Sweet Tooth Surrender: Christchurch’s 12 Best Dessert Shops
Jessica McNamara
| Last Updated: February 2024 From the time I was eight years old, my chin was buried in a bowl of chocolate fondue and my hands on any dessert I could find. What can I say? I had a weakness—an insatiable sweet tooth.
It’s a full-blown, sugar-coated saga that’s spanned years (and maybe waistlines). And let me tell you, Christchurch knows how to feed my inner Willy Wonka.
So, after having my fair share of creamy, gelatos, pastries, cakes, and more, you can say I know exactly where to get the best dessert in any city. To prove it, here are my top picks for the best dessert places in Christchurch that rival Willy Wonka wonderlands.
1. Sweet Soul Patisserie
Address: 1/79 Cashel Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday – 8 AM to 8 PM
- Thursday to Saturday – 8 AM to 10 PM
Phone: +64 3 365 1919
Sweet Soul Patisserie is a Parisian-inspired dessert haven where artistry meets indulgence. Their pistachio raspberry Paris brest is both scrumptious and sophisticated to look at (definitely Instagrammable).
And their madeleines are a must-try. These delicate, shell-shaped cookies, dusted with sugar and kissed with vanilla, are pure buttery heaven.
And for those who crave the rich embrace of chocolate, the eclairs au chocolat await you.
Pro Tip: While you’re at Sweet Soul, get a glass (or a bottle) of their champagne.
2. Gelato Lab
Address: 5/132 Opawa Road, Opawa, Christchurch 8023, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11 AM to 5:30 PM
- Friday to Sunday – 11 AM to 7:30 PM
The gelato lab whips up gelato that will leave you thinking about it for days. They have a variety of flavours, like lavender honey or dark chocolate, and of course, they have creamy pistachios and fruity sorbets.
But the real showstoppers are the caramelised, almond, saffron, and rose. Get them!
Pro Tip: This place can get crowded, especially on weekends, so to beat the queue, get there early.
3. Bohemian Bakery
Address: 43 Nayland Street, Sumner, Christchurch 8081, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 7:30 AM to 3 PM
- Saturday – 8:30 AM to 3 PM
Phone: +64 3 326 3357
Bohemian bakery whispers promises of pure dessert and delight. The display cases overflow with stunning pastries. Take one look and you’ll see – it’s hard to know where to begin.
I’d say go with their brownies, which are rich, fudgy, and the ultimate chocolate fix. Their lemon tarts are a work of art and just the right amount of tangy too.
Pro Tip: Get their chocolate swirl cheesecake with raspberries.
4. J’aime le Macarons
Address: Merivale Mall Shop 6C/189 Papanui Road, Merivale, Christchurch 8014, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday, Friday & Saturday – 9 AM to 6 PM
- Thursday – 9 AM to 7 PM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 5 PM
Phone: +6439258008
J’aime le Macarons is a French-inspired dessert oasis, and their macarons are ones you’ll never forget. Champagne macaroons that are as fizzy as an actual glass of champagne. Orange mimosa macarons that are perfect for brunch.
And their classic salted lime and white chocolate macarons are a creamy dream.
Pro Tip: Build your own box of macarons! Pick and choose your flavours—the possibilities are endless.
5. Rollickin Gelato
Address: 35 New Regent Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 11 AM to 10 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 11 AM to 11 PM
Phone: +64 3 365 4811
Rollickin Gelato isn’t your average scoop shop. Forget boring vanilla and chocolate—here, passionfruit gelato swirls with rich dulce de leche in the dulce de pash.
Or be seduced by the cherry thief, where cherries mingle with creamy vanilla—tasting like the perfect summer day.
Pro Tip: Try their make-at-home dessert boxes like the Ashley Apple Bloomfield Pie or Gerry Brownies.
6. Paleta Bar NZ
Address: 255 Saint Asaph Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 10 PM
Paleta Bar is where gelato dreams come true. They have flavours that ignite your tastebuds, like coconut and pandan gelato.
Besides gelato, they have classic desserts that almost everyone knows and loves. Their brownie is rich enough to rival a bank vault.
If you’re feeling nostalgic, though, go for the classic banana split. It’s worth it.
Pro Tip: You have to try their gelato donut!
7. Fluffy Bake Shop
Address: 173 Saint Asaph Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
Hours:
- Tuesday – 8 AM to 4 PM
- Wednesday to Saturday – 10 AM to 4 PM
Fluffy Bake Shop is full of mouth-in-your-mouth desserts. If you want something creamy, get their heavenly Portuguese custard tarts.
Even better, those who are dairy-free don’t have to miss out! They have a divine dairy-free lemon chiffon cake—pure, guilt-free happiness.
Pro Tip: They bake custom cakes—whatever you want, they’ll bake it for you.
8. Patisserie Yahagi
Address: Shop 3/376 Riccarton Road, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch 8442, New Zealand
Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 10 AM to 6 PM
- Saturday – 11 AM to 6 PM
Phone: +64 3 341 7421
This Japanese-inspired patisserie crafts elegant cakes that really do look too good to eat. Their mousse au chocolat fresh cream gateau is a masterpiece, in particular.
The mousse is light and airy and nestled in between green tea cream. The bitterness of the dark chocolate meshes well with the authentic matcha.
Pro Tip: Make sure you place your order 2 days in advance if ordering online for an event.
9. Mexicanos
Address: 131 Victoria Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand
Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday – 5 to 10 PM
- Thursday – 5 to 11 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 5 PM to 12 AM
Phone: +64 3 365 5330
Alright, I know: Mexicanos, really? While it’s not a complete dessert haven, their churros are as close as they get to Abuelita’s traditional recipe.
The churros are dusted with just the right amount of cinnamon sugar and go perfectly with the chocolate dipping sauce.
Pro Tip: While you’re there, indulge in one of their margaritas to add a little edge to your dessert night.
10. Dux Dine
Address: 28 Riccarton Road, Riccarton, Christchurch 8014, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 8 PM
Phone: +64 3 348 1436
Many come to Dux Dine to indulge in their legendary sticky toffee pudding. The pudding is rich and has just the right amount of toffee.
But their citrus tarts are also pretty good too. They are light and refreshing.
Pro Tip: Give their parfaits a try!
11. C1 Espresso
Address: Old Post & Telegraph, Office building 185 High Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8142, New Zealand
Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 7 AM to 9 PM
- Saturday – 7 AM to 5PM
- Sunday – 7 AM to 3 PM
C1 Espresso is more than your average coffee shop. It’s a haven for pastry enthusiasts and, really, anyone with a sweet tooth.
Try their macarons—they are delicious and instagrammable.
Pro Tip: Get a cup of coffee to go with your macarons!
12. Utopia Ice
Address: 15 Wakefield Avenue, Sumner, Christchurch 8081, New Zealand
Hours:
- Tuesday – 12 PM to 9 PM
- Wednesday & Thursday – 12 PM to 10 PM
- Friday – 12 PM to 6 PM
Phone: +64 3 326 6768
Utopia Ice is a Christchurch favourite when it comes to artisanal ice cream desserts. They have a rotating selection of flavours, like black sesame, lavender honey, and salted caramel.
Of course, they have all the classic flavours too. Get a scoop or two in a waffle cone when you go!
Pro Tip: Go right when they open for the best pick of all the flavours.
