The perfect Italian dinner may be just a short drive away. In this article, we’ve listed down the best Italian restaurants in Tauranga where you can eat, drink, and be merry.

We picked restaurants that serve satisfying authentic Italian food and have inviting ambience. Also, we included those with courteous and helpful staff and excellent customer reviews.

So wIthout further ado, here are the best Italian restaurants in Tauranga!

1)  Salva D’or Ristorante Italiano

BEST FOR	Welcoming and hospitable vibe
SERVICES	DinnerTakeaway
WEBSITE	http://www.salvador.co.nz/
ADDRESS	350 Cameron Road, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand
CONTACT DETAILS	+64 7-578 8000
OPERATING HOURS	Open every night for dinner Thursday – Sunday for lunch

You can dine at Salva D’or Italian restaurant, one of the best Italian restaurants located in the beautiful city of Tauranga. They offer authentic Italian meals at this small eatery.

They serve a range of Mediterranean and European food made from the freshest ingredients. Some of the customer favourites include Gamberi Saporiti, Anelli di Calamari, and Bistecca Mignon.

The place has a pleasant and homely atmosphere, furnished with beautiful antique decorations. Another reason to dine here is their attentive and hospitable staff who will ensure that you will have a great dining experience.

Highlights 

• Authentic Italian meals
• Uses the freshest ingredients
• Homely atmosphere
• Attentive and hospitable staff

Customer Reviews 

One client, Jeiselle G., wrote this review of Salva D’or Ristorante Italiano: 

“Small cozy place with great Italian food. Probably the best Italian restaurant in Tauranga. I love the pizza! Though i wish it has more toppings. 🙂 And the steaks were good and very filling as well. The prices are reasonable for the taste and size of the meal. The owner/manager was welcoming and hands-on in attending to customers. It was also easy to book despite reserving within such short notice. Their staff was pleasant, smiling and attentive too.”

2)  Osteria

BEST FOR	Kind and amiable service
SERVICES	Main MenuKids Menu Set Menu Vegetarian Vegan Gluten-Free Dessert
WEBSITE	https://osteria.co.nz/mount-maunganui/
ADDRESS	91 Maunganui Rd, Mt Maunganui, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand
CONTACT DETAILS	07 574 1574
OPERATING HOURS	Monday – Friday: 4.00 PM – 9.00 PMSaturday & Sunday: 12.00 PM – 9.00 PM

Osteria is an Italian word meaning ‘a simple place serving wine and food’. The word invokes the image of local inns in ancient Rome where clients were treated with hospitality.

The very same tradition is embodied by the restaurant, ensuring that guests feel welcome. Despite taking inspiration from old traditions, the place has a modern and sophisticated interior.

They offer a range of meals for adults and kids, as well as those with gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan diets.

According to customers, the accommodating and kind staff provides outstanding service. What’s more, you can order superb-tasting wines from their large selection of premium wines.

Highlights 

• Serves delicious Italian food
• Has a variety of premium wines
• Kind and amiable staff
• Modern and sophisticated interior

Customer Reviews 

Check out one customer’s review of Osteria: 

“Absolutely beautiful place to eat warm and cozy…… we had the most lovely waitress who helped with the menu and told us whats good and explained each dish my pizza was cooked to perfection and everyone else’s dishes were perfect Absolutely delicious wait time wasn’t long considering the food they make and the pudding was to die for i would recommend anyone to this place i will definitely be coming back.”

3)  Mamma Mia Ristorante Italiano

BEST FOR	Family recipes
SERVICES	DinnerTakeaway Gluten-Free Vegetarian
WEBSITE	https://www.mammamiamount.com/
ADDRESS	14B Pacific Ave, Mount Maunganui, 3116, Tauranga, New Zealand
CONTACT DETAILS	07 575 8245
OPERATING HOURS	Monday – Sunday: 4.30 PM – 9.00 PM

If you like simple Italian food and want to find a place to dine with your family, then try Mamma Mia Italian Restaurant. They prepare and cook their food with creativity and love.

Established in 2012, Mamma Mia restaurant offers flavoursome dishes great for sharing with your family and friends. They also have an excellent collection of wines.

Catering and set menus are available for larger groups, business functions, or special occasions. The trattoria is open 7 nights a week, from 4.30 PM till 9 PM.

Garnering rave reviews from clients, you can bet that Mamma Mia Italian Restaurant is one of the best Italian restaurants in Tauranga. 

Highlights 

• Creatively presented and delicious food
• Has excellent wines available
• Passionate chefs

Customer Reviews

Blake S. wrote a review describing the food at Mamma Mia Ristorante Italiano: 

“Really great selection of foods, wonderful pizza that was even nice to take home and have cold the next day.  The pasta was incredible and was too good not to eat.  We we’re so full afterwards that we had to wait outside before we could leave.  Incredible food.”

4)  Alpino

BEST FOR	Fantastic Italian meals
SERVICES	DinnerWine Coffee
WEBSITE	https://www.alpino.co.nz/page/alpino-mount-maunganui/
ADDRESS	16 Pacific Ave, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand
CONTACT DETAILS	07 925 9769[email protected]
OPERATING HOURS	Wednesday: 5.00 PM – 10.00 PMThursday: 5.00 PM – 11.00 PM Friday & Saturday: 12.00 PM – 11:00 PM Sunday: 12.00 PM – 10.00 PM Monday & Tuesday: CLOSED

If you cross over Italian flavours, passion, and recipes with local ingredients, the result is Alpino. Long story short, this is actually how the restaurant started.

Many customers have mentioned that the food is amazing, as well as the staff, wall art, and ambience. Plenty of customers also enjoy the restaurant’s variety of yummy pizzas.

They serve authentic Italian food that make you feel as if you’ve travelled to the Mediterranean and dined there. They also serve wine and coffee for an indulgent and delightful dining experience.

You should also try their Nonna Lucia’s heavenly tiramisu or classic ice cream with cones!

What are you waiting for? Book a table today with Alpino–one of the best Italian restaurants in Tauranga.

Highlights 

• Authentic Italian cuisine
• Delectable pizzas
• Friendly staff
• Convivial and quaint restaurant

Customer Reviews 

Here’s feedback from Kimberley B. about her dining experience at Alpino: 

“Worth a visit- Lovely food and bustling atmosphere in quaint space. We had Mozzarella bites, Caprese Pizza and Goat Ragu Pappardelle.. couldn’t fault anything. :)”

5)  Pizzaroma

BEST FOR	Roman-style pizza
SERVICES	Menu
WEBSITE	https://www.pizzaroma.co.nz/
ADDRESS	10 Adams AvenueMount Maunganui 3116 New Zealand
CONTACT DETAILS	Phone. 07 572 1135Email. [email protected]
OPERATING HOURS	Monday: ClosedTuesday – Thursday: 4:30 PM – 9 PM Friday – Sunday: 12 PM – 2 PM, 4:30 PM – 9 PM

Pizzaroma makes fresh and handmade Italian food for their diners. They use authentic Italian recipes for their menu.

They have a wide variety of dishes to offer, such as pizza, pasta, meats, and more. They have vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free alternatives for those who need them.

Delivery is also available for certain places in Tauranga. You can order from Delivereasy or from their website.

Highlights 

• Authentic Italian recipes
• Kitchen ran by Italian chef
• Fresh and homemade food
• Vegan and gluten-free options
• Freezer meals available

Customer Reviews

Here’s what previous customers have to say about Pizzaroma:

“PIZZAROMA has got to be one of the most amazing delicious pizza I have ever had!! Superb base that is a true Roma style and fabulous combinations of toppings. Nonna Teresa is gorgeous, as is every other one plus there is an awesome Vegan choice too. Tiramisu for dessert is a must have delightful finish. Can’t recommend this highly enough, you’re going to fall in live at first bite for sure.”

“Quality traditional Italian food and made with passion. Delicious! Friendly staff and good service. Highly reccomend this place. Must try!”

And that concludes our list for the best Italian restaurants in Tauranga. Whichever restaurant you choose, you’re sure to enjoy high-quality food and service in these restaurants.

Do you have any questions or opinions regarding our list? If you have one, send us a comment and we’ll get back to you as fast as we can.

After dining at the finest Italian restaurants, you may want to stay at a luxurious and relaxing venue. For this, check out our list of the best Tauranga hotels for the best accommodations and hotel services around!