Staff - 10/10 the lady that served us was very friendly & the guy outside was helpful when explaining their menu.
Ambiance - 10/10 tucked in a beautiful ally of Parnell
Food - 7/10 we got the venison & it could’ve been better
Overall a good cosy date night place
Great place, the food was amazing and reasonably priced! It is a nice restaurant nested in the Parnell Village but with the perfect setting to make you forget that you are still in the city. Staff was super friendly. Will definitely come back again.
One of the best sea foods I ever had in Auckland.
The place is a very cozy village, and the prices are very attractive as well. You can't go wrong eating here.
Very nice family run restaurant. Delicious food served with a smile and Marcia remembers your orders and preferences. The T-Bone is the must try item on the menu!
This restaurant is tucked away inside the parnell village shops. Yuuuuuuuummmmmm is an understatement. The seafood platter is to die for! Friendly staff and lovely food - will definitely come back for more!!!
Craving raw beef, as one sometimes does, we decided to go Mediterranean. The chef happily created a carpaccio salad for me, which was simply divine. Savoury and sharp, so tender it fell apart under the knife but still toothsome enough to give satisfaction to the carnivore with a small but bloody appetite. My partner had the T bone, huge but a little underdone. Tasty and tender nevertheless, and the chef was happy to swap the potatoes for vegetables. The only wait person was formidable, with at first a seemingly more Eastern European temperament than Mediterranean, but good humour won through.
What a hidden gem. I do literally mean "hidden" as you can't see this restaurant in the street unless (1) you have been here before, or (2) there is only 1 sign telling you there is a restaurant behind the front row shops/restaurants. They have outside sitting area. Is very nice sitting outside when the sun is out. However, we find that the dining area inside is a little bit too cramp for us.
Last night we ordered Carpaccio, Oysters "Al Naturale", Carbonara Pasta, and Ocean Platter Di Mare for 1. The Oyster still has a little of soil with it. Apart from that, all other dishes are excellent, tasty.
Due to there is only 1 server (the lady boss) "working" last night in the dining area, don't expect to be in a hurry. However, having said that, we enjoyed the whole dining experience in this restaurant, and we will be back to try their other dishes.
Great place for a big family good food and the desert is delcioso.
The only thing that bugs me is that the spaghetti Balinese doesn't have flavour😬😬😬 and apart from that it is all good.
So I reckoned this place to eat and enjoy!
Service - 4.5/5
Food - 5/5
Ambiance - 4.5/5
Cost - not as much as everyone makes it out to be tbh.
We went in a group and Noor knew the owner, who seemed to very polite and helpful. I adored the ambiance.. very relaxed and open plan... would be even better in summer. I loved my plate.. very big serve and flavored just right... esp the prawns. The salad could have used a touch of creativity though.
Will definitely go back.
The food and service here is exceptional. Always such a treat if you're looking for a nice place to eat out. Frequented here a number of times over the last year and nothing changes. It's perfect.
I love how authentic this spot is. Hidden down the fabulous old cobblestones of parnell you are welcomed like an old friend. It is quite small inside but that adds to the coziness. The menu is a mix of what I would called Mediterranean Italian. Auckland has become so big on sharing plates it seems odd to go back to a traditional entree/ main menu. The prices are up there but the portions are large and good quality produce. Unfortunately I have always been too full to make it to desert!
We had oysters grilled with cheese, eye fillet and chicken pasta, which thankfully came out well covered in parmesan. Cute spot for a date night
Small restaurant in Parnel with great food.
You can also find steaks there, but since the Italian name means "from the sea", I just tried some sea food.
All I can say is that I really couldn't regret from my choice. The mussels, shrimps, scallops, fish and squids rings were great, although this last one was a little bit overcooked.
The service was very kind and professional, and when I left I was sure I would came back again.
Dined here on a special occasion.
I ordered the chefs recommendation of Sirloin steak and I was not disappointed. Beautiful cut of steak (medium rare), a refreshing salad mix and potatoes complemented with mushroom sauce. The service was good and the setting was serene. The family that run the place are great hosts and lovely people
Looking forward to going back soon. Highly recommend!
I had my birthday dinner at Di Mare- A very lovely family-run restaurant. The food was good & very generous portion. We had a great night! 💖love my birthday cake!
A great little place ,hidden gem,give it a go ,I would be surprised if your didn't enjoy ,good portions well priced friendly and cozy ,we had a great night and will enjoy again ,Thank you
Really big portions and delicious food that is made by a family . The place looks like a typical European family restaurant. I ve been here for a few times with friends and never been disappointed. Probably, this is one of my favorite places in Parnel.
Margaret Ubels-Rattray
+4.5
Great service. Can't be faulted. Nothing was a problem for Marcia and her team. We had a group of 41 for my birthday and I had asked for the $50 fixed price menu for everyone. They added a vegetarian option for a couple of the group which was declared delicious. Others said they would have liked it so maybe it should be added as a normal option. Bringing my own wine for a $5.00 corkage was a bonus.
The only negative comments -" the fish could have been more tasty" and "the linguini was rather ordinary"
The food was copious. They let us use birthday cake as dessert and, in the end, did not even charge us for the 'cakeage' fee. My guests felt they had value for money.
The setting is rather lovely for the inner city and we could bring our own music although the noise of 41 people talking was so high indoors we couldn't really use it. We could have sat outdoors, (the micro-climate in their courtyard is milder than the prevailing climate) and the music would have been easily audible. It would even have been possible to dance. But we had made the decision to sit indoors.
Several of my friends commented that the ambiance made the dinner feel like a large family get together - kind of cliche Italian or French. They loved it.
If I had another family wedding I would surely go there and eat in the courtyard. No stupid venue cost and byo wine. this would be a win win situation.
Amazing food and amazing service
Would definitely go again
Food was really great lovely outdoor area ... highly recommended suitable for families
Fantastic food,fantastic service & great prices. The hosts always go the extra mile to make you feel special. This is one of my favourite places to dine in Auckland.
One of my personal favourites, tucked away in a quaint corner of Parnell village, this restaurant has an charming, cosy and welcoming interior decor and ambiance. The food is amazing - the Di Mare Ocean Platter being a family favourite of ours, it is packed with seafood and is a much better quality seafood dish than many other Seafood platters in similar Italian restaurants. The owner is always there to greet you by name, and clearly makes an effort with all the customers who come through the restaurant, making this a very pleasant atmosphere indeed. I would definitely recommend this restaurant for a evening out in Parnell.
Lovely little place tucked away from the Main Street in Parnell. We came here for lunch on a Tuesday and had garlic bread, spicy meatball pasta and the shish kebab.
The pasta was wonderful with a generous serving of meatballs and pasta. Was a good portion as I could not finish it alone. The shish kebab was also very nice, with the beef cooked perfectly to medium rare. They were kind enough to turn the appetiser to a main by adding chips.
A lovely place for a date with a halal menu available. Only downside was dirty glassware. Besides that, lovely place with good food.
Had dinner there with a friend over from Australia.His carpet bagger steak & my T bone steak was perfectly cooked & tasted out of this world.The attention to detail & service was superb.My Aussie friend raved about this place!Can't wait to get back there
Phil & Rachel O'Connor Jones
+5
What can I say ???
This place is our new absolute golden gem!
We turned up 20 minutes late , after closing due to a number of things outside our control with kids etc , I mean the place was closing and cashing up, staff scrubbing the hot plates! We had been dreaming about this dinner for some time, with kids the little timed breaks have so much impact. We walked down the path and saw they were about to if not closed. I cheekily asked if maybe they could still serve us but strongly urged that if not it was ok. With out a hint of hesitation the owners agreed to seat us.
The service was nothing short of perfect but the meal above that has had us both talking non-stop for 2 days now.
I can't recommend this place enough. We live in Devonport and the trip around to Parnell just for a meal here will always be worth it.
Thanks people you REALLY did make our night.
See you again.
I'm a frequent visitor to this restaurant. The lunch specials are real good value and very tasty! Also good that they offer indoor and outdoor seating so no matter the weather, you'll be comfy!
The couple who own and operate the place are lovely too... Our office does a group lunch together every Friday and I select Di Mare Restaurant as often as possible for our group lunches!
Do try it!
My partner and I dine at De Mare frequently. Actually this is where we had our first real date…its our special place! The food is amazing. The best steak in the world! Marcia and Habeb are the most fantastic hosts, nothing is ever a problem, their service is faultless! We have taken lots of family and friends and they have all been highly impressed. We had our family Xmas Day Dinner there last year….It was soooo lovely that we have booked for Xmas Day again this year...and many more to follow I am sure :-) The most relaxing Xmas day spent eating fine food and sipping on wine in their cute little courtyard with all our loved ones…what more could one ask for :-) You have got to try it!!! Gary & Maree.
Have dined at Di Mare many times. This is one of the best kept secrets in Auckland. Habib and Marcia are fabulous hosts and the food turned out of the kitchen is as perfect as you would get anywhere in the world. To top it off they are not mean in their portions. Di Mare is popular with locals for very good reason.
Amazing food! Habeb the owner knows how to cook a beautiful steak. I have been going back here for 8 years and have always been happy! Would recommend to everyone who wants a steak meal that will blow your socks off!
I’ve visited this restaurant twice. Once in 2010 with my boyfriend and once in 2011 with my family. I absolutely love this place!
On a summer’s night or a beautiful day you can sit outside on the patio. If not, sit inside the small, cute and rustic restaurant set away from the main road. You can also watch the chef cook. It is, I believe, a family run business and it has a really homely, friendly and accommodating atmosphere. We all had the filleto di carne steak wrapped in bacon and with garlic or mushroom sauce at $37. It’s certainly not cheap but if you want a perfectly cooked, delicious steak, it’s well worth it! I would definitely go here again!
Love the food, love the staff, love the chef, I always go there and take everyone I know there. They know us too well we don't even have to say what we are ordering heh heh
LOVE IT <3 :-)
WOW!! My wife and 2 children ate there for the first time tonight, We cannot find fault with any part of the experience,We pretty much stumbled on the place wandering around Parnel.
The service was prompt & polite, the meal was absolutely perfect, I had the fillet ,my wife the sirloin and the children the chicken and for desert one of the best fried banana I've had, will definitely be going back, oh yeah the cream & mushroom sauce was soooo! delicious.
We love this place been 3 times and will go again and tell others to go. The food is always great and the special coffee'd divine. A great place with great atmosphere. The lamb is yummy and my other half cant get enough of the steak.
I live in Darwin, Australia and visited Auckland for the first time earlier this year and was taken to Di Mare for dinner ... three times.
It is one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten at. The hosts and service are impeccable, the ambiance is fantastic and the food ... AMAZING. you must, must, must try the Oysters Cleopatra. I cannot recommend Di Mare highly enough.
This has got to be one of my favourite restaurants in Auckland. The food is divine the service is great and really friendly. After reading some of the reviews it makes me wonder if they are going to the same restaurant that i have now been to several times. As for the Maitre D. Shes lovely and couldnt be more friendly and helpful. Shes aprtof the reason we go back. She always greets us as if were long lost friends and knows what we like. We hardly fit into the "rich" regular clientele though! I recommend this as a great, relaxed, homely, down to earth Italian restaurant with that real sense of relaxed atmoshere. I wouldn't suggest it if you are in a hurry its one of those places you spend an evening or a long lunch at. Its great!
this is a hidden gem and maybe i shouldnt be writting such a good review here as maybe i wont be able to get a table here soon. the meals at Di Mare are to die for, my 2 favourites are the lamb with yummy creamy misnt sauce cook perfectly everytime, the chicken breast is simply divine, and of course the eye fillet mmmmmmmmmm, what more can you ask for, my pick of the entree is the squid salad yummy yummy. this is not a ponsy swanky restaurant just dam good food thats not art when it turns up , keep up the great work.
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We were walking down Parnell Rise one evening not really knowing where to go. We were stopped by someone on the street who invited us in. And that how our love affair with this wonderful place began. Be careful when you walk down the alley, the windows look like small doors! I tried to get in through there the first time! The embarrassment turned to sheer delight once we started eating and I have raved about this place ever since. I organised our mid winter Christmas party here and everyone bar one of the forty odd present loved it!! Habib can do your food the way you want it. That’s what I love about this place. Its like eating at home! Marcia is a delightful host. If you are after a posh, snobby, rich girl Parnell restaurant, this is not for you. If you want a romantic, homely, cosy place...you have it right there! The food is just divine! No questions! My mouth is watering as I speak of the food! I have eaten in lots of places but this is one of the few I return to and I actually bothered writing about! I am looking forward to summer. My plan is to get Habib to do a Mediterranean Feast in the courtyard for my family!! Rick Stein - Try this one!!
We had a special birthday celebration in a group of 23 which was just wonderful all round. The ambience of the restaurant was just perfect for a wet Sunday afternoon, the service was excellent, Marcia was very helpful and attended to our every wish. As for the food, it was superb and Habib is a perfectionist in the kitchen. Thank you for a special celebration. We certainly will be back.
Yvonne and Bob Bray
Hey!!!
This place will make you think! Why the hell have I not been here before? The Eye Fillet is too Die For!!!!!! the company is top notch real family feeling. And WOW that guy in the kitchen ( The Owner No Less ) Actually loves what he is doing for you. I love It
Gary Meaden ( Prop Charles Lewis Fine Jewellery )
Were Coming for another Xmas Doo
An off chance visit! What a gem!
Service good..( with no grumble when I changed my mind) plenty of food- served fresh and hot. BYO an advantage here too. Will be back with friends soon.
Fabulous little restaurant, with a cozy friendly atmosphere, and quality food. Really enjoyed the Rack of Lamb with mint sauce. Marcia looked after us well, Thank you.
This restaurant I just brilliant the food is just the way you want, the size of the steak is so big that I couldn't’t finished my friends had seafood for 2 their were so impressive how good was, the staff was really good and they could show us the menu if no problem, the environment remember me Greece, is just fabulous.
Although Di Mare sound like it's seafood. The have incredibly large portions of meat. Beautifully set next to an art gallery amongst all the little dolls house looking cottages on Parnell Rd. The service has always been good but I noticed the place is generally a little quiet.
Beautiful restaurant, very nice ambiance. A bit hidden from Parnell main road, which is good. Halal options available. The garlic bread and carbonara pasta is very delicious. The seafood is good. The well done sirloin steak is a bit dry. The price is on the high side. Overall it was good experience.
The taste is on point for the price and they offer halal meat options. This is my first halal steak in Auckland and it was good. The seafood we ordered was also tasty!
Definitely will be here again for the next good occasion!
Came here with my parents yesterday and it was lovely. The steak was great. Lamb shoulder was a bit salty, but overall we loved it. Highly recommend booking in advance during busy periods
Every time we come to Auckland we have dined here since 2011. The venison is absolutely amazing - every single time. The service is friendly and attentive, creating an overall enjoyable meal.
It was very lovely ambiance food was tasty! The staff was very generous and friendly which we had a miscommunication on the steak doneness and the staff handled the situation very politely. And it was very thoughtful that we received a cake with a candle light when we mentioned we were celebrating our friend’s birthday. Definitely gonna repeat.
OMGaaarrrddd!!! Loved it. Definitely recommend!! We had carpaccio (splendid), garlic bread (so fresh) breads & dips (finger licking good), scallops (so crispy & tasty) smoked fish mornay (cheesy goodness) we smashed that and then had steak wrapped in bacon (the steak was cooked to perfection matched with the mushroom sauce was perfection!) and the lamb rack with peppercorn sauce (best lamb rack evereverever paired with the creamy sauce scrumptious!!). Atmosphere was so good, service was awesome. Love the setup especially down the cobble alleyway then you enter the establishment, you can’t help but sit there and picture what the atmosphere was like over 100 years ago! Location is so good!! Thank you for an awesome experience.
Came to this restaurant by accident, was looking for a Japanese restaurant but ended up here.
It's in one of the small streets in Parnell, the decoration is nice and cosy, they specialized in steak and seafood.
Price wise about $35~$50 per person, just the main course and drink.
I ordered a pepper steak, and it was beautifully done. I will come next time to try something else.
Love the environment and love the layout, very relaxing, peaceful and quiet. Talked to the owner and told me "Di Mare" means the ocean in Italian......should have Google translate it first.
Highly recommended, thumbs up 👍👍
Quaint little place situated in an intimate courtyard setting. We shared the seafood platter, very fresh, tasty and healthy. It’s a small place, and we like it that way. The service is friendly, the wine good. The carbonara was also very good, tasty and not too heavy. The toilets are outside.
Street parking available, free after 7pm. There is also paid parking nearby for $3. We went to an event in the Parnell cathedral which was a 7 minute walk away. Perfect!
In the middle of a hot afternoon, sudden hunger pangs led us to this unassuming bylane beside Gerome and we were pleasantly surprised with the warm hospitality of the gentleman running this beautiful place “Di Mare” along with his lovely wife. All our meals were freshly prepared by the owner himself which definitely took a little more time than usual but both the fish and chips as well the chicken were scrumptious 👌🏻🌟 I personally would have loved my fish a little more crisp but the beautiful summer garden vibes, butterflies and lovely mocktails more than made up for it. Would certainly visit again for another quick bite or a leisurely lunch 🥙
Always a great experience, very lovely and attentive host. She makes it feel homely. I've been coming here so many times and the quality of food and service is always impeccable. Highly recommended.
I was supersize that Parnell has such goooooood western food restaurant.
Oyster is amazingly fresh and you must try the grilled cheese oyster.
Garlic bread is the most yummy garlic bread that I ever had in town.
Everything is sweeeeeeeet here!
We will definitely come back and try every dish on their menu.
LOVE LOVE LOVE !
Had the best lunch experience of our trip!!! Oysters were juicy and fresh; the rack of lamb was so delicious I was tempted to order another. It was served with a mint sauce that elevated the taste to another level — so good that we used it as a dip for our chips. Then came the desert — home made apple pie and chocolate cake (both served with ice cream) — YUMMY!!! But that’s not all, the owners’ served us complimentary wine port — perfect way to end our meal!!! I wish we had more time in Auckland to have another meal at Di Mare! The food was amazing and service was excellent!!! When I come back to New Zealand, It’ll be on my must-do list!
Shouted a mate birthday dinner and beers. Steak and mixed grill superb - one of the best I've had.
Ambience cheerful, owner friendly and hospitable.
Looking forward to going back and relaxing
in this fine restaurant.
The lamb racks were sooo good. The fillet was also great. Seafood entree was average. Love the big portions! Whenever i take overseas guests around Auckland i always take them here for dinner. People that were hesitant with eating lamb fell in love with NZ lamb after trying their lamb racks.
Nontiya Veerasunthornsakul
+5
So glad we found this cozy place. The food was delicious and the staff was accommodating and friendly. Highly recommend!
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