5 Best Italian Restaurants in Christchurch

Below is a list of the top and leading Italian Restaurants in Christchurch. To help you find the best Italian Restaurants located near you in Christchurch we put together our own list based on this rating points list.

Christchurch’s Best Italian Restaurants:

The top rated Italian Restaurants in Christchurch are:

  • Venuti – a family-run Italian restaurant
  • Formaggio’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria – specializes in Italian cuisine
  • ChiChi Kitchen – a fusion of Korean and Italian culinary techniques
  • Cafe Valentino – mouth-watering dishes patterned after classic Italian recipes
  • Tutto Bene Restaurant & Pizzeria – serves Italian and New Zealand favourites

Venuti

Venuti can be found in the Colombo Street area of Christchurch, New Zealand. It is a family-owned and managed restaurant specializing in Italian dishes. They operate from Mondays to Saturdays starting at 6 in the evening until late. Their mains section is the highlight of their menu which features premium local ingredients infused with classic Italian flair. Grilled lamb cutlets, bistecca or grilled eye fillet, veal funghetto or pan-fried veal, chicken camembert, chicken parmigiana, and pesce del giorno or grilled fish of the day are just some of their food offerings.

Products/Services:

Starters, Pasta, Mains, Pizza, Dessert, Sides

LOCATION:

Address: 791 Colombo Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011
Phone: 
(433) 772-454
Website:
www.venuti.co.nz

REVIEWS:

“Best authentic Italian in town. Family run and cooked with love. One of my favourite restaurants in town.” –Jane Thorn

Formaggio’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria

Formaggio’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria has an irresistible menu of Italian favourites. This includes starters, mains, pasta and risottos. The beloved Italian eatery is located in the Christchurch community of New Zealand serving freshly prepared meals and dishes. Their starters menu features arancini siciliani, baked and marinated Italian olives and chowder while the mains section is composed of pollo squisito, pesce del giorno, and braised canterbury lamb. Not to be missed is their risotto, side dishes, and plant-based menu.

Products/Services:

Mains, Plant-Based, Takeaway, Pizza, Kids Menu, Dessert, Wine & Beverage

LOCATION:

Address: 150 Colombo Street, Sydenham, Christchurch 8023
Phone: 
(433) 316-674
Website:
www.formaggios.co.nz

REVIEWS:

“Did not disappoint. Good Italian atmosphere and well mannered, helpful staff. We had one of the bread to start which was very tasty. I had the gnocci as a main and it was beautifully flavourful!” –Anton

ChiChi Kitchen

ChiChi Kitchen serves delicious Italian cuisine to the Canterbury community of New Zealand. The restaurant is a famous dining spot in Christchurch and was opened in 2016. It is home to unique flavours and an unmatched dining experience. Their risotto offers a balance between spices and ingredients and can be either served as a mushroom cream risotto or a green curry risotto. The green curry risotto is patterned after the Thai green curry dish while the mushroom cream risotto is a mix of white button, swiss brown mushroom, and shiitake mushroom.

Products/Services:

Oil Based Pasta, Tomato-Based Sauce Pasta, Cream Based Sauce Pasta,
Ravioli, Risotto, Pizza Wrap, Sides, D.Y.O Pasta, Fresh Pasta

LOCATION:

Address: 270St Asaph St, CBD, Christchurch 8011
Phone: 
(427) 437-3526
Website:
www.chichikitchen.com

REVIEWS:

“When Italian meets Korean, you have an exceptional culinary experience like a marriage in heaven. Humble garlic bread for entrée is buttery and the garlic itself was super crispy. Bulgogi marinated beef on top of campanelle con salsa di pomodoro (Bell pasta with tomato sauce) is an example of well-executed Eurasian fusion food. Highly recommended this humble but eclectic eatery.” –Pleayo Tovaranonte

Cafe Valentino

Cafe Valentino’s starters menu or known to Italians as primi piatti includes olive marinate, polenta fries, salumi plate, arancini, calamari, gamberi all’aglio, crocchetta, and the chicken wings scarpariello. This is the perfect way to start one’s Italian cuisine dining experience. The olive marinate is a mix of fennel, garlic, orange, rosemary, and olives, arancini contain mushroom, spinach and taleggio served with tomato chutney, gamberi all’aglio means garlic prawns, crocchetta translates to ham and fontina cheese and chicken wings scarpariello is a serving of lemon garlic and herb-infused chicken wings. Cafe Valentino is situated in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Products/Services:

Pane & Pizza Bianca (Bread & Flatbread), Primi Piatti (Starters), Pizza, I Contorni (For The Table), Pasta, Secondi (Mains), Dessert

LOCATION:

Address: 168 Saint Asaph Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013
Phone: 
(433) 771-886
Website:
www.cafevalentino.co.nz

REVIEWS:

“Was here to celebrate a birthday with a group. I find Cafe Valentino is great for both group occasions and more intimate events. This time I had fettuccine al salmone E vodka. It was so delightfully creamy and filling. Was so delicious. Will definitely have that again. The service was fairly prompt and friendly.” –Kiara Wells

Tutto Bene Restaurant & Pizzeria

Tutto Bene Restaurant & Pizzeria has been serving luscious Italian dishes and meals since 2002. They have classic New Zealand mains, Italian-style pizzas, plant-based food selections, and vegetarian-friendly menus. One must not miss the main course selections packed with natural flavours and relish the ingredients used. Some of the dishes offered are pollo squisito, tutto bene canterbury lamb, pesce del giorno, bistecca, spaghetti puttanesca, cannelloni fiorentina, spaghetti bolognese, spaghetti roberto, le lasagne, portobello risotto, cheeky gnocchi, gnocchi piselli & zucca, and braised beef ravioli. Head over to Christchurch, New Zealand for a taste of their mouth-watering menu.

Products/Services:

Appetisers, Main Courses, Pizzeria, Plant-Based, Takeaway, Dessert, Wine & Beverage List, Group Menus

LOCATION:

Address: 192 Papanui Road, Merivale, Christchurch 8014
Phone: 
(433) 554-744
Website:
www.tuttobene.co.nz

REVIEWS:

“This is my favourite Italian restaurant in town. Food was so delicious especially calzone and I finished my dinner with affogato. It was a perfect night out.” –Tarn Dellotty