A Taste of Temptation
Original Sin is a stylish Italian-inspired restaurant in the heart of Christchurch City offering wood-fired pizzas, fresh pasta, and classic cocktails done right.
But tempting Italian dishes and an extensive cocktail list are just part of what we offer.
On weekend evenings, we transform into Sin After Dark. The lights drop, the DJ takes to the deck, the music hits and the space becomes Christchurch’s late-night playground.
From dinner to dancefloor – all under one sinful roof.
Indulgence with an Edge
We’re all about mood and atmosphere. About stepping away for a moment from the everyday into the sumptuous and indulgent.
Dark interior, wood panels, high ceilings, wrought iron features, lush green velvet booths and dramatic chandeliers set the tone of our venue, with the renaissance-era depiction of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit on the wall at the back bar a clue to our name and edgy spirit.
But as moody as Original Sin is, there are still lots of views to the outside world, so diners feel connected to the Avon River across the road. From our sunny courtyard you can sip a champagne while watching Christchurch go by.
Our menu features bold Italian flavours, from share plates to hearty mains, perfect for any occasion. Sip on signature cocktails, premium spirits or select from our curated wine list.
We offer classic brunch favourites but also innovative dishes from around the regions of Italy. Try our smoked cheese and limoncello fuso with baked house-made bread and olive oil or our selection of whole olives marinated in rosemary, orange, garlic, served with ciabatta. Or try our arancini risotto balls crumbed and deep-fried and served with a roasted red pepper sauce and shaved parmesan. Or maybe some crispy calamari tossed in a seasoned flour and served with a black garlic and yoghurt sauce and wild garlic pesto.
Gather with a group and try our Antipasta platter with salami, pepperoni, coppa, prosciutto and hot smoked salmon, served with house pickles, sun-dried tomatoes, pickled onions, marinated olives, limoncello fuso, pesto, ceviche, crackers, Italian cheese and olive oil toasted breads. Or try our delicious pastas: rigatoni con prosciutto and porcini mushroom with cream, butternut squash risotto with toasted walnuts & sage, or Bucatini Carbonara guanciale (Italian cured pork), black pepper, egg and parmesan.
We offer a wide range of wines and beers, and some “sinful” cocktails such as our Grapefruit and Yuzu Blush, Espresso Bradford, Watermelon Margarita or Italian Godfather, an offer that’s always difficult to refuse.
Original Sin seats 140 people inside and out.
When the Lights Drop, the Sin Begins
When the weekend hits, Sin After Dark – the late-night ego of Original Sin – takes over. It’s time to hit the dancefloor.
We clear the tables, the tunes kick in and the mood shifts. Whether you’re dancing, sipping, or just soaking it all in, this is where Christchurch comes to play.
Our Story So Far
Original Sin is a key component of Christchurch’s revitalised hospitality scene. With our neighbours, we’re part of an exciting new precinct in Christchurch Central, and we’re proud to be offering elevated hospitality and experiences to Cantabrians and visitors.
It hasn’t taken long for us to become a strong presence in Christchurch hospitality.
Original Sin – along with our neighbour cocktail bar Kong – opened in 2019 in a new building on the Terraces, a riverside complex of bars, courtyards, and restaurants, which serves as a replacement for The Strip, which was largely destroyed after the 2011 quakes.
We’re proud to be neighbours in the same building with 1930s-themed cocktail lounge Kong and iconic jazz club Fat Eddie’s, which relocated here from the Sol.
In 2025, Australian Venue Co acquired Original Sin, Fat Eddie’s, Kong, The Bog, Bealey Quarter, and Craythornes (The Halswell) from the Oxford Group’s hospitality stable.
In the Heart of The Terrace
We are located in the Terrace, the heart of Christchurch hospitality.
We are located across from the Avon River, known in Māori as Ōtākaro, one of Christchurch’s most iconic natural features, winding through the city and giving it much of its distinctive character.
The venue forms part of the riverside hospitality zone which was developed after the 2011 earthquakes.
The Terrace precinct brings together restaurants, bars, cafés, retail, and premium office space in a reinvigorated part of the city post‑earthquake.
As part of the city’s recovery and revival, The Terrace was developed to become a focal area for hospitality and social life and is now a vibrant and exciting mixed‑use precinct.
In 2025 Australian Venue Co acquired Original Sin, Fat Eddie’s, Kong, The Bog, Bealey Quarter, and Craythornes (The Halswell) in the Oxford Group’s hospitality stable.