The Craft Embassy

About The Craft Embassy

The Craft Embassy is an award-winning bar and restaurant on The Terrace in Christchurch's CBD, specialising in craft beer, with a sunny outlook over Ōtākaro - the Avon River.

With thirty taps of constantly changing, independent New Zealand craft beer, an exceptional wine list featuring local Christchurch and Canterbury, wider New Zealand and international wines, and an extensive food menu, The Craft Embassy is a central city destination for food, drinks and atmosphere. Whether you're after drinks and bar snacks, a full three-course meal, or a function, the space is set up to suit all of it.

The kitchen uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients across sharing plates, salads, burgers, mains and desserts, with a wide range of vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free options marked throughout. The Craft Embassy is part of The Craft Embassy Group, which also includes Cascade Bar and Courtyard and Soul Quarter, both on Strange's Lane.

The Craft Embassy: Craft Beer and Riverside Dining in Christchurch CBD

Upstairs on The Terrace, overlooking Ōtākaro - the Avon River, The Craft Embassy has built a reputation as one of Christchurch central city's go-to spots for craft beer, good food and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere. It's an award-winning bar and restaurant, recognised with a TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice award in 2024.

Thirty Taps of Craft Beer

The heart of The Craft Embassy is its beer list - thirty taps of constantly changing, independent New Zealand craft beer. It's paired with an equally serious wine list, spanning local Christchurch and Canterbury producers through to wider New Zealand and international options, alongside champagne, sparkling and a full cocktail and mocktail menu.

A Menu Built for Sharing and Feasting

The food menu leans into variety. Sharing Plates cover everything from Fries with black garlic aioli through to Mushroom Arancini, Crispy Calamari, Lamb Tacos and Smoked Venison Ribs in a yakiniku hoisin sauce, right up to full Cheese and Charcuterie Platters for the table.

For something more substantial, the Burgers section includes a Cheese Burger, a Double Beef Burger stacked with double cheese and onion jam, a Fried Chicken Burger, its Deluxe buffalo hot sauce version, and a vegan-friendly Mushroom Burger - all served with fries.

The Main Meals lean into proper dinner territory: a 300g Prime Steer Ribeye with a choice of sauce, a Venison Rump with cauliflower puree and roast kumara, Smoked Beef Short Rib with creamy garlic mash, Akaroa Salmon with a saffron and pea risotto, and a vegan-friendly Kumara Gnocchi with basil pesto.

Salads aren't an afterthought either, with a Chicken Salad, a Roast Kumara Salad and a Pulled Lamb Salad all built around the same coconut mint dressing and dukkah, feta and olive combination.

Something Sweet to Finish

Dessert options include a Vegan Vanilla Crème Brûlée with caramelised banana, Churros with chocolate sauce and vanilla bean ice cream, and a Chocolate Brownie with candied walnut and whisky caramel sauce.

Dietary Options Throughout

Across the menu, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free options are clearly marked, with gluten-free available on all breads and burgers on request - making it an easy spot to bring a mixed group with different dietary needs.

Functions and Group Bookings

Beyond a regular meal or drink, The Craft Embassy also takes function bookings, and operates a loyalty app and gift vouchers for regulars and gift-givers alike. The venue is part of The Craft Embassy Group, alongside Cascade Bar and Courtyard and Soul Quarter, both located on Strange's Lane in the central city.

Visiting

Found on Level One of The Terrace at 126 Oxford Terrace, The Craft Embassy is easy to reach in the central city, with its sunny balcony overlooking the Avon River making it a popular spot to settle in for an afternoon or evening.

Signature items

• 300g Prime Steer Ribeye
• Deluxe Fried Chicken
• Smoked Venison Ribs
• Double Beef Burger
• Akaroa Salmon
• Charcuterie Platter

Menu

Salads

• Chicken Salad — Lettuce, cherry tomato, cucumber, parmesan, soft-boiled egg, croutons, vinaigrette.
• Roast Kumara Salad — Spinach, edamame, hummus, dukkah, feta, olives, coconut mint dressing.
• Pulled Lamb Salad — Roast kumara, spinach, edamame, hummus, dukkah, feta, olives, coconut mint dressing.

Burgers

• Cheese Burger — Beef patty, cheese, pickle, American mustard, ketchup, served with fries.
• Double Beef Burger — Two beef patties, double cheese, onion jam, pickle, lettuce, burger sauce, served with fries.
• Fried Chicken Burger — Herb slaw, pickled red onion, cheese, honey mustard aioli, served with fries.
• Deluxe Fried Chicken Burger — Herb slaw, onion jam, blue cheese, buffalo hot sauce, served with fries.
• Mushroom Burger — Crumbed portobello, vegan cheddar, rocket, onion jam, pickle, truffle aioli, served with fries.

Desserts

• Vegan Vanilla Crème Brûlée — Caramelised banana, orange shortbread.
• Churros — Chocolate sauce, vanilla bean ice cream.
• Chocolate Brownie — Candied walnut, whisky caramel sauce, vanilla bean ice cream.

Main Meals

• 300g Prime Steer Ribeye — Fries, rocket salad, choice of peppercorn sauce, garlic butter or red wine jus.
• Venison Rump — Cauliflower puree, seasonal vegetables, roast kumara, crisps, peppercorn sauce.
• Smoked Beef Short Rib — Creamy garlic mash, seasonal vegetables, red wine jus.
• Akaroa Salmon — Saffron & pea risotto, orange-roasted fennel, gremolata.
• Kumara Gnocchi — Basil pesto, semi-dried tomato, baby spinach, pine nut, parmesan.

Sharing Plates

• Fries — Black garlic aioli, tomato sauce (vegan option available).
• Warm Olives — Crispy chickpeas, hummus, lavosh.
• Crispy Eggplant — Soy glaze, spring onion.
• Battered Pickles — Truffle aioli.
• Mushroom Arancini — Porcini, truffle aioli.
• Crispy Calamari — Chermoula mayo, lemon.
• Fried Chicken — Honey mustard aioli, pickled red onion.
• Deluxe Fried Chicken — Buffalo hot sauce, onion jam, blue cheese.
• Brazilian Cheese Bread — Garlic butter.
• Lamb Tacos — Carrot, cabbage, cucumber, red onion, chermoula mayo.
• Smoked Venison Ribs — Yakiniku hoisin sauce, spring onion, sesame seeds.
• Vegan Nachos — Spicy bean mix, charred corn, pickled red onion, sour cream, mozzarella, corn chips.
• Cheese Platter — Market cheeses, dips, grapes, toasted nuts, cornichons, lavosh, toasted ciabatta.
• Charcuterie Platter — Cured meats & salami, olives, market cheese, cornichons, hummus, pesto, grapes, toasted ciabatta.

Frequently asked questions

Where is The Craft Embassy located?

Level One, The Terrace, 126 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch, overlooking Ōtākaro - the Avon River.

How many craft beers are on tap?

Thirty taps of constantly changing, independent New Zealand craft beer.

Are there vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free options?

Yes, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free options are marked throughout the menu, and gluten-free is available on all breads and burgers on request.

Does The Craft Embassy take function bookings?

Yes, functions and group bookings can be arranged, with enquiries via [email protected] or by phone.

Can I buy a gift voucher?

Yes, gift vouchers are available for purchase.

Is The Craft Embassy part of a wider group?

Yes, it's part of The Craft Embassy Group, which also includes Cascade Bar and Courtyard and Soul Quarter on Strange's Lane.

Has The Craft Embassy won any awards?

Yes, it received a TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice award in 2024.

Tips

• {"body":"Thirty constantly rotating craft beer taps make it worth asking staff for a recommendation.","title":"Try the tap list"}
• {"body":"Contact [email protected] or call to arrange a group booking or event.","title":"Book ahead for functions"}
• {"body":"The sunny terrace balcony overlooks Ōtākaro - the Avon River, a nice spot on a fine day.","title":"Sit on the balcony"}
• {"body":"GF options are available across breads and burgers on request.","title":"Ask about gluten-free swaps"}

Good to know

• {"dietary":"Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free options marked throughout; gluten-free available on breads and burgers on request."}