Jordan McCraeIf you’re reading this, chances are you share my deep love for Italian cuisine.
There’s just something about the way a perfectly crafted pasta dish or a slice of wood-fired pizza can instantly transport you to the bustling streets of Naples or the serene vineyards of Tuscany.
As a self-proclaimed foodie and proud Aucklander, I’ve had the pleasure of exploring countless Italian eateries scattered across our beautiful city.
And let me tell you, narrowing down the top 10 Italian restaurants wasn’t an easy task, but it was certainly a delicious one!
So, without further ado, grab a fork (and maybe a glass of wine) as I share my personal favorites, where every meal feels like a journey to the heart of Italy.
Preparati a mangiare! (Get ready to eat!)
1. Ada Restaurant
| Website | https://www.adarestaurant.co.nz/ |
| Address | 454 Great North Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1021, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 27 641 6324 |
| Operating hours | Tuesday: 8 am – 11:30 am, 5 pm – 10 pm Wednesday to Satuday: 8 am – 2 pm, 5 pm – 10 pm Sunday: 8 am – 4 pm |
| Must order menu items | Hangi Pork with Potato and Yam Boneless Whole Market Fish with Marmite Isigny Rēwana Fried Bread |
| Price range | $$ – average |
Ada Restaurant offers a variety of dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as a sharing menu and a wine list.
But one dish that is truly making waves all over the city is their Rēwena Fried Bread. It’s a crispy yet fluffy fry bread infused with Ada’s secret potato-fed culture, taking sourdough to a whole new level.
They top it off with decadent kahurangi blue cheese and perfectly fried oyster mushrooms. And get this: they’re using limited edition, rare mushrooms exclusive to Ada.
I mean, who wouldn’t want to indulge in such a unique and tantalizing dish? It’s like they took comfort food and sprinkled it with a touch of magic.
And once you try it, you’ll be dreaming about it for days.
2. Amano
| Website | https://savor.co.nz/amano |
| Address | 66 – 68, Tyler Street, Britomart Place, Auckland 1010, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 9 394 1416 |
| Operating hours | Monday to Sunday: 7 am – 10 pm |
| Must order menu items | Chitarra, Scampi, Tomato & Chilli Pan Roasted Monkfish, Tomato, Capsicum & Basil Chicken Liver Pate, Plum, Onion & Hazelnut |
| Price range | $$ – average |
Another great option for Italian food is Amano. It’s a popular restaurant and bakery that serves handmade pasta dishes, sourdough breads, and pastries.
As per their best-selling dish (that I’ve heard people rave about), it’s their Chitarra, Scampi, Tomato & Chili. It features Auckland Islands scampi dancing with square strands of egg dough pasta, all coated in this tangy tomato and chili sauce.
Just saying those words out loud makes your taste buds tingle, right?
3. Andiamo Eatery
| Website | https://www.andiamoeatery.co.nz/ |
| Address | 194 Jervois Road, Ponsonby, Auckland 1011, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 9 378 7811 |
| Operating hours | Tuesday: 4 pm – 10 pm Wednesday to Sunday: 12 pm – 10 pm |
| Must order menu items | Bistecca Alla Fiorentina Market Fish Chicken Parmigiana |
| Price range | $$ – average |
If you’re strolling around Herne Bay and suddenly your stomach growls, go to Andiamo Eatery. They are a popular Italian-inspired restaurant that offers a fresh and modern menu that showcases seasonal ingredients at their best!
Now, let me tell you about this dish that’s been the talk of the town: the Bistecca alla Fiorentina. Trust me, it’s not your average steak.
We’re talking about a juicy, perfectly cooked T-bone steak, sliced to perfection, and served with all the trimmings: rosemary, garlic, and salsa verde. It’s the kind of dish that will make you close your eyes and savor every single bite.
But it gets even better! You can share it with your crew or devour it all by yourself, depending on how hungry you are.
4. Baduzzi
| Website | http://www.baduzzi.co.nz/ |
| Address | 10/26 Jellicoe Street, North Wharf, Auckland 1010, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 9 309 9339 |
| Operating hours | Sunday to Thursday: 11:30 am – 9:30 pm Friday to Saturday: 11:30 am – 10 pm |
| Must order menu items | Wood Fired Bistecca – Bavette Steak Tagliata Wild Red Deer Meatballs Agnolotti Of Gurnard & Scampi |
| Price range | $$ – average |
Craving for some Italian meatballs here in Auckland? Well, don’t worry; Baduzzi got you!
They’ve got this signature dish, Wild Deer Meatballs, which is a real game-changer — literally! They take meatballs to a whole new level by blending venison, pork, and a secret mix of spices that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance.
What makes this even better is that you’ve got options when it comes to the sauce! You can go classic with the tomato sauce or take a walk on the wild side with their nduja sauce.
Trust me, both are winners.
5. Bivacco
| Website | http://www.savor.co.nz/bivacco |
| Address | 115 Customs Street West, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 9 801 6505 |
| Operating hours | Sunday to Wednesday: 11 am – 11 pm Thursday: 11 am – 12 am Friday and Saturday: 11 am – 1 am |
| Must order menu items | BurrataWood Roasted Hawke’s Bay Lamb Rump Goats Cheese Ravioli |
| Price range | $$ – average |
Bivacco is a new Italian restaurant, griglia, and bar in Auckland. It serves simple, no-fuss Italian dishes, but the flavors are anything but ordinary!
They use locally sourced ingredients, so you know you’re getting the freshest stuff possible.
Think house-made pasta that practically melts in your mouth, succulent seafood that tastes like it just jumped out of the ocean, and juicy steaks cooked to perfection.
But Bivacco’s real specialty is the Wood-Roasted Hawke’s Bay Lamb Rump. They source this beauty from the lush pastures of Hawke’s Bay, marinate it in a secret blend of herbs and spices, and then slow-roast it in a wood-fired oven.
The result? Tender, flavorful, and downright addictive. It’s like a party in your mouth, and everyone’s invited!
6. Coco’s Cantina
| Website | http://www.cocoscantina.co.nz/ |
| Address | 374 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 9 300 7582 |
| Operating hours | Tuesday and Wednesday: 4 pm – 9:30 pm Thursday to Saturday: 4 pm – 10 pm |
| Must order menu items | Spaghetti & Meatballs Lamb Ragu “Bianco’ Margherita |
| Price range | $$ – average |
Coco’s Cantina can be your go-to restaurant if you’re craving some homestyle Spaghetti with Meatballs.
Their own version of it isn’t just your average pasta dish. In fact, it’s legendary!
This food has been a mainstay on the menu since the restaurant opened in 2009 and has garnered a “cult-like following” and numerous accolades.
Those tender meatballs nestled in a bed of perfectly cooked spaghetti, all smothered in a rich, savory sauce — it’s the kind of dish that hugs your soul with every bite.
7. Non Solo Pizza
| Website | http://www.nonsolopizza.co.nz/ |
| Address | 1052/259 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 9 379 5358 |
| Operating hours | Monday to Sunday: 12 pm – 11 pm |
| Must order menu items | Nerrano Pizza Porchetta Spinach & Truffle Ravioli |
| Price range | $$ – average |
Imagine walking into a bustling brasserie where the aroma of freshly baked pizzas and sizzling Italian specialties wraps around you like a warm embrace from your favorite aunt. Yeah, that’s the vibe at Non Solo Pizza.
It’s like they’ve bottled up the essence of Italy and sprinkled it all over the place!
If you’re fond of pizza, you can try their Nerrano Pizza. I’ve heard whispers about this dish: marinated zucchini, creamy stracciatella cheese, a hint of chili, a dollop of pesto, and topped off with fragrant fresh basil.
How mouthwatering, isn’t it?
8. Prego Restaurant
| Website | https://www.prego.co.nz/ |
| Address | 226 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland 1011, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 9 376 3095 |
| Operating hours | Monday to Sunday: 12 pm – 10:30 pm |
| Must order menu items | Linguine Alla Marinara Bianca Tartare |
| Price range | $$ – average |
Another great contender for pizza is Prego Restaurant in Ponsonby. This eatery has been serving classic Italian cuisine and warm, award-winning service since 1986!
Their Bianza Pizza is a must-try: a crispy thin crust topped with truffle mushrooms, creamy white mozzarella, slices of savory prosciutto, a handful of peppery rocket, and, to top it all off, a generous sprinkle of Grana Padano cheese.
Indeed, a flavor explosion occurs in every bite!
But what makes Prego really commendable is that they’re all about inclusivity. If you’re on a strict diet, no worries; they’ve got you covered with options like vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free.
And did I mention they do takeaways? So, even if you’re not in the mood to dine in, you can still get your Prego fix wherever you are!
9. Pasta & Cuore
| Website | https://www.pastaecuore.co.nz/ |
| Address | 409 Mount Eden Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1024, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 9 630 9130 |
| Operating hours | Tuesday to Friday: 5:30 pm – 10 pm Saturday: 12 pm – 3 pm, 5:30 pm – 10 pm |
| Must order menu items | Crostata Con Gelato Tortellini alla Panna Cotoletta alla Petroniana |
| Price range | $$ – average |
If you want your pasta to be made right in front of your eyes, consider dining at Pasta & Cuore in Mt. Eden!
This place specializes in handmade, fresh pasta using quality ingredients and traditional methods. And if you happen to be a healthy-living kind of person, they offer vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options too!
Pasta & Coure has won several awards and accolades for its food, wine, and service.
And speaking of food, one of the crowd’s favorites on their menu is the Tortellini alla Panna – little parcels of pasta perfection, filled with goodness and smothered in a velvety, creamy sauce that just melts in your mouth.
10. Spiga Italian Restaurant
| Website | http://www.spiga.nz/ |
| Address | SHOP 1/E/415 Remuera Road, Remuera, Auckland 1050, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 9 869 8080 |
| Operating hours | Tuesday: 4 pm – 9:30 pm Wednesday to Saturday: 12 pm – 2 pm, 4 pm – 9:30 pm Sunday: 12 pm – 2 pm, 4 pm – 7:30 pm |
| Must order menu items | Ravioli di Cacio e Pepe Scampi Limone Spaghettoni del Pastificio Mancini alle Vongole Estiva |
| Price range | $ – $$ cheap – average |
This list can’t be complete without Spiga Italian Restaurant. When it comes to pasta, you can go for Ravioli di Cacio e Pepe, which features pecorino cheese and pepper with a twist of lemon zest that just elevates it to another level.
But that’s not all. Their pizzas are a force to be reckoned with.
Take the Estiva, for example: wagyu beef tartare, buffalo mozzarella, shaved parmesan, and rocket, all harmoniously coming together on a perfectly crispy crust.
