The Quarters at Riccarton House

restaurant — Riccarton · Christchurch

About The Quarters at Riccarton House

The Quarters at Riccarton House is a restaurant and events venue housed in a heritage-listed homestead at 16 Kahu Road, Christchurch. By day it's a relaxed, casual spot for seasonal lunches, local wines and ales, organic coffee and cabinet food, with a menu drawing inspiration and ingredients from the Saturday Christchurch Farmers Market held on site.

Guests can choose seating inside the heritage homestead with open fires, or outside on the veranda or umbrella tables with all-day sun. Beyond dining, The Quarters is Christchurch's premiere Heritage 1 listed venue for private functions, hosting intimate dinners, weddings, corporate functions and larger canapé events across its Blue Room and Drawing Room.

The Quarters at Riccarton House: Heritage Dining in Christchurch

The Quarters at Riccarton House sits within a heritage-listed homestead at 16 Kahu Road, Christchurch — described as the perfect idyllic spot for a casual lunch, and Christchurch's premiere Heritage 1 listed venue for private functions.

A relaxed, seasonal cafe by day

By day, The Quarters serves seasonal lunches, local wines and ales, organic coffee and cabinet food in a relaxed, casual setting. The menu draws inspiration and ingredients from the Saturday Christchurch Farmers Market, held right on site, with staff described as attentive and welcoming.

A menu built for the seasons

The weekday winter lunch menu features light options like a seasonally changing Winter Soup and a Cubano Toastie, alongside heartier mains including The Quarters Chicken Parmigiana, a traditional Ploughman's Lunch, Bistro Fish 'n' Chips, and a 12 hour Braised Beef Cheek with rustic pasta. Gluten-free options are available across several dishes, and the kitchen also bakes a range of cabinet treats worth asking about.

Weekend breakfast and lunch

On Sundays, The Quarters shifts into breakfast mode from 9am, serving Bacon & Eggs, Eggs Benedict, and a Cinnamon Sugar Waffle Stack with maple syrup and a choice of toppings, before moving into its lunch menu from midday. Younger diners aged 12 and under have their own waffle option on the kids' menu.

Seating with character

Guests can dine inside the heritage homestead surrounded by open fires, or head outside to the veranda or umbrella tables for all-day sun — a setting that suits both a quiet coffee and a longer lunch.

A distinctive events venue

Beyond the cafe, The Quarters hosts private functions across two connected dining spaces joined by an oak-panelled entrance hall with open fires in winter — an intimate dinner for up to 24 guests in the Blue Room, up to 65 in the Drawing Room, or canapé events for up to 150 guests. The venue also hosts weddings, from intimate celebrations to large-scale marquee affairs, and corporate functions from boardroom meetings to cocktail parties and end-of-year events.

Visiting The Quarters

The Quarters is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3:30pm and Sunday from 9am to 4pm, closed Saturdays for the on-site Christchurch Farmers Market and on public holidays. Tables can be booked online or by phone, and event enquiries can be made by email or phone during office hours.

The experience

Between its farmers-market-inspired seasonal menu, heritage homestead setting, and standing as one of Christchurch's most distinctive event venues, The Quarters at Riccarton House offers something for a casual coffee, a weekend brunch, or a once-in-a-lifetime celebration.

Signature items

  • The Quarters Chicken Parmigiana
  • Braised Beef Cheek
  • Bistro Fish 'n' Chips
  • Cinnamon Sugar Waffle Stack
  • Ploughman's Lunch

Menu

Kids Menu

  • Waffle — With maple syrup and whipped cream. For 12 years and under.

Main Lunches

  • The Quarters Chicken Parmigiana — Panko crumbed chicken breast, mozzarella, parmesan and bistro salad.
  • Ploughman's Lunch — Ham, cheddar cheese, pickles, mustard fruits and house-made kibbled rye bread.
  • Bistro Fish 'n' Chips — Beer battered market fillet, fennel slaw, lemon aioli, tartare pickles and chips.
  • Braised Beef Cheek — 12 hour braised beef, rustic pasta and parmesan pangratatto.

Light Lunches

  • Winter Soup — Seasonally changing, with house-made kibbled rye bread & butter. Gluten-free available.
  • Cubano Toastie — Roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, mustard, pickles and mojo aioli. Gluten-free available.

Sunday Breakfast

  • Bacon & Eggs — Streaky bacon, poached eggs, on sourdough toast with tomato relish. Spinach and za'atar spice option available.
  • Eggs Benedict — Poached eggs, potato gratin and hollandaise. Spinach, za'atar spice or streaky bacon options available.
  • Cinnamon Sugar Waffle Stack — Served with maple syrup, and either bacon & banana or berry compote & vanilla cream.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of food does The Quarters serve?
Seasonal lunches inspired by the on-site Christchurch Farmers Market, plus cabinet food and Sunday breakfast.
Is there a kids' menu?
Yes, a waffle option is available for children 12 years and under.
Can The Quarters host weddings?
Yes, from intimate celebrations to large-scale marquee weddings.
How many guests can the venue hold for private functions?
Up to 24 in the Blue Room, 65 in the Drawing Room, or 150 for a canapé event.
Why is The Quarters closed on Saturdays?
The on-site Christchurch Farmers Market runs on Saturdays.
What are the opening hours?
Monday to Friday 9am-3:30pm, Sunday 9am-4pm. Closed Saturdays and public holidays.
Are gluten-free options available?
Yes, on several menu items including the soup and Cubano Toastie.

Tips

  • {"body":"Breakfast is served from 9am to 11:30am on Sundays.","title":"Visit for Sunday breakfast"}
  • {"body":"Choose indoor open-fire seating or outdoor veranda and umbrella tables.","title":"Sit by the fire or on the veranda"}
  • {"body":"Freshly baked options are available alongside the main menu.","title":"Ask about cabinet treats"}
  • {"body":"The venue is closed for the on-site Farmers Market.","title":"Plan ahead for Saturdays"}

Good to know

  • {"family":"A kids' menu is available for children 12 years and under.","dietary":"Gluten-free options available on select dishes."}