffy
To Finish – Vino y Fortificado
PEGASUS BAY ARIA 80ml
Late picked Riesling, succulent fruit intensity
PEDRO XIMENEZ DULCE SHERRY
GRANT BURGE TAWNY PORT
SPANISH LEPANTO BRANDY
Spanish Reds
150ml/250ml/Bottle
Oveja Tinta Graciano Malbec, Castile, 2020
Blackberry & raspberry flavours enhanced by clove, thyme and floral undertones.
Bideona Tempranillo de Laderas DOC, Rioja, 2022
Aromas of cherries, red berries & thyme. Medium bodied, good length & beautiful balance
Telmo Rodriguez Dehesa Gago, Toro, 2022
Carefully selected tempranillo. Deep, dark & earthy aromas of ripe blackberries & cherries
Muga Reserva, Rioja, 2021
Perfect balance of modern & traditional. Clean, lush, bright, slightly spicy, elegant & medium bodied
Pinot Noir
150ml/250ml/Bottle
Opawa Pinot Noir, Marlborough, 2022
Medium-bodied & balanced. Displays supple red fruit flavours & soft, fine tannins.
Mt Beautiful Estate Pinot Noir, North Canterbury, 2020
An elegant weighty wine with fragrant bramble fruit, spice & a dark chocolate earthiness.
Picnic Two Paddocks Pinot Noir, Central Otago, 2024
Organic ,dark, elegant & fleshy with great depth & drive
Digestifs
Lepanto Gran Reserva Brandy
Delamain Cognac Grande Champagne
Jamesons Irish Whiskey
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+ Log your visitHow prices compare
Against typical prices in Christchurch
- Long black Typical in Christchurch: $5.00 $5.50
- Flat white Typical in Christchurch: $5.55 $6.50
- Chai latte Typical in Christchurch: $6.00 $6.50
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