In pizza we crust: Top slices from around Christchurch
1 - Spice up your Slice
Bottle + Stone
This new wee hole in the wall serves up unique al taglio-style pizza - the rectangular kind, with some toppings cooked on, the others laid on fresh. Tuck into a delicious slice and grab a bevvy from the on-site bottle shop (Bottle + Stone makes a pretty good margarita). Ingredients: Spicy salami, Italian sausage, mozzarella, red onion and confit garlic.
2 - Pizza Salsiccia
Francesca’s Italian Kitchen
Francesca’s Italian Kitchen uses local, seasonal produce to make to-die-for woodfired pizzas, as well as a tempting menu of Italian classics that might have you deviating from the pizza menu – maybe. Salsiccia is Italian pork sausage, and this is a homemade recipe inspired by classic northern Italian flavours. Ingredients: Pork sausage, tomato base, roasted onion, ricotta, rocket and mozzarella.
3 - RFC (Republic Fried Chicken)
Pizza Republic
High on vibes, low on pretentiousness, Pizza Republic in Ferrymead is the sort of place where the bartender will learn your name, your favourite order, and how open you are to cheesy pizza jokes. The RFC packs an absolute hit of flavour that will steal a pizza your heart. Ingredients: Crispy fried chicken, Spanish onions, rocket, buffalo mozzarella, Jim Beam BBQ sauce, chipotle mayo, McClure’s sweet and spicy pickles.
4 - Mushroom and Feta
BASE Woodfired Pizza
Christchurch institution BASE started in Re:START mall in 2011, and is now banging out lightly-charred goodies in a corner of Little High, or served from the back of a vintage Bedford truck for the mobile service. Ingredients: Confit garlic, olive oil, mushrooms, feta, mozzarella and fresh thyme.
5 - Nikau
Arbour Woodfired Pizza
A new Lyttelton pizza palace with a clear roof and a bar repurposed from a 120-year-old fishing boat, Arbour’s pizzas are all named after native trees. The Nikau has stolen our hearts, made almost entirely from Aotearoa-sourced ingredients, many of which are from within the Lyttelton Harbour basin. Ingredients: Seasonal, local seafood with capers and dill served with a fresh lemon wedge.
6 - Smoked Salmon
The Rockpool
Quenching thirsts and satisfying appetites in Christchurch since the dawn of pizza (well, 1996, but close), The Rockpool is an expansive and relaxed Christchurch eating and drinking establishment, making classic Italian pizzas loaded with delicious toppings that look as good as they taste. Ingredients: Smoked salmon, red onions, capers, and cream cheese.
