Quad Eatery — Restaurant in Christchurch

Formerly known as Bunsen, Quad Eatery has undergone a rebrand in the last few months as well as a complete menu overhaul, which offers a lot of unique concepts and flavour profilings, so if you’re looking to find something a little different then this is the place. Two dishes of note are the avocado croast (w pastrami or mushroom) and the truffle mushroom dish.

The cabinet also looks great! A great range of house-made slices. Crowd favourites include; cookie caramel slice, caramel slice (GF but you can’t tell!), tan square (also GF) and ginger crunch. Sandwiches are delicious as well, with fresh baked bread coming from an excellent local artisanal bakery, special mention to the smoked chicken cranberry and brie panini 😉

Honourable mention: DOUBLE CHEESE SCONE - if you are into cheese scones, look no further because these ones are chefs kiss go on, give them a go! P.S. they do have a fan following, so you have to get in quick sometimes or there might not be any left!

All the staff are friendly and the coffee is good too (sourced from a local roaster).

*Please note the salmon croast in the picture isn’t on the menu, I ordered the salmon on the side and swapped the pastrami with someone else at my table.

Also forgot to mention that Quad is dog friendly. You can bring your furry friends inside (ground level and outside only, mezzanine is off limits to the doggos) and they will get plenty of pats and maybe some treats from the lovely...

Quad Eatery (formerly Bunsen) is a fantastic place to stop by for a well-made barista coffee or to spend a few hours over a delightful lunch. The food is varied and always delicious - whether you only have time to grab a tasty sweet treat, scone, roll or salad from the cabinet, or can sit down to enjoy the soup of the day, brunch-style menu options or even a bagel and a side of fries - I've tried pretty much everything on offer and have relished every bite! There's a reason it's our local and we pop in daily (sometimes more often!) - the staff greet us by name, make an effort to remember us and our usual orders, always tell us about the new menu or the upcoming specials, and make us feel valued and respected as customers. The building itself is nestled into the Arts Centre with tables laid outside to luxuriate in the sunshine or under an umbrella, or you can cosy up indoors, either upstairs in the well-preserved antiquity of such an old building, overlooking the Arts Centre, or down below where the action happens - it's also dog-friendly downstairs so bring your gorgeous pups along and they're bound to get a treat and loads of attention, too. I can't say enough how wonderful it is to have such a friendly atmosphere, good food, great coffee and fabulous service so close by - we truly value the Quad Eatery staff & their dedication to the hospo industry!...

The Quad Eatery in Christchurch has a relaxed vibe that feels like a mix between a cozy Edinburgh café and a college campus hangout. This makes perfect sense given its location—right in the heart of the historic Arts Centre. Once the site of Canterbury College, where luminaries like Ernest Rutherford studied, the Arts Centre is a stunning Gothic Revival complex that now houses galleries, shops, and eateries, including this charming spot.

The Quad Eatery offers plenty of space to settle in, whether you’re catching up with friends, working on your laptop, or simply enjoying the atmosphere. There’s outdoor seating on both sides of the café, perfect for sunny days, and even a cozy upstairs area for a bit more privacy. With two entrances—one leading directly into the Arts Centre—it’s a convenient and welcoming space that feels connected to the creative energy of its surroundings.

Though I didn’t get a chance to try the food, the coffee was solid and satisfying. It’s the kind of place where you can linger for hours, soaking in the laid-back atmosphere. If you’re in the area, it’s worth popping by—whether for a coffee break or to enjoy the Arts Centre’s...