Housed in the contemporary cool of the Christchurch Art Gallery in the heart of the city, Universo Brasserie & Bar is equal parts edgy Euro-chic and sun-drenched tropical escape. With towering glass walls, lush potted palms, and handsome leather booths paired with copper orbs suspended from the soaring ceiling, the scene is set for a gourmand experience you’ll be hard pressed to forget.

A selection from our Menu —

Available from 11.00am - 3.00pm & 5.00pm - 9.00pm. Enjoy our dishes shared or individually.

Breads

Sour dough - Akaroa olive oil, balsamic reduction
– $10. (V, DF)

House-made cheesy garlic and herb rolls – $10. (V)

Smaller plates

Pan fried scallops - corn purée, buttered corn, samphire and chorizo crumbs
– $22

Yorkshire pudding - braised lamb shoulder, gravy and kumara purée – $19.

Lightly cured salmon - wrapped in nori, wasabi, ponzu gel, seaweed salad
– $18. (GF, DF)

Venison carpaccio - roasted garlic, pickled red onion and dukkah – $19 (GF, DF)

To share

Universo Platter - Smoked salmon, cured meats, selection of cheeses, olives, polenta fries, pesto, hummus, chutney, crackers, bread – $50

Beast Board - Grilled ribeye, Yorkshire puddings, chorizo, beef brisket, venison carpaccio, baby back ribs, buttermilk chicken, pickles, sauces, rolls, chips and pickled red cabbage slaw 80-small, 120- large

Medium & large plates

Pasta - crab linguini, cherry tomatoes, crispy shallots, cream and fresh chilli – 26

Risotto - asparagus and lemon risotto, pan fried salmon belly, salmon crackle and salmon roe – 26

Crispy skin pork belly - thyme roasted poato, balsamic and honey glaze, beetroot, macadamia crumbs, burned leek and jus – 38 (GF, DF)

Shiitake Mushroom, kimch and cabbage roll - sprouts, spring onion and carrots in miso broth – $32 (GF, Vegan)

Dessert

Brûlée - fresh berries and ginger nut biscuit - 16. (V)

Fruit of the moment tarte tatin - caramelised with puff pastry and vanilla bean ice cream - 22

(V) Vegetarian, (GF) Gluten free, (GFO) Gluten free option, (DF) Dairy free.

Download our Menu
Make a Reservation —

A selection from our Brunch Menu —

Brunch available from 9.00am — 2.30pm. Lunch available from 11.00am — 3.00pm.

Brunch

Salmon Hash - hot smoked salmon, pumpkin, capsicum, pickled shallot, spinach, poached egg
– $23. (GF, DF)

Grilled Haloumi stack - seasonal greens, corn and pea purée, polenta cake, avocado and chimichurri
– $20. (GF)

Vegan coconut pancakes - coconut panna cotta, strawberry compote, strawberry soil and coconut yoghurt
– $21. (V)

Brunch

Smashed edamame beans and minted peas - whipped feta, sour dough, poached eggs, dukkah and Akaroa olive oil – $19 (GFA, V)

Chicken Salad - Moroccan spiced chicken, crisp chick peas, pumpkin, corn, mint honey yoghurt dressing and pomegranate – $26 (GF VEO).

Pork Belly - sticky plum and BBQ sauce, pickled red cabbage, kumara purée and rocket – $31. (GF DF)

Steak - 250g Canterbury sirloin, portobello mushroom, fondant potato, truffle butter and smashed peas –$38 (GF)

(V) Vegetarian, (GF) Gluten free, (GFO) Gluten free option, (DF) Dairy free.

Download our full Brunch Menu

Make a Reservation —

A selection from the Bar Menu —

We have a wide range of bubbles, New Zealand wine, beer and cider along with some classic and signature cocktails.
Hot and non-alcoholic drinks are also available.

Signature Cocktails

Too Cool For School - Cointreau, mango and raspberry topped with a peach and apple foam – $16.

Vanilla and Salted Caramel Martini - Vanilla infused vodka and salted caramel
– $16.

Clockwork Orange - Hendricks Gin with Aperol, passionfruit and lemon
– $18.

Winter Mojito- Bacardi with lemongrass, lychee, lime, mint topped with soda
– $16.

Fix’s & Spritz’s

GLASS 15 / CARAFE 28

Aperol Spritz - Aperol and Prosecco rounded off with a little orange

White Peach and Rosé - Pink Gin and Rosé with a touch of peach and vanilla

Cucumber, Mint & Lemongrass - Sacred Spring Sun Kissed Gin with Eldefower liquor, cucumber and lemongrass

Pimms and Raspberry Pimms with raspberry and mint served with a berry popsicle

Download our full Bar & Drinks Menu
Make a Reservation —

Pistachio crusted goats cheese with orange and chicory salad

Baked egg with chorizo and sour cream

Universo Beast Board

Black Forest Chocolate Nemesis

Universo Brasserie & Bar. Image: Nancy Zhou

Blood orange and gin cured Akaroa Salmon

Our cocktail maestro at work

Barbadoes & My Pink Lady cocktails

Fried brioche with poached stone fruit, vanilla pancotta and passionfruit curd

Seafood Velouté - poached mussels, salmon, clams, prawns

served with a Peach Rosé Spritzer

Universo Exterior

Akaroa Salmon served with a Manchester cocktail

Blood Orange Rosemary Negroni & Madras

Seafood Velouté

Universo Brasserie & Bar —

Whether you’re after a taste-bud tantalising breakfast or brunch to kick start your day, a leisurely lunch or if you prefer to nab a healthy salad or moreish muffin on the run, the chilled-out café vibe by day effortlessly morphs into a swanky bar and finer dining destination at dusk where you’ll find out-of-this-world carnivorous platters to graze on with a glass of primo vino, cutting edge craft beer or creative cocktails destined to transform your after-work drinks, or savour an all-out red carpet dining experience later in the evening.

Universo’s seasonal menu has a raft of tempting dishes all made using the freshest local produce. Head chef Bevan Ward delivers culinary alchemy of the highest order with his fresh take on lunch, brunch and dinner as well as a selection of tasty cabinet fare that includes gourmet sandwiches, salads, muffins and pastries, all made fresh on site daily.

Open from 9am till late, seven days a week, and with live music on Friday nights for a smooth segue into the weekend, and again on Sunday afternoons with their chilled-out Sunday Sessions, Universo effortlessly strikes the balance between elegant sophistication and casual cool.