Top 10 Italian Restaurants in New Zealand 2024

Over the past year we have been dropping into local Italian restaurants all over New Zealand to try the cuisine, check out the wine list, and also rate the overall ambience and service provided.

Listed below from least to most highly rated are the restaurants with Italian Food that we have tried, and include a number of factors that are taken into account.

Best Italian Restaurants
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  • Auckland
  • Canterbury
  • Waikato
  • A place you would take someone to impress
  • Delicious Italian food
  • Italian wines
  • Cosy and romantic
  • Make a booking
More details +
Intimacy level
9
Ambience
9
Food & drink
10
Service
9.5
Google Score
9
Would we go back?
10
Intimacy level
7.5
Ambience
8.6
Food & Drink
9.7
Google Score
9
Would we go back?
10
  • Italian Style Food
  • Love the wine list
  • Great service from the team
  • Established Ponsonby Resturant
  • Prego Menu
More details +
Intimacy
8
Ambience
8
Customer Service
9.5
Food & drink
9
Google Score
9.2
Would we go back?
9.5
  • One of the best restaurants in Parnell (we think)
  • Great for pizza pasta lovers
  • Good spot to take someone special
  • Be sure to try the Tiramisu
  • Great wine list
  • Courtyard dining and inside
  • Bar on entry for a casual drink in good company
More details +
Intimacy level
9
Ambience
8.5
Food & drink
8.5
Service
9.5
Google
8.5
Would we go back?
9
  • Pasta Bar with freshly made Pasta
  • The best Wellington Italian restaurant (we think)
  • Love the wine list
  • Romantic
  • Where to go for a  wine date
  • We love the Wood fired pizza on the menu
More details +
Intimacy level
8
Ambience
8
Food & drink
9
Service
8
Google score
9
Would we go back?
9
  • Secure your dining experience by booking
  • For a brief moment export yourself to Italy when visiting Poderi Crisci
  • Beautiful gardens to be enjoyed
  • Fine wines and dining experience
  • Love the pizzas made from the Pizza oven
  • Great service
  • Love wine list
  • Romantic ambience
  • Our favourite table was table number 4
More details +
Intimacy
8
Ambience
8
Food & drink
8
Service
8.5
Google score
9.2
Would we go back?
9
  • Freshly made pasta
  • Italian wine list
  • Amazing attentive service (mostly likely by the owner)
  • Love the fairy lights throughout
  • Romantic
More details +
Intimacy
7.5
Ambience
7.5
Food & drink
8
Service
9
Google score
9.6
  • There's not just pizza's, there's pasta too!
  • Great for a casual relaxed date spot or to sheer a wine with a friend
More details +
Intimacy
8
Ambience
8
Food & drink
8
Service
8
Google review
8.4
Would we go back?
7.5
  • Love the Gnocchi
  • Small & cosy spot
  • Popular with the locals
  • Gluten free bases available
More details +
Intimacy level
7
Ambience
7
Food & drink
8.5
Google score
8.8
Would we go back?
8

General information on how we find and review the best Italian restaurants in New Zealand.

  1. Look for restaurants with authentic Italian cuisine: Italian restaurants that offer traditional dishes, made with high-quality ingredients and cooked to perfection, are a good indication of authenticity.

  2. Check out the wine list: A good Italian restaurant will have a well-curated wine list that includes a variety of Italian wines, including both classic and lesser-known varieties.

  3. Look for reviews and ratings: Online reviews and ratings can be a great way to get an idea of the restaurant’s reputation, and whether it’s known for its food, service, or ambiance.

  4. Ask for recommendations: Ask locals or other foodies for recommendations on the best Italian restaurants in the area.

  5. Check out the atmosphere: A great Italian restaurant will have a warm and inviting atmosphere, with comfortable seating and a mix of vintage and modern elements that create a cozy and welcoming environment.

  6. Check out the service: Good Italian restaurants will have friendly and attentive staff who are knowledgeable about the menu and happy to make recommendations.

  7. Check out the prices: Italian restaurants with high-quality food and excellent service will often have higher prices, but it’s important to ensure that the prices are reasonable and consistent with the quality of the food and service provided.

By taking these factors into account, you too will be able to find an Italian restaurant that is perfect for your tastes and budget.

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