Delicious! We started with meatballs- crayfish and also red deer. Followed by agnolotti stuffed with lobster and snapper, followed by very rich saffron and potato tortellini. Delicious and very nice! Lovely waitress. read more

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We've been twice and have not been disappointed yet. Each time we shared a lot of food and left feeling full and satisfied. Meatball selection is good (we loved the venison ones) and we split a pasta each time (my vote's for the duck pasta). We shared eggplant parm both times as well. A nice selection of wines too. Can get busy but we didn't have to wait too long either time. We'll be back! read more

Delectable dishes and sumptuous wines to be found here. We've found several lovely places in Wynyard but Banduzzi is our favorite. We so enjoyed meeting the talented staff -Tan, our knowledgeable and charming waiter and Josh, the warm and welcoming manager, make the dining experience complete. So grateful to have found Banduzzi on our Auckland visit read more

I had high expectations going into Baduzzi, yet it still exceeded what I imagined. The food was brought to us promptly, with wait staff checking in just the right amount. As soon as my rosé prosecco was finished it was replaced with another glass - talk about great service! We ordered hen terrina, and breaded courgette flowers to start with. The terrina included a chutney to die for, and the goats ricotta in the flowers was absolutely perfect. The combination of flavours in that dish was heavenly, and was so easy to eat. We then had the coromandel crayfish meatballs, and beetroot tagliatelle. Not being a fan of crayfish I was apprehensive but extremely glad I was talked into it! The sauce along with them was divine, very Italian. I liked the fact you could specify how many meatballs you wanted - makes it perfect for sharing. The tagliatelle came with striped beetroot, which has a wonderful flavour. The addition of oyster mushrooms worked well. We ordered the dessert special of the night - a decadent apple, creme fraise and hazelnut praline combination. There were so many flavours and they worked really well together. We both liked how it wasn't too strong or too sweet, as often big fancy desserts can be at places like this. It was pretty big between the two of us and we weren't sure we could get through the other dessert too, the chocolate torta caprese. But after a waiter told us it was his favourite on the menu we knew we had to order it. It was like heaven served on a plate. There are no other words. It had the amazing flavour of a supreme brownie, but not as dense, a great change! The amaretti went perfectly too. Overall we were extremely impressed by the evening at Baduzzi. We paid $150 for the 6 dishes and 3 glasses of prosecco. We didn't realise there was a slight problem with the bill but the manager quickly sought us out as we were leaving and refunded us. All the plates were presented beautifully, and the service was great - the staff are personal and very friendly, and they really know what they are talking about. The menu has so many dishes that sound incredible, so it is very appreciated how flexible they are with making it so easy to share. Even being a Thursday night the place was pretty full. Outside diners were brought blankets, and music set the atmosphere as it started to get dark. Clearly a lot of passion had been put into the restaurant and its staff. (Even the toilets are impressive - they have their own printed wallpaper, and luxurious hand cremes!) The setting is great on the North Wharf, and the whole area is only going to get better. It makes for a short after dinner walk. A superb night, definately will revisit soon! read more

Baduzzi - Apple, creme fraise and hazelnut praline dessert special // chocolate torta caprese, vanilla ice cream and amaretti. - Italian Near Me - Auckland, AUK

I'm giving this place five shiny Italian pasta ladles! I can hardly contain myself but I'll do my best to be objective...God knows it has taken me long enough to calm down since my last experience! To be honest, I don't give a damn if everyone, including Mr. Darcy thinks I'm a raving lunatic for how I feel about this place. But if you care to read on you'll see what I'm raving on about... I'm awarding my first shiny Italian pasta ladle for the classy fitout. I love the big red door at the entrance, the lush leather banquettes with white marble tables and the strategically placed wall mirrors. All-in-all, Baduzzi has a certain je ne sais quoi to it, that I really like. My next shiny Italian pasta ladle goes to the staff; take a bow ladies and gentleman because service doesn't come any better than what you offer! ;) The third ladle is for offering a damn fine wine list, the top-shelf whisky and the cocktails. I'm a big fan of the de-constructed Negroni and the sexy Chocolate Martini! The forth and most important shiny pasta ladle is awarded for the food! Food, glorious food! Best meatballs on the planet and the pasta is likely to make you moan with pleasure too! Basically, the food is simply exquisite and everything is beautifully presented. Last but not least, a fifth shiny Italian pasta ladle to Baduzzi for offering such incredible food at reasonable prices. Seriously, it would be an insult to serve these dishes for any less: Wagyu and Harmony pork rillette, charcoaled octopus and salsa rosa $17 3 Fiordland crayfish meatballs $19 3 Wild red deer meatballs $16 Buttered hand made maltagliati with duck and porcini ragu $26 Enough said! read more

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My partner took me for a surprise lunch at Baduzzi this week and I'd rank it amongst my all time favourite dining experiences. We were greeted with genuine warmth and I immediately felt at ease. I always appreciate good service since I know it really does take some effort to provide. The warm welcome was well received and set the tone for the afternoon. After sitting down and getting comfortable we were offered water and any additional drinks - we both got some well poured ice cold Peroni. Wait staff approached us with comfortable intervals in between so we didn't feel pestered or ignored. Each interaction with the various staff members was a joy - creating a feeling of familiarity and hospitality rarely found outside family dinners. We ordered an entree and mains at the same time, but the waitress thought to ask if we wanted them separate or apart (options I'd not considered). We chose to have entree first and the fried Zucchini flowers stuffed with goats cheese we got were tantalising, leaving us very excited for what was to come. Next our mains arrived - Duck & porcini pasta and stuffed, burnt butter gnocchi. They were elegant and satisfying, but very well priced too. Last but not least we ordered a 10 year Port (the waitress split the port between two glasses which was very considerate) and Tiramisu to share. It was incredible. Such a stunning way to end a gorgeous meal. If you've not yet been, I highly recommend dropping by this fantastic restaurant - it's one of the best Auckland has to offer. read more

It takes Baduzzi to open yet another Italian restaurant in Auckland. What's so special about this one? It's pedigree to start (cooked up by Ben Bayley and Michael Dearth of the Grove). Then it's location, by the waterfront at Wynyard Quarter. Even the bespoke wallpaper in the bathrooms makes you feel as though you are visiting a club for affluent ragazzi. But most importantly, credit belongs to its menu. Melt in the mouth venison meatballs, duck ragu, calamari and burrata (a soft cheese like mozarella) are decadently and traditionally flavored. Most of the menu can be shared with like-stomached companions in true italian fashion - lazily and over expansive conversation and a delightful selection of old and new world wines. Breaking with tradition, the tiramisu is a tad experimental, but overall any orchidometer would be impressed! read more

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We had bit of everything. Zucchini flowers with goats ricotta beautiful and delicate Crayfish polpetti is worth trying well balanced favours and just correct seasoning . Market fish is divine perhaps to my personal opinion portion size was bit towards smaller size but composition of dish and flavours is beautiful . Service is very warm . And it's quite healthy on pockets read more

Baduzzi - Italian Near Me - Auckland, AUK

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Probably the least impressive meal we had in Auckland. Food was very average, nothing special at all. Nothing bad, but nothing good. Average at best. read more

The atmosphere here really sells it as soon as you walk in. It has a buzz with heaps of people and a good sociable hum. We ordered a variety of stuff but I can wholeheartedly recommend the crumbed zucchini flowers filled with goats cheese (incredible) and the fresh, summery risotto with fresh peas, beans and creme fraiche. We also tried a variety of the meatballs which were all beautiful! I will 10000% come back here. I love the atmosphere. And want to save room for a dessert haha Be warned, there are no reservations as far as I could tell, but if you don't get a table - try try again every night until you do read more

Amazing! Can't say enough good about the homemade pasta and the meatballs were beyond. Everyone else at the table also enjoyed their food and drinks. Worth the walk to the North Wharf. read more

After a recent trip to Italy we were craving Italian cuisine and Baduzzi was at the top of the yelp list so decided to try it. It was a Monday night and surprisingly it was busy but service was prompt and waiting time wasn't that long at all. Our waiter was very knowledgeable with the menu and as we were indecisive we asked him to choose for us, in the end we got three entrees which came out one by one. I looked at my partner like what did we just order? Our waiter did repeat himself (he was Chilean so was hard to understand) we just nodded but on the positive they were delicious we wanted to lick the bowl. We both ordered a main course and we wished the portions were bigger but I guess with Italians quality over quantity. Would come back again but for a special occasion. read more

I have to admit I wasn't really hungry having already been out for lunch but a couple of little tastes provided a fabulous flavour hit without getting stuffed. I had saffron gnocchi filled with delicate soft goats cheese, followed by red deer meatballs. The food was amazing and the service spectacularly good. I couldn't fault the restaurant, just the loud-mouth whingey noter at the adjacent table who for whatever reason decided his guests needed dinner AND a show. I will definitely be back for more, with a hearty appetite next time! read more

Baduzzi is superb. But first, I'll start with my minor gripe. If it's a windy day, don't choose the table right next to the front door, because the privacy curtain blows up like a yacht spinnaker every time the front door opens. Its annoying to have it hit your back repeatedly during the meal. I did consider requesting a new table, but by the time we were settled the crowds had come in and tables were scarce. But aside from that, Baduzzi is a gem on North Wharf. As Auckland Italian restaurants go, this is in the top cohort, possibly the best. The service and charm matches the quality of food. Our family of five ordered a selection of tasting plates for an entree, with the sardines, crayfish balls, squid salad and the zucchini flowers. It's all great, though be aware the portions are small so make sure you specify a meatball per person or someone will be disappointed. And disappointed they will be because it was all delicious. I had the Wakanui rump steak, grilled over woodfire, which was excellent. My wife chose a small pasta (and they are small), but she said it was fantastic (the snapper and lobster agnolotti, which is a bit like ravioli), served in a lemon butter sauce. The children had chicken schnitzels and chicken parmigiana, which were all well liked. What really made the night though was that the owner made a point of fussing over our table, making us feel very welcome. After ordering dessert, the boys were escorted by the owner to the dessert section of the kitchen (you can view from the dining side), and could see their desserts being made. That was a nice touch, making the boys more involved with their meal. My wife loved her tiramisu which she described as one of the best she had. I ordered a selection of cheeses, including a particularly pungent Gorgonzola blue that was a few days away from causing hallucinations. I might yet have weird dreams tonight. Yes, the cheese was that complex and delicious. So in summary, Baduzzi is a charming and welcoming quality spot on Auckland's Wynyard Point. It was deservedly busy, with very good service, a welcoming and charming owner, and most importantly great Italian food. Just avoid the table by the front door or you'll find yourself getting angry at every group that arrives as they fling open the door and cause the curtain to swell up over your chair. It's very good value for excellent quality food and service. I'll be sure to come back. read more

Been here a few times for dinner. One of our favorite Italian restaurant, amazing pasta and interesting meatballs..must try their tiramisu! All their food ate designed to be share, so sizes are quite petite. And their menu is the same through out the day. read more

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Michael and Annette Dearth bring it home and give Auckland that simple yet brilliant Italian that makes you want to give it all up and run off to Sardinia, drink the local wines and eat the daily catch surrounded with friends and family. Vegetarians and carnivores won't go away hungry and with the charming wait staff, open yet cozy space you may think you are in Italy after all. Buon Appetito! read more

Baduzzi - Italian Near Me - Auckland, AUK

Mamma Mia .. Could anyone have brought anything more tasteful, fabulous and world class to North Wharf, but Michael Derth and Ben Bayley?! This is special. It's also just so much fun ! The seating with large round leather booths - the menu with a range of delicious meatballs and small pasta tasting dishes. The staff - obviously highly trained, clever, engaging people - who you feel like are your friends by the time you leave. This place is a party. I love going here for Friday lunch and date nights. It makes me feel proud to be an Aucklander - we embrace international cuisine in our own way and these guys are the professionals. This time ? At inciting the feel of modern Italy whilst dining seafront on the Pacific. read more

Great welcoming from staff..We met one of their staff i believe who is called James.Great service and very friendly and awesome knowledge and recommendation! We went there for Lunch , service was quick and Food was really tasty.. Fantastic job! read more

Deserves a four star, I've been three times now. Like the mix of indoor and outdoor seating and the decor. My advice is to order lots and share so you get to taste several things. The meatballs are great and I especially liked the flat-iron steak this time with peppery rocket and a balsamic reduction. On the dessert side - the cannoli was good, but I'm still on the search for the best tiramisu in town. read more

Baduzzi - Crayfish meatballs - Italian Near Me - Auckland, AUK

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This place definitely took a while for me to find and I'm definitely glad we found this place while I was searching for things to eat in Auckland! As our first stop to eat in Auckland, this place definitely left a good first impression. To start, we had the Wagu beef tongue with bone marrow ($17) - it is definitely different from the beef tongues I'm used to. Thinly slices of beef tongue topped with chunks of bone marrow and pine seeds. The best way to eat it according to the server? Roll it up and enjoy. The duck pasta was amazing ($26) - the pasta was very thin and had a chewiness to it that just screams handmade. The pieces of duck with sauce just meshed everything together wonderfully. The rump ($33) also tasted great as it was perfectly cooked to order. The mashed that came with dish was silky smooth. To wrap everything up, we ordered the tiramitsu. It is definitely a dessert you shouldn't miss if you still have room in your stomach after indulging in all the other dishes. Their take on the dish is a bit different from other places in terms of presentation. It tasted really light and that sweet - which is something I really enjoyed because it wasn't overwhelming. read more

Ok, heard a lot about this place and *disclosure* the owner co-operated with some filming for us at another venue but this was a meal paid for from my own sky-rocket. The polpe were pretty tight; the crayfish and the red deer {with its lush glaze}. Cracking winter salad of glazed walnuts, witloof and bitter green apple was perhaps the surprise flavory savoury. Goat curd stuffed gnocchi was a touch tortelliniesque. But the best was the great upwell by JT which convinced us to try the dessert special apple crumble with _SALTED_CARAMEL_GELATO [shaboom] AND ALSO have a crack at the cannoli - which i swear was as good, no better than anything i was served in Palermo. read more

Really enjoyed my time here albeit brief. The place is welcoming and the staff are well trained and attentive. I had heard good things about the meatballs but they are not a main course. Or are they? Waiter happily arranged for an extra meatball along with side of delicious fresh pasta and fresh bread. Everything was absolutely stunning to eat, full of flavour and texture, a real pleasure. Sadly this was a flying visit as a single diner so I didn't hang around for pud but anecdotally from what I saw being delivered to other tables they looked amazing. Great place. read more

Baduzzi - Beef meatballs pasta and bread. Awesome. - Italian Near Me - Auckland, AUK

Would highly recommend dining here. DIVINE. The venue itself is absolutely stunning, service is great and the food came out quickly, was fresh and scrumptious! Tiramisu wasn't the traditional but instead a modern take. It was stunning also and I'm particularly fussy about that. I had the spaghetti linguini (with clams) and my husband had the duck pasta dish. They were both to die for. Only thing I would comment on is the price of the cocktails. I had a Mojito think it was $20 and it was really nothing special. read more

Recently opened, The Wagyu beef meatballs and the crayfish meatballs were GREAT! Service was good. Tiramisu is a great choice for dessert. Great atmosphere. Would definitely come back again. read more

Baduzzi - Italian Near Me - Auckland, AUK

Oh it's a doozy all right , and not bad either ! Go for the crayfish meatballs also get the slipper crab agnolotti , don't pass on the risotto with prawns , peas and lemon . You could give the tortellini a miss , not enough sauce for me . If you get dessert and by this I mean yes get dessert , get the cannoli filled to the brim with a not too heavy citrus ricotta cream and chocolate . Drinks ? have a negroni ! Good service and a busy place on a Wednesday night with great decor . read more

Hubby passes this place everyday and always wanted to try it. So he took me here today. The decor was really warm and nice. The customers are mainly older people? I felt a bit out of place! We ordered the appetizer (sardine) and entrée (meatball) as suggested by our waiter. I had the duck pasta for my main n hubby had the iron steak. Everything was beautifully presented. My pasta was amazing. The duck was so tender and the homemade pasta was just so beautiful. The sauce and the garnish all went together. Definitely coming back. Hubby's steak was good but he said he'll go for the pasta next time. The only negative thing was the manager/owner/boss? There were no hellos, no how are yous when we walked in. The rest of the staff were superb tho. What a pity! read more

Baduzzi - Duck pasta - Italian Near Me - Auckland, AUK

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Great meal to cap a week in New Zealand. Scrumptious appetizers and pasta entrees. Decadent and spectacular desserts.

Not a bad spot for a Friday lunch. :) The place was buzzing from midday on. I went for a lunch with a group of 7. We all shared many plates..meatballs, stuffed corguette flowers, crayfish meatballs, lamb & thyme meatballs, lamb cutlets, snapper & lobster stuffed ravioli and some really delicious desserts - tiramas, chocolate torte and something strawberry/meringue perhaps? My friends enjoyed lots of wine and I had tall glasses of peroni - not my fave but hey, sometimes you can't get everything you want. :) The service was pretty slick and the wait staff seemed well trained on the menu and how to be there when you need them and invisible when you don't. The vibe is busy & noisy but in classy way. The decor was also classy and the seating well thought out. The end result price was was up there - about $100 a head for lunch split between 7. A nice addition to Wynyard Quarter though. read more

Came here for our anniversary dinner while in Auckland. Service was great, atmosphere was nice, food was delicious... however the portions were kinda small. I was a bit bummed out that I could not just get a side of pasta, however the server said I could get a side of noodles and there was a lot of sauce that came with the eggplant parm. It all worked out! The desert was great too!! read more

Baduzzi won 2014 Metro's Restauranteur of the Year (and many other accolades) and after an experience here you can easily see why. It's an Italian-style restaurant sitting in the hip Wynyard quarter with a beautiful menu matched by a high-class interior. Immediately fell in love with it's huge red door entrance- like a home and immediate coat check at the reception. Never really noticed before from the outside but their main walls are basically a large window- made up of large window panes that I'm sure are great during the day for natural lighting. We were seated in outdoor section with makeshift canvas walls where there were woolly throws on chairs and heaters to still keep it cosy. Loved the interior with it's dim lighting, leather banquet seating, dark wood and large hanging lights. Very cool Baduzzi-unique printed wallpaper in their bathrooms and a highly rustic wooden drawer that looks like it spent years ageing away during interesting periods of history. The best way to eat is to order different things and share so you can fully understand and experience what Baduzzi is all about. Thankfully the waiters are there not only to wait but also translate the menu, if you aren't an Italian reader. And best of all you don't have to wait long for the plates and bowls of exquisiteness to come out after you order. For the vegetarians- the saffron gnocchi was delicious albeit small with a sweet sauce on the side that just made it. The beetroot pappardelle was delicious with it's extremely finely shaved paua. You definitely couldn't go wrong with the buttered maltagliati which is one of their notable stars that came with duck, a slick porcini sauce, interesting crunch from black walnuts and buttercup. We knew for dessert we had to get their famous, creamy tiramisu which was sat beautifully on a gorgeous speckled black and white plate that I wanted to take home with me. Always curious what a cannoli looked like, we ordered it and it came stuffed with chocolate chip ricotta with a side of divine pistachio ice cream. The perfect winter dessert was the warm, buttery-pear crostata with amazing fresh sorbet. Next time, drinks menu and meatballs- can't wait. read more

I have traveled to so many countries in the past few months and have had some amazing food! None were as good as this meal today, however, and worth mentioning. I had the saffron & potato tortellini and agnolotti of snapper & slipper lobster (3 pieces). It was so so so so so so good!! Good is an understatement. It was out of this universe amazing super spectacular delicious!!! The flavor, presentation, service... outstanding! If I could give this place 10 stars I would!!! read more

Critically acclaimed and deservedly so. Having been to Baduzzi on a number of occasions now over the course of a year it is safe to say that the food is consistently of a high quality and absolutely delicious. The staff are friendly and attentive and although it is popular with corporates the setting tends towards the casual with a certain air of "not in Auckland anymore". Do not leave without trying the crayfish meatballs. Would also highly recommend the duck maltagliati and saffron tortellini (formerly gnocchi). read more

A great new spot in the North Wharf / Wynyard Quarter, this restaurant comes from Michael Dearth who established one of the finest dining restaurants in Auckland, The Grove. The restaurant has an almost 50's diner design aesthetic blended with an Italian flare. The wine list and food selection pays homage to Michael's Italian roots and does so very well. Well known for their meatball creations the fare covers the full spectrum of Italian from pastas, to market fish, steak and an excellent selection of vegetarian offerings. Baduzzi truly has something for everyone. The service, as I have come expect from my visits to The Grove, was excellent. Will I be going back again, you bet! read more

After having heard absolutely rave reviews about Wynyard Quarters very own modern Italian cucina, I finally got myself down to Baduzzi to try it out. Oh what a night! The decor is definitely more of a nod to Manhattan than Milan, with its super chic mix of eclectic light fixtures, hanging plant displays and luxurious leather booths for seating. The menu was sensationally foodie driven, with an outstanding range of meatballs (we loved the organic lamb and wild thyme!), handmade pastas (such as the wonderful buttered maltagliati with duck) and beautifully cooked wood fired meats. The dessert menu is also simply inspired, pictured above is the Tiramisu with Baileys, Amaretto Ladyfingers and Chocolate Cream which was to die for! A picture paints a thousand words, and the only way I think I could do justice to the flavour here is to let the picture speak for itself. Definitely highly recommend this place for all other people looking for some big city escapism in our little city. Top notch effort Baduzzi. read more

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This is hands down the best restaurant in Auckland (and we ate out 3 meals a day for 7 days.) Go ahead and skip the rest of Wyman Quarter, you have found the perfect restaurant. Try the gamberis for appetizer, the lamb meatballs for main, veal pasta, or beet pasta. The desserts are divine and ask the knowledgeable wait staff for a wine recommendation. Perfect for date night, work dinner, weekend lunch, or any engagement. read more

I LOVED Baduzzi! the food, atmosphere, staff and drinks were gorgeous! I loved the fit out of this place it felt authentic, it was bustling and I went on a Wednesday night! my meal was bursting with flavours the only thing is that it was quite small and I didn't have an entree, I would love to go back and try some more yummy things as I have heard the desserts are to die for! I LOVED Baduzzi! the food, atmosphere, staff and drinks were gorgeous! I loved the fit out of this place it felt authentic, it was bustling and I went on a Wednesday night! my meal was bursting with flavours the only thing is that it was quite small and I didn't have an entree, I would love to go back and try some more yummy things as I have heard the desserts are to die for! read more

Yum, yum, yum. They've got it all right. Great food, great wine list, great ambience, great service. Nuff said

Loved this place!! Went here for a special meal with the better half :) the setting is beautiful and slightly romantic but it would also work for a group wanting a really good meal. I was genuinely shocked to be seated straight away on a Friday night (we were probably very lucky). The food and service was brilliant and the cocktails are amazing! I give this place 5 stars and can totally understand why it did so well in the metro top 50! read more

From the atmosphere to the service to the food... everything was on the money. I love Italian food and this was the best I've had yet. Our waiter JT?? was very attentive and knew the menu very well. We asked for his recommendation and what he recommended was absolutely delicious. I celebrated my 45th birthday here with my husband and we are really looking forward to our next visit. Highly recommending Baduzzi read more

Came here with a great friend, what an awesome night! Crayfish meatballs to die for followed by the most exquisite scallop tortelloni! Then there was gnocchi filled with goats cheese with fig and then tagliatelle with paua and pancetta. Outstanding! When that wasn't enough chocolate torta to share. Divine. This spot is a must :) read more