Italian restaurant in New Zealand

“We like that it’s a small hole in the wall brick oven pizza place. Perfect for in and out. It is very nice, comfortable and welcoming. Fast & friendly service and pizza was superb. We got the Carne. Crust was thin, soft on the inside and a perfect slight chewiness on the outside. Also perfect amount of sauce & cheese. We totally enjoyed it very much. Highly recommend this place.”

On the plate at Arbour Woodfired Pizza and Bar, the idea is pizza‑first and well judged. Grill work shows a clean sear and rested meats. Meat‑free options are woven into the menu. Service stays present without fuss.

Cafe Istanbul is a Cherrywood favourite for Turkish dine‑in and takeaway. The kitchen prepares doner kebab wraps, Iskender rice plates, salad meals, chips meals and housemade Turkish‑style pizzas, with vegetarian choices available.

“Really delicious food and great quantity sizes. Will definitely try make this a regular place to eat!”

“Seriously the best pizza in Auckland! The staff are always so friendly and the atmosphere lovely. We love their gorgeous pizzas so much we had to share them with our friends and family at our wedding! Wayne was a dream to work with to cater our celebration and so many great comments from guests.”

“Lovely restaurant with amazing service. Staff were so friendly and they were so nice to let us keep our first table reservation even though we arrived late because of traffic. Our cocktails were so yummy and we loved the lasagna and fettuccine.”

Lloyds Deli & Pizzeria is a neighbourhood sandwich shop by day and a sourdough‑slice pizzeria by night. Daytime favourites include egg sandwiches and Italian‑style deli stacks, while evenings bring New‑York‑style pizzas such as Margherita, Pepperoni and Fungi by the whole pie or slice.

That Sandwich Place delivers a coffee-and-cabinet offering that’s straight to the point. Grill work shows a clean sear and rested meats. Breakfast plates are tidy and satisfying. Front‑of‑house runs with calm, helpful energy.

The kitchen at Gelato Junkie takes a coffee-and-cabinet path and lets the food speak. Pricing lines up with the offer. Desserts close the meal with familiar comfort. Team members keep things friendly and on task.

“If you’re looking for a spot that feels like a warm hug from a nonna who really knows her way around a kitchen, look no further than Lil Ragu, the Italian food truck/restaurant that has stolen my carb-loving heart. First, let’s talk about the food. Every dish here tastes like it was hand-delivered by the gods of Italian cuisine. The mezzaluna - meat stuffed raviolis absolutely blew me away delicate, perfectly cooked, and filled with flavors so rich they should come with a trust fund. The ragu pappardelle? A masterpiece of thick, tender pasta swimming in a rich, savory sauce that could make even the coldest heart melt. Yes, it’s a bit pricey, but once you taste it, you’ll understand. These aren’t just meals, they’re edible vacations to the Amalfi coast. The drinks? Worth every cent. What really makes this place shine, though, is the people. The owner, a culinary genius with the friendliest vibe, always has a big smile. The staff? Lovely, attentive, and quick to recommend the perfect dish to suit your mood. This has officially become my go-to spot for a special treat or whenever I need to remind myself that life is better with good pasta and great people. Do yourself a favor and make this your next stop. Your stomach—and your soul—will thank you.”

“An absolute staple of my lunchtime routine, if in doubt on what to have for my midweek lunch I always come here. Great price great food awesome service!”

“This is the second time we've had Pizza Pesto cater for a birthday. Each time the service is above and beyond - Angela was incredibly helpful even on short notice to deliver for our event. The pizzas arrived hot and our guests all asked where we got them from! The butter chicken one was a real crowd pleaser in particular. One guest even said it was the best catered birthday party he'd been too! Thanks for going above and beyond in every respect!”

“Amazing fantastic tiny pizza. And real delicious loaded fries. So good. Great service”

Omokoroa Beach Pizza is a neighbourhood pizzeria focused on handmade bases, with gluten‑free bases and vegan cheese available. Ordering runs for casual dinners with pickup and local delivery options w...

PIZZAROMA by Marco is a small Mount Maunganui pizzeria focused on handmade, Italian‑style pies. The offer centres on thin bases, simple toppings and a short list of classics, prepared for quick takeaw...

“Was an absolutely amazing place. The food is incredibly delicious. A lot better than Domino’s or Pizza Hut and was so fast we were in the car and got distracted and he came and delivered it to us. What a place, would recommend”

At Old Mates Pizza & Pasta, the menu stays pizza‑first with tidy execution. Sides support without crowding the plate. Packaging keeps things in good shape to go. Portions are generous yet well judged.

Spooky's Pizzeria leans into a pizza-first approach with no fuss. Outdoors works well when the weather plays along. Meat‑free options are woven into the menu. Pricing lines up with the offer. Plates o...

“True authentic Italian with great service and atmosphere. The pizzas were delicious and the lemon cello & tiramisu is a must! We would certainly return - fair price and no complaints! Would recommend booking as it’s quite a small restaurant”

“Beautiful food as always. The cocktails were fabulous. Some of the cocktails could have been a little bit more decorated as we loved taking photos. Apart from this everything was perfect.”

“Absolutely love this lovely and cozy place for dinner. Very delicious food and very cozy style feels like I’m at home with my family. Amazing pasta.”

“I have been wanting to try this place for some time now on my work visits down from Auckland. Glad I finally did, new fav Hamilton restaurant! Service was outstanding, food was absolutely delicious. I had the Turkish meatballs as per wait staff recommendation (I would not normally order this dish first up) and I did not regret it. Portion size was not huge (which I prefer) so room for desert and the baklava and tahini ice cream did not disappoint. You can tell there are some generational recipes being passed down here. Yum!”

“I took a group of 8 ladies to Alpino on Saturday for a Luxe Day Out for my business Her Luxe Travel and we had a phenomenal time. Not only were Alpino great to work with to set up how I wanted the experience, on the day they delivered 110%. The food was to die for, service was friendly and efficient. We were sat in the area at the front that is somewhat closed off from the rest of the restaurant and it couldn't have been more perfect. Definitely glad I've chosen Alpino for my Retreat welcome lunches ☺️”

On the plate at El Mexicano Zapata Cantina, the idea is Mex-style and well executed. Grill work shows a clean sear and rested meats. There’s always a considered veg choice. A sensible spend for the quality.

The kitchen at Olive Branch Takeaway takes a kebab and pita path and lets the food speak. Eggs land on point and toast stays crisp. Pricing lines up with the offer. Service stays present without fuss....

“My fourth visit here, this time with family to try the spring menu. We had the pear and honey special with focaccia, lamb shoulder pappardelle and the cacio e pepe. Everything was so yum, but the pappardelle was the standout for me. The staff were, as always, warm and helpful with great recommendations from the specials and wine menu. Always a great experience, and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s on the next seasonal menu!”

“Regarded as one of the top three Italian restaurants in North Shore, this Trattoria does not fail to impress. I recently brought my parents for the first time here, and the experience was nothing short of exceptional. The spacious dining area, complete with offerings like gelato, formaggio, salumi, and il pasticcino, sets the stage for an authentic Italian feast. The service, professional and like a well-oiled machine, only adds to the charm. We indulged in the Leek and Potato Soup, Capresina, Spaghetti Alle Vongole, Tiramisu, and Tiramisu Eclair. The Capresina was a standout, generously topped with premium Burrata and Parma Ham. The Spaghetti Alle Vongole was a revelation—fresh pasta, perfectly cooked clams, and a symphony of flavours that made it the best I’ve ever had. To top it off, their Tiramisu is flawless. The prices are more than fair for the quality and craftsmanship of the dishes. Practicalities? Plenty of parking and a grocery shop next door make it a win-win. My advice? Just go. You won’t regret it.”

“One of the best authentic Napolitan pizza/calzzone you can have in Auckland. We ordered the Diego Armando pizza and a Napolitano Calzzone. AMAZING. 10/10”

“Great food and restaurant layout, and open Mondays, thank goodness. Tasty food, we did the "Fratelli Feast" (Mondays and Tuesdays) deal with an entrée to share, a main and dessert of your choice. Added extra sides of "Brussels sprouts" and "Garlic and truffle oil fries", they were delicious. Nice wine and lemonchello too. There are specials, we saw the pan fried fish which looked very good. The staff were friendly and attentive, we will come back again.”

“MariLuca was perfect for our family group of 5 people. We were all really happy with our meals. My mushroom risotto was delicious with a perfect mushroom - rice ratio. Fir dessert, the almond orange cake was delicious. The stand-out feature was the exceptional, welcoming service. Highly recommend.”