Kidd's Cakes & Bakery

About Kidd's Cakes & Bakery

Kidd’s Cakes & Bakery is a long-standing Christchurch institution located on Cranford Street in St Albans. Established in 1986 by Martin Meehan, the bakery grew from modest beginnings in a converted garage into an award-winning destination renowned for celebratory cakes, traditional baked goods, and hearty cafe dining.

Alongside an extensive catalogue of custom decorated cakes and catering, the on-site cafe serves full breakfast and lunch menus daily from morning through early afternoon. Guests can relax in the sheltered garden courtyard, pick up fresh artisan pies and cabinet delicacies, or order bespoke celebration cakes handcrafted by their bakery team.

Kidd’s Cakes & Bakery: Christchurch’s Home of Award-Winning Baking and Warm Cafe Hospitality

For nearly four decades, Kidd’s Cakes & Bakery has stood at the centre of celebrations and morning routines across Christchurch. What began as a modest cake-baking operation run by Martin Meehan in a converted family garage back in 1986 has grown into a cherished St Albans cornerstone. Today, situated at 254 Cranford Street, Kidd’s combines the charm of a classic bakery with the welcoming warmth of a full-service neighbourhood cafe.

Decades of Craft and Accolades

The bakery's history is woven with serious baking pedigree. After spending 27 years just down the road at 244 Cranford Street, Kidd’s moved into its expanded premises in 2014, continuing a steadfast commitment to high-grade ingredients and genuine customer care. Over the decades, the team has accumulated some of New Zealand’s highest baking honours, including winning Gold twice in the Great New Zealand Pie Contest, twice taking top honours for the Best Hot Cross Buns in New Zealand, and being crowned New Zealand Bakery of the Year in 2010.

While accolades highlight their technical skill, the true measure of their craft sits in the memories they have helped create. Over thirty-plus years, Kidd’s has produced roughly 120,000 decorated cakes, marking milestone birthdays, 21sts, weddings, christenings, and anniversaries for generations of Canterbury families.

A Complete Cafe Experience

Beyond celebratory confectionery, the Cranford Street venue operates a bustling cafe with a kitchen that fires up from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM daily. The menu covers everything from hearty morning favourites like The BIG Breakfast and house-made Eggs Benedict on scratch-baked English muffins, to lighter fare like smashed avocado on toasted ciabatta with fresh tomato salsa and basil pesto oil.

Those looking for midday sustenance will find crispy karaage chicken bites with spicy Korean sauce, seafood fisherman's baskets, and hearty loaded potato wedges alongside a full children's menu. Complementing the kitchen orders is a deep cabinet stocked daily with freshly prepared sandwiches, crisp salads, flaky pastries, and their renowned hot meat pies.

Relaxed Courtyard Setting for the Whole Community

Kidd’s has earned its enduring reputation by making everyone feel at ease. The sheltered garden courtyard offers a sunny escape complete with a small play area designed to keep younger children entertained while parents enjoy hot coffee and fresh brunch. Thoughtful touches extend throughout the space, with accessible facilities and baby changing amenities ensuring that locals of all ages can share a table comfortably.

Signature items

• Award Winning Meat Pies
• The BIG Breakfast
• Blackforest Cherry Pancakes
• Custom Decorated Cakes
• Award Winning Hot Cross Buns
• Eggs Benedict

Menu

Lunch

• Karaage Chicken — Crispy fried karaage chicken bites with a spicy Korean sauce
• Fisherman's Basket — Crumbed hoki, squid rings, fish bites, prawn cutlets, and popcorn shrimp, served with fries
• Bowl Of Fries — Served with aioli & tomato sauce (GF)
• Wedges — Potato wedges served hot (GF available)
• Loaded Wedges — Topped with bacon & melted cheese and served with sour cream and sweet chilli sauce (GF available)

Cake Flavours

• Banana Cake — Classic bakery cake flavour option
• Carrot Cake — Traditional spiced carrot cake
• Black Forest Cake — Rich chocolate and cherry classic cake
• Chocolate Cake — Classic rich chocolate sponge cake

Children'S Menu

• Kids Egg On Toast — One free range egg, any style on toasted ciabatta with a hash brown or bacon (GF available)
• Sprinkle Pancakes — Three mini pancakes stacked with fresh cream and maple syrup
• Chicken Nuggets & Fries — Chicken nuggets and fries served with tomato sauce
• Fish & Chips — Mini fish bites served with fries & tomato sauce
• Kids Platter — Chicken or ham sandwich, gingerbread cookie and raisins

Sides & Add-Ons

• Sausages — Side portion
• Spinach — Side portion
• Avocado — Side portion
• Mushrooms — Side portion
• Bacon — Side portion
• Tomato — Side portion
• Hash Browns — Side portion
• Baked Beans — Side portion

Bakery & Cabinet

• Award Winning Meat Pies — Gold medal-winning savoury baked pies
• Hot Cross Buns — Award-winning spiced sweet buns
• Decorated & Custom Cakes — Special event cakes including birthday, wedding, anniversary, and corporate designs
• Cupcakes, Cookies & Desserts — Assorted fresh sweet bakery cabinet treats
• Salads & Sandwiches — Daily fresh savoury cabinet selection

All Day Breakfast

• The BIG Breakfast — 2 free range eggs, braised mushrooms, bacon, sausages, baked beans, hash browns and toasted ciabatta (GF available)
• Eggs on Toast — 2 free range eggs, any style, on toasted ciabatta (GF available)
• Eggs Benedict — 2 poached free range eggs with hollandaise on a home-made English muffin with bacon, or mushrooms & spinach (GF available)
• Omelette — Grated mozzarella and choice of three fillings: feta, spinach, bacon, mushroom, onion, served with hash browns (GF)
• Blackforest Cherry Pancakes — Three buttermilk vanilla pancakes stacked with cherry compote, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and maple syrup
• Bacon Buttie & Fries — Toasted bacon buttie with tomato relish, served with fries and tomato sauce (GF available)
• Muesli Bowl — Muesli served with fruit, yoghurt, and maple syrup
• Toasted Bagels — Served with cream cheese, pesto, or jam
• Breakfast Bap — Grilled sausage and bacon on a toasted bap with a fried egg and HP relish, served with fries
• Smashed Avocado — Smashed avocado on toasted ciabatta with fresh tomato salsa, poached egg, and basil pesto oil

Frequently asked questions

Where is Kidd's Cakes & Bakery located?

Kidd's Cakes & Bakery is located at 254 Cranford Street in St Albans, Christchurch, New Zealand.

What time is the cafe menu served?

The hot breakfast and lunch menu is prepared by chefs daily from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Can I order custom celebration and wedding cakes?

Yes, Kidd's specialises in custom decorated cakes for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, corporate events, christenings, and baby showers.

Are gluten-free options available on the menu?

Many breakfast and lunch items offer gluten-free preparation or gluten-free options, though food is prepared on premises that handle gluten, dairy, and nuts without a dedicated gluten-free fryer.

Is the cafe child-friendly?

Yes, the cafe features a sheltered garden courtyard with a dedicated kids' play area, high chairs, baby changing facilities, and a specific children's meal menu.

Are there facilities for disabled and elderly visitors?

Yes, the venue offers disabled access and has a wheelchair available for use on site.

Tips

• {"body":"The sheltered outdoor courtyard is the best spot to sit, especially for families with young children who can enjoy the play area.","title":"Head to the Garden Courtyard"}
• {"body":"While the bakery and store remain open until 4:00 PM, cooked cafe meals are available strictly between 7:00 AM and 2:00 PM.","title":"Watch the Kitchen Hours"}
• {"body":"Be sure to grab one of their meat pies or hot cross buns, which have won gold medals across national New Zealand competitions.","title":"Sample the Award Winners"}

Good to know

• {"family":"High chairs, baby changing facilities, children's menu, and courtyard play area.","dietary":"Gluten-free options available; kitchen handles gluten, dairy, and nuts with no separate GF fryer.","accessibility":"Disabled access provided with a wheelchair available on site."}