Guidebook for Sumner and Christchurch
Food Scene
One of the coolest cafés in Christchurch. Vegan, plant-based, animal cruelty-free vibes lay the foundation of this excellent local eatery.
Bonobo Café
One of the coolest cafés in Christchurch. Vegan, plant-based, animal cruelty-free vibes lay the foundation of this excellent local eatery.
An easy #1 on this family’s list of all-time favorite places to eat. The flavors are outrageous. It is always full, so go early. This is Szechuan dining at its best!! 
9 locals recommend
Miss Peppercorn 花椒小姐
32 Nayland StAn easy #1 on this family’s list of all-time favorite places to eat. The flavors are outrageous. It is always full, so go early. This is Szechuan dining at its best!! 
Located next to the new Sumner Library, central village. The best indo street food restaurant in ChCh! le Yum.
25 locals recommend
Le Xom
6 Wakefield AveLocated next to the new Sumner Library, central village. The best indo street food restaurant in ChCh! le Yum.
Delicious pizza, delicious food. Bar area is great for a drink by the fire. Rachel (owner) is fabulous & most locals eat or drink here.
35 locals recommend
Clink Restaurant & Bar
29 Wakefield AveDelicious pizza, delicious food. Bar area is great for a drink by the fire. Rachel (owner) is fabulous & most locals eat or drink here.
Burger Stop Sumner
36 Nayland StFish and chips! Can’t beat them!
Own Masala
If you’re lucky to be in town on a Saturday morning, this market is a must! An easy short drive, four minutes over the hill to the port town of Lyttelton. One of the best markets in the city for produce, loads of quirky little shops, cafes and market stalls selling unique quality goods. Very arty and cool 
49 locals recommend
Lyttelton Farmers Market
London StreetIf you’re lucky to be in town on a Saturday morning, this market is a must! An easy short drive, four minutes over the hill to the port town of Lyttelton. One of the best markets in the city for produce, loads of quirky little shops, cafes and market stalls selling unique quality goods. Very arty and cool 
We are lucky to have two awesome fish and chip suppliers in Sumner, both equally as good!
6 locals recommend
Red Snapper
25a Wakefield AveWe are lucky to have two awesome fish and chip suppliers in Sumner, both equally as good!
Essentials
SuperValue Sumner
43 Nayland StLong time Sumner local and experienced pharmacist Dane and his team make up part of the backbone of Sumner Village. They provide the local postal service, and are always really happy to help with advice. 
121 locals recommend
Sumner Pharmacy
17 Wakefield AveLong time Sumner local and experienced pharmacist Dane and his team make up part of the backbone of Sumner Village. They provide the local postal service, and are always really happy to help with advice. 
Drinks & Nightlife
The Village Inn Sumner
41B Nayland StSumner Social
Evil Genius
1091 Ferry RdSituated right on the beach, next to Cave Rock. You can't get a better spot to watch the sun set or the tide coming & going, at any time of the year. New owners & delicious new menu. Bar is popular with locals & is very busy.
27 locals recommend
Beach Bar
25 EsplanadeSituated right on the beach, next to Cave Rock. You can't get a better spot to watch the sun set or the tide coming & going, at any time of the year. New owners & delicious new menu. Bar is popular with locals & is very busy.
Getting Around
Full loop of the central city. A fabulous way to see the CBD. One fee ticket means you can hop on / hop off as many times as you like during the day to visit shops, museum, art gallery & restaurants.
29 locals recommend
The Tram Stop
Full loop of the central city. A fabulous way to see the CBD. One fee ticket means you can hop on / hop off as many times as you like during the day to visit shops, museum, art gallery & restaurants.
Sightseeing
French-settled village 1.45 hr drive from Sumner. For longer stays Akaroa is a great day trip - jaw-dropping scenery on the drive from ChCh via Banks Peninsula, and delicious eateries and interesting shops to visit once there. Take a 2-3hr boat trip from Akaroa to the headlands to view the endangered Hector's Dolphins swim alongside the boat. Hector's are the worlds smallest dolphin and unique to Banks Peninsula.
162 locals recommend
Akaroa
French-settled village 1.45 hr drive from Sumner. For longer stays Akaroa is a great day trip - jaw-dropping scenery on the drive from ChCh via Banks Peninsula, and delicious eateries and interesting shops to visit once there. Take a 2-3hr boat trip from Akaroa to the headlands to view the endangered Hector's Dolphins swim alongside the boat. Hector's are the worlds smallest dolphin and unique to Banks Peninsula.
* closed for renovation 2024. Check online for reopening dates.
390 locals recommend
Canterbury Museum
66 Rolleston Ave* closed for renovation 2024. Check online for reopening dates.
The gardens are unbeatable! Stop off as part of the tram route, or park and stroll ...you'll get lost for hours
297 locals recommend
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Rolleston AvenueThe gardens are unbeatable! Stop off as part of the tram route, or park and stroll ...you'll get lost for hours
Parks & Nature
Breathtaking views, the more adventurous can reach godly head via dedicated walking trails starting from right outside our door. Or drive to the summit and walk out to the heads
43 locals recommend
Godley Head Carpark
Breathtaking views, the more adventurous can reach godly head via dedicated walking trails starting from right outside our door. Or drive to the summit and walk out to the heads
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Rolleston AvenueIf you’re feeling adventurous, Taylor’s Mistake Bay is around a four hour round-trip walk from our home. Or, drive over the hill to the car park, take a walk around to Boulder Bay and up to Godley Heads. Breathtaking views, and a gentle, easy walk around the bays and cliff top tracks
Taylors Mistake Beach
If you’re feeling adventurous, Taylor’s Mistake Bay is around a four hour round-trip walk from our home. Or, drive over the hill to the car park, take a walk around to Boulder Bay and up to Godley Heads. Breathtaking views, and a gentle, easy walk around the bays and cliff top tracks
Arts & Culture
Christchurch Art Gallery (Te Puna o Waiwhetu)
312 Montreal StA beautifully restored Edwardian theatre, with a huge variety of performances on all year round
72 locals recommend
Isaac Theatre Royal
145 Gloucester StA beautifully restored Edwardian theatre, with a huge variety of performances on all year round
Our state-of-the-art central city library is more than just a place to read books! A terrific place where you can easily lose half a day. And the cafe makes the BEST cheese scones in New Zealand!
21 locals recommend
Turanga
60 Cathedral SquareOur state-of-the-art central city library is more than just a place to read books! A terrific place where you can easily lose half a day. And the cafe makes the BEST cheese scones in New Zealand!
The Court Theatre
36 Bernard St