Italian restaurant in New Zealand

“If you're looking for the best local Italian restaurant, this is it! The atmosphere has an authentic old-school vibe that feels warm and welcoming. The staff are incredibly friendly and attentive, making the entire dining experience enjoyable from start to finish. The food is outstanding – from traditional pasta dishes to hearty mains, everything is cooked to perfection. And the pizzas? Simply amazing! Perfectly crispy crust, fresh toppings, and just the right amount of cheese. Whether you're out for a casual meal or celebrating a special occasion, this place never disappoints. Highly recommend it to anyone craving authentic Italian flavors!”

“As the name says, it's truly an ltalian delicacy. We ordered Pollo chicken pizza , beef cutlet andTiramisu. Pizza's crust was soft and chicken was juicy. The flavour and herb combination was just awesome. Triamisu was really moist and the coffee liquor was so precise to the point which was prefect. Looking forward to order more....”

On the plate at Manaaki Restaurant Otago Polytechnic, the idea is simple, bistro-style and well executed. Team members keep things friendly and on task. Plates offer plenty without tipping heavy. A sensible spend for the quality.

“On Saturday night, we celebrated a friend’s first home purchase with dinner at Gina Restaurant. From drinks and entrées to mains and desserts, everything was absolutely delicious. Our waitress was wonderfully attentive, moving effortlessly between tables with a warm, contagious smile. Thanks to the entire Gina’s team, we enjoyed a truly joyful celebration. We’ll definitely be back!”

“​My recent visit to the QT Hotel and Restaurant in Wellington was an absolute delight. The hotel's fantastic location made exploring the city a breeze. ​From the moment I walked in, I was struck by the beautiful atmosphere and the genuinely friendly, professional staff—especially Ray and Anthony, who were absolutely amazing. ​The food was just as impressive. The weekend high tea was an exceptional experience, with every tea and accompanying food item delicious and the service impeccable. ​Breakfast was a definite highlight. While the buffet was decent, the à la carte menu was sleek and memorable—I'm still dreaming about the egg benedict and the delicious mushroom dish. ​Dinner was just as stunning, thanks to a fantastic salmon dish and the breathtaking night waterfront view. As a seafood lover who usually avoids raw oysters, I was amazed by the one I stole from my friend—it was incredibly fresh, and the vinaigrette was a perfect touch. ​And the experience didn't stop there. The room was spacious and tidy, and I absolutely loved the bathtub. ​I was also pleasantly surprised by the value. Despite ordering a lot to try everything, I didn't find the prices horribly expensive. If you get the chance to visit Wellington, I highly recommend a stay at the QT to enjoy the amazing food, service, scenery, and the comfortable rooms.”

“Great little venue Booked a table for 5, which was a good idea as it packed out in no time. We were greeted and shown to our table, and our drinks order was taken quickly. Good selection of options and everyone found something they wanted. The food selection catered for everyone also, and after the tough decision of only choosing one thing, we all ordered. The food came out quickly, it was a good temperature, and with good portion sizes. The staff were all very nice and helpful, the venue location is well situated, and the atmosphere was fun. We all agreed we'd be back.”

“Lovely last minute dinner on a rainy night. Wonderfully looked after by the team (Riley?) Was particularly good, and made us feel welcomed. All three courses and the cocktail were yum”

“Had a great experience at Quartz. Our waitress was friendly and helpful. The beef burger was a good size, not quite enough salt for me, but there were salt and pepper grinders on the table so it was no problem to season. My partner loved the prawn curry and our daughter though the chicken burger was great too.”

The Long Acre Restaurant/ Peach and Porker Bar keeps things burger‑led and focused on flavour. Value feels fair for the quality. Front‑of‑house runs with calm, helpful energy. Music and pace keep a casual tone.

Salinity Restaurant & Bar favours a breakfast‑and‑brunch mix with clear, clean flavours. Breakfast plates are tidy and satisfying. Service stays present without fuss. Meals reach the pass promptly. Po...

“A True Taste of Italy! We had a wonderful dining experience at Giovanni Italian Restaurant. From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed with warm hospitality and a cozy, authentic atmosphere. The food was absolutely delicious — every dish was rich in flavor and beautifully presented. The pasta was fresh and cooked to perfection, and the wood-fired pizza had the perfect crisp and chew. We especially loved the tiramisu — one of the best we’ve ever had! The service was attentive and friendly, even with our large group. The staff made sure we were well looked after without being intrusive. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a genuine Italian dining experience. We’ll definitely be back!”

At Rain Bar & Restaurant, the menu stays burger‑led with tidy execution. Grill work shows a clean sear and rested meats. Desserts close the meal with familiar comfort. Eggs land on point and toast keeps its crunch.

“Nice little Thai restaurant on Marine Pde. Was a busy Saturday night post marathon day and while service was pretty good, would have been great with maybe one more waitress helping. Food was delicious and serving sizes are very generous. Worth a look if you're in Napier and craving good quality Thai.”

“Super yummy! The gnocchi is absolutely delicious, got it with the creamy avocado and chicken sauce. The pizza is also great, plentiful with toppings and great portions!”

“We went to this restaurant last Wednesday night with my boyfriend. The owners were very welcoming and smiling. We ordered pizzas and the tiramisu, and everything was delicious. The atmosphere was really nice with Italian music and decoration! I highly recommend it!”

“OMG! How did we not find out about this place sooner?!!! It's so close to home and plenty of free parking available nearby. This is a local hidden gem and such a great restaurant for genuine Italian food. The restaurant is very tastefully decorated and was absolutely spotless! Staff were very welcoming, and they went out of their way to ensure that we enjoyed our dining experience. We have never had better garlic pizza bread, as it just melted in your mouth. We both had a prawn cocktail for our entree, which was so packed full of prawns and scrumptious. I was beginning to get a bit full after all this, but I got halfway through an entree size calamari that was also tender and delicious. This is now going to be our new favourite place and if I don't overdo the garlic bread again, perhaps I will even get to try the desserts, too!!!”

“First in time for us - Great food and service! We had the "Trust the Chef" 4-set menu which was excellent. The portions were very generous and we left pretty full - just something to keep in mind if you were snacking beforehand.”

“We went in on a quiet night. The food was great. We got the beef wellington and seafood chowder. Our server was kind and made sure to let us know about the dessert special they had that day. One of the best desserts I've had in a long time. Highly recommend.”

“After a long and busy day exploring Tauranga and Blue Spring, we were starving and decided to have dinner at this place, hoping for a satisfying meal. The ordering process was very convenient and modern—they have iPads for self-ordering, making it quick and hassle-free. The food was reasonably priced and, although it took a bit of time to be served, it was well worth the wait. Everything was delicious, fresh, and flavorful, and we all left feeling full and satisfied. A great spot to unwind after a day of adventure. Thank you for the great meal—we’ll be back!”

“Highly recommend, such tasty food, I had the Black Bean Chicken and my wife the Cashew Chicken, absolutely loved it. Friendly staff, thank you so much!”

On the plate at Portofino Restaurant, the idea is grill-focused and well executed. Sides support without crowding the star. Team members keep things friendly and on task. Good value shows in the serve sizes.

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazing Experience at Area 51 - Auckland Adventure Park Our recent visit to Area 51 at Auckland Adventure Park was nothing short of fantastic! From the moment we arrived, the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. Check-in was seamless, and the staff efficiently sorted out our wristbands. We appreciated that each type of pass was color-coded, making it easy to differentiate between different activities—such a thoughtful and organized system! The food at the reception was surprisingly good and well-priced. There was a great selection for both adults and kids. We especially loved the kids’ meal options, which came with drinks—perfect for families looking to grab a quick bite before heading off for more adventure. It wasn’t just about convenience; the food was delicious too! From the reception, you can either head down to the lower part of the park, where there’s a fun kids’ playground, or make your way up to the bus stop for the ride up the hill. The Mitsubishi Rosa bus ride was comfortable, offering a scenic route to the upper part of the park. Up there, the real adventure begins—luge rides, the exhilarating zip line, and the thrilling Shooting Star! One thing that stood out to us was the atmosphere. Right outside the reception, there’s a luge car on display along with a price list for each of the activities, which really adds to the excitement and anticipation. Plus, there’s a huge screen showcasing all the activities the park offers. It’s a clever way to get everyone hyped up and makes it easy to plan your day. The park is well-organized, clean, and full of fun activities for everyone. Whether you’re with family or friends, there’s something for every age group. We’ll definitely be returning, and we highly recommend Area 51 at Auckland Adventure Park to anyone looking for a thrilling adventure!”

“Amazing! Only 5 tables, 3 for 2, so wonderfully intimate and friendly. The decor is authentically Italian and funky, and as if nothing has been touched for years (perfectly clean but not surgically sterile). And the pizza? Magnifico! And reasonably priced.”

“When I had ordered my pizza from this lovely restaurant, my pizza had came nice and fresh. It was nice and steamy but the best part was eating it. The ingredients had a very pungent smell that was amazing! I would recommend this beautiful restaurant to any people trying to find a good place to eat.”

“Nice pizza, friendly staff and warm atmosphere. We made a reservation at the first table, and only needed 20 per person after the discount.Lasagna is very delicious.”

On the plate at Leonardo's Italian Food & Wine, the idea is classic fish‑and‑chips and well judged. Ribs and steaks arrive seasoned and tender. Value feels fair for the quality. Sweets lean classic and not overly rich.

Ambrosia Restaurant and Bar keeps things simple, bistro‑style and focused on flavour. Value feels fair for the quality. Sweets lean classic and not overly rich. Plates offer plenty without weighing things down.

Milk & Honey Restaurant keeps things coffee-and-cabinet and focused on flavour. Cabinet bakes and slices round out the stop. There’s room for a casual brunch with friends. Front‑of‑house runs with calm, helpful energy.

“I had a great dine-in experience here. The atmosphere was very good and the servers were very polite and helpful. Unfortunately I ordered a main gnocchi dish and got a spaghetti starter instead but i was hungry enough to not care or say anything. Regardless the pasta was delicious and the restaurant was also able to provide complimentary parmesan to accompany my meal. The portion size of the hot chips for a starter was big and great value. Thanks for the great hospitality!”