This is my favourite Italian restaurant in Auckland. Everything is absolutely delicious - pizza, fettuccine carbonara, pesce ... you name it. The staff are very friendly and the service is very attentive. This place score extra points for the ambience - what a lovely rustic little gem!
We ate here before heading to a concert, the outside of the restaurant is deceptive due to it's location and with the current road works but inside it's lovely and very naturally Italian. The waitress was pleasant and efficient, food and wine very reasonably priced for a city centre restaurant. A delightful place to spend a couple hours with a bottle of Chianti.
This restaurant has ever been in Auckland and for a reason: simple, affordable and delicious!
I have been there 15 years ago but would like to give a shot to bring back all the great memory again, and it has all come back. It has never changed and still meeting all my expectations of spending a great italian evening for my affordable budget. Forget about gusto, badduzzi or other fancy ones in the town, give a chance to little italy you won't be disappointed.
Nothing fancy. No airs and graces - just good simple home style Italian food. The chicken Parma was light and tasty. The wait staff were attentive.
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The decor may seems a bit tacky (with plastic grapes hanging off of the wooden beams) but I find A Little Italy to be homely and charming. Definitely not a spacious place but it's still quite comfy. If you sit opposite the door you can see the SkyScreamer slingshot ride next to the sky tower. I find it quite amusing seeing people getting slung into the air but I may recommend sitting further into the restaurant if you don't want to be distracted.
The customer service by far is the best I've had in a long time. The waitress was very informative and polite, has a great eye for detail. She did everything very skillfully. If I could give a rating based on just service it would be a 5/5.
My partner went for the spaghetti pesto while I opted for the tortellini. Everything tasted very mild, finding certain things being a little bland disappointed me a bit as I expected some big flavor. I find that it's a bit steep to charge around $20 for a plate of spaghetti with just pesto (with no meat or meat substitute of any kind). Plating is minimal and not very exciting, suited to a casual establishment I guess. As far as Italian food goes they didn't go wrong however, my partner said that while he was in Italy the food was normally simple, mild and subtle. I myself just expected something a bit more spectacular.
Ali Mohammed Al Haj Nasser
+3.5
The name of the restaurant speaks for itself.
This home-y, cosy little restaurant is the place to enjoy genuine Italian food made with love.
Seating might be an issue given the size of the place but the food and heart-warming service makes up for it.
Overall, probably the place to be if you'd like to go to Italy, while being in Auckland.
It's the cutest little place. Feels like I might be in Italy! Their pasta selection is great and the taste too. The only thing they might wanna work on is the service during busy times as it's not the biggest place.
Been here a few times. Bit cramped, but I come here for the food. I'm never disappointed. Their pastas are great and the quality is always of a high standard. Will keep coming back occasionally.
THE BEST. Simple, home-cooked style meals with friendly, dedicated staff. I have tried Italian cuisine in Melbourne - Lygon Street, Brisbane, Barcelona, France, L.A. and other places around New Zealand. If you are looking for an amazing home cooked style meal this is the place. The Food just melts in Your mouth & tastes just awesome.
It was a very crowded Saturday night in Auckland. Looking for a restaurant to eat at, we came across A Little Italy. It's been open for 22 years apparently, which is pretty impressive. The decor is a little tacky with plastic grapes hanging from the beams and a coffee plunger dangling against the wall, but the lighting is good, and it is cosy and inviting.
The menu represents most staple Italian fare except for gnocchi and canelloni - my faves, so a bit of a disappointment there. We settled on a pizza to share. It came quickly, looked good and tasted DIVINE! The best pizza I have had in New Zealand. The base was thin and gorgeous and the topic plentiful and really tasty. Pretty good value for money.
All this place needs is a bit of a spruce up with the decor (the bathroom had a startling red toilet and a strange, clinical stainless steel floor!) But what counts is the food is yummy and the service fast and efficient. I would most definitely go back.
We dined for the very first time at this restaurant on Friday 4th of Feb 2011..
We dined on a platter of starters which we shared between two and was more than adequate.. leading into main courses.
Atmosphere,Decor,Staff,Attentive Service,Prompt Deliverence of order.. are just a few of the positives to mention..
This is Authentic Italiano food not yre 'Dolmio Grin' of the supermarket, this kinda food doesnt come pre-packaged.
Thanks to all the staff.. and thanks for our farewell liquers.. We shall return.
Highly Reccommended. ****
Little Italy is an amazing restaurant. It has a nice cosy atmosphere and the food is delicious. A genuine italian experience. Will definitely be going back again!
I live in Pukekohe and came across 'A Little Italy' one night in Auckland. It was absolutly yum and the pizza bread is highly recomendded. Have dined there on many occasions and regularly travel the 45mins just for the cuising.. and pizza bread!!
This place was so good we went there several times during our trip to Auckland. The pizza was delicious and purely Italian. The pasta was also yummy and tasty. But we had one of the most delicious soup we've ever tried which was the tomato prawn soup. The soup was unbelievably yummy and we absolutely loved it. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this place.
Always able to squeeze you in. Food's OK. Nothing pretentious. Nice atmosphere, friendly staff. If you're dining alone, you're always made welcome. A free glass of limoncello to finish off is indicative of your welcomed patronage.
The food here is really good especially the lasagna and the tortellini. The staff are always friendly. It is quite small inside but all the times I have been here it's never been too busy or crowded.
Sad to see A Little Italy has closed its doors, We have been going there off n on since the mid 80's. The food and service was always excellent.
Is it another victim of the Albert St underground construction!
I first encountered this restaurent while having a walk with my brother towards the Auckland Sky Tower. We randomly decided to try it out as the cosy, warm impression we had of the restaurent's exterior from the outside attracted us most primarily. It proved to be even more and more cosy, warm and family oriented when we entered. The food quality is high, reasonably priced, and most importantly, a smile is always waiting for you as you enter. Highly recommended for those passionate about Italian food and cuisine. Two thumbs up.
Absolutely delicious! I try to visit here every time I am in Auckland and always over order. Service is great, food is even better!!
We enjoyed a delightful meal- and a tirimasu that was the best ever - great atmosphere-and a most wonderful romantic night that was blessed even more by wonderful management and staff- we look forward to being there again this weekend
Always a great place to eat and the staff have always had great service. Never disappointed with the food and you leave knowing you want to go back there.
My most favorite place to eat..they are so friendly and never forget a face
Awesome little place. Calzone was massive and packed full of great filling.
Pizzas were delicious definitely recommend.
Wonderful atmosphere and delicious food
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