‘03 Pizza Devotees: Your Guide To The Best Spots in Christchurch

Christchurch’s port town of Lyttelton is home to not one but two pizza spots in our guide. The first is Bomba, a humble streetside pizzeria and gelateria, where it’s not uncommon to regularly see a line of customers patiently waiting to place their order - they know it’s well worth the wait! Owner Ed Monteschio is a perfectionist when it comes to preparing his pizza dough; the process takes 48 hours, and a preferment called biga. The result is a base that is easier to digest, and the taste is out of this world delicious. The cherry on top… they also happen to have excellent gelato in case you need a post-pizza chaser.

Lillies is an urban cidery, winery and restaurant all rolled into one and ever since they opened their doors, the hype has not died down about their incredible pizza offering. Located on the eastern edge of the city centre in the industrial neighbourhood of Phillipstown, Will and Liam, the owners of Lillies, have turned what was once an old workshop into a warm and inviting space. The pizzas regularly switch out and chances are you may never have encountered the flavour combinations before,e but the taste is out of this world good. Wash it all down with a glass of organic wine or cider, and round out your meal with a smooth swirl of soft-serve ice cream.

Pizza by the seaside… yes please! New hospitality life has been breathed into Sumner’s former post office and fittingly they’ve kept the name Sumner Post Office. The team behind Shining Peak Brewery have lovingly restored the building to its former glory and opened an epic eatery. They excel in a number of food items, but their pizza gets us the most excited. The base is that perfect balance of pillowy and crunchy, and the combination of toppings is a perfect masterclass on paring flavour profiles.

The second Lyttelton pizzeria on our list is Arbour Woodfire Pizza, and there are thoughtful details that recognise their portside location, such as the bar, which is made out of a repurposed fishing boat. The light-filled space is full of plant life, making it a very lush dining experience. The woodfired oven is a centrepiece in the decor, and the pizzas it produces are top-notch. Arbour does their takes on the classics, but they also have fun with local and seasonal produce to create some out-of-the-box combinations that you’ll be thinking about long after you’ve tried them.

Fancy your pizza with a side of entertainment? That’s just what you can be in for at Pizza Trap, located inside the popular gig and community venue Space Academy. Multiple nights of the week, there is live music, poetry slam and all kinds of other performances that you can enjoy with friends alongside some pretty epic pizzas. There’s an extensive list of vegan options on the menu, and they’re so enticing they could tempt even the most carnivorous in your group to give them a go. Supporting local suppliers is integral to who Pizza Trap is, so you’ll find ingredients from your favourite Christchurch producers popping up on your pizza.

Mediterranean Foods is a Christchurch institution at this point, starting off as a small grocer importing Italian ingredients, things just keep growing and getting better. At their Tuam Street location there is their pizzeria which produces some of the finest slices you’ll find in the city. It’s easy to find yourself dreaming of being in some quaint Italian village whilst dining at Mediterranean Foods, with authentic touches all around. From the pizza itself to the wine list, the ambience and of course their famed tiramisu to round off your meal.

Sometimes it’s hard to beat your local suburban pizzeria, especially if you happen to live anywhere near The Birdwood in Beckenham. This neighbourhood eatery has gained a loyal following over the years, by day the cafe is humming with customers, then come mid-afternoon the woodfired oven is powered up and the pizzeria takes over. The pizzas themselves are impeccable, with delicious sourdough bases providing the perfect vehicle for a range of flavour combinations. If you regularly visit be sure to check out their specials board and branch out from your standard order. On a sunny day, nab yourself a table on the covered deck out the back or if the weather isn’t playing ball, the booths provide cosy comfort - as does the heat emanating from the pizza oven.

If you’re looking for an authentic Italian dining experience, Francesca’s Italian Kitchen, next to the Isaac Theatre Royal, is a very good bet. As soon as you walk through the doors at Francesca’s you’ll leave the streets of Ōtautahi behind and be transported to an Italian trattoria. Everything coming out of the kitchen will tempt you as you’re perusing the menu; their antipasti and pasta are insanely good. But we’re here to talk pizza and Francesca’s produce some amazing ones. Thanks to a woodfired oven, they are charred and chewy in the best way possible and you’ll be hoping no one reaches for that last slice you’re eyeing up.

Venture out of the city centre and take a drive to Lincoln home to find The Laboratory and some of the best pizzas around. The Laboratory encompasses many things: a pub, a microbrewery, a boutique cinema and above all, a great place to meet friends. The large space makes it perfect for gathering a group together, ordering a bunch of pizzas and getting to try a selection. Our top tip… consult the weather forecast and plan to go on a sunny day so you can take advantage of their al fresco dining set-up. What could be better - catching up with friends over some brews in the sun and devouring some stellar pizzas, perfection!

With locations in two of the city’s best food collectives - Little High Eatery and Riverside Market, BASE Woodfired Pizza are known for delivering big on flavour. It’s not unusual in both locations to see a line quickly forming during those lunch and dinner peak times. Best yet for anyone searching for great vegetarian and vegan pizzas, BASE offer multiple options beyond your standard margherita (although in saying that their margherita is *chef’s kiss*).