Your 2025 Guide To Christchurch’s Riverside Market

So you’re heading to the beautifully designed, immensely vibrant, functional and deadset loveable Christchurch City Centre. You’re hungry, you’re thirsty, you’re in desperate need of some retail therapy, and, most importantly, you’ve got all day.

Do I have the perfect place for you...

Boasting a rich trove of producers, eateries and bars that rival some of the premier dining precincts in the country, if you're looking for one of the best things to do in Christchurch, this is it. Here’s the ultimate 2025 guide to the exceptional Christchurch Riverside Market.

Need the d-low quicksmart? Here's what we're covering today:

• Riverside Market Overview
• Riverside Market 2025 Opening Hours & What's There
• Key Info
• Parking At Riverside Market
• A Local's Guide To The Best Food Stalls At Riverside Market
• Family-Friendly Activities At Riverside Market
• Things To Do Near Riverside Market
• Riverside Market Food & Drink Vendors List
• Riverside Market Laneways Directory

Riverside Market Overview

Image credit: Riverside Market | Website

One of Christchurch's most impressive projects of the rebuild and a symbol of the city’s flourishment post-quakes, the Riverside Market is now one of the crown jewels of the city centre.

Back in 2011, the Re:Start Container Mall acted as a temporary solution, injecting some much-needed life into the heart of the city. Seven years later, the precinct was improved to what we now have today.

Immaculately presented day in day out, Riverside offers seven-day trading, an indoor market, an eclectic mix of boutique retail, and like any bazaar worth its Himalayan rock salt, a butchery, bakery, delicatessen, and fishmonger.

But the real attraction of Christchurch's Riverside Market has to be the binge-worthy food available. We’re talking (and let’s just take it alphabetically, aye), Bellbird Baked Goods, Charing Cross Cheesery, Empire Coffee, Fritz’s Wieners, Gelato & Tea, Hanoi Alley, Hikari Sushi Train, Kaiser Brothers Brewery, Midnight Shanghai, Shaka Bros—that’s not even half of them. And once you’ve demolished your body weight in delicious eats, have someone roll you down the adjacent Riverside Lanes for a bit of retail therapy.

Riverside Market 2025 Key Info, Opening Hours & What's There

Image credit: Riverside Market | Website

First things first, you'll need the latest info on hours and the like. Seeing as the market operates seven days a week, it does make for an easier visit, regardless of schedule.

Skip to the bottom for a full list of food and drink vendors, as well as a laneway retail directory.

Key Info

Address

96 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch

Hours 

• Monday-Wednesday: 7:30am - 6:00pm
• Thursday-Saturday: 7:30am - 9:00pm
• Sunday: 7:30am - 5:00pm
• Eateries, Bars & Restaurants: Open ‘til Late
• Is Riverside Market open on public holidays? Yes, including Easter.

Keep in mind that while the market's general hours are listed above, the eateries, bars, and restaurants often stay open until late every night. Many of these fine establishments are located on the market's upper levels, offering quite literally an elevated nightlife atmosphere, allowing you to grab a bite or drink after hours in style.

Parking At Riverside Market

Car

There are 3,000 car parks within 500 metres of the market, so cruising in is no sweat. In fact, Christchurch is one of the easiest big cities in this country to drive in, get around, and find a park. (I'm looking at you, Auckland).

This uncovered Lichfield Street parking is super handy and located just behind the market, but it's often full. That's why the Central Car Park at 33 Lichfield Street next door is your surefire option.

I always find the paid parking down Cashel Street—if you turn off Cashel Street at the PWC corner—is handy for a quick option if you're coming from that side of town.

However, if you want to plan—maybe you're dragging along the sprogs or need to confirm access—then this live parking map offered by Christchurch City Council is simply fantastic.

Bike

The Lichfield Carpark building features covered bike parks on its ground floor. There are outdoor bike stands on Oxford Terrace, as well as other options you will come across approaching the markets in and around the area.

Here's the Christchurch City Council's bike map and cycleway network.

Bus 

Christchurch’s central bus interchange is a five-minute walk down Lichfield Street. You can find it here.

Tram

Even the iconic tourist tram stops at the Riverside Market. Really, there's no excuse not to get down there.

A Local's Guide To The Best Food Stalls At Riverside Market

Image credit: Riverside Market | Website

 

Family-Friendly Activities At Riverside Market

Image credit: Riverside Market | Website

Not only one of the best Christchurch food markets, but also one of the best Christchurch markets in general and frankly, one of the best things to do in Christchurch.

Things To Do Near Riverside Market

Image credit: Riverside Market | Website

Riverside Market Food & Drink Vendors List

Image credit: Riverside Market | Website