Where to Find the Best Pastries 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.

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.  

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.

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.   

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.