Papa Brizio New York Italian

About Papa Brizio New York Italian

Papà Brizio is a ristorante and espresso lounge in the heart of Mairangi Bay, just steps from the beach at 1 Montrose Terrace. It is the kind of place built around the whole day: whether you're after a relaxed morning coffee, a cozy brunch, or evening cocktails with friends, Papa's offers something special for every moment.

The day unfolds in three movements. Mornings bring artisan coffee, fresh pastries and chef-crafted brunch dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. Afternoons are for light bites and bistro favourites — a quiet spot for a solo break. As the sun sets, the room transforms into a lively bar with curated wines, craft beers, homemade Limoncello and signature cocktails, best enjoyed alongside wood-fired pizza, house-made pasta and risotto. Don't miss the slow-cooked lamb shanks.

Beyond the everyday menu, Papà Brizio lays on high tea by appointment on Wednesday to Sunday afternoons — a tiered spread of hot savouries, sandwiches and desserts, with bubbles or a tea or coffee. The kitchen is also an allergies specialist, priding itself on full separation, and many dishes offer gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian or vegan adaptations. Coffee comes from fully trained baristas using Atlas Power Roast beans, with organic milk and plenty of milk substitutes.

There's plenty of parking behind the building, a fully licensed bar with BYOW on Wednesday and Thursday (corkage applies), and the beach and Mairangi Bay village shops are a short stroll away. As they say: come for the coffee. Stay for the atmosphere. Return for the experience.

Papà Brizio Mairangi Bay: Italian Ristorante & Espresso Lounge by the Beach

Papà Brizio occupies a corner of Mairangi Bay at 1 Montrose Terrace, just steps from the sand. Part ristorante, part espresso lounge, it runs on a simple promise: flavour, comfort and style for every moment of the day. Come for the coffee in the morning, stay for the atmosphere at night — the team's tagline, and a fair summary of how the place works.

Three moments, one table

The day moves in three acts. From 8am to midday it's all artisan coffee, fresh pastries and chef-crafted brunch dishes made with locally sourced ingredients — think eggs benedict, avocado toast with poached eggs or a bacon and egg roll. From noon to 5pm the pace slows: light bites and bistro favourites, a good window for a quiet solo lunch or a relaxed catch-up.

From 5pm the room transforms into a lively bar. Curated wines, craft beers, homemade Limoncello and signature cocktails come out alongside the evening kitchen — pizza, pasta and risotto, with the slow-cooked lamb shanks a particular must.

From the kitchen

Wood-fired 12-inch pizza anchors the dinner menu, with gluten-free bases available. The house namesake, The Papa Brizio, piles on Italian sausage, salami, prosciutto, mozzarella and capsicum; The Big Smoke brings slow-cooked beef brisket with chipotle and caramelised onion, while The Atlantic Catch tops smoked salmon with feta and capers.

Pasta is made in-house, from Fettuccine della Casa and Cajun-spiced Big Easy Rigatoni to Linguine al Mare with prawns, capers and lemon zest, plus a classic ragù lasagna and a garden lasagna for vegetarians. Risotto lovers get two house versions: Risotto della Costa with house-smoked salmon, and the vegetarian Risotto dell'Orto. Mains run to comfort classics — Mama's Meatballs in marinara on creamy mash, chicken parmigiana, surf n' turf, and that braised lamb shank over creamy mash with thyme jus.

Start with an antipasto platter for the table, parmesan puffs or spicy squid salad, and finish on a house-made tiramisù, limoncello cheesecake or an affogato with your choice of liqueur.

High tea by appointment

On Wednesday to Sunday afternoons from 2pm to 5pm, Papà Brizio lays on high tea: three hot savouries, a selection of three sandwiches and five desserts, starting with a glass of bubbles, with a tea or coffee whenever you like through the journey. Reservations must be made before 10am on the day, there's a minimum of two people, and a deposit secures your spot — refunded if you cancel 24 hours prior.

The details that matter

Coffee is taken seriously here: fully trained baristas pull shots from Atlas Power Roast, with organic milk or soy, oat, almond and coconut alternatives. The kitchen is an allergies specialist and prides itself on full separation, so flag any requirements when booking — many dishes can be adapted gluten- or dairy-free.

There's a fully licensed bar, and BYOW (bring your own wine) on Wednesday and Thursday, with corkage applying. Hours run Wednesday to Sunday, 8am to 8pm, closed Monday and Tuesday. Parking is plentiful behind the building, and when you're done, the beach and the Mairangi Bay village shops are right there for a stroll.

Real food, real service, real people — as they put it themselves.

Signature items

• Braised Lamb Shank
• The Papa Brizio
• Linguine al Mare
• Risotto della Costa
• Tiramisù della Casa
• Homemade Limoncello

Menu

Mains

• Chicken Parmigiana — Napolitana sauce and mozzarella, baked golden, with waffle fries and salad
• Surf n' Turf — 180g aged eye fillet crowned with prawns, herb rosti, vegetables and béarnaise
• Catch of the Day — Fresh fish fillet cooked your way, with golden fries and garden salad
• Braised Lamb Shank — Slow-braised lamb over creamy mash with seasonal vegetables and thyme jus
• Mama's Meatballs — Pure NZ beef, seared and served in marinara atop creamy mash
• Mediterranean Lamb Salad — Spiced lamb with olives, feta, tomatoes, cucumber and baby leaves
• Chicken Schnitzel Sandwich — Crumbed chicken schnitzel in a sandwich
• Chicken Tenders & Fries — Crispy chicken tenders with fries
• Duck Breast Plate — Duck breast plated with accompaniments
• Fish And Chips — Fish served with chips
• Grilled Chicken Breast — Grilled chicken breast plate
• Pork Belly Mash — Pork belly served on mash
• Roast Beef Dinner — Roast beef dinner plate
• Seafood Paella — Paella loaded with seafood
• Swedish Meatballs — Swedish-style meatballs

Sides

• Fries — Golden hot fries
• Kumara Fries — Crispy sweet kumara fries
• Polenta Chips — Crispy polenta chips
• Waffle Fries — Waffle-cut fries
• Curly Fries — Seasoned curly fries
• Loaded Wedges — Potato wedges loaded with toppings
• Loaded Fries — Fries loaded with toppings
• Crumbed Cauli — Crumbed cauliflower bites
• Seasonal Veggies — Vegetables of the season
• Tuscan Salad — Tuscan-style salad
• Cazzilli Potato Balls (6pc) — Crispy potato balls, six pieces
• Artisan Bread — Fresh artisan bread
• Cheese Bread Bites — Baked cheesy bread bites
• Jalapeno Poppers — Crispy jalapeño poppers

Caffè

• Espresso — Straight shot of espresso
• Long Black — Espresso topped with hot water
• Americano — Espresso lengthened with hot water
• Flat White — Velvety steamed milk over a double shot
• Latte — Smooth espresso with steamed milk
• Cappuccino — Espresso with steamed and frothed milk
• Mocha — Chocolate meets coffee
• Hot Chocolate — Rich drinking chocolate
• Iced Chocolate — Chilled chocolate drink
• Iced Coffee — Chilled coffee served over ice
• Baileys Hot Chocolate — Hot chocolate with a Baileys pour
• Gingerbread Latte — Gingerbread-spiced latte
• Nutella Hot Chocolate — Hot chocolate with Nutella stirred through
• Special Coffee — Coffee with your choice of whiskey or liqueur
• Chai Latte — Spiced chai with steamed milk
• Iced Caramel Latte — Iced latte with caramel
• Lipton Iced Tea — Chilled iced tea
• Soft Drink Cans — Chilled canned soft drinks

Salads

• Chicken Salad — Fresh salad topped with chicken
• Greek Salad — Classic Greek salad
• Prawn Avocado Salad — Prawn and avocado on fresh leaves

Desserts

• Limoncello Cheesecake — House-made cheesecake infused with limoncello, served with cream
• Tiramisù della Casa — Espresso-soaked sponge, mascarpone and cocoa
• Chef's Gelato Selection — Three gelato flavours; ask your server for today's selection
• Date Pudding al Butterscotch — Sticky date and pear pudding with warm butterscotch sauce and cream
• Affogato al Caffè — Espresso over vanilla ice cream with coconut amaretti; choose your liqueur
• Chocolate & Butterscotch Brownie — With vanilla ice cream, cream and chocolate sauce
• Apple Pie — Classic apple pie
• Baked Cheese Soufflé — Light baked cheese soufflé
• Chocolate Fruit Cake — Rich chocolate fruit cake
• Danish Pastries — Fresh danish pastries
• Panna Cotta — Silky panna cotta

High Tea

• High Tea by Appointment — Three hot savouries, three sandwiches and five desserts, with bubbles or tea/coffee
• Mini Quiches — Hot savoury served on the high tea tier
• High Tea Desserts — Sweet selection from the high tea tier

Digestivi

• Limoncello — Chilled Italian lemon liqueur, bright and refreshing
• Amaretto — Smooth almond liqueur with a warm, sweet finish
• Frangelico — Hazelnut liqueur with notes of vanilla and spice
• Sambuca — Classic aniseed liqueur with a warm, sugary finish
• Baileys — Creamy Irish liqueur with hints of chocolate and vanilla
• Kahlúa — Coffee liqueur with deep, roasted sweetness

Pizza 12"

• The Papa Brizio — Italian sausage, salami, prosciutto, mozzarella and capsicum
• The Big Smoke — Slow-cooked beef brisket, chipotle sauce and caramelised onion
• The Atlantic Catch — Smoked salmon, feta, capers and fresh herbs
• The Coney Island Chicken — Chicken, smoked bacon, camembert and cranberry sauce
• The Bella Verde — Mushrooms, onion, tomato, olives and basil

Pasta & Risotto

• Fettuccine della Casa — Chicken, bacon and mushrooms in a creamy herb sauce
• The Big Easy Rigatoni — Chicken, chorizo and prawns in a Cajun-spiced cream sauce
• Linguine al Mare — Fresh prawns, capers, lemon zest and olive oil
• Ravioli al Blu — Spinach and ricotta ravioli in blue cheese cream with roasted pine nuts
• Classic Ragù Lasagna — Beef mince and onion with Napolitana sauce and baked mozzarella
• Nonna's Garden Lasagna — Roasted garden vegetables, baked spinach, pumpkin and ricotta
• Risotto della Costa — House-smoked salmon and spinach with creamy arborio, lemon and parmesan
• Risotto dell'Orto — Spinach, tomato and mushroom stirred through creamy arborio rice

Breakfast & Brunch

• Avocado Toast Poached Eggs — Avocado toast topped with poached eggs
• Bacon And Egg Roll — Bacon and egg served in a roll
• Chicken And Waffles — Chicken served with waffles
• Cooked Breakfast — A hearty cooked breakfast plate
• Eggs Benedict — Classic eggs benedict
• Scrambled Eggs Breakfast — Scrambled eggs breakfast plate

Antipasto & Starters

• Antipasto Platter — Cured meats, breads, olives and marinated vegetables; serves four
• Garlic Pizza Bread — Oven-baked with garlic butter and parsley; serves two
• Parmesan Puffs (8pc) — Crispy, airy puffs stuffed with baked parmesan
• Bruschetta — Toasted bread with fresh tomato, shaved cured meat, basil pesto and olive oil
• Garlic Prawns & Lemon Risotto — Sautéed prawns with garlic, arborio rice, lemon and parmesan; entrée or main
• Spicy Squid Salad — Crispy squid tossed in a lime-chilli Tuscan herb salad
• Mixed Olives — Marinated green and black olives with herbs, garlic and citrus zest, with focaccia
• Smoked Salmon Antipasto — Smoked salmon served antipasto style
• Pan Fried Dumplings — Golden pan-fried dumplings

Frequently asked questions

What are Papà Brizio's opening hours?

Wednesday to Sunday, 8am to 8pm. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Lunch runs 9am to 3pm and dinner is served from 3pm until late.

Do I need a reservation?

Bookings can be made online for parties up to 12. For groups of 13 or more, call 09 478 9610 so the best seating can be arranged.

Can I bring my own wine?

Yes — BYOW is available Wednesday and Thursday only, and corkage applies. The bar is fully licensed all week.

Can dietary requirements and allergies be accommodated?

Yes. Papà Brizio is an allergies specialist with full food separation, and many dishes offer gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian or vegan adaptations. Advise your waiter or mention it when booking.

How does high tea work?

High tea runs by appointment from 2pm to 5pm, Wednesday to Sunday. It includes three hot savouries, three sandwiches and five desserts with bubbles or tea/coffee. Book before 10am on the day, minimum two people, and a deposit is required — refunded if cancelled 24 hours prior.

What coffee do they serve?

Coffee comes from Atlas Power Roast, made by fully trained baristas. Organic milk is used, with soy, oat, almond and coconut alternatives available.

Is there parking?

Yes — there are loads of parking spaces behind the building on Montrose Terrace.

Tips

• {"body":"Mornings are for coffee, pastries and brunch; afternoons for light bites; from 5pm the bar opens with cocktails, wine and the full dinner menu.","title":"Plan around the three moments"}
• {"body":"Bring your own wine on Wednesday and Thursday — corkage applies. The rest of the week the fully licensed bar has you covered.","title":"BYOW early in the week"}
• {"body":"High tea runs 2pm–5pm, Wednesday to Sunday, with a minimum of two people. Reservations must be in before 10am on the day, and deposits are refunded with 24 hours' notice.","title":"Book high tea before 10am"}
• {"body":"Papà Brizio is just steps from Mairangi Bay beach — stroll the sand or the village shops before or after your meal.","title":"Make it a beach day"}
• {"body":"For parties of 13 or more, phone 09 478 9610 so the team can arrange the best seating.","title":"Big group? Call ahead"}

Good to know

• {"dietary":"Allergy specialists with full separation; GF/DF/V/VG adaptations on many dishes — advise staff; alternative milks available","parking":"Plenty of parking behind the building","payments":"Pay in-store or online when ordering"}