The ultimate guide to New Zealand meat pies

If there’s one thing you need to try whilst visiting New Zealand, it’s a meat pie.

With a range of delectable fillings and golden, flakey pastry, this on-the-go meal is a staple in Aotearoa. No trip here would be complete without trying at least one.

What do you do though, when one pie quickly becomes an addiction?

Explore this fantastic list, put together by the members in NZTT and eat your way around our amazing country.

In this post:

A Travellers’ Guide to New Zealand Meat Pies

What is a Meat Pie?

Popular in both Australia and New Zealand, meat pies are central to our local cuisine (much like fish and chips are). Though there’s very little doubt that us Kiwis win on the best-pie stakes… according to this Kiwi, anyway.

Take perfectly golden, flakey pastry and fill it with a delicious combination of meat, gravy, vegetables and/or cheese. Then pop it in a bag and take it away to enjoy by the beach or in the park.

If there’s a savoury dish you can find in Aotearoa, chances are you’ll find it inside a pie!

Did you know? New Zealanders love pies so much that we had a chain restaurant (like Burger King or KFC) selling pies before we had the American chains! Georgie Pie started in NZ in 1977 and had 32 restaurants around the country at its peak in the 90s. In 1996 our beloved Georgie Pie was sold to Mcdonald’s and soon after they were closed.

At risk of some controversy, I claim the Sheffield Pie Shop on SH73 (West Coast Rd) as having the best pies in NZ. Their roast pork and apple sauce; venison and whiskey relish. Both to die for! And their steak and onion marmalade….
Alan MacKay, NZTT member and tour guide

On a pie and coffee date in Sheffield Pies. — Grab your pie to go or sit down and relax as you tuck in. Whatever you choose, don’t pass by Sheffield Pies in Canterbury without treating yourself to something.

Popular Meat Pie Flavours in New Zealand

The humble meat pie once had a fairly predictable flavour profile, with the likes of mince and cheese, potato top, and chicken being staples in a pie warmer. Now though, it’s just as easy to lay your hands on a gourmet creation as it is a familiar favourite.

Whilst in New Zealand you’ll have the chance to try some of the following meat pie flavours:

mince
mince and cheese
steak
steak and cheese
steak and mushroom
steak, bacon and kūmera (sweet potato)
chicken and vegetable
chicken, cranberry and brie
chicken, apricot and cream cheese
butter chicken
curried chicken
Thai chicken curry
pork belly
potato top
bacon and egg
lamb, mint and kūmera
seafood.

Did you know? According to studies, the average Kiwi eats 15 meat pies in a year, whilst Australians eat more than 12. We told you Kiwis love their pies!

We’ve been touring New Zealand for the past 2 years and Fat Bastard took our top spot for pies.
Reve Lamont, NZTT member

Showing the stuffings of Fat Bastards Chicken. — A creamy chicken pie from Fat Bastard Pies in Invercargill.

Where to Find the Best New Zealand Meat Pies

Amazing Pies in Auckland

Savan’s Bakery, 56/44-56 Queen Street, Warkworth 0910
Euro Patisserie, 1028 Beach Road, Torbay, Auckland 0630
Pioneer Pies, 247 Dairy Flat Highway, Albany, Auckland 0632
Mairangi Bay Bakery, 366 Beach Road, Mairangi Bay, Auckland 0630
The Mill Bakehouse (a favourite stop, as recommended by Bush and Beach), 402 Titirangi Road, Titirangi, Auckland 0604
Richoux Patisserie (award-winning meat, vegetarian and vegan pies), 119 Main Highway, Ellerslie, Auckland 1051

Showing the stuffings of Richoux Patisserie. — Richoux Patisserie sells award-winning meat pies, alongside vegetarian and vegan offerings, ensuring there’s something for everyone!

Great Pies in the Central North Island

Maketu Pies, 6 Little Waihi Road, Maketu 3189
Sweet Painted Lady Cafe, 52 Seddon Street, Waharoa 3401 (near Matamata)
Patrick’s Pies, 19 Bethlehem Road, Bethlehem, Tauranga 3110 and 89 Old Taupo Road, Mangakakahi, Rotorua 3015
Coach Cafe, 37 Seddon Street, Raetihi 4632 (also sold in Ohakune)

Holding Maketu Pies on a sunny day. — Maketu Pies are sold all around the country, but you can get them freshly made in Maketu – best eaten straight from the bag.

Amazing Pies in Wellington

Jo’s Pies, 28 Cleveland Street, Brooklyn, Wellington 6021
Nada Bakery, 64, Johnsonville Road, Johnsonville 6037 and 4/72, Main Road, Tawa, Wellington 5028

Pastries of Nada Bakery. — How does a Wagyu beef brisket pie, low and slow-cooked brisket in a smokey BBQ, with agria mashed potatoes sound? You’ll find them at Nada Bakery.

Pies to Try at the Top of the South Island

The Sneaky Beach Bakery & Cafe (the best place in NZ to try a mussel pie), 61 Main Road, Havelock 7100
The Bakery at Wakefield (check out the recommendations below, plus the vegetarian pie), 12 Clifford Road, Wakefield 7025
The Burleigh (for a delicious pork belly pie), 34 New Renwick Road, Burleigh, Blenheim 7201

Wakefield pies are famous in the region. Bacon & egg is my favourite, whereas my partner loves the steak. You pass Wakefield travelling to and from Lake Rotoiti/St Arnaud, Lewis Pass, Murchison, the West Coast and Tapawera.
Karen Brown, NZTT member

West Coast Pies

The West Coast Pie Company (known for gourmet game pies), 258 Palmerston Street, Westport 7825
The Broadway Tearooms & Bakery (great pies and sweet treats), 31 Broadway, Reefton 7830
Nana Ni’s Pies & Cafe, 59A Broadway, Reefton 7830

Cutting a West coast Pie in half and showing what's inside. — For something a bit different (like to paua pie), head along to The West Coast Pie Company.

Delicious Pies in the Southern Lakes Region

Mrs Woolley’s General Store (these are the Fairlie Bakehouse pies and they’re amazing), 64 Oban Street, Glenorchy 9372
Sanga’s Pies, 4 Chardonnay Street, Cromwell 9310
The Doughbin Bakery, 123 Ardmore Street, Wānaka 9012
Fergbaker (try the lamb shank, pork belly and apple, or steak and cheese), 40 Shotover Street, Queenstown 9300
Eat Humble Pie (tuck into the steak, cheese and onion, the pepper pie, or a steak and blue cheese), Centrepoint Mall, Tarbert Street, Alexandra

Book: 12 of Our Favourite Wānaka Restaurants & Eateries.

Showing the meat stuffing of Sangas Pies. — How does a venison pie with red wine and black currant reduction sound? You’ll find them at Sanga’s Pies in Cromwell.

Must-Try Pies in Christchurch and Canterbury

Taste of Kiwi, 5666 West Coast Road, Springfield 7681
Sheffield Pies (a top contender on this list), 51 Great Alpine Highway, Sheffield 7681
Darfield Bakery (we love their chicken, cranberry and brie pies), 60 South Terrace, Darfield 7510
Una Bakery, 73 Centaurus Road, Huntsbury, Christchurch 8022
The Butchers Pie Shop (try the steak and onion), Riverside Market, 86 Cashel Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011
Copenhagen Bakery (known for great chicken pies), 409 Harewood Road, Bishopdale, Christchurch 8051
Bree Glamour Cakes, 8 Norwich Quay, Lyttelton 8082
Mrs Denton’s (try their blue cod, parsley and leek pie or their paua pie), 168 Kendal Avenue, Burnside, Christchurch 8053
Akaroa Butchery And Deli, 67 Rue Lavaud, Akaroa 7520
Sims Bakery, 123 Main South Road, Archibald Street, Tinwald, Ashburton 7700
Fairlie Bakehouse (one of the best – try the pork belly pie or their salmon, bacon and cheese), 74 Main Street, Fairlie 7925

The Famous Sheffield Pie Shop mince and cheese pie is life-changing. 100/10 recommend!
Gemma An, NZTT member

Fresh pastries of Fairlie Bakehouse. — Pies fresh from the oven at the iconic Fairlie Bakehouse.

The Best Pies in the Lower South Island

Temptations Bakery, 72 Thames Street, Oamaru 9400
Miles Better Pies, 1 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau 9679
Bracken Hall (try their slow-cooked venison and Speights pies), 33 Devon Street, Mossburn 9792
Jimmy’s Pies, 143 Scotland Street, Roxburgh 9500
Fat Bastards Pies (generously filled and delicious – try the seafood or lamb – or really anything at all!), 158 Tay Street, Invercargill 9810

Invercargill Fat Bastard pies – their seafood, and bacon and egg pies are divine.
Raewyn Wahnig, NZTT member

Showing the stuffings of Fat Bastrads Pie. — A steak and mushroom pie from Fat Bastards – chocka-block full of meat and gravy.

With amazing meat pies to be found right around the country, you’ll want to include a number of pit stops as you travel. And where better to do so than the tried-and-tested recommendations above?

If you’re looking for further recommendations, you may also like to check out the most recent winners from the nationwide Bakels New Zealand Supreme Pie Awards.

Enjoy!

The ultimate guide to New Zealand meat pies