The Italians certainly know a thing or two about food, having gifted us some of the world's most beloved culinary creations (pizza, pasta, tiramisu and gelato, we're looking at you—though we could go on). The good news is that despite being oceans apart from the country single-handedly responsible for our addiction to carbs, there's no shortage of restaurants here in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland to get your Italia fix.
So without further ado, here are Urban List's top picks for the best Italian restaurants in Auckland.
The Best Italian Restaurants In Auckland Right Now
Cornelia
289 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland
Image credit: Cornelia | Facebook
Any restaurant ranking at 4.9 stars on Google deserves your immediate attention. Enter Cornelia, the cosy Italian eatery and wine bar with a menu that will see you falling head over heels—or perhaps in this case, head over stomach—in what the Italians call "more." Owned and operated by Roman born Fabio Buonomo and his partner, Lena Solomon, this is true Italian in every sense of the word. Shout-out to their game-changing strawberry tiramisu, and homemade pasta (made fresh on the daily, of course).
Osteria Uno
140 Hinemoa Street, Birkenhead, Auckland
Some of Auckland's best Italian food can be found at Osteria Uno, the latest eatery from hospo dream team Jordan and Sarah MacDonald.
Here the pair are putting their touch to Italian-style small plates and pasta in a smartly renovated butcher's shop, with some of our most-liked dishes including the whipped fish roe and crisps (think chips and Kiwi onion dip, only better)—tiramisu (some of the best this side of Italy)—and any and every form of pasta on the menu (though if we're playing favourites, the casarecce with asparagus would win).
To get the full experience, tag on one of their dreamy spritzes or a glass of Italian wine.
Bianca
2 Robert Street, Ellerslie, Auckland
Image credit: Wono Kim
Meet Bianca, Ellerslie's new home of Italian cuisine and possibly the only thing better than a slab of tiramisu—a tiramisu tart (we think the evidence, above, speaks for itself). This clever reimagining of Italy's most famous dessert is an absolute game-changer, a term that can also be used to describe this spot's mouthwatering pasta and share plates, conceived by top chef Hayden Phiskie (ex-Cotto, Ada).
Pressed for time? Grab yourself one of Bianca's take-home pasta kits, and whip up an Italian feast of your own at home.
Ooh-Fa
357 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland
Find us a pizza that slaps harder than one made with dough that's been fermented for more than 70 hours, and then cooked in a gigantic woodfired pizza oven. That's exactly what you'll find at Ooh-Fa, a cosy pizzeria/wine bar from the owners behind another spot on this list—Pici.
Dishing up the most memorable pizza of your life (certainly where their nduja, mozzarella, and garlic honey number is concerned) alongside a tight lineup of snacks, desserts, and natural wines, Ooh-Fa is nothing short of 'squisito.'
BOSSI
10 Commerce Street, Auckland CBD
Image credit: BOSSI | Instagram
'Magnifico' is how we'd best describe this downtown spot, which combines a stunning menu with jaw-dropping interiors (yes, that is Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam you're looking at).
For the ultimate BOSSI experience, grab yourself a table on the coveted mezzanine and settle in for an exquisite selection of dishes honouring the owner, Jenna Carter's late Nonna. Think fried provolone, an epic Caprese salad featuring a whole stuffed tomato, alfredo-flavoured gnocchi, an iconic lasagne (literally—it was just named one of Auckland's 100 Iconic Eats), and a cheeky limoncello-soaked sponge cake for dessert.
Don't forget to check out their gorgeous selection of cocktails—the Sorrento Sunset is especially lush.
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Vivace
85 Fort Street, Auckland CBD
While this long-standing spot isn't exclusively Italian (there's also a heavy Spanish influence), it is home to some of the best Italian eats in Auckland. Case in point? The golden kumara gnocchi with free-range chicken and Napoli sauce, which after more than three decades on the menu, is still an absolute gnocc-out (see what we did there?).
When we're not stuffing our faces with said gnocchi, you'll find us enjoying Vivace's white pizza topped with spiced beef ragu, caramelised onion, mozzarella, and feta, or their pork belly and mushroom lasagne.
This one gets extra points for ambience (and the speakeasy-style bar hiding behind two barn doors).
Spiga
Shop 1/E/415 Remuera Road, Remuera, Auckland
Image credit: Spiga | Supplied
If you want real-deal Italian, Spiga's your spot. That's because owner and chef, Fabrizio Napolitano is a born-and-bred Italian who spent his childhood wandering the local markets with his two grandmothers, helping them look for the best possible ingredients to use in their cooking.
And you'll see that same appreciation for quality produce in play at Spiga today, where dishes like fried mortadella, tuna tartare, mushroom and truffle caviar pizza, beef cheek tagliatelle, and pistachio gelato are created with nothing but the utmost respect.
A true love letter to the cuisine of Italy, Spiga is without a doubt one of Auckland's best Italian restaurants.
Arte Della Pasta
21/1 Remuera Road, Newmarket, Auckland
In the mood for a piping hot bowl of pappardelle, smothered in beef ragu and Stracciatella cheese—slices of fluffy, filled foccacia (now there's a mouthful)—or perhaps a slab of creamy, coffee-laced tiramisu?
You'll find all of these glorious dishes plus more at the charming Arte Della Pasta. You can even book into one of their pasta-making classes to replicate some of these dishes at home (look out, Nonna!).
Pici
Shop 22 St Kevin’s Arcade, 183 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Pici | Facebook
There's one pasta dish to rule them all here in Auckland, and it's Pici's cacio e pepe. How anyone can make such an incredible meal from just a few simple ingredients (water, flour, pepper, and pecorino cheese) is beyond us—but somehow, the team at this cult K' Road haunt has done it.
Be sure to also try Pici's signature cheesecake, slathered in extra virgin olive oil and sea salt (which, we might add, was doing the rounds long before Dua Lipa made this flavour combo cool).
Baci Eatery
Shop 67 Sylvia Park Shopping Centre, Mount Wellington, Auckland
Amalfi may be worlds away from Auckland, but tucked away in Sylvia Park is a charming all-day eatery called Baci that will soon make you forget the distance, if only for a day. Furnished with olive trees and boasting a sunny flower-covered patio for al fresco dining, this is what eating out, Italian-style is all about.
Sip on tiramisu martinis, snack on antipasto, stick a fork in a bowl of clam linguine, and smash back some tiramisu proper. You can even order burrata for breakfast, should you feel so inclined.
Alla Prossima
Abstract Hotel, 8 Upper Queen Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland
Image credit: Alla Prossima | supplied
For an Italian moment that feels removed from the buzz of the CBD, head to Alla Prossima. Found within Abstract Hotel, we were immediately enamored with the aesthetics—warm green velvet seating and dark yellow tiling. Then there’s the team’s warmth and conviviality which is easily on par with what you’d expect in Italia. As for the food, you’ll do best to arrive hungry.
Led by Executive Chef, Gabriele Marangoni, and specialising in Emiliano-Romagnola cuisine, you'll delight in juicy olives, spongy focaccia with whipped tomato butter, and truffle-mushroom arancino with a taleggio cheese core (yes siree, they’re not messing around). Other standouts include their rich chianti-braised beef cheeks and an eggplant caponata side that’s so good you can order it as a main, or even as breakfast the next day. The cocktails and wine list are equally sensational and you shouldn’t leave until you’ve tried their twice-cooked panna cotta with raspberry coulis. It’s a showstopper.
Archie's Pizzeria
63 Davis Crescent, Newmarket, Auckland
Archie's claims to have 'the best pizza in the world', and they might just be right. Laying basis to this claim is an eleven-strong menu of hand-rolled, woodfired pizzas smothered in gourmet toppings like salmon, cream cheese, mesclun, tomato concassse and extra virgin olive oil, and chicken, zucchini, pesto, pine nuts and mozzarella (sure sounds like top pizza credentials to us).
And while pizza is what first springs to mind when we think of Archie's, this spot is certainly no one-trick-pony when it comes to eating Italian—bruschetta, risotto, pasta, and a solid line-up of Med-inspired mains are also on the menu.
Romulus & Remus
551 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Image credit: Romulus & Remus | Facebook
A restaurant named after Romulus aka the founding father of Rome sure sounds like a great place to grab a bite of Italian, and indeed, it is. With nods to the ancient empire at every turn (the golden ceiling and she-wolf sculpture, for example) and a menu paying homage to Italian cuisine new and old, Romulus & Remus certainly offers a levelled-up approach to Italian dining.
Snack on Sicilian bread and eggplant chips dunked in whipped feta dip, chow down on the popular She-Wolf pizza slathered in garlic, tomato, olives, anchovies, capers, and chilli flakes, then finish off with amaretti cookies and profiteroles stuffed with white chocolate and raspberry.
That's Amore
1 Courthouse Lane, Auckland CBD
No disrespect to our old mate Dean Martin, but it won't be the moon hitting your eye like a big pizza pie at That's Amore—just the pizza.
Jokes aside, this Italian joint hidden away in the inner city is responsible for some of Auckland's best pizza, and they have the awards to prove it. No doubt this is thanks to their more than 35 flavour combinations, including a renowned take on Italy's most famous pizza, the Neapolitan (apparently they are just one of a handful of restaurants outside of Italy to have mastered the original recipe).
Add to that a suite of salads, pasta and one seriously good Nutella calzone, and you'll definitely be feeling the 'amore'.
Andiamo
194 Jervois Road, Herne Bay, Auckland
Image credit: Andiamo | Facebook
Some of Auckland's best Italian food can be found Andiamo, which has been pulling in the punters for more than three decades.
Famous for their mac 'n' cheese (not technically Italian we suppose, but close enough—especially as it's made from three different types of cheese plus bacon and chilli!), negronis and so much more, served to you from a bustling corner site in Herne Bay, it's obvious why this one is such a favourite. Long live Andiamo!
Ortolana
33 Tyler Street, Auckland CBD
Nestled in the heart of Britomart you'll find Ortolana, a much-loved eatery whose name—Italian for 'market gardener'—should be your first sign that this spot means business.
Ortolana is where to go if you want elegant Italian-inspired grub that's fresh, sourced largely from their own garden and follows the seasons, served with a side of twinkling fairy lights and shrubbery (and that's just on the outside).
With a menu spanning the entire day, your toughest decision will be choosing between pane fritto (fried bread) with strawberry and mascarpone for brekkie—market fish crudo with orange, chilli and berry tea dressing for lunch—or perhaps pappardelle with heirloom tomato, basil and citrus butter for dinner. Oof.
Bivacco
115 Customs Street West, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Bivacco | Facebook
You know that viral pasta that's prepared on top of a giant, hollowed-out cheese wheel? Well here in Auckland, Bivacco is where you'll find it. And that's not all—from oysters to Aperol, carpaccio to cannoli and porchetta to Peroni, this gorgeous space has Italian cuisine on lock.
Bivacco also offers one of the best settings of any Italian restaurant, thanks to its grand position on Auckland's waterfront which many of you will remember as the old Headquarters. In fact, on a sunny day with the sea breeze in your hair, this spot could almost pass for somewhere in Amalfi.
Gusto Italiano
263 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland
Gusto Italiano is keeping things classic, right down to the red-and-white checkered tablecloths shining like an Italian beacon from the sidewalk of Ponsonby Road.
Solidifying those Lady and the Tramp vibes even further are mouthwatering renditions of Italy's most iconic dishes including pasta, woodfired pizza and a rather dreamy tiramisu, coupled with warm service and even live opera on select evenings. Bravo!
Otto
375 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Otto | Facebook
Still rocking the Auckland Italian food scene, Otto (formerly Cotto) is one of the top restaurants in the city. This spot showcases that Italian food doesn’t always have to come with a hefty price tag, with their menu ranging from $8-$28 and every single dish tasting like a million bucks.
The spinach and goat cheese dumplings in sage butter and the chocolate nemesis salted caramel dessert are a must. You can thank us later.
Coco’s Cantina
374 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD, Auckland
In terms of staff and vibe, Coco’s Cantina is pretty hard to beat. The team treat you like their best mate and will show you a bloody good time. The food more than matches the vibe, which has an old-school Italian trattoria buzz about it (but without all the mafia uncles).
The spaghetti and meatballs are a must-have. Simple but delicious, it’s a testament to Coco’s quality that they get this staple just so damn right. Not to mention the polenta chips...They're reason enough to ditch the diet and devour what we are dubbing some of the best Italian in Auckland.
Baduzzi
10/26 Jellicoe Street, North Wharf, Auckland
Photo credit: Baduzzi | Supplied
If there's one thing we could eat forever, pasta would probably be it. And we know we’re not alone there. For hands-down some of the best pasta in Auckland, this is where you go.
Baduzzi makes their own pasta fresh daily, and it’s stunning. Their crayfish meatballs and tiramisu are must-tries. The restaurant is also vegetarian friendly with many plant-based options. We don’t blame you if you’re drooling right about now.
Romantics take note—this is a particularly impressive date night destination.
Prego
226 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland
Ponsonby Road seems to get a new 'must-eat' place every couple of weeks, but Prego is like that ex you can’t get out of your head. You think this hot new thing will be bigger and better, and it might seem so at first, but you’ll always go crawling back to the tried and true… the pasta, the pizza, the service…Prego really is one of the best Italian restaurants in Auckland.
The fairy-light-filled courtyard is pretty damn dreamy for a summer night’s meal—and it’s romantic to boot. Your date is destined for a happy ending with the amazing desserts. Our pick? The dolce di datteri (sticky date pudding with hot caramel. ginger ice cream, and walnut crumble).
Amano
66-68 Tyler Street, Britomart Place, Britomart, Auckland
Photo credit: Amano | Supplied
Once a bakery, we're not overly surprised that Amano has a wheat mill located out back. But when the bakery opened its doors to what is now one of Auckland's best Italian restaurants, right in the heart of the CBD, we screamed a little inside. That wheat mill now churns out the tastiest homemade pasta you could dream of.
As an all-day eatery, they are serving up classic Italian goodies from breakfast through to dinner. We highly recommend their pastries, cakes, and beloved scampi pasta.
Pasta & Cuore
409 Mount Eden Road, Mount Eden, Auckland
Pasta & Curore is the essence of Italian. You'll spot this gem—if you don't smell the aromas first—as you're driving through Mt Eden Village, brightly lit through the glass exterior. Inside you'll find high bar stools offering the ability to enjoy a pinot noir while people-watching the busy bodies outside. The perfect balance, as further inside are quaint tables soon to be lined with plates of homemade pasta.
Yep, the talented chefs are rolling, flattening and cooking pasta from scratch right in front of your face. Paired with a sauce of choice and perhaps a bruschetta to start, you won't regret it.
Non Solo Pizza
259 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland
Image credit: Non Solo Pizza | Facebook
Non Solo Pizza undoubtedly offers some of the best Italian food in Auckland. The outdoor courtyard with its olive trees is the perfect spot to enjoy a pizza and a Peroni (or four) in summer. Speaking of pizzas... their woodfired offerings are insane.
Their extensive menu offers all your pasta faves like cannelloni, gnocchi and spaghetti, or choose from one of Non Solo Pizza’s set menus.
Farina
244 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland
For a true taste of Italy, look no further than the long-standing Farina on Ponsonby Raod. Certified by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, the authority on traditional Neapolitan pizza, Farina pride themselves on using only the best ingredients and processes.
True to this, their menu boasts mouthwatering pizza (the Boscaiola is our top pick), fresh pasta and other classics which will transport your tastebuds straight to the streets of Italy.
Don’t forget to finish your feasting with their gorgeous panna cotta, doused in mascarpone citrus.
Looking for more Italian goodness? Check out:
- Delicious Auckland Tiramisu To Dig A Fork Into
- Auckland's Tastiest Pizza Joints
- Where To Find The Cruchiest Cannoli in Auckland
Main image credit: Otto | Supplied
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