Where to Find the Best Baked Goods in Christchurch

Make Sweet Soul Patisserie your destination for mighty fine pastries. Here the cabinet is filled with the prettiest petit cakes you ever laid eyes on. There’s a range of delicacies to choose from, including gluten and dairy free options, so splash out, dig in and revel in one of Sweet Soul’s beauties. For a moment you may be transported from Cashel Street to a Parisian boulevard. Ooo la la.

It’s not uncommon to see a queue forming outside Fluffy Bake Shop and trust us, it’s undeniably worth lining up for (especially with the waft of freshly baked goods to keep you company along the way). This bakery first gained a reputation around Ōtautahi for their impossibly light and fluffy donuts, filled with custard and seasonal flavours. These are still a sellout and are joined by indulgent pastries with all the frills, elegant tiered sponge cakes, and tarts. Owners Paul and Anna love to experiment and play with classic combos so don’t expect anything conventional. 

Their cult following was inevitable. Grizzly Baked Goods know how to bake. Since the early days at Christchurch Farmers’ Market, Sam Ellis has been creating incredible pastries with the simple philosophy of ‘take no shortcuts’. And it shows. Everything on offer is utterly delectable, but if you want a sure bet, the Lemon Poppy Morning will have you smiling from ear to ear.  

In a sunny spot next to Little Foragers on Riccarton Road, Blue Moon Bakehouse opened in late 2024 and we’ve all been a whole lot happier since. Staying a few steps ahead of the latest food trends, there’s always something new to discover in Blue Moon’s cabinet and plenty of flavour combos you’ve yet to meet. There’s brownie croissant hybrids, pillowy donuts with torched meringue toppings, basque cheesecakes, and beautiful pâtisserie creations worthy of the top bakery windows of Paris. Grab your treats on the go or sit and savour every delicious bite alongside a great coffee, matcha, or fun iced drinks.

A treat for all the senses, Pebbles is home to French-inspired desserts that are as delicious as they are beautiful. Founder Gina is a self-trained pastry chef that turned her passion for baking and the French way of life into one of Christchurch’s sweetest destinations. While whole tarts and bespoke catering can be arranged for extra special moments, they have a more rustic and quintessentially French sub-brand: ‘Alt. by Pebbles’. This menu is available at the Christchurch Farmers’ Market (get in early!) as well as their Riccarton Road boutique, where you’ll find seasonal delights such as rhubarb and blueberry galette, cherry clafoutis, and vegan dark chocolate and chilli cake.

Named after our favourite ingredient, BUTTER was always going to win us over. Corentin Esquenet is the award-winning pastry chef behind the business, crafting decadent and delicious pastries that bring together traditional French techniques with a unique Kiwi touch. The full BUTTER menu can be browsed online, with the option to order online or join the queue outside their bakery window in Phillipstown on Saturdays. As well as made-to-order showstopper tarts, BUTTER’s core range includes canelés, madeleines, and macarons, with new seasonal specials popping up each month. 

Bohemian Bakery should come with a hefty warning; you’ll want to eat everything. The ever-popular Portuguese tart featuring homemade custard is light, creamy and extremely moreish. Just close your eyes and you could be in Lisbon. Their almond croissant is another top seller (get in early to avoid disappointment). Vegan and gluten-free pastries are also available, making this place oh so appealing.

Dhi Ferrari has quite the résumé. After studying at French and Italian culinary schools, he went on to own his own school and pastry shop, won a food competition on Brazilian TV and was recognised as one of Rio's top three pastry chefs. And now, Christchurch gets to have him. Dhi’s eponymous pâtisserie is located inside The Welder, where an assortment of cakes and desserts are quickly devoured throughout the week. From the indulgent chocolate thunder cake topped in Brazilian Brigadeiro to caramel flans and seasonal eclairs, everything is infused with the Brazilian flavours Dhi grew up with. Order a cake online or pop into their beautiful shop to enjoy a slice of cake or take away a mixed box of treats for later.

Bellbird is a local bakery worth seeking out for many reasons. With a modern open-plan design, you can see the patisserie wizards at work, ponder over the countertop of delicious pastries and find a thermos of filtered coffee that invites you to help yourself. A rotating ‘Pastry of the Month’ keeps things interesting, but if you want a hot tip: order a pain aux raisin (or three). A champion pastry mastering the ratio of custard to raisin to pastry, you’ll want this buttery spiral to never end. You can also find Bellbird at Riverside Market.

All in the name, right? The Great Pastry Shop is run by mother-daughter duo Rhiannon and Elsie, who have honed their craft of European pastry techniques. Their charming stall nestled in Riverside Market is overflowing with savoury and sweet pastries, but don’t leave without sampling one of their legendary cinnamon brioches. Divinely soft and flavourful thanks to the knockout blend of spices and yummy glaze.