Sumner Post Office is a beautifully restored historic post office in the heart of Sumner, Christchurch, now home to a relaxed restaurant and bar brought to you by Shining Peak Brewing. The team's philosophy is simple: fresh food, beautiful drinks and good vibes, in a space where locals and visitors alike can come together and unwind — from post to plate.
The kitchen curates a menu of fresh seasonal plates and perfectly crafted woodfired pizza, spanning small plates like SPO fried chicken, crispy squid and market fish ceviche, hearty mains from slow braised beef cheek to a 12-hour slow cooked lamb shoulder built for two, plus desserts and a dedicated Little Critters menu for the kids. Gluten-free pizza bases and a range of pizza add-ons keep things flexible.
The drinks list leans on the venue's brewing roots, pouring crisp lagers and IPAs alongside beautiful wines and cocktails, with a welcoming team on hand in the libation department. Happy hour runs 4-5pm every day.
Whether you're popping in for a casual lunch, a weekend drink or a night out with friends, there's always something worth staying for — functions and events, gift cards and easy online bookings included.
Nestled in the heart of Sumner, the Sumner Post Office has swapped stamps and parcels for San Marzano tomatoes and pints of craft beer. The beautifully restored historic building on Nayland Street is now a relaxed restaurant and bar — a story the team sums up as going from post to plate — serving fresh seasonal plates, woodfired pizza and beautiful drinks to locals and visitors alike.
The venue is brought to you by Shining Peak Brewing, and that brewing pedigree runs through everything it does. This is a team all about top-quality brews, mouth-watering meals and creating a space where people come together and unwind, whether that means a casual lunch, a weekend drink or a night out with friends. As they put it themselves: come on down, raise a glass, and join them in making a difference — one beer at a time.
Step inside and you're greeted by the warm ambiance of a historic post office given a second life. Instead of queues and counters, you'll find a welcoming room where a talented kitchen team turns out fresh, seasonal creations. The restoration keeps the character of the landmark while making room for long lunches, weekend sessions and easy midweek dinners.
It's a flexible kind of place. Pop in for a quick snack at the bar, settle in for a hearty meal with family, or gather a group for a night out — the promise is the same either way: food that tickles your taste buds and leaves you satisfied.
Woodfired pizza is the headline act. The margherita keeps things classic with San Marzano tomato, mozzarella and basil, while the calabrese loads up pepperoni, red onion, chilli flakes and kalamata olives. There's a creamy leek and mushroom topped with gremolata, a garlic prawn pizza on a creamy base, and a cranberry chicken with pickled cranberries and brie. Extras let you customise — truffle oil, hot honey, extra pepperoni or a gluten-free base.
The small plates are built for grazing. Think SPO fried chicken with house ranch and hot honey, crispy squid with miso aioli, market fish ceviche with green gazpacho and buckwheat popcorn, buffalo cauliflower with blue cheese dressing, garlicky flatbread, and a generous charcuterie board of cheese, cured meats, pickles and chutney.
Main plates go heartier still: market fish in a coriander broth with saffron-braised fennel, slow braised beef cheek over pomme puree, a 200g ribeye with garlic butter and your choice of jus, boneless half chicken in red curry sauce, creamy parmesan gnocchi, and a 12-hour slow cooked lamb shoulder with mint raita that's made to serve two.
Save room for dessert — a seasonal cheesecake, sticky date pudding with butterscotch sauce, an affogato with biscotti and espresso, or the Sumner sundae with berry compote and shaved chocolate.
The beverage menu is a true reflection of the team's passion for craft, running from crisp lagers and IPAs to beautiful wines and cocktails, with a welcoming team making sure you're well looked after in the libation department. Better still, happy hour runs from 4pm to 5pm every day — an easy excuse to settle in early.
Families are well looked after thanks to the Little Critters menu: mini margherita pizzas, chicken and chips, tomato gnocchi with chicken, fish fingers and a proper ice cream sundae with chocolate or strawberry sauce and sprinkles.
At the other end of the scale, the venue hosts functions and events, including Christmas functions, and gift cards are available for gifting someone a night out.
Sumner Post Office opens at 4pm from Tuesday to Thursday and from 11:30am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, trading through to 10pm each night. It's closed on Mondays. Bookings can be made online, or reach the team on 03 326 3131 or [email protected]. Whether you're after a woodfired pizza in Sumner or a pint poured by people who take beer seriously, this restored post office is delivering.