Carlton Bar & Steakhouse is a longstanding Christchurch meeting place with a clear modern identity. The Carlton name has been part of the city since 1863, while today's venue works as both a substantial steakhouse and an easygoing local for lunch, dinner or a drink. It trades every day from its prominent Merivale corner, and the atmosphere can shift from a straightforward meal to live entertainment, a weekly special or a larger celebration without losing the feel of a familiar neighbourhood institution.
Beef is the kitchen's central subject. The restaurant buys pasture-reared cattle from Canterbury farms, then lets diners choose among cuts such as sirloin, wagyu rump, flat iron, eye fillet and ribeye. Larger dry-aged steaks, including bone-in sirloin and T-bone, can suit a generous appetite or a table that wants to share. Sauces, seasoned butters and condiments provide the finishing point, while sides such as mash, seasonal vegetables, salad or mushrooms let each plate take a different direction.
The rest of the menu has enough range for a group that is not ordering steak alone. Mushroom arancini and baked focaccia sit beside steak tartare, salmon gravlax and fried squid among the smaller plates. A butcher's board brings ribs, selected steak cuts, pork belly and bone marrow together as a deliberately communal order. Lunch choices, hearty salads and a separate dessert list round out the food, so the venue works just as naturally for a midday stop as it does for a full evening meal.
Drinks are treated as part of the occasion rather than an afterthought, with wine, beer and signature cocktails available alongside the food. That broad bar offering helps explain why the Carlton can cover several kinds of visit: a steak dinner, drinks with friends, live sport or music, and private events. Function spaces can be adapted for large bookings or more tailored dining experiences, while the regular food and bar service remains approachable for diners who simply want a well-cooked cut and a relaxed table.
Address: 1 Papanui Road, Merivale, Christchurch 8014, New Zealand
Moved or closed? Tell us: Moved·Temporarily closed·Permanently closed
Carlton Bar & Steakhouse Christchurch Menu
To Start or To Share
(V) Vegetarian | (VG) Vegan | (VO) Vegetarian option | (VGO) Vegan option | (LG) Low gluten | (LD) Low dairy | (LGO) Low gluten option | (LDO) Low dairy option
Charcuterie Board
A selection of cured meats, sun-dried tomato pesto, kumara hummus, house-made pickles, fig and rhubarb chutney, garlic rosemary crostini (LD, LGO)
Warm Marinated Olives
A selection of olives, dried herbs, citrus (LD, LG, V, VG)
Sticky Pig
Slow cooked braised pork ribs and pork belly bites with BBQ sauce and rocket slaw (LD, LGO)
Buffalo Chicken Wings
Topped with pickled red onion. Served with aioli
Beef Tartare Bites
Beef tartare served on crispy wontons with gherkins, mustard horseradish mayo, shallots, Worcestershire sauce and parsley (LGO)
Fried Calamari
Lemon pepper fried squid, served with pickled onion, lime aioli and charred lemon on a bed of sweet and sour rocket slaw (LGO, LDO)
Hot Snack Platter
Fried buffalo chicken wings, smoked chorizo, jalapeño poppers, Carlton seasoned chips, fried squid, served with bourbon BBQ sauce and lime aioli
Sweet Potato Garlic Bread
Smoked garlic butter, rosemary salt (LDO, LG, V, VGO)
Pork Belly Bites
Glazed pork belly bites. Topped with toasted sesame seeds and pickles (LD, LGO)
Pulled Brisket Loaded Fries
BBQ pulled beef brisket, jalapeños, cheese sauce, dark ale caramelised onion, chorizo and bacon crumb (LDO, LGO, VO)
Kiwi Cob Loaf
Served with classic creamy Kiwi onion dip & smoked garlic and herb oil (V)
Smoked Chorizo Jalapeño Croquettes
Topped with shaved parmesan, served with lime aioli
Panko Crumbed Camembert
Cranberry, honey and rosemary glazed. Topped with pistachios
Bruschetta
Toasted sourdough with thyme whipped honey goats cheese, candied walnuts, charred pear and a balsamic glaze (LGO, V)
Fries
Coated in Carlton seasoning. Served with ketchup (LD, LGO, V, VG)
Mains
Pork Ribs Full-Rack
Smoked 12-hour cooked ribs, coated in Carlton chilli bourbon BBQ glaze, served with herb slaw (LD, LG)
Pork Ribs Half-Rack
Smoked 12-hour cooked ribs, coated in Carlton chilli bourbon BBQ glaze, served with herb slaw (LD, LG)
Butcher's Board
200g rump steak, half-rack pork ribs, BBQ beef brisket, 100g bratwurst sausage, roasted bone marrow, served with garlic sourdough, smoked paprika whisky charred corn, red wine jus and house slaw (LDO, LGO)
Slow Cooked Pressed Lamb Shoulder
Served with gremolata peas, roasted kumara, smoked garlic parmesan crumb, red wine jus and cheese sauce (LDO, LGO)
Smoked Rolled Pork
Rolled smoked pork, fig and rhubarb chutney. Served with pickled onion, sweet and sour rocket slaw, toasted spiced cashews, shallots, finished with red wine jus (LD, LG)
Seared Mt Cook Salmon
Served with potato mash, butter seared seasonal greens, caper lemon beurre blanc, crisp fried parsnip (LDO, LGO)
Market Fish and Chips
Lemon pepper market fish, Carlton seasoned chips, with charred lemon and house made tartar sauce (LD)
Beef Cheek Bourguignon
18-hour slow cooked beef cheek in a rich bourguignon sauce. seasonal greens and creamed mash potato (LDO, LG)
Harissa Chicken
Harissa coated chicken, served with smashed mustard potato, buttered seasonal greens, confit leeks and velouté sauce (LDO, LG)
Beef & Guinness Pie
12-hour slow cooked beef Guinness pie, topped with roasted pumpkin and kumara smash, dark ale caramelised onion, red wine jus
Rocket Salad
Rocket, goat’s cheese, roasted beetroot, pumpkin, charred capsicum, grains, spiced seeds, sesame dressing (LDO, LGO, V, VGO)
Roast Vegetable Salad
Seasonal vegetables, spinach, mixed seeds, balsamic dressing (LD, LG, V, VG)
Carlton Chicken Parmigiana
Topped with ham, a blend of melted cheeses and house made marinara, served with crushed garlic and herbed duck fat potatoes
Burgers
Wednesday & Thursday, grab a burger and a draught Speight’s, Mac’s or Steinlager product for $35
Carlton Cheeseburger
Prime beef patty, cheddar cheese, gherkins, tomato, lettuce, dark ale caramelised onion, house sauce, served with Carlton seasoned fries (LDO, LGO)
Buffalo Chicken Burger
Cheddar cheese, house made slaw, pickles, garlic aioli. Served with Carlton seasoned fries
Beef Brisket Burger
Jalapeño bacon jam, mixed leaf, cheddar cheese, pickles and garlic aioli with chips (LDO, LGO)
Sunday Roast
Every Sunday, available lunch & dinner.
Your Choice of Roast Beef or Roast Pork
Served with all the trimmings, seasonal vegetables, rosemary roast potatoes, sage stuffing, homemade Yorkshire pudding and red wine jus (LDO, LGO)
Char-Grilled Steaks
The key to great steak is happy cattle, we source only the best all natural, pasture reared beef, exclusively from Canterbury farms. Choose your cut and how you would like it cooked. ADDITIONAL SAUCE OR BUTTER $4 each. Steak Sauces: Merlot Jus, Chilli Bourbon BBQ, Mushroom, Creamy Green Peppercorn. Steak Butters: Garlic and Parsley, Hot Honey Butter, Bone Marrow Butter. Steak Condiments: Horseradish, Wholegrain Mustard.
300g Prime Ribeye Steak
Ribeye steak, char-grilled to your liking and served with herbed duck fat roasted potatoes, red wine jus and smoked garlic butter (LDO, LGO)
300g NZ Rump
Rump steak, char-grilled to your liking and served with herbed duck fat roasted potatoes, red wine jus and smoked garlic butter (LDO, LGO)
200g Eye Fillet
Eye fillet steak, char-grilled to your liking and served with herbed duck fat roasted potatoes, red wine jus and smoked garlic butter (LDO, LGO)
Dry-Aged Large Cuts
Signature Tomahawk
Dry aged 700g, served with red wine jus and smoked garlic butter (LDO, LGO) (Please allow 40 mins cooking time for Medium-Rare)
Complete Your Dish
Fresh Salad
Mixed leaves, red onion, carrot, capsicum, sundried tomatoes, house made dressing, spiced seeds (LD, LG, V, VGO)
Agria Mash
Creamy mash, truffle oil, chives (LG, V)
Roasted Bone Marrow
Char grilled bone marrow (LD, LG)
Coleslaw
Slaw, herbs, sesame dressing, rocket (LD, LG, V, VG)
2 x Fried Eggs
(LD, LG, V)
Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
Smoked yoghurt, lemon chilli herb oil, dukkah, honey (LG, V, VGO)
Duck Fat Potatoes
Garlic and herbed duck fat potatoes (LD, LG, V, VGO)
Charred Corn
Coated in smoked whiskey paprika butter, shaved parmesan and lime aioli (LDO, LG, VO)
Kumara and Pumpkin Smash
Creamy smash, truffle oil, chives (LG, V)
Seared Mushrooms and Onions
Pan seared mushrooms and onions, garlic butter (LDO, LGO, V, VGO)
Seasonal Greens
Seasonal greens, spiced cashews, honey (LD, LG, V, VGO)
Lunch
Chicken Wrap
Slaw, fried chicken, burger sauce, mixed salad, chips, tomato sauce
Buffalo Chicken Burger
American smoked cheese, house made slaw, pickles, garlic aioli. Served with Carlton seasoned fries
Carlton Cheeseburger
Prime beef patty, cheddar cheese, gherkins, tomato, lettuce, dark ale caramelised onion, house sauce. Served with Carlton seasoned fries (LDO, LGO)
Brisket Burger
Jalapeño bacon jam, mix leaf, cheddar cheese, pickles and garlic aioli with chips (LDO, LGO)
Steak Sandwich
Rump steak cooked medium-rare, horseradish mayo, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, served on toasted sourdough. Served with Carlton seasoned fries (LGO)
Market Fish and Chips
Lemon pepper market fish, Carlton seasoned chips, with charred lemon and house made tartar sauce (LD)
Rocket Salad
Rocket, roasted beetroot, pumpkin, charred capsicum, grains, spiced seeds, sesame dressing (LDO, LGO, V, VGO)
Roast Vegetable Salad
Seasonal vegetables, spinach, mixed seeds, balsamic dressing (LD, LG, V, VG)
Carlton Chicken Parmigiana
Topped with ham, a blend of melted cheeses and house made marinara, served with crushed garlic and herbed duck fat potatoes
Lunch – Char-Grilled Steaks
ADDITIONAL SAUCE OR BUTTER $4 each. Steak Sauces: Merlot Jus, Chilli Bourbon BBQ, Mushroom, Creamy Green Peppercorn. Steak Butters: Garlic and Parsley, Hot Honey Butter, Bone Marrow Butter. Steak Condiments: Horseradish, Wholegrain Mustard.
200g Rump Steak
Rump steak, char-grilled to your liking and served with herbed duck fat roasted potatoes, red wine jus and smoked garlic butter (LDO, LGO)
300g Prime Rib Eye Steak
Ribeye steak, char-grilled to your liking and served with herbed duck fat roasted potatoes, red wine jus and smoked garlic butter (LDO, LGO)
Lunch – Sunday Roast
Every Sunday, available lunch & dinner. Whilst stocks last.
Your Choice of Roast Beef or Roast Pork
Served with all the trimmings, seasonal vegetables, rosemary roast potatoes, sage stuffing, homemade Yorkshire pudding and red wine jus (LDO, LGO)
Kids Menu
(V) Vegetarian | (VG) Vegan | (VO) Vegetarian option | (VGO) Vegan option | (LG) Low gluten | (LD) Low dairy | (LGO) Low gluten option | (LDO) Low dairy option
Carlton Ribs
3 braised ribs, fries & BBQ sauce (LD)
Fish & Chips
Battered fish, fries & tomato sauce (LDO, LGO)
Chicken Nuggets & Chips
Chicken nuggets, fries & tomato sauce (LDO, LGO, VGO)
Vegan Nuggets & Chips
Vegan nuggets, fries & tomato sauce (LD, V, VG)
Mini Carlton Burger
Beef patty, cheese, fries & tomato sauce (LDO, LGO)
Churro Sundae
Churros topped with 2 scoops of ice cream, whipped cream, sprinkles and either chocolate or strawberry sauce (LGO, V)
Dessert Menu
(V) Vegetarian | (VG) Vegan | (VO) Vegetarian option | (VGO) Vegan option | (LG) Low gluten | (LD) Low dairy | (LGO) Low gluten option | (LDO) Low dairy option
Chocolate Brownie
Chocolate brownie, pistachio praline, raspberry crumb, vanilla bean ice cream (LG, V)
Red Wine Pear & Custard Tart
Warm red wine poached pear, custard tart, whipped mascarpone vanilla cream, hazelnut crumble (V)
Carlton Banoffee
Chocolate chip cookie base, Biscoff caramel, caramelized banana, whipped mascarpone vanilla cream, shards of chocolate, crushed caramel popcorn (V)
Sorbet
Mango sorbet, boozy berry compot, freeze dried raspberry (LD, LG V, VG)
Spritz
Aperol Spritz
Aperol, House Sparkling, Soda, Orange
Limoncello Spritz
Limoncello, House Sparkling, Lemon, Soda
Hugo Spritz
Elderflower, House Sparkling, Lemon, Mint, Soda
Cocktails
Paloma
100% Blue Agave Tequila Reposado, Lime, Grapefruit, Soda
Margarita
100% Blue Agave Tequila Reposado, Triple Sec, Lime
Tommys Margarita
100% Blue Agave Tequila Reposado, Lime, Agave
Chilli & Mango Margarita
Tequila, Triple Sec, Chilli, Lime, Mango
On Tap
Speights GMA
NZ ALE, 4.0%
Carlton House Lager
MALT LAGER, 4.0%
Guinness
IRISH STOUT, 4.0%
Stella Artois (500ml)
LAGER, 5.0%
Bottle
Steinlager Pure
LAGER, 5.0%
Corona
PILSNER, 4.6%
Speights Old Dark
DARK ALE, 4.0%
Speight's GMA 745ml
NZ ALE, 4.0%
Low & No Alcohol
Steinlager Zero
LAGER, 0.0%
Speights Summit
LOW CARB, 0.0%
Speights Mid
NZ ALE, 2.5%
Steinlager Light
LAGER, 2.5%
Bubbles
SIZES: SML=150ml / LRG= 250ml / FLUTE=125ml. ALL WINES ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY
Cloudy Bay Pelorus NV
Marlborough, NZ
Mount Paradiso Prosecco
Murray Darling, Australia
Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut NV
Epernay, France
Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label
Reims, France
Whites
SIZES: SML=150ml / LRG= 250ml / FLUTE=125ml. ALL WINES ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY
Rebel Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough, NZ
Mill Flat Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough, NZ
Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough, NZ
Pennello Pinot Grigio
Delle Venezie, Italy
Red
SIZES: SML=150ml / LRG= 250ml / FLUTE=125ml. ALL WINES ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY
Rose & Rose Pinot Noir
Marlborough, NZ
Nga Waka 'Three Paddles' Pinot Noir
Martinborough, NZ
Two Paddocks Pinot Noir
Central Otago, NZ
From Happy Menu members
Reviews from locals: every member has confirmed a New Zealand mobile.
Been to Carlton Bar & Steakhouse? Be one of the first to rate it.
+ Log your visitHow prices compare
Against typical prices in Christchurch
- Steak sandwich Typical in Christchurch: $26.50 $28.00
From our guide
Best New Zealand and Contemporary Restaurants Near Me In Christchurch
Our closest guide to Carlton Bar & Steakhouse
-
5th Street
Christchurch · 2.8 km ·$$
New Zealand
-
INATI
Christchurch · 1.4 km ·$$
-
Pomeroy’s
Christchurch · 1.9 km ·$$
Brewery · Pub
-
Twenty Seven Steps
Christchurch · 1.3 km ·$$
European
- Wine Bar C Cellar Door Christchurch · 1.2 km ·$ Wine Bar
- European T Tussock Hill Vineyard and Cellar Door Restaurant Christchurch · 7.0 km ·$$ European
Around the corner
Within 1 km of Carlton Bar & Steakhouse
- Mediterranean V Vesuvio Jazz & Tapas Bar Christchurch · 70 m ·$$ Mediterranean · Spanish
-
The Athens Yacht Club
Christchurch · 110 m ·$$
Greek · Mediterranean
- New Zealand J Jimmy's Restaurant & Bar Christchurch · 180 m ·$$ New Zealand · Bar
- Café M Majestic at Mayfair Christchurch · 250 m ·$ Café
- Bar T The Goldfinch Christchurch · 290 m ·$$ Bar
-
Little Mexi
Christchurch · 370 m ·$
Cocktail Bar
More New Zealand nearby
Within 10 km
- European T Tudors on Papanui Christchurch · 440 m ·$ European · New Zealand
- New Zealand T The Dish Christchurch · 490 m ·$ New Zealand · Café
- New Zealand T The Montreal Bar & Restaurant Christchurch · 660 m ·$$ New Zealand · Bar
- New Zealand T The Hoi Polloi Bar & Bistro Christchurch · 880 m ·$ New Zealand
- New Zealand T The Guardian Bar & Grill Christchurch · 930 m ·$ New Zealand · Grill
-
The Brewers
Christchurch · 940 m ·$
European · New Zealand