Market Place Restaurant & Bar faces Victoria Square from its central Colombo Street address, taking both its name and part of its identity from the historic markets once held there. The outlook gives the dining room a clear sense of place, while the kitchen extends that idea through ingredients from Canterbury butchers, fishmongers, growers and patisseries. Public reservations and table service make it a restaurant in its own right, suited to a city lunch, an evening meal or a gathering arranged around the square's central location.
The recent lunch menu begins with plates that are easy to share but strongly differentiated. Market fish crudo is sharpened with grapefruit and basil oil, Korean fried chicken comes with gochujang mayonnaise, kimchi and daikon, and mushroom parfait is matched with port-wine gelée and truffled brioche. Saffron seafood chowder brings clams, prawns and fish into a warmer, more substantial bowl. Ordering two or three of these dishes lets the table move between fresh, spicy, earthy and creamy flavours before choosing a larger plate.
Those larger choices retain a relaxed bistro shape. The smashed Angus burger uses gochujang mayonnaise and kimchi instead of a purely conventional garnish, while battered market fish arrives with tartare, salad and hand-cut chips. A club sandwich and Caesar salad cover familiar lunch territory, and pizzas range from margherita to prawn with chilli and garlic or prosciutto with rocket and parmesan. This mix keeps the restaurant approachable without disconnecting it from the local, seasonal outlook that drives the wider menu.
For dinner, the Market Selection removes individual ordering decisions by serving a four-course sequence of the chef's seasonal choices in a sharing format, with dietary adaptations available. High tea provides a different kind of occasion, combining handmade pastries, fresh scones and traditional sandwiches with premium tea or Champagne when booked ahead. Between those structured experiences and the regular lunch and dinner menus, Market Place can handle a spontaneous meal or a planned celebration while keeping Canterbury produce and the Victoria Square view at the centre.
Address: 764 Colombo Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
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