We sat outside seated at the cute table and ordered the pea ricotta ravioli and meatball spaghetti to share. We also ordered house white wine which was cheap on happy hour. Ricotta ravioli was my favourite as it was creamy but refreshing, and the meatballs from the spaghetti were very well seasoned! If we made it a little bit earlier we could have ordered their happy hour pasta only for 13bux! Service was great, friendly and attentive. There are seats inside as well and I was taken aback by how large the place was.
Ohhh Lordy. We ate here tonight and that was one heck of a meal!
We had the Lemon & ricotta ravioli and the Linguine. The ravioli was so rich and decadent, the burnt butter was so delicious and the walnuts added an amazing crunch. Warning, this is a heavy meal so don’t go for this if you’re not that hungry or trying to be healthy. The linguine was light, with the perfect amount of chilli and they weren’t stingey with the prawns. The toasted bread crumb was so crispy and added some nice texture to the dish.
Service was lovely and the vibe was great. Can’t wait to come back!!
Love the food and atmosphere here- always so cosy. Sunday’s are the best- less crowded and also the Sunday roasts are amazing value.
Order:
Arancini balls
Sunday roast
A pasta (all are amazing)
Carafe of Sangria
= the best date night
Its a little pricey for the amount of food you get, portions are small. But quality is fantastic, and service was great. Would absolutely go again
LOVE happy hour here.... $7 wine! Cheap pasta!!!! Amazing
Love sitting on the footpath and people watching - it’s the best.
I love their kumara bread with olive oil, I could eat that all day long!
Their polenta chips are always perfecto too!
Fantastic food and service! We can’t wait to come back!
Finally found some good Italian food in Auckland! The meatballs and spaghetti is freaking delicious! Can't stop thinking about it. God bless
Great food all-around as per usual, however pork belly was a bit of a disappointment how it came out slightly burnt on the top and majority of it was fat. The spaghetti and meatball was good but not as good as last time where the meatball last time was nice and juicy this time was a little bit dry. Polenta chips are perfect as per usual. Overall it was a nice meal still love the place and ambiance.
Finally visited this place after so many years looking at it from the car window lol. It is definitely a
Great place for catching up with friends over drinks and nibbles! We had happy hour drinks and shared a few small plates. Probably won’t come here for lunch or dinner as it is quite pricey and small portioned... but nice atmosphere for happy hour drinks!
Love the atmosphere and food here!
It is a bit pricy but you really can’t find anywhere like this in Auckland.
The spaghetti meatballs are my favourite!
And staff and chill and friendly which I love.
Popped into cocos cantina for dinner tonight. What an amazing atmosphere. The place was packed to the brim. Ordered the beetroot and blue cheese arancini, this is a must try dish. It seems again i ordered vegetarian but you know what? The flavour is all there. Polenta chips are the best i have ever come across and a very generous portion. Unsure on what sauce came with them but damn is it good. Finished with the cacio e pepe. This for me need more salt and more pepper like seriously more triple it! But im a fiend for pepper so it might be alright. Beer range is a bit naff but the red wines seemed on point. Try it out but be sure to call ahead at peak times if you are heart set on eating here.
I had the polenta chips- my first time and it was definitely worth it. Also had the lamb rack which was cooked to perfection along with a green sauce which was very close to a chimmichuri sauce along with a gnocchi slice. The staff were friendly and can’t fault the service. Only thing I wasn’t to impressed with was the fact that we had to wait till everyone on the table was present in order to be seated. I would definitely go back here!!
My favourite restaurant in Auckland. It's quirky and fun and so welcoming. The food is amazing (the polenta chips, meatballs and vegetarian ravioli are some of my favourites). Service is always amazing and all the staff are down to earth and warm. Believe me, the wait for a table is always worth it!
We had an amazing dinner at Coco’s Cantina on K Road last Sunday, it was a jog down the memory lane for me as the food that I’ve had would definitely have one of the most authentic flavours, what do they say? Just like how Nana used to make it. I started the night with a glass of Apero Spritz, just like how the Italians do it. It wasn’t very strong and also not too sweet, quite different to what I expected. Nevertheless, it was nice and refreshing. Then our antipasti platter was served. I LOVED the toasted bread. It’s probably sour dough, but I loved how thinly sliced, crispy and just tasty with the butter thinly spreaded on top.
The service here is golden, they make you feel at ease and just very welcome.
The polenta chips are friigin yum.
And my ravioli was excellent, super tasty, perfectly cooked pasta and just the right amount.
Love this place
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What an absolute god damned delight.
I'd heard about Coco's, read about Coco's, walked past Coco's, smelled the aromas's coming from Coco's, I'd done everything but eaten at Coco's. Friday night changed this.
After a few wines at The Love Bucket on K.Rd. it was time for eats. We were turned away by Sri Pinang as the kitchen had closed for the night, the next closest was Coco's.
I'm not going to wax lyrical about service and decor, the food is that good I could've been sitting in a cardboard box served by Pol Pot and I still would've loved the experience.
Chicken Liver Parfait, not only good, but a mountain of Parfait to get through, you could spread it an inch thick on the sourdough and you'd still struggle to get through it all.
Ravioli, mushroom, ricotta, butter sauce and truffle oil. Just shut up and take my money.
Slow cooked pork belly, roast apples and rocket, simple and moreish.
Polenta chips, crisp corners in all the right places.
This is very much worthy of being on Metro's top 50 list.
Why did I wait so long to come here?
Cosy warm and personable.
The wine list is great.
The pork belly and fennel apple slaw ..... woooow and ridiculously good they complement each other so well. If you are looking for the best tiramisu this part of town this place we’ll do it for you!! I am a huge fan and we’ll be paying you a visit again.
Finally made it to Coco’s Cantina and early enough to get a seat at the window with a view!
This place packs out fast especially with happy hour! The atmosphere is buzzing and the food is simple but amazing.
We had the cheese of the day and arancini balls which had an interesting addition of corn! Both were delicious... and followed up with pasta of the day which was fagottini with marscapone and chicken with burnt butter and chives.
Can’t wait to try again soon!
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Located on a crowded strip of K’Road, Coco’s Cantina has been trending for a while. My friends and I visited the place on a Saturday night around 7.30pm and it was packed. There was a long waitlist but luckily my friend arrived early so she got us on it. We had a nice corner table without having to wait too long.
Ambience: The restaurant has warm toned decorations with red checked table cloth and candles on every table. The place was really noisy making it hard to talk to each other. The lights were dim and it was cozy which sound romantic but since it’s noisy, I wouldn’t recommend it for a date.
Service: Very friendly but maybe not efficient because they did forget one of our orders. I don’t really mind though coz it was super busy.
Food: We ordered the Chicken special, stuffed Ravioli, Spaghetti and Meatballs, the Steak for mains. We did ordered a salad but it never showed. For desserts we got the tiramisu and the tart. Also we had quite a few drinks. The spaghetti and meatballs is my favorite, classic and delicious. The tiramisu had a little sour taste to it which I don’t like but all good because it was really creamy. The ravioli was too heavy and buttery for my taste. The chicken was cooked well and paired nicely with the sauce and garnish.
Definitely coming back for more goodness 💓
Cocos is probably my favourite restaurant in Auckland, the food is always amazing, the staff are great and the restaurant has a nice ambience. They also have a good happy hour and I like to stop by for an after work drink or two and maybe some polenta chips!
Atmosphere is the best! Staff are friendly & quick!! Luv going here. Guttered I have a new phone as my old phone had pics.. def can’t leave here without trying their polenta chips 😍😍🤤
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A group of 5 girlfriends visited for the very first time last night. We were absolutely delighted with the prompt, friendly and helpful service, as well as the delicious food. We arrived around 5:30pm and had no trouble getting a table, although we noticed that the restaurant soon filled up. The tables appeared to be turned over reasonably quickly though, so I'd imagine the wait for tables wouldn't be too tedious.
We enjoyed the 5-7pm Happy Hour and had a round of prosecco bubbles, along with some beetroot aracini as starters. The blue cheese and ricotta sauce went beautifully with the beetroot - and had us all salivating!
For mains, 3 of us had the pasta of the day (pappardelle with slow-cooked short ribs ragu), 1 had the rainbow chard ravioli with burnt butter sauce, and 1 had the vegetarian special (with fresh artichoke). We also shared some polenta fries (YUM). We were all in food heaven and loved our respective meals.
For dessert, 4 of us had the tiramisu and 1 had the caramel semifreddo with macadamia nut crumb. Again we were very happy with our choices - although we were full at this stage and most of us didn't quite finish the dessert.
We were impressed with our experience. It was the perfect end for our special "Girls' Day Out". We will certainly be returning to try other items on the menu!
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While I wasn’t blown away by the food when I first went to Coco's, the restaurant's reputation swayed me into coming again a few months later – so this review covers both occasions. On both visits I received lovely service with food that was fresh and interesting, and I enjoyed their ambience too (you can actually have a conversation even when it’s busy).
The arancini (risotto and cheese balls with breadcrumb coating) is a good appetiser to share for two. First time I had it, they were amazing – I loved the truffle aioli, and the dish wasn’t too oily. Second time round was less impressive. The arancini had a red sauce instead (which wasn’t a stand out) and different type of cheese was used (I think).
Their seasonal menu means that the pasta mains are always changing. One time, my friend ordered a pumpkin ravioli that looked amazing (but not very filling). I’ve tried a mussel pasta dish, where the pasta resembled thick noodles. No complaints about the seafood, but the sauce was extremely salty – which was disappointing.
Fast forward a few months to November, where I decided to take my chances on another of their pasta dishes. This second one featured chicken ragout and spicy sausage. The flavours all worked and I loved the texture of the fresh pasta, but again – the sauce was a bit salty for my tastebuds (though much more bearable than last time).
I love the character of this restaurant and how they're committed to ethically sourced ingredients. But unfortunately, it’s not quite the right place for me because of their over-seasoned pasta dishes. While I don’t find their food to be particularly refined in taste or presentation, I do appreciate that it's the style Coco goes for – comfort food that’s made with heart.
Coco's Cantina does not do bookings. It's likely you will have to wait for a table, which is fine since you can get a drink at the bar.
The staff are Friendly. It's quite cosy, and the decor gives the place a 'hipster and homey' feel.
The polenta chips is an absolute must try, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside.
My pasta had burnt butter sauce, which made it taste quite oily. I think the foods a bit over priced for the portions.
Gutted I didn't have time to stay and try dessert!
Packed restaurant, sat outside for the evening having dinner with a friend. The food was delicious, staff made sure to check on outside customers regularly. As the last customers to leave that evening, the staff never once made us feel like we had to hurry up and go. A good place for a regular meal served with care.
Great place for a quick drink after work on a Friday at Happy Hour.
That is exactly what I went for and ordered an Apple Cider. Staff were friendly, ambience was great at the restaurant and service was quick.
Must definitely aim for a dinner next time!
Not the best food but definitely not the worst either. Bloody amazing Tiramisu. Holy moly you have to try it! Nicely presented tea too. Just another cute indie café.
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Let me tell you something.. Coco's Cantina is far from making the top. Keeping your guests at the bar is one thing, but atleast have enough seats along the bar so people dont have to stand and wait. Was met at the bar with a young lady who looked like she didnt want to be there and a tone of voice that was more or less saying.. order your drinks and dont speak to me.. Selection of drinks were average, and if your like me and want a decent pint while waiting to be seated.. well your shit outta luck there. Small servings for a price is what your met with. I was expecting a wine list..... Its an italian place for God sake, you'd expect to be shown a decent selection of wine to be had with dinner. The tables are covered in a brown paper sheet covering the table cloth which makes the place look a little cheap. Get some plastic covers to keep those beautiful checkered table clothes clean. A simple wipe and waaallaahhh. On the other side of the pitch the service from the table staff was great, they were warming and made you feel like the place isnt so bad. The food was very tasteful and fresh. The Raviolis were beautiful, with a mouth watering pumpkin filling and roasted hazlenuts to add a little crunch, apart from the half a bottle of oil used to cook them. If u dont like oily food DONT order this dish. But overall very nice. The Spaghetti with meatballs was done very well, two big meats ball and a fresh sauce makes this dish a safe bet. TBH i wouldnt go back. The food was not enough to lure me in for a second go. It is a good little place but there a many more italian places that would wipe the floor with Coco's Cantina and not make a dent in your pocket either.
Fabulous Italian food and great service. Loved the tiramisu especially and the daily specials were great. We had some ricotta dip thing that was out of this world!
Outstanding quality of food, best I've had at a restaurant. Just a bit too cheesy and oily for me, but that's because I don't like a lot of cheese and oil, unlike most people. For the price I'd go to a different restaurant next time. My friends and family members give this place 10/10
Came here with a friend who is a frequent diner here. We started off with happy hour drinks which is on offer until 7pm. For food we ordered the polenta chips, spaghetti meatball, ravioli, chicken, tiramisu and semi fredo. Food arrived quickly. The chips were crunchy on the outside with a couscous texture on the inside served with garlic aioli. The spagatti n meatball came with two giant meatballs. They were tasty and flavoursome. The ravioli was the best I've ever had, 4 plate sized ravioli with pumpkin filling was served with a light sauce. Next up, the chicken was juicy and came with an amazing sauce. The tiramisu has a strong coffee taste and the semi fredo was simply delicious with lots of hazelnuts. The restaurant quickly got busy and a waitlist started soon after 6pm. I would highly recommend this place for Italian food.
This place holds a certain charm that can only be achieved with great family friendly service and ecletic decor to feel like you are in Nonna's home. The menu, brief yet delectable. With only a few things to choose from they are classics done well. We ordered the arancini, assorted meats board and bread. An early supper we were not overly hungry but the arancini were crispy yet soft and buttery with cheese and pumpkin on the inside. The meats platter included coppa a deep fried pork pastry that can obly be likened to the exterior of a taro pork pastry served at yum cha and fennel sausage. All washed down with a mulled wine the staff were attentive and the meal comforting. With a long waitlist building outside we chose to move on quickly but will definitely be coming back for a feast next time.
The service was amazing here - the staff were so friendly and accommodating. I had the Ravioli and it was the best pasta I have ever had. I'll definitely be coming back here again.
This was my second time here and I was pleasantly surprised to find that they had knocked through the main wall and expanded the restaurant.
We ordered the polenta chips, mushroom arancini balls, organic chicken and the chicory, salted ricotta salad. Our waitress was super helpful but not pushy at all with our ordering. I loved the crunchy oily goodness of the chips and mushroom arancini, it was perfect comfort food for a cold winter night. The chicken was delicious with plenty of fresh salad and lovely fresh lemon. The chicory salad was too bitter for our taste though and when we mentioned this to our waitress she kindly offered to take if off our tab. Also worthy of noting was the delicious mulled wine.
Food: 4/5
Atmosphere: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Instagrammability: 1/5 (not enough lighting!)
Firstly the decor and the look is great, the service is amazing as the staff make you feel like part of the family, noting is a issue and when the food comes in good time is was great with nice flavours and good value for money. I go every time I can and when I'm in the area. Thanks
I've eaten here three times and I look forward to the fourth. When I need my Italian food fix, this is the place to go. The atmosphere is delightful, the food is brilliant. There's a very good reason why this place is always packed!
If you love aracini balls and polenta chips, this place is definitely the best. I was apprehensive going here at first due to the rustic appearance however the place was packed so they must've been doing something right. The aracini balls were so tasty and cheesy. This was my first introduction to polenta chips and I have to say they really set the bar. Definitely worth a try
Great service and delicious food!
Will definitely come back. I love Italian food and they have some of the best Auckland has to offer.
The food was amazing! I would highly recommend the Polenta fries and Arancini balls- they were both full of flavour and big portions! Although we went late on a Friday night, we had to wait as there were no tables free, the waitresses were lovely and very accommodating while we waited. They were probably the friendliest and chattiest waitresses I've seen in a while. The ambience in the restaurant was also awesome, I'll definitely be back!
Coco's for dinner
Started with the risotto rice balls - they were
Absolutely amazing!
For our mains we had the pea and asparagus ravioli. This was a huge portion , tasted incredible, coco's really know how to make pasta! Easily the best rav I've ever had.
Also had the pork belly with celery salad. The pork belly was also nice but the salad was so awesome - fresh - the salad dressing was amaze! We also ordered the lamb ragout pasta dish- which was very lamby , ordered 3 main between 2 and had WAY too much food . We took home a doggy bag with the extras, price was around $130 which Included a couple of wines , as usual amazing fresh food will definitely be returning .
God I loooooooooooooove Coco's Cantina!
The place cranks and the food is BANGING!!! Be early there is limited space and people come flocking from all over town!
We had 6 people, heaps of food and booze and the bill came to $60 per person BOOM TOWN!
The food here is really yum, the pasta tastes really fresh. We had to wait quite a while for the food to arrive and it was averagely busy. I also think the prices are quite high for the quantity. We ordered the chocolate tart for dessert and although it was so good, it was more of a brownie than a tart. The staff and atmosphere is great and I would recommend for good Italian food.
After years of pining after Coco's Catina - I FINALLY went! Boy oh boy I'm glad that I did 😍. We arrived a little late but they didn't seem to mind at all! We really appreciated this 😄. The service is awesome and very friendly, it feels like you're with extended family. They have a small but authentic menu which has something for almost everyone. Now let's talk about the taste 💕 one word: nostalgia. The spaghetti and meatballs took me back to a certain plate of pasta in Italy back in 2000! The decor is super sweet and the dim lighting makes for a rather romantic experience 😉. I'm counting down the minutes until I'm able to come back 😋
Came here for my birthday, staff were awesome and attentive. Made sure drinks were topped up and we were looked after. Food came out and i was wowed by the ravioli, such a simple dish but tasty. The fish was awesome too and althought the desserts seem like an after thought i would definitely recommend you eat here at least once.
You wouldn't expect much from the look of the establishment but wow awesome service so lovely the staff,and the food came out quick tasting so good considering how busy they were AA+++
Best Italian restaurant on K Rd by far :-) Definitely about time that things were livened up on the old lady of Auckland, and Coco's brings style and rustic substance to part of K Rd where the average person usually feared to tread. The bar next door thankfully has also been reinvented and now the whole area has a chance to re-express itself. Coco's doesn't hold back when it comes to refined Italian dining, with our pork belly, Italian slaw, goat's cheese ravioli and praline affogato all beautifully presented and sublimely delicious. The serving team were very friendly and so efficient I hardly noticed the coming and goings, but the recommendation is to get their a bit earlier than normal (ie 6pm) it fills up understandably super quick, and provides a fun and lively night out..!
Good service, good sized portions, quality food. But be ready to wait for a long time (40-60mins) if you go there at peak hour! But you can always have some drinks while waiting. Sangria was delicious.
Recommend not going overboard with their starters if you want dessert because the mains were so filling! Steak was cook perfectly and pork belly was soft and tender.
Decor is trendy with cute red and white checkered tablecloths.
Recommended! I've been raving about this place after visiting last week. We came in large group and got a great table in their adjacent room. Atmosphere was awesome and staff were all very friendly and knew their stuff when talking about the menu. Food was next level. I had the pork belly and we got the polenta chips as a table – can't even describe how great they are. Order them when u go, there'll be no regrets. Coming back here fo sure.
This place is pretty good, very "rustic" and "hipster". Ambiance is great a bit small and crowded at times but overall I enjoyed dining here. Service was excellent lovely staff and very accommodating. Their chairs was not that comfortable because they were pretty old school so sitting on them for LONG time (2.5-3hrs) hurts. Food was great loved their polenta chips price is reasonable and big servings. I ordered steak (was slightly salty for me). But my dessert (Panna cotta) was divine!! I loved it so much and I will be back to have it again! Good wine selection and overall great little place!
We went on Tuesday night, could not believe how busy it was, full by the time we started eating, which in itself is a good indication. We were certainly not disappointed, everything was delicious, staff reasonably attentive for how busy they were, will definitely go back and try some of their other fare.
This is a fabulous place. Italian food done beautifully, good vibes, friendly staff, etc etc. Not the place for a quiet refined meal - more fun & noisy.
Lost 0.5 because they don't take bookings & are very busy most nights so, join the early diners at 6, or go late, or be prepared to wait a while at the bar for a free table.
The menu changes enough to be interesting for repeat visits but still keeps the great signature dishes like the scotch steak.
My favorites are the crisp balls of arancini, the bruschetta with smoked mozzarella & mushrooms, Farro and the perfectly cooked scotch steak - you can't specify how you would like it cooked, they all come medium, but mine was more med/rare, juicy & pink inside & very tender. Just the way I like it.
We were so full & satisfied that we didn't want dessert until we saw the options - just as good as the rest of the meal.
Wow this place is so cool and the food is great as well! We dropped in for an early dinner before a show and it just happened to be their Happy Hour so we had a glass of Prosecco and the House read for $12. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable and efficient and so damn attractive- it must be the food. Anyway we shared the smoked fish bruschetta which was just as well as it was huge but very tasty. We had the lemon and ricotta ravioli and the pepper and cheese bucatini- lots of flavour and very filling. We had a delicious white wine from Italy with the mains - it was so good I can't remember what it was. We couldn't manage a desert a $112 poorer. I don't know why some of the reviews complain about the size and cost of the meals and the place is definitely an experience. So in short another must try in Auckland. Take the kids, they will love it.
Cocos thanks once again for a fantastic dining experience. I love your ethic as much as your tummy warming deliciously crafted food. You're delicious in every way. No comprises for those meanie dinners too. Respect! It goes two ways 😊
Had the set menu between 12 of us. Great flavours and cooking. Very good value and deservedly very busy. Will definitely return soon. Recommend the steak.
Hearty home style Italian cooking with a no frills surrounding- great for an informal catch up with friends or a cost date night. Grab a table outside and watch the crazy K Rd scene pass by. Good happy hour beer and prosecco specials! Pasta was delish - entrees and mains were awesome. Great wine selection too. Only low point was our dessert, these missed the mark. Cheese board is great though! One you have to try.
Kp Food Reviewer 2000
+4.5
okay so my friends go here quite often and ive never been. i walk past all the time, i wonder what could possibly be in those doors that everyone talks about. what could i be missing out on you know... can it really be THAT good?
ladies n gentlemen we have a winner eh. a winner of a 10/10 meal. a winner of a sick meal in the good way. a winner in i left so full, on the verge of throwing up because it was so good i couldnt stop myself. i winner of you have my heart cocos cantina. my GOD.
i tried to look at the menu as to what i ate but it appears to not be on there. anyways it was a cheesey pasta. lots of pepper. some sort of crumb on it that was SO good. it was all i wanted in a basic cheese pasta - in saying that the BEST cheesy pasta EVER. the thickness of the pasta was what got me eh. a great pasta.
i picked at others peoples food. OH OH before i forget that chicken parfait w. toast and onions is SO FAAAAAARKIN good. i honestly nearly cried eh. i could have died in that moment and be very content.
the broccoli side was a banga. went great with the pasta and the polenta chips were something else eh. jUST SO DELICIOUS. i wonder what time they open, id go there for breakfast right now thats how good it is. actually i woke up this morning still full but STILL craving it all over again.
i'm giving it a 4.5 cause there was a wait for the table but thats no ones fault cause there were nine of us. it really should be a 5. my new favourite eh.
I've never been to Italy before but I feel like I just did and then it only took me 20 minutes to drive home and have a lie down after the most perfect pasta dish ever. This evening we came for an early dinner to Cocos - just in time for happy hour. We ordered Arancini balls to start which were fat and delicious. For mains we had the fish of the day which was great but that 'fat' spaghetti I ordered was out of this world. Simple and bursting with flavour it was better than I had hoped and if I ever get to Italy it will be the first thing I order. The service was prompt and waitress attentive, making sure our glasses were always full and water topped up. Will most definitely be back again soon 👌🏻
Just had a fantastic meal at Cocos. First time here and will definitely recommend to others. Good service, lovely atmosphere and amazing food. Thank you Cocos I will be back.
Such a fantastic spot. Beautifully lit, funky vibe and staff who make the place.
Simple classical food done exceptionally well, it's a little taste of Italy on K Rd. Get there, you won't regret it.
the place is amazing has a wonderful buzz about it and totally love what they are doing here, very old school italian feel and definitely one of the more awe inspiring places to dine, the staff are friendly and the food is quality, had the spaghetti bologonese 10/10
GideonMarisa MasterchefNz2015
+4
Yess the hype is real this place embodies the old school restaurant in such an unassuming way! it has all the classic makings of an Italian family owned restaurant straight out of a 1950s gangster movie. The food tastes just like your mothers cooking, comforting and wholesome on all levels! Was lucky enough to try an array of dishes they had on their menu and particularly fell in love with the spaghetti bologonese with its juicy meatballs! make sure to book a table as this place gets rather busy especially over the weekends #g1
My boyfriend took me here to celebrate my 20th birthday. I ordered the potato and ricotta ravioli with truffle mushrooms and and white wine sauce. This dish was mouthwatering to look at and tasted absolutely divine. Simple dish executed perfectly - could definitely tell that a lot of effort and love went into it. My boyfriend got the spaghetti bolognaise and omg the meatballs were so big he couldn't even finish the dish! Portion size is very decent and service is very good.
One of my favourites hands-down. Unpretentious and amazing tasting Italian food. This place also has a fantastic cured meat and garlic sharing board to start 😍😍 YUM.
I went here with a bad bank balance😒 I had to order a salad and watch the rest of my friends eat food. The salad was probably the best salad I've ever had. I was completely blown away by how good it was. The mains almost paled in comparison. Would definitely go again and again if only for the salad.
Had high expectations for Coco's - lots of friends had recommended it and I'd been waiting ages to give it a go. Did not disappoint! Got seated straight away, lovely and warm, good buzz. Service was faultless - friendly, approachable, always there when you needed it. Had squid arancini to start, beautiful. Boyfriend had the pork belly and I had butternut ravioli, shared side of seasonal veg (fennel). All delicious, rich and filling. Finished with the nougat - incredible! Can't wait to return
Have always wanted to try Coco's & finally did for my birthday dinner. Never have I ever felt so immediately comfortable in a restaurant. Everyone is friendly, helpful and approachable. We arrived just before 7 and were seated immediately, which was unexpected but great. We had the arancini to start, which was really enjoyable, couldn't fault it. Boyfriend had the spaghetti and meatballs which smelt incredible & I'm told were delicious. I had the pumpkin ravioli which was on par/better than a similar dish I had in a fancy restaurant in Rome. I regret not having enough room for dessert! Pretty great value, we spent about $120 on two drinks each, a starter, mains and coffee afterwards. Can't wait to go back.
food is nice but there is a long wait. staffs are really nice and friendly and for sure they know how to deal with customers and make them welcome even tho they are just waiting for table by the bar... great atmosphere nice place to catch up with friends.
Everything on the menu is amazing with Coco's having a cool rustic vibe. Loved it, great atmosphere. Will definitely be back to try more soon.
Coco's Cantina is a cherished destination on the busy and very eclectic K' Rd. The atmosphere is reminiscent of an Italian 'rural' enotica - where you are likely to find hearty servings of what-ever is fresh, local and seasonal.
The handwritten menus change reasonably frequently and a typically Italian - think antipasti, secondi etc and include really wonderful pasta and arancini balls - all the classics done really well.
The picture is the chicken liver parfait drizzled in olive oil - nice thick cuts of toasted sourdough and a small bowl of caramelised onions. - need I say more!!!
What I have also come to notice - is that they play hosts to various events and pop-up restaurants on the nights that they are closed. I attended one recently where I learnt to make Mozzarella with Yael (from Ima cuisine) and apple pie from the Pie Piper girls - (including all of these for dinner) and the proceeds to charity.
How can you not love that as an 'all-round' good guy in the restaurant world!!
Service was excellent, and great deals during happy hour :) the antipasti were quite nice. I had the spaghetti and meatballs - meatballs were huge and some of the best I've ever had. Sauce maybe a bit too sweet for my liking but tasty regardless. Panna cotta was beautiful - would definitely come again :)
Great service with great food. The late could be a bit long but it's definitely worth it. Spaghetti with meatballs are saucy and have lots of flavours. Will go back for sure.
Had been hearing great things about Coco's Cantina and the reviews were right, Went along on a Tuesday night, was a short wait for a table but happily waited at the bar, for five of us we well over ordered (even after being warned by staff) but choices were hard. All the food highly met expectations, pork belly was cooked amazingly, but if i'm honest the broccoli may have even been my favorite part, who knows what they do to it! The Staff were excellent, great service all night.
It's the second time I've visited in 12 months and the staff are as enthusiastic as ever. The decor is funky, the music is good and the food is great. The antipasto platter has some wonderful flavours (anchovy paste, baked almonds, crunchy green beans etc.), the arancini balls are wonderful and the ravioli is superb. I'll definitely be back. Well done.
Coco's cantina has been around for years but for some reason I have never made it there. Then when I saw it was in the metro top 50 restaurants I thought I need to try it. Their reputation is for a real family feel and that is exactly what it is like. It felt like at least half the people in there were regulars as they were all greeted with hugs and kisses from the staff.
The menu is cute and is full of tasty options. I had the arancini balls and Salad full of greens, feta and walnuts. My friend had the pork belly (which was a close second choice for me). We both had a happy hour (only $6) glass of prosecco which can in an old style champagne glass.
The whole experience was lovely from our friendly waitress, the food (obviously) and even how they had decorated the toilets. I will definitely be returning!
Great Italian food, great atmosphere, staff were very friendly and loved the music playing in the background. I had a prawn pasta dish, rich and full of flavour, I also had the pork belly, it was moist, and the crackling was to die for ( I've been back a few times ) check this place if you can.
If you're after authentic and rustic Italian cuisine then this is the place. We had a large gathering there and were served a set menu. We had servings of spaghetti and meatballs. It was served straight from a large saucer which added a nice touch, and the plates were served directly to each of us.
Very delicious and cooked perfectly. Meatballs were flavorsome and large, very Italian! Desert was a lovely lemon tart, which many of us went back for seconds. A fantastic night overall and definitely highly recommended for classic casual dining.
I love this place and every time we go it's faultless. I always go for the pork and the last one with the smoked plums was delicious. My partner had the meat balls and loved them. We also had to share a polenta chips which were yum. Even though we were those late eating customers that chefs love to hate everything was great. Will always be one of my fav places to dine.
If a relaxed atmosphere and excellent food are what you are looking for then you found the place! Great decor, friendly staff and wonderful food. All you need to take are your friends/family for a laid back night filled with food, wine and good company :)
Fourth time at Coco's, food is always great, and if you don't like the service you should probably find somewhere more suited to your taste. Great ethos!
Never had a bad meal and service has always been amazing this place will blow u away when u walk in u think its a quiet small spot then when inside u see its a bustling melting pot in one of aucklands most diverse streets. Great operators
Candy Boy Food Journey
+4.5
We went to this cute place for dinner yesterday. The decor and atmosphere takes you to Europe and we instantly felt like home.
The service is top notch, 5 stars. Seriously if anyone wants to learn how to do service go and learn from them - so attentive and kind.
Food is a bit overpriced; hence the 4.5 not 5, but it is delicious. We had bread, salami and olives starter - $30 is a bit much for what u get. Veal and seafood for main, with extra truffle fries. OMG best fries I had in years with delicious aioli souce!
Definitely coming back!
A very popular place with great food. The food is really tasty. Love the decoŕ here. I had the pork belly for dinner and it was moist with crispy skin. delicious. Melts in your mouth. Good portion size. Should totally try this place out.
The food and the atmosphere at Coco's is fantastic. I love the fact that it is on K'rd and not in Ponsonby.
The staff is very welcoming and while you can't book a table they always make it work. We never had to walk away to find a table somewhere else.
We always drag out our meals and drinks for hours and usually end up sitting there until they close, that's how nice it is to be there.
I really enjoyed this place. Sangria was strong, but delicious none the less. I ordered the steak which was cooked perfectly. My partner had the crumbed venison which had an egg salad type thing on top. It was a bit rich with the two combinations but was tasty none the less. Service is great and seems like a good place for a drink. It is quite pricey but you get quality food so I cant complain. You will be surprised by such a quality restaurant tucked away in the grime that is that side of K road. Recommended if you want to take a friend to somewhere fancy, yet humble and quirky. Not so much a first date destination though.
Really good service but quite expensive. The polenta chips and arancini balls are amazing. My pork belly main was quite over priced for what it was. Overall enjoyed the restaurant!
Wonderful! Beautiful food & atmosphere. Friendly staff. We ordered the ravioli, fish of the day, pork belly, antipasti platter, tiramisu plus so much more! Every single morsel was divine. We ate it all even though we were stuffed. The drinks were fantastic as well. Couldn't recommend Coco Cantina enough!
Great atmosphere, a hip and bustling eatery with the best meatballs in town, great for people watching and carousing late into the night. Oh and their Polenta chips are to die for. A jewel in the crown of K Rd and worthy successor to the Verona Bar of the 90's.
Great experience and great food!
Lovely personal service from all the staff we dealt with and beyond incredible food! We ate mainly off the specials and everything was perfection. A bit pricey but so delicious and worth it!
18 June 2013 Linda N.
Went recently for the first time and can not wait to go back. The food was outstanding and the best wait staff we have ever experienced in New Zealand. Risotto balls are amazing as were the mains and the deserts were exceptional as well. Can't wait to take friends to this amazing eating experience.
Went here for the first time last night.
Had a 3/4 hour wait to be seated at a table but we could have eaten sooner at the bar if we wanted.
Wine list was good and reasonably priced.
We had the risotto balls and chicken liver parfait for starters - both great, and pork belly with apple, Italian sausage and red cabbage for main - AMAZING!
Big portions for competitive prices.
The place has a really great atmosphere, love the little personal touches like fresh flowers and random art.
Will definitely be back :)
I've been to Coco's Catina at least once a month since it opened! The food is always consistent and the service is great. Sometimes you have to wait a while for a table which can be a bit annoying if you're hungry, but they'll quite happily let you go down to D.O.C and have a drink then come and get you when your table is ready which is a nice touch. Safe choice for a good night out.
The ambiance is fantastic, the staff are uber cool but don't know it and the food impresses every single time. Don't worry about what you order - it's guaranteed to be good.
I confidently bring friends here from out of town and they always rave about it after.
What ever you are doing - keep doing it, I love this place!
We went to Coco's last Friday night, they don't take bookings but as it's summer holiday time they weren't too busy and we got a table straight away.
We shared a few starters, the broad bean bruschetta was a highlight, as was the chicken liver pate.
The four of us all ordered different mains and they were all good, tasty with big bold flavours and reasonable sized portions. My boyfriend had the spaghetti and meatballs, which I have had before, yum! they are so delicious and worth going to Coco's for them alone. I had the chicken wrapped in proscittio, which was tender and flavorsome and I would recommend it also.
Coco's is a good neighbourhood eatery, fine for a casual meal with friends or a loved one. It's not flash but it's good. It would also be really good for a date, especially if you can get the window seats, there are two seats on either side of the door, perfect!
The only downside is that K road is still a bit scungey, and parking isn't always easy.
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This place was one of my favourite eateries and I would have celebrated a recent big birthday there, had it been open on a Sunday. However, I thought at my dinner last night that it wasn't as good as it used to be. I was impressed that one of the specials ("artichoke frits"?) included fresh artichoke hearts, blanched and deep fried. However, it was served on tangy yoghurt which obliterated the delicate taste of the artichoke. Our mains (ravioli of aubergine and ricotta, and chargrilled angus scotch) were okay, but not amazing as similar dishes previously were. We came here mainly because of a craving for their wonderful polenta fries, but even that had changed: the chips were no longer herbed with rosemary, and rather than being fat sticks with a square cross-section, they were now wide but thin. Whether this is to make it appear as though there are more chips in the bowl, or to make the chips more crispy, they are now definitely inferior to the original polenta chips we had there. The highlight of our meal was actually the affogato dessert, vanilla bean icecream in a glass with coffee, served with a biscotti. Still a good option for a casual dinner, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it.
Went here for a work do and we all got food envy. Super spot! Delicious calamari, cosy fit out, good looking and friendly staff. Auckland has been missing a good little spot like this. One of a kind quality.
What a wonderful, friendly place to dine! We had such a great time, super friendly and efficient staff, a great menu to choose from and a fun atmosphere. The staff went out of their way to accommodate our vegetarian, gluten free friend, making up a special meal for her. Have never experienced that in any other restaurant! We will be back time and time again!
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Coco's is my all-time favourite in Auckland. I love its casual, vibrant atmosphere. Some might not like that it is super busy and bustling, and also a tad rough around the edges (it's situated on the notorious K'Road), and people may also moan about the fact they don't take bookings. But all these things add to a truly relaxed, authentic experience, which is how restaurants are trending these days (I'm from Melbourne, and it felt like a lot of my favourite spots back home). If you want snobby, run-of-mill dining then go downtown or to Ponsonby Road.
I've eaten here three times, and can recommend the Ravioli (which I have now had twice) and the Pork Belly. My friend had the fish of the day and raved about it also.
The staff are super, super friendly, treating you like a friend and always checking how things are going, and are relaxed and un-pretentious.
On one busy night a girl even ran down the road to DOC bar to let us know when a table came free. Don't let the wait for a table put you off, if there is room you can have a drink at the bar, or nip down to DOC bar and have one there. I've only ever been with two people, so can imagine it's not the best place for large groups. But all-in-all I fully recommend Coco's!
Been for the first time to this lovely place a few days ago. The food was really nice. We had rice balls with blue cheese, the ravioli, the fish of the day, friends had the pork belly and the steak.. it was all superb. It is really as good as it gets! Keep it up! we ll be back!
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I didn't know what took me so long to finally pay Coco's a visit. It wasn't a disappointing visit, although not cheap but we had a really great time. It was a Tuesday night so we only had to wait for 10-15 minutes for a table (they don't take bookings); with around 15-20 minutes wait on our food (entree came pretty quick, within 10).
I was very, very impressed with the service. The staff was really happy and welcoming--like eating at a family friend's home! They're very attentive and friendly, and quick to attend to your need. We were very pleased with the service we even gave them quite generous tip; something we don't normally do, really! I also like the ambience, cool music (not too loud that you have to scream to talk to your company but loud enough to mask conversations from the next table), interesting decor and handdrawn menu/signs.
We had their aracini (deep fried risotto balls), polenta fries, braised pork belly, prawn linguine, tiramisu and affogato--and I can say none disappoint! The prawn linguine is my favorite--sweetness from the prawn goes well with the chili and garlic oil, with amazing crunchy texture from some kind of crumb they toss in there. Really good stuff! The salad that came with the pork belly main's like texture heaven! It tasted so good too. Between the aracini and polenta fries, I couldn't stop eating them even though I was stuffed... and don't let me get started on the dessert! You will not regret ordering their drinks too, I had the best caparinha here and also their guest tap beer (which happened to be slightly passionfruit flavored--I'm so down for it, but it's also a good palette cleanser between meals).
I can say overall Coco's is a 5 out of 5 (I slashed off a star because of the wait time!) because it's perfect blend of good atmosphere, simple but hearty meals and REALLY, REALLY good service that makes me want to come back! New Auckland favorite.
Maître d really attentive, novelty of writing your name on the wall for your booking.. So busy and a 60min wait on tables, got our table in 15 mins after awesome service from a super friendly bartender.. The atmosphere was really great tho I felt slightly out of place with the pretty cool crowd... The menu was pretty simple and the menus were hand written which I guess was the point.. I decided to go with an old fav in spaghetti and meatballs while my wife had the antipasti and my vegetarian friends made their choices.. Unfortunately the antipasti came well before any of the other food which kinda sucked but the rest (when it finally arrived) didn't dissapoint... Our waiter was very attentive and when we asked about desserts rattled them all off in a very knowledgable fashion.. We tried them all, the ice cream was actually really good tho the churros were a little boring..
Overall we had a really good time and will definately return..
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Mmmmm Coco’s Cantina. This lively lil space on Auckland’s ecletic K’rd is mine & my hubby’s fave place to eat in the city, and has been for some time. Even just thinking about Coco’s makes me hungry.
With a loyal legion of Coco’s fans this place is usually humming – they don’t take reservations but tables of 4 or less usually turnover fairly quickly and you’re always welcomed to have an apertif at the bar or next door at Coco’s Barretta while you wait. And why wouldn’t you wait? The atmosphere is invigorating and will put a smile on even the grumpiest of faces. The wine list is just right; just enough choice, a nice balance of old world and new world wines with of course some of our fabulous NZ varietals featuring.
I always peruse the dinner menu, and patiently listen to the lovely wait staff inform us of the daily specials (sustainable seafood of the day, pasta of the day & sometimes another special or two) but I don’t know why because I always keep going back to the same dish….the crumbed veal scallopine served with capers, rocket and parmesan. It is sooooo good. The portion sizes are generous and even though I usually struggle to finish I don’t give up a bite, not ever.
I guess it’s rather like the two couples that dined next to us at Coco’s one night…..THREE of the party ordered Coco’s famous spaghetti and meatballs and there was not a morsel left on their plates. We were told afterwards that there are some dishes on the menu that are so popular with the regulars that they can’t take them off the list. And judging by the compliments, lip smacks and empty plates from our neighbours that night we believe this to be true!
My hubby has enjoyed many of the other dishes on the menu but he too has found his ‘safe’ places and usually can’t go past either the steak with salsa verde or the pork belly. What we love is that these dishes are often slightly varied in their accompaniments but the Chef will always honour a request for a specific combination you’ve enjoyed before (…in my case particularly ;)). Oh, and I can’t forget the side dishes. Coco’s serve THE best polenta fries you can find anywhere (some of you may remember the wonderful Craft on Richmond Rd from years back –they also used to do amazing polenta fries….Coco’s are better). Their green seasonal vegetables are always delicious and when on the menu (seasonal) you must order the balsamic glazed roasted beetroot.
Ok…I’m starting to feel like I idolise this place now so better wrap it up. But a final word; if you’ve been thinking about trying Coco’s get on down there, you wont be disappointed. We have taken many a guest with us and they’ve always left as raving fans. Enjoy, and I’ll see you at the bar!
Great atmosphere and service. The food is a great fusion of Spanish and Italian. Make sure you book to get a table. The cocktails are good too!
Absolutely in love with this place! One of the best spaghetti and meatballs, polenta chips and delicious paté🍝 I have an amazing time every time I go there and drinks/cocktail selection is fantastic too! Great and friendly service and you're right in the heart of K Rd with great vibe and people watching.
What an amazing place to have food and catch up with friends. Place was buzzing, it was busy and looked amazing. It didn't feel like we are in NZ.
Service was too quick, we felt a bit rushed as the waiting staff didn't give us much time to even look at the menus and enjoy our food.
Food came to the table pretty quick, every dish we've ordered was really nice and big portions too.
We were stuffed by the time we got outta there.
Absolutely loved the atmosphere and will totally go back again.
Great casual dining experience, superb (and fun) service and scrumptious food. Love that most dietary requirements are catered for and not a blink of judgement.
Very cool place with a great service and delicious food! Dont pass it and come to check it out!
First time there and liked right away!
The place has a great atmosphere! Its very relaxing there. They have a small garden outside and it is decorated with plants and pillows where you can literally lay down if its not too busy . There are stairs where you can sit down with your group for an afternoon drink or snack and enjoy your company.
Service is great and very accommodating. They will give your recommendation on a menu if you dont know what to choose!
I loved polenta chips ! I think its my favorite! So yummy and crunchy!
Vibes were very good when I visited! I recommended this place if you are looking for something new. It is very inviting!
They have good cocktails and also specials for almost every day!
Went with a group and booked their private room upstairs ($120 to book) which was awesome as we could listen to our own music and it was nice and quiet to hear each other talk.
On the set menu ($75pp) which was delicious. The biggest letdown was the truffled potato ravioli. It was advertised as a main but we were only given one piece of ravioli each - which is a shame because it was bloody delicious, we all wanted more! We were told it was something small between courses- that would be good to be made clear with the advertised menu. Despite that we left full and even had food left over.
All in all I would return because the food was great and the staff were friendly and attentive.
Delicious food. Good service. Busy place.
Had the Prosciutto and Rocket pizza and my son had the Meatballs.
Specials on drink’s depending on day.
Authentic italian food and great great service. The best meal I had in Auckland. Reasonable price with hospitality service makes me feel like grandma's kitchen in Italy.
We came for happy hour on a Tuesday from 5:15-6:30ish. To our surprise they have a deal on Tuesdays for 17 dollar pizzas (20 for the prosciutto)! We ordered one of each and they were really decent pizzas, and definitely good value.
The service was great and really friendly. A nice casual spot and good for groups - we had 7.
I have been coming here for just about 10 years and I should have posted this earlier. I am Italian but just the family name does not make you a great cook. Here the food is simple but so outrageously tasty. The service is bohemianly effective, Coco's feels like driving a Morris with a Ferrari engine.....you get a lot more than you pay for. I am looking forward to my next 10 years to come hoping that Coco's remains the same .......perfectly imperfect.
Davide & Emily
Coco's Cantina saved my Friday. I didn't have a reservation but they had a table available outside. I had the seafood linguine, my partner had a pizza. Pasta was good with decent amount of clams, but next time I'll definitely have a pizza. The waitress was very nice and helpful. Five star service and recommendations.
Favourite restaurant! Brilliant food and lovely people. Behind the scenes they are working hard to support all the right initiatives. A restaurant worth supporting.
Stop for a quick meal, or get to know them as you please.
P.S. get the meatballs!
A very good establishment, everything was very good. Well priced and approachable, not a nice fun casual place.
It doesn't hit exceptional but it's very good, I would go back.
beautiful food, we enjoyed our time here, Kira was professional in everyway, Luam was aone of the chef and recommended us some of their well known dishes!! Wow, highly recommended! polenta chips were out of rhis world, their spaghetti meat balls was the BEST spaghetti meat balls i ever had! the restaurant got a nice atmosphere, please try the tiramishu!! the best.
We celebrated a family birthday in the private dining room. The set menu was delicious and the perfect amount of food. We had our own bathroom and we're able to choose our own music which was such a nice extra. The lady who looked after us did such an awesome job and was so warm and attentive. Everyone we interacted with was awesome, such a great vibe and can't wait to come back.
All the food was amazing but I'm definitely heading back for the Potato, wild garlic burnt butter ravioli, Chocolate tart and Lamb ragu.
Such a beautiful, colourful and lively place for dinner and drinks. Amazing staff and delicious food, including lots of options for different dietary needs. We booked the Te Awa o Āwhina private room for the night and had a blast! Thank you Kira and team for looking after us so well.
Lovely place with nice pizzas and great service. I only misses a little bit more of nduja punch in my pizza. Nonetheless very nicely surprised!
Many tasty food options on the menu, nice wine list (with new options often) & nice environment. Always great service provided by their smiley and friendly staff.
Sunday evening roast at $25 is also very nice.
Love their polenta fries :)
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