The Monday Room is one of Christchurch's best-loved dining rooms — a Modern Classic New Zealand restaurant with modern European roots, set within the character-filled historic Duncan's Buildings on High Street. Established in 2016 (following an earlier life as a cocktail bar and nightclub from 2012), it built its reputation on an ever-evolving seasonal menu of innovative twists on classic European cooking, showcasing the best produce from Canterbury farms and purveyors. Chef-Owner Hannah Cooper-Grieve introduced the city to 'Trust the Chef' banquet dining, and the restaurant has since earned national and international recognition, including a Bib Gourmand in the MICHELIN Guide 2026 and a place in the Cuisine Good Food Guide 2025.
Right now, the main dining room is on hiatus while the team awaits completion of its new premises, and regular reservations are paused. The Monday Room remains open by appointment for private dining experiences, hosting everything from intimate tables of 8 to private functions of 24 guests, with the Little Monday Room capable of seating up to 22. For larger celebrations, corporate events and presentations, the restaurant partners with The Assembly, a premium central city events space at 153 Madras Street, bringing the same food, service and hospitality to a polished, purpose-built setting.
The style here is casual but luxurious: menus designed as shared banquets in the style of a traditional family dinner, a carefully curated wine programme, bespoke cocktails, and a team known for warm, detail-oriented service. Dietary needs are well catered for, with items curated for gluten free, dairy free, vegan and vegetarian guests.
The Monday Room has been one of Christchurch's most talked-about dining rooms for the better part of a decade — a restaurant that helped define what the post-earthquake city could taste like. Set in the historic Duncan's Buildings on High Street, with original architecture and character across multiple dining spaces, it made its name on Modern Classic New Zealand cuisine: an ever-evolving seasonal menu of innovative twists on classic European cooking, built on the best produce the Canterbury region can offer. That approach has earned national and international recognition, including a Bib Gourmand in the MICHELIN Guide 2026 and a feature in the Cuisine Good Food Guide 2025.
The venue's story began in 2012, when it opened in the historic Grosvenor Hotel building as a cocktail bar and nightclub. The name was drawn from a creative agency's design brief — inspired by a room where ideas were shared, shaped and sparked each Monday. In 2016, Joel Christian purchased the space with a new vision: a restaurant defined by intention, quality and hospitality. On the very first menu, then-Head Chef Hannah Cooper-Grieve introduced "Trust the Chef" banquet dining to Christchurch, a concept that quickly became synonymous with the restaurant. Recognition followed, including Restaurant of the Year and a Cuisine Magazine feature on the Christchurch rebuild.
In 2018 the restaurant moved to its home in the Duncan's Building on High Street, and in 2021 Hannah became owner, leading the restaurant alongside long-time manager and co-owner Ryan Simonsen.
The menu here is designed around a shared banquet, served in the style of a traditional family dinner. Chef-Owner Hannah Cooper-Grieve's approach is seasonal and locally grounded, drawing on local farms and trusted purveyors throughout Canterbury, so each dish reflects the authentic flavours of the season. The kitchen also curates items for most common dietary requirements — gluten free, dairy free, vegan and vegetarian — meaning the whole table can eat well together.
The current "Chef's Menu" evolved from the original Trust the Chef format, developed by Head Chef Gabby Sanders. Gabby joined the team in 2021, won the Nestlé Golden Chef's Hat award as Australasia's best young chef in 2022, and now manages the kitchen alongside Hannah. Her format keeps the generous banquet spirit while bringing in additional elements of classic restaurant service. Guests routinely pair the menu with matching wines from a carefully curated wine programme — backed by Louis Roederer Top 100 New Zealand Sommeliers recognition — alongside bespoke crafted cocktails.
Right now, the main dining room is on hiatus while the team awaits completion of its new premises, and regular reservations are paused. The kitchen hasn't gone quiet, though. The Monday Room remains open by appointment for private dining experiences, hosting everything from an intimate table of 8 to private functions of 24 guests. The Little Monday Room can seat groups of up to 22 for a private function, complete with best-in-class service and knowledgeable wine assistance.
For larger celebrations, corporate events, presentations and special occasions, the restaurant partners with The Assembly, a premium central city events space at 153 Madras Street. Guests enjoy Monday Room food, service and hospitality in a polished, purpose-built setting with flexible spaces and AV capabilities. Recent hosts have run everything from a 16-person private dinner to a 50-guest corporate event — and every one of them has raved about it.
What guests consistently mention is the feel of the place: a warm welcome in an iconic heritage dining room, gold-and-red chrysanthemum Axminster underfoot and wood against earthy brick, and service that is comprehensive and detail-oriented without ever being stiff. The team describes its own approach as casual but luxurious — people with personality, passion and charm, up for a laugh, who get the simple things right.
While the dining room awaits its next chapter, the way in remains simple: email [email protected] to arrange a private dining experience, and join the mailing list for news of winemaker dinners, new menu additions and the reopening.