Coriander's Sumner brings the bold, aromatic flavours of North Indian cuisine to the seaside village of Sumner, on Wakefield Avenue just moments from the beach. It is one of five Coriander's restaurants across the Christchurch region — a family of venues that began in Rolleston in 2006 and now spans a grand colonial-style flagship on St Asaph Street through to lively suburban spots at Bush Inn, Rolleston and West Melton. The Sumner branch fuses authentic Indian cooking with beachside vibes, offering a relaxing, intimate setting that is perfect for a delicious meal after a day by the ocean.
The kitchen showcases the best of North Indian cuisine, with skilled chefs working from fresh ingredients and authentic techniques. The menu runs from crispy samosas and spicy tandoori bites through buttery curries and tender kebabs, with lunch specials, dinner, traditional Indian desserts — including the famous, warm Gulab Jamun — and a curated drinks selection spanning classic and traditional Indian beverages alongside the venue's own signature creations. Coriander's venues are fully licensed and BYO-friendly.
Beyond dine-in, Coriander's Sumner offers easy online ordering for takeaway and delivery, gift vouchers, and hosts functions with fully customisable spaces, exceptional set menus and packages. Great food, warm service and a fun atmosphere have made Coriander's a go-to Indian dining destination in Christchurch, and the Sumner venue is its most scenic expression.
Down in the seaside village of Sumner, Coriander's Sumner brings the bold, aromatic flavours of North India to one of Christchurch's best-loved beach suburbs. It is one of five Coriander's restaurants across the wider Christchurch region — a family of venues that began in Rolleston and now includes a grand colonial-style flagship on St Asaph Street alongside branches at Bush Inn, West Melton, Rolleston and Sumner. The group has been serving Canterbury since 2006, and under new ownership it continues to elevate the experience while holding onto what regulars love most: great food, warm service and a fun atmosphere.
Every Coriander's venue has its own personality, and Sumner's is all about the coast. The restaurant describes itself as a fusion of authentic Indian cuisine and stunning beachside vibes, offering a relaxing, intimate setting that is perfect for a delicious meal after a day by the ocean. It suits all sorts of occasions — a quiet dinner for two, a catch-up with friends, or a family feast after a long afternoon on the sand. Whatever brings you in, the idea is the same: generous North Indian cooking, served without fuss, minutes from the beach.
The kitchen showcases the best of North Indian cuisine, with skilled chefs working from fresh ingredients and authentic techniques. Meals tend to start with the flavourful starters — crispy samosas and spicy tandoori bites — which the menu calls ideal for sharing and kicking off the feast. At lunchtime the focus falls on rich, aromatic dishes, from buttery curries to tender kebabs, with lunch specials that make a midweek visit easy; come dinner, the menu turns up the bold flavours the group is known for.
Drinks get their own chapter, too. The curated beverage selection runs from classic pours to traditional Indian beverages, along with signature creations designed to complement the food. And leave room at the end: dessert is a genuine highlight, led by the famous, warm Gulab Jamun alongside other irresistible traditional Indian sweets.
Coriander's makes it easy to enjoy its food anywhere. Through the online ordering system you simply select the Sumner venue, choose your favourite Indian curry and the kitchen will prepare it for easy takeaway or delivery — there is even a Coriander's app for Apple and Android if you order regularly. Planning something bigger? The venues offer fully customisable function spaces with exceptional set menus and packages, covering everything from corporate dinners and anniversaries to family milestones, with the team handling the delicious details.
A practical perk for locals: Coriander's venues are fully licensed and BYO-friendly, so you can pick something from the drinks list or bring a favourite bottle along. Gift vouchers are available for Sumner and every other branch, and the group also runs masterclasses and a rolling programme of events listed under What's On.
Nearly two decades on from that first Rolleston restaurant, Coriander's has grown into what it calls Christchurch's go-to Indian dining destination — and Sumner might be the most atmospheric place to see why. A plate of samosas and a curry after a day in the sea air, a takeaway enjoyed at home, or a function with the whole family in the room: the formula rarely changes, and that is exactly the point. Bold flavours, fresh ingredients and warm hospitality, served by the beach.