Best Pizza in Christchurch

Pizza Showdown: The Top 12 Pizza Places in Christchurch 

| Last Updated: February 2024

For years, my Friday nights were fueled by a deep-seated pizza obsession and a relentless pursuit of the perfect slice. From trendy eateries to charming neighbourhood joints, I’ve lost track of how much pizza I’ve eaten.

It took me a while, but I’ve found the best places for that heaven-like slice of pizza. So, here are all of my top picks on where to go if you want to be in pizza heaven.

1. Fire and Slice Woodfired Pizzeria

Fire and Slice Woodfired Pizzeria

Address: 7 Wakefield Avenue, Sumner, Christchurch 8081, New Zealand

Hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 8 PM 

Phone: +64 3 260 0176

Fire & Slice Woodfired Pizzeria has a canvas of toppings that go beyond the ordinary. Don’t miss the manuka meat lover—a carnivore’s paradise. Or, the peri peri prawn pizza, which is perfect for seafood lovers who want a fiery kick.

Pro Tip: Try out their godley head magic pizza. The combination of braised lamb, mint, and buffalo mozzarella leaves you with a pizza that’s pure blissful magic.

2. Formaggio’s Italian Restaurant

Formaggio’s Italian Restaurant

Address: 150 Colombo Street, Sydenham, Christchurch 8023, New Zealand

Hours: Wednesday to Sunday – 5 PM to 9 PM

Phone: +64 3 331 6674

Formaggio’s Italian Restaurant is a cosy haven for all things authentic. The vegans among us can rejoice because the ortolana, with its roasted vegetables and creamy vegan ricotta is your anthem. 

Meat eaters savour the pollo pesto, Formaggio’s most popular pizza. 

Pro Tip: If you grab their calzone, you’re in for a savoury treat. You can choose your fillings too! 

3. Tutto Bene Restaurant & Pizzeria

Tutto Bene Restaurant & Pizzeria

Address: 192 Papanui Road, St Albans, Christchurch 8014, New Zealand

Hours: Monday to Sunday – 5 PM to 9:30 PM 

Phone: +64 3 355 4744

Craving a taste of Italy without leaving Christchurch? Tutto Bene Restaurant & Pizzeria is your place. 

Their pesto-roasted chicken pizza is a flavour bomb, while the hot smoked salmon pizza is pure elegance on a crispy crust. 

Pro Tip: Tutto Bene’s calzone paradiso is not just a name—it’s a promise. It’s a one-way ticket to pizza heaven.

4. Sal’s Authentic New York Pizza

Sal’s Authentic New York Pizza

Address: 146 Lichfield St, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand

Hours: 

  • Monday to Wednesday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM
  • Thursday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
  • Friday & Saturday – 11:30 AM to 11 PM 
  • Sunday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM 

Phone: +64033657257

No Christchurch pizza pilgrimage is complete without a visit to Sal’s Authentic New York Pizza. If you come here, be ready for larger-than-life slices and toppings piled enough to touch the sky.

The 100 pepp black garlic pizza (yes, you read that right—it’s 100 slices) is a challenge for the brave. If you want something a little more normal, give their fire island pizza a try. 

The fire island pizza combines jalapenos, pepperoni, and hot honey for a fiery, sweet sensation.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget the garlic knots and pepperoni wheels—perfect for scooping up every last ounce of gooey cheese.

5. Flaming Pizza Papanui

Flaming Pizza Papanui

Address: 479 Papanui Road, Papanui, Christchurch 8053, New Zealand

Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 10 PM

Phone: +64 3 352 2577

Don’t let Flaming Pizza’s Papanui’s unassuming facade fool you. This pizza place packs a serious punch with its flavour bomb combos. 

Dive into a tropical tang with the Hawaiian and smoked beef pizza, or get cheesy with their cheesy garlic masterpiece pizza.

Pro Tip: Give their manakish a try! It’s like a flatbread pizza with za’atar and olive oil. It’ll transport you straight to Mediterranean bliss.

6. Pizzetta Farm

Address: 87 Riccarton Road, Riccarton, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand

Hours: 

  • Monday – 3 PM to 11 PM
  • Tuesday to Thursday – 11 AM to 11 PM 
  • Friday – 11 AM to 1:30 AM
  • Saturday – 3 PM to 1:30 AM
  • Sunday – 3 PM to 9 PM 

Phone: +64 22 260 0892

Pizzetta Farm welcomes vegetarians and vegans with open arms to enjoy wood-fired oven pizza with all the deliciousness (minus the guilt). 

Their papi paneer pizza is reminiscent of the classic Indian paneer dish. And their mighty mushroom pizza proves that meat isn’t mandatory for a heaven-like pizza.

Pro Tip: Get a side of their jalapeno corn cheese bread. Trust us, you’ll be glad you did. 

7. The Birdwood

The Birdwood

Address: 76 Malcolm Avenue, Beckenham, Christchurch 8023, New Zealand

Hours: 

  • Sunday & Monday – 9 AM to 3 PM
  • Tuesday to Saturday – 8 AM to 10 PM 

Phone: +64 3 332 3256

Calling all carnivores! The Birdwood’s tutta carne pizza is a carnivorous ode to meaty perfection. But if seafood is more your thing, the gamberi & pancetta pizza will have you dancing on the tables.

Whatever pizza you get though, don’t forget the crust-dipping sauces—the truffle and roast garlic sauce is pure gold, and the pesto adds a herby twist. 

Pro Tip: Tuesdays are 26 NZD pizza days, meaning your feast won’t break the bank!

8. A’mano Authentic Pasta & Cucina

 A’mano Authentic Pasta & Cucina

Address: 472 Tuam Street, Phillipstown, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand

Hours: 

  • Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 3 PM to 12 AM
  • Tuesday – 5 PM to 10 PM 
  • Friday & Saturday – 12 PM to 12:30 AM 
  • Sunday – 12 PM to 12 AM 

Phone:  +64 21 128 2321

This trattoria-style restaurant isn’t just about pasta (though their handmade noodles are heavenly). Their pizzas are equally delicious. 

The puttanesca pizza explodes with salty, and spicy goodness. The a’mano carne di maiale pizza will satisfy your inner meat monster and the garlic flatbread pizza is for all you minimalists out there.

Pro Tip:  Start off with their melt-in-your-mouth croquettes

9. The Mediterranean Food Company

Address: 322 Tuam Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand

Hours: 

  • Monday to Thursday – 8:30 AM to 11 AM & 11 AM to 2:30 PM
  • Friday – 8:30 AM to 11 AM & 11 AM to 3 PM & 5 PM to 8:30 PM
  • Saturday – 8:30 AM to 11 AM & 11 AM to 3 PM
  • Sunday – 10 AM to 11 AM & 11 AM to 2:30 PM

Phone: +6433795122

The Mediterranean Food Company’s pizza takes you straight to the Mediterranean. Their quattro formaggi is a symphony of four cheeses with a white sauce that’ll leave you craving more. 

Another standout pizza is the campagnola–mushrooms, olives, and salami. Give their Siciliana pizza a try too! It’s a burst of Sicily with eggplant, capers, and anchovies. 

Pro Tip: Leave room for their tiramisu.

10. Arbour Woodfired Pizza and Bar

Arbour Woodfired Pizza and Bar

Address: 17 Oxford Street, Lyttelton, Christchurch 8841, New Zealand

Hours: 

  • Monday to Thursday – 5 PM to 9 PM
  • Friday to Sunday – 12 PM to 3 PM & 5 PM to 9 PM

Phone: +64273889048

Arbour Woodfired Pizza and Bar is where to go for the pizzas, your choice of cocktails, and obviously, wine too. 

Their totara pizza is a best-seller. Crisp lamb, rosemary and feta all on a sourdough crust—delicious. 

Another must-try is their kowhai pizza, named after the golden bellbird, rings with the sweetness of caramelised pears, gorgonzola, walnuts and thyme.

Pro Tip: Don’t leave without indulging in their dessert calzone—warm, gooey chocolate with vanilla gelato.

11. Bomba Pizza, Gelato . . . And Vino! 

Address: 13 London Street, Lyttelton 8082, New Zealand

Hours: 

  • Wednesday to Friday – 3 PM to 8 PM
  • Saturday – 9:30 AM to 8 PM
  • Sunday – 12 PM to 7 PM

Phone: +64277140042

Bomba Pizza, Gelato . . . And Vino is your Vatican City of doughy delights. Their Napoli-style pizzas are odes to tradition. 

If you want simple, go for their margherita pizza—a classic almost everyone knows and loves. On the other hand, if you want something spicy, get their diavola pizza. It’s covered with fiery salami that’ll have you reaching for your glass of water (or wine).

Pro Tip: Their wine list is full of classic Italian wines, so try a glass (or a bottle—we won’t judge). 

12. Bee Pizzeria

Bee Pizzeria

Address: 10A Yaldhurst Road, Sockburn, Christchurch 8042, New Zealand

Hours: 

  • Monday to Wednesday – 3 PM to 12 AM
  • Thursday to Saturday – 12 PM to 2 AM 
  • Sunday – 12 PM to 12 AM 

Phone: +6421968815

At Bee Pizzeria, pizza gets adventurous. Their tandoori paneer pizza is a Bollywood blockbuster in your mouth. 

For a sweet fiesta, give their Mexican corn pizza a go. It’s got Mexican cheese, black beans, jalapenos, and obviously corn. 

Pro Tip: Get their m&m pizza for dessert—a childhood candy dream come true.

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