Formaggio's

About Formaggio's

Formaggio's is a warm and welcoming Italian ristorante and pizzeria situated on Colombo Street in Christchurch. Known for its convivial atmosphere and generous hospitality, the restaurant crafts authentic Italian flavours alongside classic New Zealand mains. Their kitchen emphasizes real food prepared with care, sourcing quality produce from local suppliers and bringing people together over hearty meals.

The kitchen is led by skilled pizza chefs Harry and Damio, who make their dough and bases fresh from scratch daily. Beyond traditional wood-fired-style pizzas and comforting handmade pastas, Formaggio's is celebrated locally for its dedicated plant-based menu—affectionately noted as world famous in Christchurch—as well as comprehensive vegetarian and gluten-free-friendly options to welcome every diner.

Whether dropping by for an evening pizza takeaway, gathering family around plates of slow-braised short rib ravioli, or hosting a larger group celebration paired with a curated selection of Italian and New Zealand wines, Formaggio's offers a relaxed neighbourhood Italian dining experience.

Formaggio's Ristorante & Pizzeria: Handcrafted Italian Dining in Christchurch

Finding an Italian eatery that strikes the exact balance between relaxed neighbourhood comfort and uncompromising culinary craft is rare. On Colombo Street, Formaggio’s Ristorante & Pizzeria has built its reputation on precisely that combination. Serving diners seven nights a week from 5:00pm until late, the restaurant pairs genuine Italian warmth with premium local Canterbury produce.

The philosophy at Formaggio’s centres on honest food made in-house by an experienced, passionate team. Rather than cutting corners, the kitchen invests time in authentic preparation, making their dishes from scratch and showcasing high-grade ingredients sourced from trusted local artisans, including meats from Traiteur of Merivale and Canterbury Agria potatoes for their crispy fries.

Daily Scratch Pizzas and Time-Honoured Pastas

Pizza at Formaggio’s is an art form overseen daily by pizza chefs Harry and Damio. Working from scratch every single day, the chefs stretch their signature dough to a classic 30-centimetre Medio size cut into eight generous slices. The pizza selection spans beloved traditions to bold specialty creations. Leading the pack is the Pollo Pesto—the restaurant's undisputed crowd favourite—topped with basil-pinenut pesto, tender smoked chicken, fresh tomato, avocado, mozzarella, and parmesan. Those looking for robust flavours gravitate toward the Montanara, which pairs spicy Italian sausage with blue cheese, mushroom, prosciutto, and fresh rocket, or the folded Calzone Paradiso.

For pasta lovers, the menu reads like a journey through regional Italy. Signature dishes like Spaghetti Roberto bring together spicy sausage and savoury chicken meatballs in a garlic-scented tomato-basil sauce. The classic Lasagne delivers comfort inspired by Naples, while the slow-braised beef short rib ravioli, bathed in a creamy portobello mushroom and roasted capsicum sauce, demonstrates the kitchen’s dedication to rich, slow-simmered depths of flavour.

Dedicated Plant-Based Dining and Dietary Hospitality

One of Formaggio’s standout achievements is its welcoming approach to dietary needs. Rather than treating non-meat and gluten-free diners as an afterthought, the restaurant features a dedicated plant-based menu that has earned local fame across Christchurch. Pizzas such as the Zucca e Zucchine and Ortolana are carefully assembled with plant-based cheeses, roasted garlic, and seasonal garden vegetables, offering plant-based patrons a rich, flavourful Italian feast without compromise.

Gluten-free diners are equally well catered for, with numerous pizzas and pasta selections available gluten-free upon request. Starters like the golden Arancini Siciliani with melted taleggio cheese and the signature chilli-and-pesto-topped pizza bread ensure that every shared meal begins on an indulgent note.

An Accommodating Venue for Evenings and Celebrations

Formaggio's is designed as a convivial gathering space. Its fully licenced bar pours a tailored selection of Italian imports alongside respected local wines, such as Waipara Chardonnay, alongside Italian and New Zealand beers. Whether sitting down for a table of two, booking out space for a lively group celebration with house desserts, or calling ahead for takeaway pizza on a busy weeknight, Formaggio’s delivers a reliable, authentic slice of Italy to Christchurch.

Signature items

• Pollo Pesto Pizza
• Spaghetti Roberto
• Arancini Siciliani
• Braised Beef Ravioli
• Funghi Pizza
• Signature Pizza Bread

Menu

Bistecca

• Beef fillet — Grilled Canterbury beef fillet aged for a minimum of 28 days by Traiteur of Merivale, served with potato gratin, seasonal vegetables and Café Roma butter.

Dine-In Pizza

• Zucca e Zucchine — Roasted pumpkin, zucchini, caramelised onion, sundried tomato, garlic, plant-based mozzarella & parmesan.
• Ortolana — Spinach, tomato, mushroom, olives, artichokes, capsicum, roasted garlic, plant-based mozzarella, parmesan, rocket, pinenuts.
• Margherita — Napoli sauce, tomato, mozzarella, basil, olive oil and parmesan.
• Fiorentina — Napoli sauce, tomato, spinach, ricotta, olives, mozzarella, parmesan & pinenuts.
• Funghi — White-sauce, porcini, portobello, goat cheese, mozzarella, black truffle oil-crème fraiche & rocket.
• Salmone — Napoli sauce, smoked salmon, tomato, red onion, capers & mozzarella.
• Pollo Pesto — Basil-pinenut pesto, smoked chicken, tomato, avocado, mozzarella & parmesan.
• New Zealand Favourite — Napoli sauce, ham, pineapple & mozzarella.
• Montanara — Napoli sauce, spicy Italian sausage, blue cheese, mushroom, mozzarella, garnished with prosciutto & rocket.
• Magnifico! — Napoli sauce, tomato, salami, ham, mushroom, capsicum, black olives & mozzarella.
• Di Carne — Napoli sauce, spicy Italian sausage, chicken meatballs, ham, salami, mushroom, black olives & mozzarella.
• Diavola — Napoli sauce, salami, anchovies, olives, tomato, garlic & chilli.
• Calzone Paradiso — Folded pizza with Napoli sauce, salami, smoked chicken, tomato, mozzarella, ricotta, capsicum & parmesan.

Antipasti ~ Small Plates

• Arancini Siciliani — Crumbed then lightly fried taleggio & roasted red pepper risotto balls served with smoky tomato aioli.
• Baked & Marinated Italian Olives — Kalamata & green Sicilian olives with house-made focaccia, olive oil & balsamic.
• Truffled Polenta Chips — Crispy, soft centred golden polenta chips served with aioli.
• Bruschetta Classica — Toasted focaccia topped with tomato, garlic, fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil and aged balsamic reduction.
• Pizza Bread — Signature pizza bread baked with garlic, cheese, chilli & basil-pinenut pesto.
• Pane all’Aglio — Formaggio’s ciabatta baked with garlic & herb butter.
• Della Casa — House salad of mixed leaves, tomato, cucumber, carrot, red onion, black olives and Italian dressing.
• Crispy Potato Skins — Served with kalamata olive tapenade, tomato salsa and aioli.
• Side of Seasonal Vegetables — Defined by chef’s whim and the season of the year.
• Italian French Fries – Kiwi-style — Canterbury Agria potatoes served with house aioli and signature crunch.

Pasta ~ Gnocchi ~ Risotto

• Spaghetti Puttanesca — Napoli sauce, Portobello mushroom, sundried tomatoes, kalamata olives & capers.
• Cannelloni Fiorentina — Oodles of spinach, ricotta and parmesan baked with Napoli sauce, served with seasonal vegetables.
• Spaghetti Bolognese — Hearty ragu prepared with organic beef & pork from Traiteur of Merivale.
• Spaghetti Roberto — Spicy Italian sausage and chicken meatballs in a tomato, basil & garlic sauce.
• Le Lasagne — Formaggio’s rendition of a best-loved Naples classic, served with seasonal vegetables.
• The Carbonara — Fettuccini, smoky streaky bacon sautéed with Portobello mushroom in a rich cream, egg yolk & parmesan sauce.
• Gnocchi Piselli & Zucca — Potato gnocchi with pumpkin, chargrilled zucchini and peas, finished with goat cheese, crispy sage and pinenuts.
• Gnocchi Verde — Potato gnocchi, smoked chicken, spicy sausage & zucchini in a creamy basil-pinenut pesto sauce.
• Braised Beef Ravioli — Slow-braised beef short rib ravioli in a creamy Portobello mushroom & roasted capsicum sauce.
• The Risotto — House risotto created fresh by the kitchen team.

Frequently asked questions

What days and times is Formaggio's open?

Formaggio's is open seven days a week, Monday through Sunday, from 5:00pm until late.

Can I book a table online?

Yes, bookings for up to 8 guests can be made directly online. For groups larger than 8, the restaurant asks that you call or email directly.

Are takeaway orders available?

Yes, Formaggio's offers a dedicated takeaway menu featuring pizzas, pastas, and risotto.

Does Formaggio's cater to vegan and plant-based diets?

Yes, Formaggio's features a dedicated plant-based menu with vegan starters, pastas, and pizzas using plant-based cheese.

Are there gluten-free options available?

Yes, many pasta and pizza options are available gluten-free on request (gfa), though the kitchen is not an allergen-free zone.

Is Formaggio's a fully licensed restaurant?

Yes, Formaggio's is fully licenced and offers a curated list of Italian and New Zealand wines and beers.

Tips

• {"body":"The Pollo Pesto pizza with smoked chicken, avocado, and basil-pinenut pesto is the kitchen's most popular order.","title":"Try the Crowd-Favourite Pizza"}
• {"body":"Tables up to eight can be reserved online, but larger private groups and birthday parties should phone in advance to arrange seating.","title":"Reserve Early for Groups"}
• {"body":"Don't overlook the plant-based menu; the kitchen crafts full vegan Italian courses that are locally renowned.","title":"Explore the Dedicated Vegan Selection"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Kids menu available with classic pizzas, pastas, and ice cream sundaes.","dietary":"Extensive plant-based vegan menu; gluten-free available on request across pizzas and pastas.","parking":"Parking is available at the Colombo Street venue."}