Elements by IHF occupies a corner on the first floor of The Crossing, bringing a bookable cafe and restaurant above the movement of central Christchurch. The venue trades daily and leans into brunch without restricting itself to the standard eggs and toast formula. Its ability to host private and corporate events for up to 80 people also gives the polished room a role beyond everyday cafe service.
The sweeter side of brunch is composed with the detail of a plated dessert. Tonka bean panna cotta is paired with Doris plum and matcha foam, creating a cool, aromatic dish with fruit and gentle bitterness. Tiramisu banana French toast goes in a richer direction, using Kahlua maple syrup to connect coffee, caramel and soft cooked fruit.
Savoury dishes are similarly layered. Akaroa salmon Benedict brings fried capers and dill hollandaise over a crisp potato hash, giving the familiar brunch format a sharper coastal edge. Elsewhere, choices have ranged through beef cheek, ribeye, garlic and chilli prawns, grilled free-range chicken, tofu and cauliflower falafel, so a table is not limited to breakfast food even during daytime service.
Allpress espresso anchors the cafe side, with juices offering a lighter alternative and bespoke cocktails taking the room toward a more leisurely lunch. The combination suits both a focused coffee visit and a longer booked meal, while the central location makes Elements an accessible meeting point. The same contemporary setting supports its cafe service, booked restaurant meals and private events.
Address: Shop B1.06, Level 1, The Crossing, 166 Cashel Street, Christchurch Central City 8011, New Zealand
Moved or closed? Tell us: Moved·Temporarily closed·Permanently closed
Elements by IHF Menu
Breakfast
Served Mon-Fri 8-3, Sat-Sun 9-3.30. GF Gluten free. DF Dairy free. V Vegetarian. VGN Vegan. OA Option Available.
IHF Benedict
Potato hash, spinach, house pickles, hollandaise, poached eggs & crispy onions. GF DFOA VGNOA. Choice of HOUSE CURED BACON, OVEN ROASTED MUSHROOMS or AKAROA SMOKED SALMON.
Farmhouse Breakfast
Toasted rye loaded with house cured bacon, jalapeño sausage, black pudding, plum tomatoes, poached eggs, mushrooms & house relish. GFOA DFOA.
Eggs Your Way
2 free range eggs served on rye with salted butter & pickled onion. V GFOA DFOA. + Jalapeño Sausage.
Red Rice Pudding
Coconut red rice pudding, doris plums, compressed pineapple, vanilla mascarpone, cacao nibs, kaffir lime & coconut crumb. V VGNOA.
Avocado On Rye
Avocado mash, tomato, poached egg, edamame, pickles, feta & aioli. V GFOA DFOA VGNOA. + House Cured Bacon.
Brunch
Served Mon-Fri 8-3, Sat-Sun 9-3.30. GF Gluten free. DF Dairy free. V Vegetarian. VGN Vegan. OA Option Available.
Black Forest French Toast
Toasted Grizzly milk bread, spiced cherries, brownie bites, sliced almonds, crispy flakes, topped with salted hot chocolate fudge sauce. V.
Sticky Duck Benedict
Confit duck glazed in sticky hoisin sauce, poached eggs, spinach, nam jim salad, crispy onions, & gochujang hollandaise on toasted Grizzly milk bread.
Japanese Pancake
Sesame crusted smoked salmon, 62-degree egg, pickled cucumber, daikon slaw, dashi mayo & bonito flakes. DF.
Chilli Crab Scramble
Blue swimmer crab, chilli caramel, toasted croissant, scrambled eggs, slaw, spring onion, furikake & chilli.
Lunch
Served Mon-Fri 8-3, Sat-Sun 9-3.30. GF Gluten free. DF Dairy free. V Vegetarian. VGN Vegan. OA Option Available.
55 Day Dry-Aged Flank
Garlic-glazed flank steak served with pickled red cabbage, seasonal roasted vegetables, green beans & spiced harissa sauce. GF DF.
NZ Lamb Gnocchi
Slow cooked Lumina lamb ragu, potato gnocchi, stracciatella, pickled tomatoes & winter herbs. + Garlic Focaccia.
Market Fish over Cous Cous
Pan-seared fish, fragrant cous cous pearls, pickled onion, charred lemon & salsa verde cream reduction.
Japanese Pancake
Sesame crusted smoked salmon, 62-degree egg, pickled cucumber, daikon slaw, dashi mayo & bonito flakes. DF.
Salads
Hot Honey Halloumi Salad
Grilled halloumi glazed in hot honey served on a salad of fennel, pickles, leafy greens, tomatoes, pumpkin seeds & almonds, dressed in herb & garlic. V GF.
Carrot Falafel & Beetroot Salad
Served with cashew creme, edamame, winter herbs, tomato & leafy green salad, dressed in chimichurri. VGN GF.
IHF ‘Caesar’ Salad
Crispy cos, garlic aioli, pickled veg, croutons, parmesan, pumpkin seeds, soft egg & bacon bits. V VGNOA GFOA. + Chicken.
Sides
Seasonal Greens
Seasonal greens, baby peas, bacon bits & red pepper sauce. GF VGNOA.
Garlic Focaccia
Toasted house focaccia & garlic butter. VGNOA. + Melted cheese.
Afters
Orange & Almond Cake
Spiced orange cake served with yogurt. GF DFOA.
Cheesecake
Ask your server for flavour of the moment. V.
Espresso Martini
A blend of rum, vanilla vodka, espresso & chocolate. VGN.
Cafe Philippe
Black coffee, campari, whippy cream, vanilla & biscuit crumb. V.
Extras
Halloumi
Chicken
Hot Smoked Salmon
House Bacon
Fresh Avocado
Two Eggs
Plum Tomatoes
Mushrooms
Add On
Halloumi
Chicken
Hot Smoked Salmon
House Bacon
Fresh Avocado
Two Eggs
Plum Tomatoes
Mushrooms
Build your own
Freshly Squeezed
Classic
Orange or apple.
Refresher
Orange, carrot & turmeric.
Renew
Green apple, celery & cucumber.
Cleanser
Apple, beetroot & ginger.
Smoothie
+ Scoop protein powder 3.
Tropical Berry
Orange, mango, coconut yogurt & berry sorbet.
Golden Glow
Mango, pineapple, spirulina & coconut milk.
Super Banana
Banana, blueberry, cinnamon, oat milk & coconut yogurt.
Nature Energy
Decaf, cocoa, peanut butter, banana & oat milk.
Scoop protein powder
Wake Up
Mimosa
Orange juice & prosecco.
Bloody Mary
Vodka, house spices & tomato.
Good Morning Americano
Campari, vermouth, grapefruit.
Morning Star Spritz
Lychee, citrus & sparkling wine.
Bubbles
Huia Marlborough Sparkling
Yarra Prosecco
Baby Doll Sparkling Rosé
Mimosa
Orange juice & prosecco.
Bellini
Prosecco, lemon & mango or strawberry.
Airmail
Spiced coconut rum, lime, honey & prosecco.
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Against typical prices in Christchurch
- Cheesecake Typical in Christchurch: $13.00 $10.00
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