Chiwahwah
Chiwahwah is a Mexican restaurant at 136 Oxford Terrace Central City, Christchurch Central City.
Checked 18 Oct 2026
★4.5 on Google, 1,880 reviews, as at October 2026
Head along to this hot new Mexican eatery and check out the street cool interiors, delicious fresh food and big party… Read full description ↓
Licensed to Chiwahwah Limited, to 15 Jan 2029
One of 266 restaurants in Christchurch Central City, 27% of the city’s count
136 Oxford Terrace Central City
Reviews
★4.5 on Google, 1,880 reviews, as at October 2026.
Read Google review excerpts 3
Chiwahwah Mexican Cantina Bar absolutely nailed the atmosphere — the decor was vibrant, warm and genuinely felt authentic, creating a fun energy from the moment we walked in. The staff were all friendly, but Saehin truly went above and beyond to make the night memorable. Even though the venue seemed slightly understaffed, he still took the time to write down places for us to visit around Christchurch, which was such a thoughtful touch and really stood out. The food was a real highlight. The small nachos were surprisingly generous in size and packed with flavour. The wagyu beef skewers were de
Jodi James, 4 months agoWe were intending to go to Zodiac next door but didn't fancy the menu - Chiwahwah looked buzzing so we gave it a try. Owned by the same folks as Zodiac, this was a busy and lively restaurant with a great, authentic mexican menu. We had fish, chicken and pork belly tacos which were all fantastic. Three tacos is just right for anyone with a good appetite. We also shared the pork ribs where the meat melted off the bone and the sauce was spot on. Staff were very friendly and super efficient and helpful, shout out to Sol(?) from Spain who looked after us so well. We loved the frozen margaritas
Matthew T, 3 months agoI have been here before and was never disappointed. I had a fish Taco and a beef Taco and both were absolutely delicious. The Staff is very professional, fast and very friendly. The Atmosphere is amazing with a great Mexican Vibe and the bar has a large selection of Tequila. A big thanks to the staff, especially to Sabdi and Rhi.
Sigi Siewert, a month ago
Google lists: dine-in · delivery · takeaway · takes bookings · outdoor seating · beer · wine · brunch · lunch · dinner · vegetarian options
Getting there
The map loads only when you ask for it.
Straight-line distances from the pin, not walking routes.
Nearby
More nearby places 4
Environment Canterbury’s Canterbury Maps Parks layer, refreshed 2026-10-10. Distances are straight-line from the business pin, not walking routes.
The nearest other restaurants
More nearby restaurants 5
All 266 restaurants in Christchurch Central City → · Every one in the city →
Also in Christchurch Central City
More businesses in Christchurch Central City 7
What the record holds 13 sourced facts
What the record holds
| Fact | What the source says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Address | 136 Oxford Terrace Central City | Council licence register |
| Kind | Restaurants, Mexican | OpenStreetMap |
| Phone | 03 925 9716 | Find Christchurch, 2024 |
| Website | facebook.com | Find Christchurch, 2024 |
| info@chiwahwah.co.nz | Find Christchurch, 2024 | |
| NZBN | 9429041848470, NZ Limited Company | NZBN register |
| Registered name | CHIWAHWAH LIMITED | NZBN register |
| Registered since | 4 Aug 2015 | NZBN register |
| Industry | Bar - licensed | NZBN register |
| Diets catered for | Vegetarian | OpenStreetMap |
| Services | Outdoor seating | OpenStreetMap |
| Food registration | reg CCC003096/1, Template FCP, verified by CCC, expires 24 Jan 2027 | MPI food register |
| Alcohol licence | On-licence tavern, expires 15 Jan 2029, held by Chiwahwah Limited | Council licence register |
Is this your business? Send hours, menu or photos, free and this page updates. Know its hours? Add them on OpenStreetMap, the page picks them up overnight.
How the council’s directory described it
Head along to this hot new Mexican eatery and check out the street cool interiors, delicious fresh food and big party atmosphere. Open 7 days
— Find Christchurch, 2024. The business’s own words from about 2024, repeated as a lead, not checked.
The ground it stands on
| Fact | What the source says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| District Plan zone | City centre zone | District Plan |
The Somme
2835 Sergeant Henry James Nicholas VC MM
Citation for the Victoria CrossThe reports nearby
7,279 council reports pinned within 250 m of the premises, most often Graffiti & vandalism and Roads & footpaths, 6,002 with a photograph. A pin is where a reporter stood, not a claim about the place itself.
The 7,279 reports on file
Pavement - Damaged
Graffiti on a fence, building or structure
Graffiti on a fence, building or structure
Pavement - General
Hazard, vehicle
Pavement - Damaged
Graffiti on a fence, building or structure
Graffiti on a fence, building or structure
Hazard, vehicle
General Request
Trees - General
Graffiti on a sign, mural or public artQuestions, answered briefly
Read answers 7
A Mexican restaurant in Christchurch Central City, Christchurch.
136 Oxford Terrace Central City, Christchurch Central City, on Oxford Terrace Central City. On the map →
Holds an on-licence tavern on the council’s register, to 15 Jan 2029, the strongest sign the record can give that it trades.
phone 03 925 9716 (Find Christchurch, 2024), its website (Find Christchurch, 2024), email info@chiwahwah.co.nz (Find Christchurch, 2024).
Opening Soon: Velvet Burger - The Terrace (2 m), Roca (7 m), Amaterrace Teppanyaki (9 m), every one in the city.
the address’s own record holds 16 reports; 6 other premises within a short walk, nearest Grant Thornton (1 m); the Hereford St near Montreal St bus stop is 248 m away: route 8; a shared zone passes the door; nearest park: Bridge Of Remembrance (97 m).
The record behind this
This page is the union of what these public sources say, each fact above names the one it came from. A listing is a lead, not a promise the business still trades:
Sources: OpenStreetMap · Christchurch City Council licensed-premises register · Find Christchurch · Christchurch District Plan layers · Christchurch City Council off-street parking layer (CC BY 4.0) · Environment Canterbury’s Metro stop record · Christchurch City Council’s cycleway layer · New Zealand Business Number register · Ministry for Primary Industries food-business register
Read source notes 9
- OpenStreetMap, named premises drawn and kept current by its contributors (ODbL)
- Christchurch City Council licensed-premises register, a licence must be current for the premises to sell alcohol (CC BY 4.0)
- Find Christchurch, the council’s business directory, a snapshot last touched about March 2024 (CC BY 4.0)
- Christchurch District Plan layers, zones, commercial centres and scheduled heritage items, from the council’s open data (CC BY 4.0)
- Christchurch City Council off-street parking layer (CC BY 4.0),
- Environment Canterbury’s Metro stop record, distances measured here from the pin
- Christchurch City Council’s cycleway layer, lanes, separated paths and the named Major Cycle Routes (CC BY 4.0)
- New Zealand Business Number register, the public facts every NZBN entity files (legal name, status, registration date, industry), matched here by name and address
- Ministry for Primary Industries food-business register, the public Food Act registration for these premises, verified by the named agency, matched here by name and address
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL); council and ECan data under CC BY 4.0; Wikidata CC0. Something wrong? Fix it on OpenStreetMap or tell us. The whole directory lives at /businesses. This page as markdown: /business/chiwahwah-christchurch-central-city.md.