Fluffy Bake Shop

Christchurch-dwellers or visitors to the garden city with a penchant for pastries, Fluffy Bake Shop needs to be at the top of your must-visit list. This light-filled bakery on Tuam Street in the heart of the city centre feels like a warm hug as soon as you step through the front doors. The smells of freshly baked treats are intoxicating, and the fact that there is often a queue is a testament to how beloved Fluffy is in Ōtautahi.

Owners Paul and Anna met in high school and dreamed of opening a bakery together. Both went to study at Le Cordon Bleu in Wellington, taking the skills they honed there and turning their dream into a reality by opening Fluffy Bake Shop. They see the space as more than just a bakery, it’s a place where joy is baked into everything. They love surprising and delighting their customers and being a part of people’s everyday celebrations.

The bakery itself is light and bright thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, with pops of pastels and cute details all around the shop. The star of the show and centrepiece in the bakery is, of course, the cabinet, filled to the brim with pastries, donuts, cakes, sandwiches and all kinds of other treats. The donuts filled with custard and seasonal flavours are perhaps the most popular and often sell out earlier in the day.

As the name of the bakery suggests, all of the baked goods are light and fluffy, with a good touch of playfulness thrown in. Paul and Anna love to experiment with flavours and embrace the seasons with their combinations and creations. This extends to their drinks selection too; you can, of course, get an oat flat white, but why not branch out with an iced tiramisu latte or strawberry matcha instead.

There is a cosiness at Fluffy Bake Shop that will keep you coming back time and time again. That and the incredible moments of joy created when you take that first bite of pastry, donut or other treat of choice.