Café Valentino has been part of Christchurch dining since 1991, but its present home carries a story of its own. The restaurant reopened at 168 St Asaph Street in 2012 after the earthquakes, occupying a strengthened former Manchester Unity Lodge Hall built in 1904. Signed posters from touring shows lend the room a connection to the city's performing life and keep the historic setting from feeling museum-like. The result is an evening restaurant with genuine continuity: an established local name, a post-earthquake chapter and a characterful building brought into active use.

Pizza is anchored in a deliberately traditional process. Bases are hand spun from Italian tipo 00 flour, then topped with a house sauce made from San Marzano tomatoes and, where possible, locally made buffalo mozzarella. A custom two-tonne oven imported from Italy provides the wood-fired finish. That care gives the pizza list a distinct place within a much broader Italian menu rather than treating it as a casual extra. Starters and salads allow a table to ease into dinner, while the range of toppings makes pizza equally workable as a shared centrepiece.

Pasta covers both familiar combinations and more substantial restaurant plates. Pesto, seafood, carbonara and slow-cooked ragu sit alongside cannelloni, lasagne and gnocchi, creating options that range from bright and herbaceous to deeply comforting. Beyond pasta, the kitchen moves into chicken, Canterbury beef, lamb kidneys, risotto and beef cheek. This makes Café Valentino suitable for diners who want a classic Italian sequence as well as groups with mixed appetites. The menu has enough depth for a celebratory multi-course dinner without losing the accessibility of pizza and pasta favourites.

Desserts are made onsite and continue the Italian emphasis through tiramisu, panna cotta, gelato and affogato, alongside dark chocolate cake and limoncello-soaked cake. A full drinks list with an Italian lean supports the evening format, whether the meal begins with a glass at the table or finishes slowly over coffee and something sweet. Taken together, the wood-fired pizza, varied mains, house-made desserts and atmospheric old hall create a restaurant best enjoyed as a complete dinner rather than simply a quick plate before moving on.

Address: 168 St Asaph Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand

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Cafe Valentino Menu Menu updated on 17 Sep 2026

Pane & Pizza Bianca (Bread & Flatbread)

Tomato Bruschetta

$18.95

Tomato, red onion, basil, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic reduction. (V)

Rosemary & Sea Salt Focaccia

$17.95

Extra virgin olive oil, Giusti aged balsamic vinegar, whipped ricotta and honey. (V) (GFO)

Garlic & Herb Loaf

$15.95

Freshly baked, garlic + herb butter (V)

Woodfired Pesto Flatbread

$18.50

Basil pesto, fresh chilli, parmesan. (V) (GFO)

Woodfired Onion & Feta Flatbread

$18.50

Caramelized onion, feta. (V) (GFO)

Primi Piatti (Starters)

Olive Marinate

$14.90

Selection of olives marinated with fennel, garlic, orange and rosemary. (V)

Salumi Plate

$30.50

Prosciutto, sopressa salami, pickles, warm Focaccia. (GFO)

Polenta Fries

$15.95

Parmesan, rosemary, smoked garlic aioli. (V)

Arancini

$22.95

Mushroom, spinach and taleggio, crumbed and lightly fried, tomato chutney. (V)

Calamari

$24.90

Sea salt, cracked black pepper and chilli spiced, lemon caper aioli, basil oil.

Gamberi All’aglio

$25.95

Garlic prawns, tomato, chilli and basil, ciabatta, grilled lemon. (GFO)

Chicken Liver Parfait

$20.95

Red grape mostarda, beetroot pickle, crostini (GFO)

Lamb Ribs

$25.95

Slow roasted with honey, rosemary + garlic, charred lemon, Italian mint sauce. (GF)

Insalata (Salads)

Add chicken breast to any salad +9.50

Caesar Salad

$27.95

Romaine lettuce, crispy bacon, anchovies, soft poached egg, parmesan, garlic croutons, anchovy dressing. (GFO)

Roast Fennel, Beetroot + Orange

$27.95

Goats cheese, pecans, red onion, balsamic dressing. (V)

Rocket Salad

$20.95

Blue cheese, honey roast pear, walnuts. (V)

Pizza

Pizza plate size is 30cm (12 in). Pizza extras: Go gluten free base — per pizza +4.50; Half and half — per pizza +4.50; Additional Toppings — per topping +4.50; Buffalo mozzarella — per pizza +6.95; Prosciutto — per pizza +6.95

Margherita

$28.50

Napoli sauce, Wairiri buffalo mozzarella, basil. (V)

Fungi

$32.50

Mushrooms, taleggio, mozzarella, truffle oil. (V)

Pepperoni

$30.95

Italian pepperoni, mozzarella.

San Marco

$32.50

Smoked bacon, garlic, tomatoes, black olives, bocconcini, fresh chilli, basil.

Diavola

$31.95

Hot sopressa salami, cherry tomatoes, fresh chilli, buffalo mozzarella, fresh basil.

Molto Carne

$32.50

Italian sausages, salami, Italian style bacon, tomatoes, mushrooms, black olives.

Gamberetti

$33.50

Prawns, prosciutto, spinach, red capsicum, cherry tomatoes, chilli.

Piccante

$31.50

Wood fire roasted chicken, caramelised onion, spinach, mushroom, olive oil, shaved parmesan.

Capra

$33.50

Sopressa salami, smoked mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, onion jam, goats cheese, baby spinach on a garlic parmesan base.

Genovese

$32.50

Basil pesto, wood fire roasted chicken, pumpkin, brie, red onion, spinach.

Calzone

$32.50

Pork & fennel meatballs, tomato, basil, red onion, chilli, mozzarella.

I Contorni (For the Table)

Olive Oil & Herb Roast Potatoes

$15.50

Rosemary, sea salt. (GF)

Truffle Fries

$15.50

Parmesan, truffle oil, smoked garlic aioli. (V)

Broccoli

$15.50

Garlic toasted, almonds, lemon (V) (GF)

Garden Salad

$15.50

(V) (GF)

Pasta

Pasta extras: Go gluten free Pasta — +4.50

Polpettine Di Maiale E Finocchi

$32.50

Spaghetti, pork and fennel meat balls, roast garlic, sundried tomatoes and spinach, cream or tomato & herb napoletana sauce.

Fettuccine Apollo

$32.50

Smoked chicken, bacon, onions and mushrooms with a touch of chilli. Cream or tomato and herb napoletana sauce.

Rigatoni Zucca Arrostita E Pollo Affumicato

$31.50

Roast pumpkin, smoked chicken, spinach, roast garlic, cream sauce, sundried tomato pesto.

Linguine Marinara

$32.90

Selection of seafood, basil, lemon infused olive oil or tomato and herb napoletana sauce.

Ravioli

$28.50

Mushroom ragu, rosemary, roast garlic, extra virgin olive oil, pecorino. (V)

Rigatoni Cardinale

$31.50

Chicken breast, sundried tomato pesto, spring onions, parsley, cream sauce.

Linguine Carbonara

$31.50

Streaky bacon, tossed with egg, parmesan cream sauce, truffle oil.

Spaghetti Bolognese

$31.50

Traditional ragu of ground beef and pork, red wine, herbs and tomatoes, parmesan.

Spaghetti con Gamberetti All'aglio Peperoncino

$33.50

Chilli garlic prawns, tomato, rocket, evo olive oil.

Penne al Ragu Agnello

$32.50

Lamb shank ragu, slow braised with garlic, red wine and vegetables

Cannelloni

$31.90

Spinach, mushroom and ricotta, tomato herb napoletana sauce, sundried tomato pesto. (V)

Lasagne Al Forno

$31.90

Ground beef and pork ragu with tomato, garlic and herbs, béchamel, tomato napoletana sauce, parmesan, basil pesto, focaccia.

Gnocchi

$31.90

Potato parmesan gnocchi, roast pumpkin, sage, garlic, brown butter, toasted almonds, rocket, parmesan. (V) (GFO)

Secondi (Mains)

Chicken Parmigiana

$38.95

Chicken breast coated with herb crumbs, tomato napoletana sauce, fior di latte mozzarella, olive oil roast potatoes, greens.

Canterbury Angus Ribeye

$52

300g grass fed, aged 21 days, olive oil roast potatoes, garlic thyme mushrooms, roast balsamic onions, brandy peppercorn jus.

Risotto

$37.50

Prawn, zucchini, cherry tomato, chilli, prosciutto crumb. (GF)

Slow Braised Beef Cheek

$41.50

Rich mushroom marsala sauce, creamy parmesan mash. (GF)

Dessert

All our desserts are made here on the premises. (V) = Vegetarian, (GF) = Gluten Free, (GFO) = Gluten Free Option available

Tiramisu

$19.50

The Italian pick me up cake. Coffee marsala soaked sponge fingers, housemade mascarpone, espresso coffee reduction.

Valentino Cioccolato

$19.50

Rich dark chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, orange reduction, soft cream. (GF)

Buttermilk Panna Cotta

$19.50

Poached Rhubarb, Ginger Crumb. (GFO)

Trio of Gelato

$19.50

Poppy Seed Tuile. (GFO)

Affogato

$11.50

Espresso shot with vanilla bean ice-cream (GF). Add your choice of liqueur 20.90

Chocolate Rum Truffles

(GF)

Beer

Peroni

$16

Draught Beer

Carlsberg

$14

Draught Beer

Three Boys IPA

$14

Draught Beer

Somersby Cider

$13

Draught Beer

Estrella

$15

Draught Beer

Mocktails

Watermelon Cooler

$13

Cherry Bitters, Watermelon Syrup, Fresh Mint & Soda

Tiki Surprise

$14

Passionfruit Puree, Selection of Juices, Angostura Bitters, Lime

Cocktails

Bellini

$14

Classic Peach, Passionfruit or Strawberry, Prosecco

Lemon Tea Spritz

$20

Citrus Vodka, Elderflower, Lemon Tea, Sugar Syrup, Soda

Aperol Spritz

$18

Aperol, Prosecco, Soda, Orange Slice

Amaro Mule

$21

Amaro Montenegro, Vanilla Vodka, Lime, Bitters, Ginger Beer

Il Valentino

$20

Bacardi, Cointreau, Lemon Juice, Aranciata, Mixed Berries

Aperitivi—Aperitifs

Ramazzotti

$13

Campari

$13

Aperol

$13

Blanco Vermouth

$13

Rosso Vermouth

$13

Digestivi—Digestifs

Fernet Branca

$13

Averna

$13

Limoncello

$13

Sambuca

$13

Amaro Montenegro

$13

Non Alcoholic

San Pellegrino Sparkling Water

$8.50 / $11.50

Limonata, Aranciata

$8.50

Schweppes Ginger Beer

$8.50

House Peach Iced Tea

$8.50

Vino—Wine

Spumante—Sparkling: Flute / Bottle. Bianco—White: 150ml / 250ml / Bottle. Dolce – Sweet Wine: Glass / Bottle. Rosato—Rose: 150ml / 250ml / Bottle. Rosso—Red: 150ml / 250ml / Bottle.

Lambrusco (Red)

Flute $14 / Bottle $55

Spumante—Sparkling

Villa Sandi Prosecco DOC (Treviso)

Flute $15 / Bottle $65

Spumante—Sparkling

Millesimato Extra Dry

Flute $17 / Bottle $80

Spumante—Sparkling

Moet & Chandon NV Brut (Epernay)

Bottle $115

Spumante—Sparkling

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Margherita pizza Typical in Christchurch: $26.00 $28.50
Tiramisu Typical in Christchurch: $16.00 $19.50
Chicken parmigiana Typical in Christchurch: $29.00 $38.95
Caesar salad Typical in Christchurch: $24.00 $27.95
Pepperoni pizza Typical in Christchurch: $26.00 $30.95

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Café Valentino Menu

Cafe Valentino Menu Menu updated on 17 Sep 2026

Pane & Pizza Bianca (Bread & Flatbread)

Primi Piatti (Starters)

Insalata (Salads)

Pizza

I Contorni (For the Table)

Pasta

Secondi (Mains)

Dessert

Beer

Mocktails

Cocktails

Aperitivi—Aperitifs

Digestivi—Digestifs

Non Alcoholic

Vino—Wine

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