Do I need a reservation at Bomba?

Reservations are strongly recommended since Bomba makes a limited number of dough balls daily to ensure quality. Walk-ins and takeaways are welcome if dough remains, but availability isn't guaranteed.

Where is Bomba located and what are the hours?

Bomba is at 40 London Street, Lyttelton, Christchurch. Hours are Wednesday to Friday 4pm–8pm, Friday also from 12pm, Saturday 11am–8pm, and Sunday 12pm–7pm.

Does Bomba offer gluten-free pizza?

Yes, a gluten-free base is available for an extra charge, when in stock.

Are there vegetarian or vegan options?

Yes, several pizzas are marked vegetarian (v) or vegan (vv) on the menu.

What else is on the menu besides pizza?

Bomba also serves appetisers and sides, desserts like gelato, tiramisu, and affogato, and a full drinks list including wine, beer, cocktails, and non-alcoholic options.

Bomba Pizza Napoletana

Name: Bomba Pizza Napoletana
Address: 40 London Street, Lyttelton, Christchurch, Lyttelton, Canterbury, NZ
Telephone: 027 714 0042
Price range: $

restaurant — Lyttelton · Christchurch

About Bomba Pizza Napoletana

Bomba Pizza Napoletana is an authentic Neapolitan pizza restaurant in the heart of Lyttelton, Christchurch. What began as a small gelateria in 2019 has grown into a beloved neighbourhood pizzeria, founded by Italian/Brazilian owner Ed Monteschio and his partner Jeneve Williams.

Bomba's dough is made fresh daily with Italian '00' flour and fresh yeast, undergoing more than 30 hours of slow fermentation before being hand-shaped and baked at high heat for a soft, chewy, lightly blistered Neapolitan crust. Because only a limited number of dough balls are made each day, reservations are strongly recommended, though walk-ins and takeaways are welcome if dough remains.

The menu covers Pizza Pomodoro (red base) and Pizza Bianca (white base) pizzas, calzones, appetisers and sides, desserts including gelato and tiramisu, and a full drinks list of Italian wines, beers, cocktails, and non-alcoholic options. Bomba also serves pizza by the slice for $5 every Saturday at the Lyttelton Farmers Market from 9am to 1pm.

Bomba Pizza Napoletana: Authentic Neapolitan Pizza in Lyttelton, Christchurch

On a sun-warmed corner of Lyttelton, Bomba Pizza Napoletana brings the spirit, flavour, and rhythm of southern Italy to the harbour. What began as a small gelateria in 2019 has grown into a beloved neighbourhood pizzeria — a place where locals gather, visitors linger, and strangers quickly become friends.\n\nBomba was founded by Italian/Brazilian owner Ed Monteschio and his partner Jeneve Williams. Ed grew up in an Italian family where food was central to everyday life, and that sense of warmth carries through everything served at Bomba, built on a simple belief: food is sacred, and feeding people is an honour.\n\n## True Neapolitan Craft\n\nBomba's pizza follows the traditions of Napoli — simple quality ingredients, deep patience, and uncompromising technique. The dough is made with Italian '00' flour and fresh yeast, mixed daily and left to rest and mature slowly through a fermentation process that takes more than 30 hours. This patient approach develops flavour, digestibility, and a light texture that fast-made dough can't achieve.\n\nEach portion is hand-cut and gently rounded into individual dough balls, then left to relax again before service. When it's time to bake, the dough is opened by hand — never rolled — preserving the air inside so the crust rises with a soft, chewy texture and a lightly blistered, crisp exterior when it hits the intense heat of the oven.\n\n## What They're Known For\n\nBecause Bomba produces a limited number of dough balls daily to ensure peak quality, reservations are strongly recommended to guarantee a table. Walk-ins and takeaways are welcome if dough remains, but availability isn't always guaranteed — as the restaurant puts it, \"it's not about scarcity, it's about serving pizza at its absolute best.\"\n\nThe menu covers both Pizza Pomodoro (red base) options like Marinara, Margherita, Primavera, Funghi, Diavola, and Capricciosa, and Pizza Bianca (white base) options including Salsiccia e Friarielli, 'Nduja Cipolla Rossa, Funghi Tartufo, and Quattro Formaggi. Calzones are also available, and can be made as pizza on request. Vegetarian and vegan options are marked throughout the menu, and a gluten-free base is available when in stock.\n\nBeyond pizza, Bomba serves appetisers and sides like polenta chips, Bomba bread, and garlic bread, along with desserts including gelato, tiramisu, affogato, and dessert pizza. The drinks list runs from Italian sparkling and still wines, rosé, and reds, through to local tap beers, low and no-alcohol options, ciders, non-alcoholic Italian sodas, and a full cocktail list featuring Negronis, Aperol Spritz, and Limoncello-based drinks.\n\n## More Than Pizza\n\nMany guests first discover Bomba at the Lyttelton Farmers Market, where the team serves hot slices for $5 every Saturday from 9am to 1pm to a steady stream of early-morning regulars and curious travellers. As Bomba puts it, Neapolitan pizza is best eaten fresh, hot, and in the moment — \"just dough, fire, time, and people.\"\n\nThe restaurant has built a strong reputation, with reviewer Alessio Musa calling it the \"Best Pizza in Christchurch by far,\" praising the light dough, EVOO, buffalo mozzarella, and fresh basil as \"the real deal if you are looking for authentic flavors.\"\n\n## Visiting Bomba\n\nBomba is located at 40 London Street, Lyttelton, Christchurch. Opening hours are Wednesday to Friday 4pm–8pm, Friday additionally from 12pm, Saturday 11am–8pm, and Sunday 12pm–7pm. You can call Bomba directly to reserve a table or ask about availability, and the restaurant is active on both Facebook and Instagram.\n\nFor anyone chasing genuinely authentic Neapolitan pizza on Christchurch's harbour side, Bomba's slow-fermented dough, hand-shaped bases, and full Italian-inspired menu make it a destination worth booking ahead for.

Signature items

Margherita
Diavola
'Nduja Salami
Quattro Formaggi
Tiramisu
Aperol Spritz

Prosecco — Light & crisp Italian sparkling white wine.
Lambrusco — Fruity Italian, spritzy red.
Brut Cuvee N.7 Franciacorta — Crisp mineral notes, perfect for aperitifs and delicate starters.
Pinot Grigio — A dry & fresh wine with notes of citrus.
Mandrarossa Fiano — Bright refreshing white wine, similar to Chardonnay.
Terras De Felgueiras Vinho Verde — Lightly sparkling, light and crisp Portuguese wine, similar to Sauvignon Blanc.
Grand 'Arte Alvarinho — Dry, full-bodied with a creamy character, similar to Pinot Grigio.
Lar de Paula Rosé Rioja — Delightful, low acid, soft Spanish rosé.
Poggio al Sale Chianti Riserva — Smooth, easy drinking classic Italian red, similar to Shiraz.
Galassi Montepulciano — Dry and harmonious, slightly tannic, similar to Merlot.
Beronia Rioja — Full-bodied Spanish red with ripe fruit, cherry, plum, and red berries.

Dessert

Gelato / Sorbetto — As available.
Tiramisu
Affogato
Dessert Pizza

Digestif

Amaretto — Almond based liqueur, 30ml.
Grappa — Grape based brandy, 30ml.
Limoncello — Lemon based liquor, 30ml.

Cocktails

Negroni Classico — Campari, Rosso Vermouth, Gin.
Aperol Spritz — Aperol, Prosecco, Soda Water.
Campari Spritz — Campari, Prosecco, Soda water.
Limoncello Spritz — Limoncello, Prosecco, Soda Water.
Limoncello Sour — Limoncello, Vodka, Lemon Juice, Fomo Vegan Foam.
Negroni Sour — Campari, Rosso Vermouth, Gin, Lemon Juice, Fomo Vegan Foam.
Gin & Tonic — Malfi Gin.

Beer & Cider

Local Tap Selection — A rotating selection of local beers.
Peroni Nastro Azzurro 5% — Italian classic birra, 330ml bottle.
Cassels Light Owl 2.5% — A low ABV option, brewed in Woolston, 330ml bottle.
Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0% — Italian classic birra, 330ml bottle.
Zeffer Hard Lemonade 4% — Alcoholic lemonade brewed in Hawkes Bay, 330ml can.
Zeffer Hazy Ginger Beer 5% — Alcoholic ginger beer brewed in Hawkes Bay, 330ml can.

Non-Alcoholic

Italian Soda — Classic tart Italian fizzy drinks.
Tavina Elegentia — Italian mineral water, 750ml bottle.
San Pellegrino Soda Water — 250ml.
Fruit Juice — Apple, orange, pineapple, or cranberry.
Coffee — Lyttelton Coffee Co beans, espresso or long black.
Affogato — Vanilla gelato & espresso.

Add To Your Pizza

Gluten Free Base (If Available)
Half and Half Pizza
Olives
Rocket, Funghi, Artichokes
Anchovies, Pancetta, Prosciutto, Salami
Pizza Crust Dips — Marinara (vv), Basil Pesto (v), Tapenade (vv), or 'Nduja Mayo.

Appetisers And Sides

Olives (vv)
Fries (vv)
Polenta Chips (v) — With marinara sauce.
Bomba Bread (vv) — With balsamic & EVOO.
Garlic Bread (v) — With balsamic & EVOO.

Pizza - Bianca (White Base)

Pizza Bianca — Fior di latte, mascarpone, leek, pancetta.
Salsiccia e Friarielli — Fior di latte, fennel pork sausage, friarielli, pecorino.
'Nduja Cipolla Rossa — Fior di latte, 'nduja (spicy, spreadable cured pork sausage), red onion.
'Nduja Salami — Fior di latte, 'nduja, spiced salami, mascarpone, semi-dried tomato.
Funghi Tartufo (v) — Fior di latte, mushrooms, truffle oil.
Quattro Formaggi (v) — Fior di latte, ricotta, gorgonzola dolce, grana padano.

Pizza - Pomodoro (Red Base)

Marinara (vv) — Pomodoro, garlic, oregano.
Margherita (v) — Pomodoro, fior di latte, parmesan, basil.
Primavera (v) — Pomodoro, fior di latte, olives, onion, semi-dried tomato, oregano.
Funghi (v) — Pomodoro, fior di latte, mushrooms in sautéed garlic.
Tapenade (v) — Olive paste, fior di latte, artichoke, onion, semi-dried tomatoes.
Parmigiano e Rucola (v) — Pomodoro, fior di latte, rocket, grana padano. +$5 for prosciutto.
Pancetta — Pomodoro, fior di latte, pancetta.
Salami — Pomodoro, fior di latte, salami.
Diavola — Pomodoro, fior di latte, spicy salami, Aleppo chilli flakes.
Capricciosa — Pomodoro, fior di latte, ham, artichoke, black olive, mushroom, oregano.

Calzone (Can Be Made As Pizza)

Pancetta — Pomodoro, fior di latte, pancetta Italian bacon.
Ricotta e Melanzane (v) — Fior di latte, ricotta cream, fried aubergine, sun dried tomato pesto, basil.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a reservation at Bomba?: Reservations are strongly recommended since Bomba makes a limited number of dough balls daily to ensure quality. Walk-ins and takeaways are welcome if dough remains, but availability isn't guaranteed.
Where is Bomba located and what are the hours?: Bomba is at 40 London Street, Lyttelton, Christchurch. Hours are Wednesday to Friday 4pm–8pm, Friday also from 12pm, Saturday 11am–8pm, and Sunday 12pm–7pm.
Does Bomba offer gluten-free pizza?: Yes, a gluten-free base is available for an extra charge, when in stock.
Are there vegetarian or vegan options?: Yes, several pizzas are marked vegetarian (v) or vegan (vv) on the menu.
Can I get Bomba pizza outside the restaurant?: Yes, Bomba serves pizza by the slice for $5 every Saturday at the Lyttelton Farmers Market from 9am to 1pm.
Who founded Bomba?: Bomba was founded by Italian/Brazilian owner Ed Monteschio and his partner Jeneve Williams, starting as a small gelateria in 2019.
What else is on the menu besides pizza?: Bomba also serves appetisers and sides, desserts like gelato, tiramisu, and affogato, and a full drinks list including wine, beer, cocktails, and non-alcoholic options.

Tips

{"body":"Bomba makes a limited number of dough balls each day, so reservations are strongly recommended to guarantee a table and pizza.","title":"Book ahead"}
{"body":"Bomba serves pizza by the slice for $5 every Saturday from 9am-1pm at the Lyttelton Farmers Market.","title":"Catch them at the Lyttelton Farmers Market"}
{"body":"The gluten-free base is only available if in stock, so it's worth asking when booking or ordering.","title":"Ask about the gluten-free base early"}
{"body":"Menu items like the Margherita and Marinara showcase the traditional 30+ hour fermented dough at its simplest.","title":"Try the true Neapolitan classics first"}

Good to know

{"dietary":"Vegetarian (v) and vegan (vv) options are marked on the menu, and a gluten-free base is available when in stock."}