Protocol

bar — Cashmere · Christchurch

About Protocol

Protocol is a Spanish-inspired bar, kitchen and function venue located at the bottom of the Cashmere Hills in Christchurch. Look for it on the left-hand corner of the roundabout, marked by its lit sign. The venue is designed as a place to relax, connect and enjoy contemporary seasonal food, whether settling into the patio for a shared platter or pulling up a seat at the bar.

The menu leans into Spanish and Mediterranean flavours built for sharing, spanning bar snacks, a build-your-own tapas platter, oven-baked pizzas, lunchtime favourites, hearty mains, and a to-share menu of larger cuts served with sides and complimentary house bread. Dishes use fresh local ingredients, and the kitchen offers separate weekday lunch, weekend lunch and dinner menus, so what's on offer shifts through the day.

Beyond dining, Protocol also runs two private function spaces, each with its own entrance and private terrace, fully catered and serviced for special occasions and corporate events. The venue is part of a small group alongside Valley Inn Tavern and The Brickworks, and offers a loyalty rewards app and gift cards for regulars.

Signature items

  • Overnight Braised Beef Cheek
  • 250g Ribeye
  • Tapas Platter
  • El Matador Burger
  • Not Your Average Fish & Chips
  • Pizza de Horno

Menu

Pizza De Horno

  • Margherita — Cheese, fresh tomato, mozzarella & basil pesto. v
  • Mediterranean Vegetable — Chargrilled eggplant, roasted red peppers, onions, feta, almonds & balsamic glaze. v
  • Smoked Salmon — Cheese, hot-smoked salmon, capers, red onion & cream cheese
  • Herbed Chicken — Herbed roasted chicken, roasted red peppers, red onion & aioli
  • Med Meat — Roasted chicken, chorizo, pulled pork & pepperoni
  • Sweet & Spicy Pork — Smoked pulled pork, spiced pineapple salsa, fresh coriander
  • Pepperoni & Fungi — Martinez pepperoni, braised mushrooms & mozzarella

Dinner Mains (From 3pm)

  • Chargrilled Chicken Breast — Marinated in paprika, lemon & herbs with romesco sauce, wilted spinach & roasted beets. gf, df
  • Pork Sirloin — Fennel puree, braised portobello, apple crisp & walnut pangrattato. gfa, nfa
  • 250g Ribeye — Creamy polenta, seared capsicum & chimichurri butter. gf, nf
  • Grilled Market Fish — Tabbouleh jewel salad & scorched lime. df, nf
  • Overnight Braised Beef Cheek — Chef's Pick. Slow-braised in tomato & red wine, with smoky mustard mash, remolata & crispy onions. gf

Dulce - Something Sweet

  • Black Forest Parfait — Chocolate cake, vanilla mascarpone, morello cherries
  • Vanilla Cardamom Panna Cotta — Burnt orange syrup, pomegranate, sugar strands
  • Deconstructed Ginger Sponge — Poached apples, sea salt, caramel mousse, brandy snap
  • Ice Cream Sundae — Vanilla ice cream with choice of chocolate, berry or caramel sauce, topped with whipped cream

Tapas - Create Your Own Platter

  • Patatas Bravas — Crispy potatoes, bravas sauce, aioli. gf, dfa, nf, v
  • Bread Selection — Dukkah, olive oil & black garlic butter. v
  • Spanish Meatballs — Served in smoky tomato sauce. df, nf
  • Polenta Fries — With aji verde. gf, v, nfa
  • Stone Baked Mussels — Red pepper & citrus crust. gf, df, nf
  • Lamb Kofta — Spiced lamb, tzatziki, pomegranate, whipped herb feta. gf, dfa, nf
  • Calamares Fritos — Confit garlic aioli, lime & petite salad. gf, df, nf
  • Grilled Halloumi & Chorizo Skewers — Red pepper, pomegranate, olive oil & greens. gf, nf
  • Chilli & Garlic Prawns — Grilled prawns with lemon butter. gf, dfa, nf
  • Baked Feta — Scorched cherry tomatoes, fresh chilli & oregano. gfa, nf, v
  • Buttermilk Fried Chicken — Served with romesco aioli & lime. gf
  • Chargrilled Brie — Tamarillo relish, toasted sourdough. v, nf
  • Ceviche — Market fish, coconut cream, ginger, chilli, shallot & lime, served with tortilla chips. gfa, df, nf
  • Smoked Salmon Mousse — Served with lavosh crackers. gfa, nf

Picar Pica - Bar Snacks To Share

  • Beer Nuts — Spiced mixed nuts, warm from the oven. gf, df, v
  • Warm Marinated Olives — Citrus, garlic & herb-marinated olives. gf, df, v
  • Patatas Fritas — Crispy fries, aioli & tomato sauce. gf, v
  • Corn Chips & Guac — House-made guacamole & fresh corn chips. gf, df, v
  • House Pickled Vegetables — gf, df, nf, v
  • Crispy Fried Chickpeas — gf, df, nf, v

Clasicos De La Casa - Protocol Favourites

  • Not Your Average Fish & Chips — Battered fish, patatas bravas, zesty tartare, scorched lime & side salad. df, ef
  • Steak Sandwich — 55-day-aged flank steak, onion jam, lettuce, tomatoes, shallots & aioli, served with fries. df
  • Spanish Chicken Fillet — Lemon & herb-marinated chicken breast fillet, crumbed & golden fried, served with fried egg, salad & fries. gf, df, efa
  • El Matador Burger — 185g spiced beef & pork patty, smoky cheddar, red pepper relish, lettuce, tomato & onion. dfa, nf, ef
  • Steak, Eggs & Chips — 200g sirloin with patatas bravas, fried eggs & chimichurri butter. gf, dfa
  • Spiced Lamb Wrap — Freshly baked flatbread, slow-cooked spiced lamb, hummus, rocket, cherry tomatoes, feta & tzatziki. dfa
  • Pan-Fried Gnocchi — In a slow-cooked cherry tomato coulis with fresh herbs, feta & vincotto. dfa

Weekend Brunch & Salads (Sat-Sun, Until 3pm)

  • Doorstop BLT — House-made focaccia, streaky bacon, tomato, mixed leaves, aioli & relish. df, nf
  • Halloumi & Tomato Salad — Fresh tomatoes, rocket, grilled halloumi, croutons, pomegranate glaze & olive oil. gfa, dfa, nf, v
  • Mediterranean Chicken Salad — Lemon & herb-marinated chicken, mixed greens, roasted peppers, sun-dried tomatoes & flaked almonds. gf, df, nfa, va
  • Smoked Beef Flatbread — Chargrilled pita, house-smoked beef, cherry tomatoes, rocket, parmesan & sun-dried tomato pesto. dfa, nf
  • Pulled Pork Sliders — Three sliders with slow-cooked pulled pork, feta, shallots & chimichurri butter. nf
  • Fish Tacos — Soft flour tortillas with grilled market fish, fresh salsa, lime, herbs & spicy mayo. gfa, df, nf
  • Eggs on Toast — House-made focaccia & free-range eggs, poached, fried or scrambled. gf, dfo. Add bacon +$6
  • Spanish Omelette — Spanish-style omelette with chorizo, potato, onion & peppers, sauteed in olive oil
  • Shakshuka Eggs — Free-range eggs baked in a spiced tomato & capsicum sauce, served with fresh grilled pita bread. gfo, df

Weekday Lunch Favourites (Tue-Fri, Until 3pm)

  • Doorstop BLT — House-made focaccia, streaky bacon, tomato, mixed leaves, aioli & relish. df, nf. Add egg & avocado +$5, add fries +$4
  • Halloumi & Tomato Salad — Fresh tomatoes, rocket, grilled halloumi, croutons, pomegranate glaze & olive oil. gfa, dfa, nf, v
  • Mediterranean Chicken Salad — Lemon & herb-marinated chicken, mixed greens, roasted peppers, sun-dried tomatoes & flaked almonds. gf, df, nfa, va
  • Smoked Beef Flatbread — Chargrilled pita, house-smoked beef, cherry tomatoes, rocket, parmesan & sun-dried tomato pesto. dfa, nf
  • Pulled Pork Sliders — Three sliders with slow-cooked pulled pork, feta, shallots & chimichurri butter. nf
  • Fish Tacos — Soft flour tortillas with grilled market fish, fresh salsa, lime, herbs & spicy mayo. gfa, df, nf
  • Sweetcorn & Chorizo Chowder — Creamy sweetcorn veloute with smoky chorizo, cajun spice & toasted sourdough. nf, va

To Share (Dinner, With Sides & Complimentary House Bread)

  • 450g T-Bone — Mushroom & black garlic butter, mediterranean veg, patatas bravas. gf, dfa
  • Silere Lamb Rump — Porcini, fresh gremolata, smoked mustard mash & mediterranean veg. gf, df, nf