The Goldfinch is a restaurant, bar and function venue at 145 Victoria Street in Christchurch Central City. The website describes European and Asian cooking that draws on the people and heritage of Aotearoa. The menu includes seared sesame tuna, sharing dishes such as a grilled octopus with pineapple tiger milk and Pernod risotto, slow-braised beef cheek, twelve-hour braised oxtail, a Thai panang chicken meatball dish and Angus scotch fillet. Burgers and vegetarian options are on the menu, and many dishes are marked gluten-free, dairy-free or vegan, or can be adapted.
The venue has an intimate indoor dining room and a lively outdoor area. The website says it suits casual dining, birthdays, engagement parties, corporate functions, team lunches and a festive end-of-year party. Open Locally lists 10 other restaurants within a kilometre. The Lane is 0.2 km away and rated 4.4 from 118 reviews, and 50 Bistro is 0.4 km away and rated 4.5 from 202 reviews. Our pick in the central city for a shared dinner with friends.