Cantabrians sure know a thing or two about living the sweet life (or what the Italians call ''la dolce vita''). If you're wondering what such a life looks like, it's this: gorging on woodfired pizza, tackling mountains of handmade pasta and inhaling bowls of tiramisu, while simultaneously sipping on vinos, spritzes, and limoncello shots. All of which are in ample supply at Christchurch's long list of Italian restaurants.
From trattorias and pizzerias to traditional eateries with the whole kit and caboodle (red and white chequered tablecloths, we see you), here are the best Italian restaurants in Christchurch.
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Francesca's Italian Kitchen
149 Gloucester Street, Christchurch Central City
Image credit: Francesca's Italian Kitchen | Instagram
Francesca's is widely considered the best Italian in town. Named after co-owner, Francesa Voza and sister restaurant to Francesca's in Wanaka, you won't find tastier, more true Italian grub in the Garden City. Head chef Diego Ghidetti brings his many years living and working in Italy (in his family's restaurants, no less) to the table, with a mouthwatering menu that encompasses everything from plates of world-famous-in-Christchurch polenta fries through to bowls of squid ink spaghetti with tiger prawns and of course, the quintessential tiramisu. Their woodfired pizzas are also top-tier and if kneaded (get it?), can be made gluten-free for just a few bucks extra. To quote their website, “guests can experience true Italian dining the way it has been for hundreds of years in the Old Country,” and I couldn't agree more.
ChiChi Kitchen
270 St Asaph Street, Christchurch Central City
Image credit: ChiChi Kitchen | Instagram
ChiChi Kitchen has awards coming out its proverbial ears, which is particularly remarkable given that it focusses on just one type of food (pasta) and is only open for dinner. More impressive still, a little combing of the internet finds that chef/owner Eugene Chang used to work as an explosives engineer. Fitting, I suppose, given that this spot's beautifully crafted pasta is, for lack of a better word, fire. Take your pick of oil-based, tomato sauce-based, and cream sauce-based bowls, plus ravioli and a risotto, featuring delicious and sometimes unexpected flavours that play on Chang's Korean heritage (they once served a bulgogi camanelle, for example).
Tutto Bene
192 Papanui Road, St Albans, Christchurch
Image credit: Tutto Bene | Instagram
Tutto Bene translates to “all good” but if this is meant to be a reflection of the food, I think the team here have sold themselves short—'cos bloody good seems more appropriate. I'm a dessert girl through-and-through, so you can bet I'm impressed by their gorgeously plated frangipane tarts, vanilla cream panna cotta and limoncello tiramisu; classic Italian desserts made with a whole lotta love. However for occasions that *respectfully* call for more than a bowl of sugar, you can tuck into starters, hand-stretched pizzas (again, available gluten free for a small fee), mains, and of course, pasta, all crafted with equal amounts of TLC. Add in a delightfully cosy atmosphere, and it's not hard to see why this spot has been part of the Christchurch hospo scene for more than 20 years.
Formaggio's
150 Colombo Street, Sydenham, Christchurch
Image credit: Formaggio's | Instagram
If the name or cute chequered tablecloths (notably, in both red AND green) aren't an obvious sign of what lies in store for you at Formaggio's, let me spell it out: some of the best Italian food in Christchurch. Graze on crispy potato skins slathered in olive tapenade and Italian-style French fries before tucking into perfectly cooked pizzas (including a controversial Italian/Kiwi hybrid with, you guessed it, pineapple), risotto, and bowls of piping hot pasta, then affogato and a scoop or three of sorbet. Finsh things in true Italian style, with a shot of limoncello (or at the very least, one of their limoncello martinis). It's also worth mentioning that they offer a dedicated plant-based menu, bravo!
Bomba
13 London Street, Lyttleton, Christchuch
Image credit: Bomba | Instagram
Bomba is where you'll find pizza, as God intended it (i.e. made in the traditional Italian way), prepared by Italian native Ed Monteschio. Here, he channels his upbringing into some of the most delicious slices you'll ever have the privilege of eating (because eating here is indeed, a privilege), with Margherita, Funghi, Salami, Bianca, and Quattro Fromaggi just some of the many options. However, Monteschio has more than one trick up his culinary sleeve—he also crafts some of the city's best gelato (again, made in the traditional Italian manner and nothing short of bellissimo). The covered courtyard, complete with fairy lights and blankies, only adds to the vibe. Bomba, you're the actual bomb.
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Lillies
495 Saint Asaph Street, Phillipstown, Christchurch
Image credit: Lillies | Instagram
New kid on the block Lillies is not an Italian restaurant per se (rather, it labels itself as an cidery, winery and restaurant), but it does dish up some of the best pizzas and Mediterranean-inspired dishes in the city. Run by friends/brewers/hospo veterans Will Lyons-Bowman and Liam Kelleher, come enjoy the fruits of their brick woodfired pizza oven with a range of blistered-crust pizzas slathered in moreish (and at times, unconventional) toppings, plus non-pizza eats also cooked amongst the flames. And in a non-Italian move I'm definitely not mad about, you can also knock back ice cream from their very own soft-serve machine. P.S. I'm a huge fan of the industrial aesthetic here (it's located in a warehouse, after all), finished with a cool sage green paint job.
The Birdwood
76 Malcolm Avenue, Beckenham, Christchurch
Image credit: The Birdwood | Instagram
How's this for a flex? Nick Freeman (who runs The Birdwood with his wife, Sarah), once worked as a chef at The Ritz in London. Those are some pretty incredible credentials, and no doubt a contributing factor to this spots success today. Open from breakfast through dinner, The Birdwood is the place for drinks and eats with mates, as much as a family outing (special shout-out to their three-course Bambino's menu, which is excellent value at $17.50). Make your way through pizza fritti, chicken scallopini, roasted pumpkin ravioli and of course, their signature line-up of woodfired sourdough pizzas; or graze over a salumi board laden in Italian-style bites, with a cheeky glass of vino on the side. Don't forget to utilise their impressive dessert offering (choose from tiramisu, panna cotta, chocolate cake, mixed berry cheescake, affogato, AND sorbet). *Chef's kiss.*
Fire And Slice
7 Wakefield Avenue, Sumner, Christchurch
Image credit: Fire And Slice | Instagram
Another spot slinging fire slices (sorry not sorry) is Fire And Slice, which was actually crowned Best Italian in our recent list of Christchurch's Best Restaurants. The secret to its success? Hand-stretched dough smothered in Italian passata and locally sourced toppings, cooked in a woofired pizza oven til puffy, molten, and altogehter delissimo. Get your fill of Italian classics (Margherita, Pepperoni, Quattro Fromaggi) or watch your Nonna's jaw drop as you tuck into their juicy Hawaiian. Personally, I'll be opting for the smoked chicken number with wood oven roasted mushrooms, blue cheese, walnuts, and apricot chutney. Oof.
Mediterranean Foods
322 Tuam Street, Christchurch Central City
Image credit: Mediterranean Foods | Instagram
If you're a fan of cooking Italian food at home, you're probably already well-acquainted with Mediterranean Foods—the city's one-stop-shop for all your Mediterranean food needs (side note: it also has a shop/deli in the Riverside Market). However, it's also home to an exquisite trattoria, which is still dishing up some of the city's best Italian fare, even after almost 25 years in the game. Open for lunch throughout the week and dinner on Fridays, this is where you come to fuel up on sweet and creamy polenta with sauteed apple and pear for brekkie, tuck into red or white-base pizzas (considered by some as Christchurch's best) from 11am, put away blue cheese gnochhi for dins, and end things in the sweetest possible way (that is, with a slab of tiramisu).
Cafe Valentino
168 St Asaph Street, Christchurch Central City
Image credit: Cafe Valentino | Instagram
Cafe Valentino is one of Christchurch's longest-standing Italian eateries (it opened in 1991) and its popularity is quite literally displayed in the many posters from touring artists who have visited, lining the walls. You might even notice the odd award (or 10). No surprises then that this spot is always buzzing—join the party and get amongst glorious plates of pasta (at last glance, there were about 14 options to choose from) and slices of woodfired pizza (almost as many options), along with plenty of tradish Italian starters and mains, if none of the above floats ya boat. Just ensure you leave a little room in that tum of yours for their lenghthy dessert list-—inparticular, the Valentino chocolate cake with chocolate mousse, orange reduction, and cream.
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Main image credit: Cafe Valentino | Instagram
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