Cantabrians pride themselves on good work done well, and for Christchurch goods makers there’s no exception to the rule.

From harbourside Akaroa to the sweeping North Canterbury region and the bustling city centre, there’s no such thing as too much eating or drinking when it comes to trying locally made goods. Drink some of the best wines in the country in the very vineyards that grew the grapes, soak up the streets in the city and grab an ice cream from a business built by a teenager, or cheese you say? No worries, there’s folks making it just over the hill in Duvauchelle.

If you need a beer after all that, we don’t blame you, and it would be wise to try something local because Christchurch has no shortage of breweries pushing the limits when it comes to the craft.

Whether you’re creating a picnic of legends and eating all these goods yourself, or picking up some pressies for someone special, Christchurch goods makers know how to impress when it comes to both flavour and presentation. Don’t expect to find them hanging around looking for praise though, they’ll likely be out in the shed/field/kitchen getting started on their next creation.

Where to Find the Best Baked Goods in Christchurch

Silver trays of croissants and pastries stacked on top of each other in bakery kitchen
Pastry has been kicking around since Egyptian times so it’s high time we put together a list for the best spots to pick up a flaky delight in Ōtautahi – with a few other baked goods thrown in the mix.

Bones Pickles

Chefs Mike and Max standing outside the kitchen of Bones Pickles.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Tangy, salty, crunchy… There’s a very good reason people go mad for pickles.

Trees for Canterbury

Wide view of Trees for Canterbury.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Located down a quiet suburban street in Christchurch’s Ferrymead you will find a hidden gem called Trees for Canterbury, a native plant nursery, garden centre and...

The Crossing

The Crossing courtyard.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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The Crossing is one of Christchurch’s greatest accomplishments post-earthquakes and has become the city centre’s premium shopping destination.

Frances Nation Café

Cafe counter and shelves lined with pantry goods inside Frances Nation Café.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Frances Nation Café is a go-to in Christchurch for superb coffee and delicious food.

Sweet Soul Patisserie

A hand cutting into a glossy cake.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Step in through the floor-to-ceiling glass doors of Sweet Soul Patisserie, and you will immediately be greeted with an air of amicable sophistication.

Mind Your Temper

A close up of colourful chocolates on display at Mind Your Temper Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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If you’re feeling grumpy or a little blue, a visit to Mind Your Temper is sure to lighten your mood.

General Post

Sauces for sale on a shelf above fresh fruit bins at General Post, Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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You’ll find a few golden nuggets interspersed around Tai Tapu, and General Post is one of them.

Mediterranean Foods

View of the outdoor dining area and brick courtyard under the shade sail at The Mediterranean Food Company, Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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 Down the industrial eastern end of Tuam Street in an old brickery is a secluded slice of Italy.

The Hunt for Christchurch's Hottest Hot Cross Buns

Person holding box of four Hot Cross Buns outside Grizzly in Christchurch
It’s that magical time of year, where the comforting scent of warm spices, citrus and melted butter fills the neighbourhood. Ah, Hot Cross Bun season. Where would we be without these Easter treats providing the best end-of-summer coping mechanism. Whether you need to put in a bulk order for Easter weekend or fancy a quick single hit on the go, we went on a taste-testing mission (a tough job but someone’s gotta do it) to bring you this guide to Christchurch’s hottest hot cross buns.

Bellbird Bakery

Close up of rows of sourdough on wooden shelves attached to a wall at Bellbird Bakery in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Bellbird is everything you want in a local bakery — filled with classic pastries and delicious loaves of fresh-baked bread.

Bohemian Bakery Central City

Brick facade of the Bohemian Bakery.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Bohemian Bakery’s second storefront is a cozy enclave filled with the smells and sounds of a traditional bakery, like the ever popular Portuguese tart and crusty loaves.

The Welder

A woman holding her baby in amongst the plants inside The Welder.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury Editor's Pick
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The Welder is a unique health and wellbeing centre in stunningly repurposed buildings in the heart of South Town.

J’AIME

Blue shop exterior and glass cabinet of J’aime les macarons in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Hundreds of colourful macarons with punchy and interesting flavours are produced out of the J’AIME kitchen each day.

J Friend & Co

Close up of person pulling up fresh Honey comb oozing honey.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Find local honey with as little intervention as possible at Christchurch honey business, J Friend & Co.

Prima Roastery

The counter at Prima Roastery.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Whether you’re after a caffeine kick, a cool spot for a catch up, a resupply of beans or a new espresso machine, Prima is the place - they’ve got parking out the back, too.

The Emerging Organic Wine Brands of Waipara, North Canterbury

A hand holding a bottle of wine in the air on a sunny day.
If you look beyond the standout Waipara wine brands we all know and love, four passionate young Canterbury winemakers are doing things a little differently. We spoke with each of them to better understand their inspiration and wine styles.

Untouched World

Close up of shoes and book on display.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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The only fashion company in the world to be recognised by the United Nations for sustainability, Untouched World is a true leader in the field of ethical lifestyle fashion.

Barrys Bay Cheese

A worker holding a large slice of cheese at Barrys Bay Cheese, Akaroa.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Barrys Bay Cheese has been creating delicious, memorable cheeses in its namesake bay since 1895.

The Tannery

People walking through The Tannery Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Prepared to be wowed by the sophisticated one-stop-shop that is The Tannery.

Harbour Co-Op

Close up of tomatoes and lemons at Harbour Co-op in Lyttelton.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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No longer the domain of hippies and survivalists; organic, free-range, bulk and sustainable foods are now the norm.

Punky Brewster

Woman pouring a beer at taps.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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Housed in what is, quite literally, a garage in the back streets of Riccarton, Punky Brewster is an unexpected find in an otherwise nondescript part of town.

Park Ranger

Park Ranger cafe space.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
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A café that hasn’t missed a beat when it comes to the details, and one of the best to have opened its doors in the city.