Pi Day Pie Trip from Christchurch

A Pi Day Pie Trail from Christchurch

Think of this as a menu rather than a strict itinerary.

You can:

• Grab a pie close to town if you’re short on time.
• Add a couple of stops to a relaxed day out.
• Use the full list as your “pie checklist” as you travel further south.

Approximate drive times are from central Christchurch:

Drive time: 10-15 mins

“The Butcher’s Pie Shop” (Riverside market) and “Pies and Coffee” (Selwyn Street)

Drive time: 25-30 mins

“Hope River Pies” (Lyttelton)

Drive time: 50-60 mins

“Sheffield Pie Shop” (Sheffield)

Drive time: 1hr30mins-2hr30mins

“Barker’s Foodstore & Eatery” (Geraldine) and “Fairlie Bakehouse” (Fairlie)

The Butcher’s Pie Shop (Riverside Market)

Right in the heart of Riverside Market, The Butcher’s Pie Shop delivers beautiful pastry and well-seasoned fillings. Standouts include steak and cheese, butter chicken, pork belly apple with crackling, and even hangi pies. Perfect if you’re staying central or wandering along the Ōtākaro/Avon River.

Learn more about The Butcher’s Pie Shop

Pies and Coffee (Selwyn Street)

Tucked away on Selwyn Street, Pies and Coffee is a small local bakery and coffee spot earning five-star praise for its pies, slices, and in-house roasted beans. Recent visitors rave about exceptional pies and friendly owners. It’s an easy first stop if you’re based in the city or just picking up a rental and want something quick but quality.

Learn more about Pies and Coffee

Hope River Pies (Lyttelton)

Head over the Port Hills to Lyttelton for pies that punch above their weight. At 10a Norwich Quay, Hope River offers inventive gourmet fillings like roast veg with coconut curry & cashew, slow-cooked lamb & kumara, or seafood potato-topped pies. Reviews call them “best pies on the planet”,  great with coffee or at weekend markets.

Learn more about Hope River Pies

Sheffield Pie (Sheffield)

Aim inland towards Sheffield for a countryside classic. The World Famous Sheffield Pie Shop draws locals and travellers with venison whiskey, steak, bacon, cheese, onion, lamb and mint pies. Often queues, but it’s a handy pie break en route to Arthur’s Pass or the West Coast.

Learn more about Sheffield Pies

Barker’s Foodstore & Eatery (Geraldine)

Geraldine is a natural highway pause on SH79 southbound, and Barker’s gives you great coffee, pies or sausage rolls from the cabinet, plus tastings of their sauces, chutneys and cordials. Reviews love it as a big, bright snack stop heading to the lakes and Queenstown.

Learn more about Barker’s Foodstore & Eatery

Fairlie Bakehouse (Fairlie)

Fairlie is pie pilgrimage territory, and Fairlie Bakehouse tops lists like SeeTheSouthIsland’s #1 for its pork belly pie with crackling. Not a quick trip from Christchurch, but essential if driving toward Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook, or Queenstown, time it for lunch.

Learn more about Fairlie Bakehouse

How to Celebrate Pi Day (without over-planning)

You can lean into the Pi Day theme as much or as little as you like:

• Aim to eat your first bite of pie at 3:14pm.

• Try to visit 3 pie shops in one day (3.14 might be pushing it…).

• Share a photo of your pie and tag your favourite local businesses or #BrilliantPiDayPie

You don’t have to complete the whole trail or turn it into a big trip to “count” it as celebrating Pi Day, even one really good pie absolutely qualifies.

Making It Work with Your Travel Plans

If you’re hiring a car in Christchurch for a wider South Island itinerary, this list doubles as a handy reference for where to stop along the way:

Staying mainly around Christchurch?

Pies and coffee, Butcher’s (city), Hope River (harbour).

Heading west or looping back via the mountains?

Drop into Sheffield as a classic roadside stop.

Travelling towards Tekapo, Aoraki/Mount Cook, or Queenstown?

Plan a break at Barker’s (Geraldine) or Fairlie Bakehouse for a proper bakery lunch.

You can enjoy the Pi Day idea on 14 March, or simply use it any time of year when a good pie and a scenic drive sound appealing.