Have been here twice now and it is excellent. Wonderfully cosy atmosphere with a good fire and nice setting in a historic building. Food and wine are both great. Will definitely be back for more.
We have been to Etrusco many times, and what I like most about it is how consistently good it always is. Great food and ambiance. Love the place!
Great authentic Italian food at reasonable prices. Portions are sensible and filling. Great atmosphere. Good service. 10/10 would dine again.
Had a great meal here. Food was served very hot and tasted good. No problems with service. Water is available to help yourself to. Nice to have medium or large size options too. There was good atmosphere with a buzzing noise of other customers. The decor and lighting also created a good ambience.
Wellingtonians on a work trip, who have now picked to dine at Etrusco twice and we haven’t been disappointed. If you consider an empty plate to indicate a yummy yum yum dish then the ... CINGHIALE O CERVO, MARINARA, AMATRICIANA BIANCA, and VERDE are to be tried.
Also recommend the Torta Al Cioccolato for dessert ... Mmmmmm!
Not forgetting the staff, who were / are welcoming, friendly and attentive!
Taste: 5/5
Portion: 5/5
Location: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Service: 5/5
I tried the tuna pasta today for the first time and I was amazed by how delicious this dish was. I would definitely recommend this dish. The staffs were very friendly and helpful. I immensely enjoyed my dinner here!
Most delicious gluten free pasta I’ve eaten since being diagnosed! Beautiful decor, fantastic wine and a great variety of options. A great hidden gem in Dunedin!
Excellent service, delicious food and wonderful drinks. Got the three pastas in one to share with friend and was very good value and allowed us to try three great dishes!
A stunning restaurant located in the heart of Dunedin City. Great value for what you get with generous portions and the customer service is always on point. The restaurant environment is luxurious, warm and cleverly arranged with a bar in the centre. Great for a dinner out with friends and family alike due to it's versatile and accomodating nature- you are guaranteed to have a good time whether you come in for an early dinner at 5pm or drinks after a concert at 10pm. I personally love their "Funghi Pasta" because it is simple yet so so delicious. The dining experience you get here is fantastic and I would not hesitate to recommend it to all of my friends. Have been here well over 20 times and still love it - @gastrogeeny
What a beautiful restaurant. The inside is so gorgeous with lots of Victorian features. I shared two meals with my husband because we couldn't decide what to have. We had the Roma pizza which had prosciutto, rocket, tomato and cheese. This was a real Italian pizza with a beautiful thin base and crust and just the right amount of toppings. We also had the pumpkin ravioli which had super soft pasta and a really delicious pumpkin filling and a nice sauce. The cocktail I had was delicious too. The staff are very friendly. Can't wait to come back
A traditional Italian menu with good, hearty food. The atmosphere is very laid back as was the service. The restaurant is set in a grand old building which added to the ambiance.
The food was amazing. The portions are generous, so I would have probably coped better with sharing the antipasto and a smaller main. The ambience is relaxed and lively. We turned up without a booking at peak Saturday night, but we were sorted out within 1/2 hour. Like most buildings in Dunedin, the decor is quite grand and Etrusco has made it feel cosy and friendly. Loved it 🙂
Good location around the octagon and nice ambience inside the restaurant. We ordered the chef's choice which came with 3 different pasta, and every one of them reached my expectations. I would go back anytime to try more of their pasta.
Came here as a recommendation. Glad we took their advice because the meal here was amazing. We ordered the trio of pasta, where we were able to pick 3 of the pastas from the menu. Portion size was plentiful and prices were modest. Each pasta had a distinct flavour, with a great amount of herbs used throughout. The pastas which included chilli had a the perfect amount of heat, where the flavours could still be enjoyed. For a place that the family can dine, or if you feel the need for genuine Italian, this is the place to be.
I seriously don't think etrusco deserves this high rating. The service and environment are good but the food is only average. The only nice pasta I have had was the vegetarian pine nut one and the tomato tuna one, but again I don't see any difficulties to replicate it at home and you can probably find it in any other restaurants
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Simple but beautiful and classic interior on the first floor. Have only been here once and would be willing to come back for more of their Tuscany-inspired food.
Wanting to try something different, I ordered the Cinghiale o Cervo pasta (venison or boar with a mushroom + tomato + wine sauce). I was hoping the meat would be venison, but pretty sure I got the boar. The diced chunks of meat were a bit tough and dry for my liking, and while the sauce was flavourful it wasn't anything special or memorable. But portion wise, I got the large size and was stuffed by the end of it 👌🏼
My friend's Verdé pasta (basil, spinach, cream, pine nuts) looked amazing – and she said it tasted great too. The regular portion was actually quite filling for her.
Service was good – but not outstanding.
Their general policy is to only offer up the regular pasta sauces with either penne or spaghetti, but we found out that they can serve farfalle (butterfly / ribbon bow) pasta too. For some reason, they only serve fettuccine in gluten free form, so it costs extra if you request it.
Very accommodating to any allergies or dietary requirements :) can do vegan and gluten free pizza and are happy to mix things up to customise orders. Lovely environment too, very family friendly and sometimes a staff member will play the piano!
We are on holiday. Popped in here for dinner. Was a great vibe. The manager set us up on a table by the fire. We were looked after from the get go. Food was amazing. My spaghetti dish was fab. My husband had a pasta dish and the girls shared a pizza and pasta dish. Dessert was great too. Recommended. Would definitely go back.
Traditional gourmet Italian food with fresh raw food material. Very satisfied with bread, salad, pizza and creamy tuna spaghetti. Four dishes for only $57.00 what a great price effective. Live piano playing and real fireplace. Friendly staff provided good service.
The ambience of this place is classy and elegant. Perfect for dates. We came here for a faculty dinner and were pleasantly surprised by their hospitality. They brought out all the dishes at the same time with little to no wait between the different courses. The pasta and pizza was good, I especially loved the spicy sausage one tossed through spaghetti - it was amazing. Definitely my favourite from the whole menu. I would love to return here, but it is rather noisy and always busy so make sure to reserve!
Be sure to make a reservation!We are lucky we did so. This place was super crowded for Tuesday dinner. My husband and I soon found out why! The service is great, food is pretty good too. The portion sizes are appropriate for one person. They also have sharing meals if there are many people. I really wanted to have some dessert here, but there was no room in the tummy! So I've got a good reason to visit this place again :)
Went to Etrusco for dinner with my husband, from the moment we walked in...... the service was great the venue look good. I would recommend this place to anyone.
Dunedin local favourite judging by the amount of people for a Wednesday night. Friendly atmosphere and good hearty pasta meal for a family. Most important this place is reasonably priced.
We had the antipasto starter which was more than plentiful and tasty, followed by 3 mains of marinara pasta, venison farfelle and piccanti. The piccanti was delicious and mild... Cinghiale o cervo (venison pasta) was rich and tasty! Only let down was the marinara which mainly consisted of mussels. Overall a great experience with friendly staff... And a warm inviting atmosphere! Would visit again on my way though the south!
We were in town for my son's graduation. booked a table here a few weeks prior and we're glad we did. Place was buzzing with people and yet food and drinks got to you reasonably fast.
Antipasti menu was great! I had the marinara pasta, superb! Brione ( don't remember exactly ) the maitre d' was efficient and great guy!
Three of us booked in for a late dinner on Friday night. The restaurant was full and everyone seemed to be having a great time. We kicked of with a round of Peroni beers while we contemplated the menu. We went for the venison pasta special (slow cooked venison - very tasty and tender) Roma pizza and a pepperoni, villi and garlic pizza (the pizzas were great). We had a bottle of the Chianti Reserva and the IMuri (great value at $35). Finished with grappa - to settle the stomach! The lady who looked after us (Gracie) was fantastic as was the rest of the team. Well worth a try if you want classic Italian - we will be back.
If your hungry and with a big group this is the place to visit in Dunedin. Read plenty of great reviews about this place and was highly recommended by locals to come here. Read a review about the bases being too round to be hand made, unless you actually went out the back into the kitchen you shouldn't assume and then go write your 'guesses' on your reviews. Now back to the food, we had a $32 five course banquet which had enough food to feed a small village, just a shame to see food wasted like that but we just could not eat anymore! Etrusco you won this time but I will be back with a small hungry army and we will clear our plates!
We booked today and got a table for 4 for a family dinner. Arrived early and were shown to our table. Really good service, quick and attentive from our waiter. Meals were sizeable - we struggled to get through ours. Antipasto was good, venison farfalle was excellent and rich, penne verde was tasty, the spaghetti carbonara got a great review from our son, pizzas were also really good. We had an enjoyable dinner and would definitely return.
The pasta here is the best in Dunedin. Amatriciana Bianca is my favorite. The staffs are friendly. Fast service. Reasonable price. Good atmosphere. The best Italian restaurant in Dunedin.
This was my girlfriend and I's first visit to an Italian restaurant. It was stupendous; the service was quick, the price was low for a quality restaurant, and the waitress was the lovely and the perfect amount of attentive. The food was fantastic, I could not have been happier with the taste of what we received.
Excellent service and had lots of vegetarian options. Probably the best fine dining restaurant in Dunedin
Highly recommend the Leonardo pizza and picantti pasta.
Up on the first floor of the ornate Victorian style Savoy building in central Dunedin, Etrusco seems to be a bit of a local institution. The interior was as traditional as the exterior, in an almost kitsch way, with stained glass in the windows and chandelier style lighting.
Four of us for dinner. Went here because of positive ratings. Service was good - nice and helpful waitress. Ravioli special (spinach & feta) was the big let down - large quantity smothered in gluggy cream and not very tasty. Other meals were better but not fantastic - pizza special ok and two of us had venison pie. Desert also not great - Chocolate cake tasted as though it had poor quality ingredients and chocolate sauce didn't taste like real chocolate. Noisy dining.
Expensive, but gorgeous venue and stunning dishes.
If you are looking for a good Italian feed, Etrusco is the place to go to in Dunedin, they never fail. Lovely place to dine.. the maitre d and the rest of the staff are quite hospitable and accommodating..no matter how busy they are..every time I dine here, I always come out happy at the end of the night..My favorite dish here is the Verde Pasta.. :)
We have dined at Etrusco many times, and they have never failed to please.
Last night was once again a truly enjoyable experience. Exceptionally fine food, a delightful and friendly waitress, and Rion is an exceptional host.
We would happily go back again tonight!
Etrusco's continues to be our favourite place to dine in Dunedin- food is always fresh and creative, atmosphere friendly and buzzy and the waiting staff are attentive and friendly. Nothing is too much trouble which makes eating out relaxing and enjoyable. As regulars we are met as part of the family. Thanks Rion for always making us feel so welcome. Well done guys, keep up the good work! Paul and Mary Reet "
What a wonderful experience! Fabulous ambiance, Great staff - very friendly and welcoming, knowledgeable and helpful - they made us feel like we were at their home! The food & wine were fantastic! We enjoyed our weekend exploring Dunedin together for the first time, and dinner at Etrusco was a memorable highlight for both of us. I look forward to going back there again.
Excellent Italian food & wine. The waiting staff were lovely and very professional. Reasonable prices. We visited some years ago and liked it last time. Stopped by again on our current visit on a Sat night. Not disappointed, as good as we remembered. Will definitely visit again.
Had an excellent meal here on Tuesday 17 December 2013 for my birthday! Have been meaning to go to Etrusco for some time after hearing so many positive comments through friends and work colleagues. And they were all right!! Food was amazing and really friendly helpful staff. Our waiter at Table #24 for our 6.30pm booking on 17/12/13 was exceptional and should be held in the highest regard by management. Look forward to our next visit!! Cheers Steve :)
We went here for our wedding anniversary and were not disappointed. Beautiful food, loved the wine. The pasta was excellent. I ordered a medium, it looked like it was rather small but by the time I had eaten half of my meal, I actually commented to my husband, 'it doesn't even look like I have even started yet'. Saying that I was unable to finish it. We shared a starter and a desert. Was a lovely evening and will definitely return.
It is my favourite place to go in Dunedin. It is often very busy but the staff are polite and friendly. Last time I was there it was busy and our meals took a while to come but the staff kept coming and updating us on how much longer and were very apologetic. The food was amazing and it was a warm atmosphere. The best thing is that it is just the right amount to fill you up without leaving you feeling bloated or that you have eaten too much. I love the thin crust of the pizza and how the pizza is not smothered in cheese.
Rio Ashworth O'Callaghan
+5
This was the best food I have ever had in Dunedin. Arrived at opening time and were treated to a lovely waiter who showed us to our window seat. The starter of Schiacciata was delicious along with the house special pizza we ordered and another another pasta dish we shared. Enjoying our food so much we treated ourselves to a dessert which was the icing on the cake. Overall, experience was superb - big ups to the waitstaff who add to the great experience.
The atmosphere at Etrusco coupled with the personable and friendly staff makes for a lovely night out. I'm looking forward to my graduation dinner in December :)
The pasta was fresh and light I didn't feel bogged down afterwards. My chocolate filled mud cake was divine.
My favourite place in dunedin, though i can't afford to go there often as a student but when family visits its where they went (so very affordable for family prices i think). Loved this place and can't wait to go out - planning a nice evening out with friends and thinking we will shell out the extra as it is so warm, friendly feeling and when we last went they had live singer and guitar (not invasive just nice)
ETRUSCO is our favourite place to go out for dinner in Dunedin. It provides a true Italian dining experience. Every time it is a struggle to decide what to order as there are so many delicious options. The Italian wine list is extensive. Last time we were there, we were lucky enough to enjoy live piano music while we had our desserts and lemoncello. We can't wait to go back next time we are in Dunedin :)
What a lovely night! I had never been to Etrusco's before although I had heard good things. We sat by the fire for a drink first and then had an amazing shared meal. We tried different dishes and they were all lovely and to top it all off yummy desserts too. Friendly staff, great space, very romantic. It was very busy for a Wednesday night which was a nice surprise, although there was a large party of guests (20+) and that made it quite noisy towards the end of our meal.
Overall a great experience and I will be back very soon!
Fantastic place to go for pizza and pasta, the host was first class and had a great sense of humor. Food was great and plenty of it, loved the whole feel of the place -felt like being in Italy . Would recommend this place to everyone!
Amazing food and a great atmosphere. Only problem was that with over 10 people we had to have the banquet meal and I hadn't prepared my stomach and couldn't eat it all so there was a lot of wasted food (enjoyed the next day of course!). Delicious and great, thanks
As usual, Etrusco is a great place to eat. Whenever we are in Dunedin this is one of the places we always look to go to. The food is fantastic, atmosphere fantastic and a great wine list. If you are feeling flush, look at the cellar wines in the wine list. We had an outstanding 2000 La Grola that matched the food perfectly. Keep up the great work.
Etrusco is one place that can be called a truly great dining experience. As a hospitality professional I couldn't fault the service, very efficient, and the meal was outstanding, from starter to desert. My partner and I try to eat out once a fortnight and over the last few months this has been a stressful exercise in every outlet we have frequented, whether it be the food or service that was abysmal. I was almost beginning to doubt the Dunedin restaurant scene. This experience has restored my faith and proven that sometimes it's best to stick with what you know and stay faithful to those places that provide an excellent dining experience every time.
Such an enjoyable visit, as always! Delicious food, friendly service, lovely ambience, love it! My parents came down for the weekend and requested we go here, I think that's the third time in a row! It's become my go-to whenever I recommend somewhere for people to eat in Dunedin :)
My wife and I regularly dined at Etrusco in the early nineties and - after 20 years away - made a return visit with our sons earlier this year for my birthday. The food, ambience and service were great - warm and friendly - and we will return again soon.
What a find! A busy Saturday night and we just turned up and the staff found us a table. A great atmosphere, friendly and diligent staff and the food?...........well 'fantastico'. Beautiful flavours, fresh and hot. A great place to take your family, whanau, friends or work colleagues. If you don't go then you will regret it!
Great place, the best Pizza I have had in ages. lovely atmosphere and good service. Had a fab time with my hubby and kids
I first dined at Etrusco at the beginning of 2013 and have returned many times since! It's an all rounded experience; the service is impeccable, the food is absolutely divine and the atmosphere is magic. The friendly hospitality of this family owned business just adds to the experience.
I can confidently say it's the best restaurant in Dunedin. Great place for a romantic night out or for a group of people to knock the top off a few bottles of wine over some of the most genuine Italian food I've tasted in New Zealand.
An easy 5 stars!
"The food was tasty, great service. A tad loud but a great first experience.
Absolutely fantastic place! One of Dunedin's best hidden treasures! The atmosphere was fantastic with an open fire and busyness! The food was all I could have wanted, yummy!!
Definitely my new favourite!
Absolutely awesome. Took my daughter there for her 16th birthday and she loved it. The food was awesome atmosphere was busy but well organised. We will be going back and will be telling all our friends about the excellent service.
Hadn't been for a while - but we'll be back soon.
The food was great, at a reasonable price but it was the service which stood out from other good Dunedin restaurants. All the staff really know how to make your evening special
I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent in Etrusco At The Savoy, the food was flawless and tasty all the while remaining reasonably priced with large portions. The Staff were very friendly and helpful, keeping the table stocked with water at all times. The atmosphere was also fantastic, with a live Piano player when we arrived and we were even treated to some Italian Opera while we ate. All in all Etrusco is hands down one of the best Restaurants in Dunedin.
Great atmosphere, staff and food! Friends and I regularly visit Etrusco and recommend it to outsiders visiting Dunedin. The restaurant is always very consistent with their standard of hospitality, friendliness and food. It is a good place for a quiet, casual dinner or a fine dining occasion. Highly recommend!
Excellent service from start to finish, the owners are so friendly and accommodating - could not get better !
Plenty of food and all very flavoursome - noisy and busy but the ambience is hard to beat - the original decor is outstanding in the old historic building - a great dining experience all round !
We've been regularly coming to Etrusco since 1996. In that time Frederico and his family have been doing the same great job, with excellent food and service without fail. The Bianca is excellent and so is the Verde, plus the Pecan Pie and Chocolate and Blueberry Layer Cake is to die for...
Thank-you for making my night the best dinner in a while! I LOVE it! I would like to go the again some time and I really think the pizza was the best in the world! I love how you seat the place out and I thought it was wonderful!
Thank-you!
I deeply enjoyed it!
Georgia P.
I thoroughly enjoyed eating at Etrusco. We were a part of a large group so could only have the set menu but everything was delicious, particularly the pasta. The food kept coming too, with plenty to go around. Wonderful atmosphere in the restaurant -loved the live piano music! The staff were very professional and friendly. Would definitely go back! Thanks Etrusco.
Pastas had excellent and fresh flavours and the sizes were huge! Would maybe prefer more variety on the menu eg some chicken or fish or veal main courses other than pizza and pasta. Pizzas were also nice - I only tried one but the pizza base was perfect and loaded with toppings. The tiramisu was very rich and coffee flavour too overpowering. Service could have been a little faster at times but having Said that the restaurant was very busy that night. Overall a pleasant and authentic Italian experience, I can see why you have had such good recommendations in the past and I can't believe I live so close and haven't been here before!"
Every time & I mean every time we travel back to Dunedin Etrusco is a no brainer.....we must eat here!!! Always bubbly friendly service, fabulous atmosphere & delicious food....mmm pizza (all of them)....the wild boar gnocchi, scrummy desserts & limoncello to finish. Great place to take the kids as the place is loud, fun & cranking; celebrated many a birthday here & will be continuing the tradition with many more too!!! "
We have eaten at Etrusco often and always enjoyed our meals. Huge variety of pasta and amazing pizza. The best Antipasto in Dunedin..Have never tried the desserts as we are usually too full!. Lovely staff and atmosphere. Try to get seated by the fire!
Good atmosphere, great service and tasty food
Amazing pasta and deserts - absolutely melt in your mouth. Next to the blazing fire, and accompanied by a talented pianist I had a great birthday dinner experience. This is not the first time that I have visited this restaurant, and it will certainly not be the last! I have already recommended Etrusco to several of my friends and hope to return in the near future to try more of the delicious selection on offer.
I love this restaurant it is my parents absolute favourite as well. The food was really nice and it brings out the Italian culture just by how the lights are dimmed, how the waitresses dress and the types of food that are served. There are a variety of pastas and the puddings are delicious and the presentation is done very neatly.
Service was attentive, but took a while for someone to come get drink orders & appetisers at the start. Meals were consistent and well priced.
Atmosphere was good as always - well lit and music at an appropriate volume.
" Fantastic catch up with family last night, loved the pizza with plenty of garlic and had to take the rest home for breakfast. Great time, fantastic ambience, very busy place with friendly staff, very special food and lovely wine. Thanks Etrusco "
It is the best Italian restaurant I have been to ever, good food done with passion and great comfortable place with lovely staff.
I will always go there to enjoy myself and the food and the lovely Italian atmosphere
This restaurant in Dunedin is top notch. Full of very friendly, efficient staff, and serving food that is indeed some of the best around. We visited there with a party of 12 and although the restaurant was chocker-full, we got very individual attention and quality food. I loved my experience there and would recommend it to anyone.
Went here for dinner last night.
The wait was long but the waiter and managers had the best service!
Apologized multiple times for the wait and also gave us a unexpected discount for the wait!
One of the best customer services I've had in years in NZ itself.
The food was also amazing definitely worth while!
Highly recommend this place!!!
Great Italian restaurant!! I was there last week with my family and all of us enjoyed it and had clean plates at the end of the night. My pasta (Penne al Verde) was *delicious* and only $17.90, I was really impressed!! The building's interior and the overall atmosphere were gorgeous...something you'd expect from a fine dining restaurant. I have to agree it was slightly loud though....nevertheless I will be going back asap
I have been here many times and love it to bits. The staff are amazingly friendly, the food is always perfect and leaves you either satisfied or craving more (depending on how big your stomach is). Serving sizes are generous, the banquet option allows you to have a taste of everything which I love because it is all sooooo good. Never waiting too long for things to arrive and 100% service with a smile and giggle :). I recommend to all to try this place at least once. First review I have ever written but felt it was necessary because the lower scores are inaccurate.
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I go to this restaurant maybe once or twice a year and it can usually be relied upon to provide a fairly good meal. My partner and I visited again yesterday and were quite happy. It took a while for the waitress to come and take our order but it was my no means a painfully long wait. The entree came out very quickly, schiacciata flat bread, which was delicious!
The mains could potentially have come out a bit quicker but rather than taking far too long I would say it was towards the limit of an 'acceptable' waiting time.
The meal itself was very good, I got a large serving of the Penne al verde - Penne pasta tossed in spinach and toasted pinenuts with a dash of cream and fresh parmesan, and it was delicious, very very tasty and filling, not bad for $21.50. My partner ordered a spaghetti dish which was also very good.
I would definitely come back to get pasta from etrusco again, however from previous experience if you have a hankering for pizza there are better and cheaper places in Dunedin to go. Likewise I have never found the desserts at Etrusco amazing.
Still if you are after some very good pasta Etrusco is the place to go!
I have recently moved to Dunedin from Las Vegas, Nevada, and decided to try the spaghetti with meat sauce at Etrusco's. This is by far the best Italian restaurant than anything I experienced in Las Vegas while living there for 12 years. The food is fantastic. The ambiance superb. The staff is just right, attentive but not always interrupting like in North America constantly asking if there's anything more you would like. Boy, that always annoyed me. Will definetely come back and back and back. Just hope the staff doesn't get tired of me. Love this restaurant and love this new country.
Me and my partner keep coming back to this place it's brilliant staff are always really friendly and happy to help in any way they can, and the food is amazing never been disappointed with what we've ordered, and always get a desert to share as there yummy!!
Would recommend this place to all my friends and family.
My Fiancee and I dined here recently. I have read the earlier reviews and have to say we received very good service and the wait time for the food was very minimal despite us being walk in customers on a busy Friday night. The food was amazing, I am still craving their pasta!! There was no room for dessert unfortunately. The only down side was the drinks did take a while to arrive after being ordered. Will definitely return
A huge thanks to Etrusco for a superb meal, including going out of their way to deal with our young boy with food allergies.
The service from Rion was excellent and when I asked about a particular wine not on the list they found one in the cellar for us - just wonderful! If ever undecided on what to choose, we recommend their gnocchi...
Our first visit to this restaurant, it clearly will not be our last.
Ignore all the service issues, from what I can see most of the whingers were in large groups and do not alter their perspective for the numbers involved and the timing issues of getting 10 plus meals to you simultaneously. Simple but tasty menu, service with a smile from an international cast. Friday night, no booking, walk up customer, in at 6.30 out at 7.45, leisurely two course meal. Great taste, shame no cheese available but otherwise all good.
I love this place! As a regular I ALWAYS have a great time, eat consistently delicious classic Italian food and sample some tasty Italian wines. The atmosphere is vibrant and happening. In winter the (real) open fire is the best in town. I don't need anywhere else!
The previous reviews below are all over the place and maybe rightfully so. Service may be slow at times but it is a big place and if you get there at prime time on Friday you are going to wait. BYO and relax.
But the food is NOT the problem. This is as close to real (Calabrese) Italian as I have found in NZ. Thin crust pizza (could be even thinner), robust tomato sauce on the pizza, spicy Italian sausage and pancetta. Ask for your pizza "crispy" and the crust will really stand out as it should.
Pasta is served "al dente" and the sauces I have had are authentic Tuscan and southern Italian. Prices are about as they should be and the wine list is adequate.
Highly recommended.
Every time we visit Dunedin we make a point of dining at Etrusco. The food is great and very reasonably priced, (a must have is the Hot Fudge Sundae). They have an extensive wine list with lots of my favourite Italian and Central Otago reds. The atmosphere is very welcoming, with a friendly greeting at the door and a lovely open fire with couches to lounge on until a table becomes available.
We are regular visitors to Dunedin and always look forward to dining out at Etrusco. The restaurant decor and atmosphere is always fantastic, as is the broad range of pasta and pizza dishes we can choose from. The BEST pizza bases and pasta sauces anywhere!! These are complemented by an excellent wine list which is reasonably priced. Friendly and welcoming staff make dining out here a pleasure
My husband and I have eaten here frequently over the past four years and continue to be impressed with both the food and the service (which has always been great for us). The wine selection is amazing and the staff and even owners are happy to help you pick something out to match your food.
The only negative is the set menu for groups of over ten people as the food is chosen by the chef - meaning you end up paying more for a meal you would not have necessarily chosen yourself.
I especially recommend the Penne al Verde and the Carbonara!
I love it here. I've been at least half a dozen times in the past 18 months and each time it has been superb. The atmosphere and ambiance is second to none, the whole place is warm and filled with delicious smells and we are always taken care of very well. The service is good. The wait staff are not over pretentious and on numerous occasions the host has been there wishing us a good evening and ensuring our meals were aright.
I would not hesitate to go back!
I have dined here many times for birthdays, graduations etc. The interior is absolutely beautiful, lovely atmosphere (sometimes it can be very noisy especially around graduation.)
I recommend trying a flatbread/garlic bread-the various flatbreads are really well seasoned and delicious. The pizza is good and the dessert drinks are a treat too.
The last few times I have been I have noticed a longer wait time when waiting for menus or drinks etc. I think this is a real shame and I hope management sorts it out soon
I recently visited Etrusco for dinner with family for dinner and was very impressed. It has to be the best Italian food I've ever had. Impeccably prepared and presented, perfectly cooked and absolutely delicious. The staff were very helpful, friendly and happy to work with any dietary needs. Definitely well worth a visit and highly recommended if you're looking for great Italian food.
Trip to Dunedin with my partner and daughter. And this restaurant is my favorite part of the trip. Nice pizza and pastas…wanted to try more dishes, but unfortunately my stomach is not big enough…. If I go back to Dunedin, I’d be for this restaurant.
What can I say! Visiting here from Hawkes Bay and we were super impressed with this place. Italian music, family friendly, yet classy all in one. Food was simple, yet delicious. The Nonno was fabulous 👌
The food was great and a very beautiful building for the restaurant. The only let down to the experience was the service. They had forgotten our mains order so the wait was longer than expected. A few customers that had arrived after us were served their mains before us. The staff were very apologetic and I will be going back next time I’m in Dunedin.
Great place with great food and great selection of wines. Make your reservation and enjoy a very tasty Italian night in the heart of Dunedin.
The flat bread, pizzas, pasta and desert are excellent and you can’t go wrong with anything you choose from the menu.
There is also a pasta for every taste, either you like it hot, stronger or delicate flavours, the selection of pasta is broad and you will definitely find one that you will enjoy.
Could well be the best place in Dunedin. Welcomed in, despite coming directly from airport and still having baggage.
Impeccable service despite a business (Thursday) night, excellent food at a reasonable price.
Toni Gallot (Sakura_kiwi)
+5
Always love it here. Great pizzas and pasta and awesome atmosphere. When we visit Dunedin we always come here.
BYO wine makes it a reasonably priced night out too, handy as there is a liquor store downstairs with a decent selection of red wine.
Really enjoyed our meal here. Only criticism is that the hard surfaces means it's very loud so difficult to have conversations across the table. But atmosphere of this more historic building is lovely. Food very enjoyable. Thanks.
Haven't been here for years. It is still as good as I remembered. My daughter and I shared a large pasta which was so very yum and there was plenty, both felt very full and very happy. Such lovely staff that made you feel very important. Such a great all round experience. Thank you 😊
It's one of the lovely but always crowded restaurants in Dunedin with extremely friendly and attentive staff. You can have one of the most delicious seafood pizza Marinara here. Their pastas are as yum too.
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