Mamma Rosa Pizzeria Restaurant

About Mamma Rosa Pizzeria Restaurant

Mamma Rosa Pizzeria Restaurant is a cherished, second-generation family-run establishment that has welcomed Kohimarama locals and visitors for over thirty years. Tucked along Melanesia Road near the waterfront, this neighbourhood dining room embraces the warmth and generosity of classic Italian hospitality, serving up time-honoured recipes prepared with heart and passion.

The kitchen crafts an extensive menu of traditional pasta dishes, homemade lasagnas, and hand-stretched pizzas baked with a balance of familiar and regional Mediterranean flavours. Whether dining in for a cosy evening with a glass of regional Italian wine or picking up a takeaway order for dinner at home, guests can expect authentic comfort food prepared according to enduring family traditions.

Mamma Rosa: Over Three Decades of Homestyle Italian Cooking in Kohimarama

For more than thirty years, Mamma Rosa Pizzeria Restaurant has occupied a beloved corner of Kohimarama, serving as a welcoming culinary anchor along Melanesia Road. As an authentic second-generation family-run establishment, the restaurant embodies the spirit of genuine Italian hospitality, where guests are welcomed warmly and dishes are prepared using traditional recipes passed down and perfected over decades.

From the moment you step inside, the intimate dining room captures the timeless charm of a neighbourhood trattoria. It is the sort of dining institution that has built deep roots in the community, drawing regulars back week after week for unpretentious, flavourful Mediterranean dining. Whether you are settling in for an evening meal after a day near the Eastern Bays or picking up a takeaway feast for the family, Mamma Rosa keeps things delightfully grounded in tradition.

Handcrafted Pasta and Classic Mains

The heart of the kitchen lies in its generous pasta menu, where homemade preparation takes pride of place. Mamma Rosa's traditional meat lasagna features delicate sheets of handmade pasta layered with seasoned ground beef, rich bechamel, and vibrant Napoletana sauce. A dedicated vegetarian version swaps the meat for earthy mushrooms and tender spinach without sacrificing richness.

Noodle lovers have an extensive list of preparations to choose from, spanning classic spaghetti bolognese and creamy bacon carbonara to the fiery Spaghetti Mamma Rosa, which pairs bacon and garlic with chilli in a spicy tomato reduction. Seafood and poultry also feature heavily across fettuccine options, including smoked chicken with garlic and white wine in tomato cream, and fettuccine salmone tossed with smoked fish, capers, and parmigiano. For guests with gluten sensitivities, the restaurant offers gluten-free pasta options across many of its signature pasta dishes upon request.

Traditional and Speciality Pizzas

Pizza has always been central to Mamma Rosa's identity, with an extensive lineup split between beloved Italian classics and inventive speciality creations. Available in both small and large sizes, the bases are baked to achieve a crisp, sturdy crust capable of carrying generous combinations of ingredients. Diners can select from time-tested options like the Margherita, Capricioza with anchovies and capers, or the Quattro Stagioni with ham, prawns, mushrooms, and salami. Large pizzas can also be crafted on a gluten-free base upon request.

For bolder combinations, the Special Pizza collection showcases rich regional combinations. The Parma pizza balances savoury parma ham with creamy camembert and fresh basil, while the Greco introduces tender lamb paired with tangy feta, capsicum, and cool tzatziki. The Gorgonzola pairs smoked chicken with pungent blue cheese, and the Siciliana combines spicy sausage with sliced tomatoes and mushrooms. To finish the meal, house-made desserts like the classic espresso-and-Marsala tiramisu or the refreshing homemade lemon cheesecake provide a quintessential sweet finale.

Signature items

• Lasagna
• Spaghetti Mamma Rosa
• Parma Pizza
• Greco Pizza
• Tiramisu
• Mamma Rosa's Cheese Cake

Menu

Pasta

• Lasagna — Layers of homemade pasta sheets and ground beef in bechamel and Napoletana sauce
• Vegetarian Lasagna — Layers of homemade pasta sheets, mushrooms, and spinach in bechamel and Napoletana sauce
• Fettuccine Prosciutto — Napoletana and cream sauce with ham and parmigiano
• Fettuccine Smoked Chicken — Smoked chicken and mushroom in a white wine, garlic, and tomato cream sauce with parmigiano
• Fettuccine Salmone — Creamy sauce with smoked salmon, capers, garlic, white wine, and parmigiano
• Fettuccine Vegetariana — Cream and tomato sauce with mushrooms, spinach, olives, capsicum, garlic, and parmigiano
• Tortellini — Mushroom-filled tortellini in a tomato cream sauce with parmigiano
• Spaghetti Mamma Rosa — Spicy tomato sauce with bacon, garlic, chilli, and parmigiano
• Spaghetti Bolognese — Traditional Italian ground beef ragu with spaghetti and parmigiano
• Spaghetti Carbonara — Creamy sauce with bacon and parmigiano
• Spaghetti Puttanesca — Olives, anchovies, and capers in a Napoletana tomato sauce with chilli and parmigiano
• Gnocchi — Gnocchi served in a Napoletana sauce with basil and parmigiano
• Spaghetti Al Pollo Picante — Roast chicken, capsicum, and olives in a lightly spiced tomato cream sauce with parmigiano

Entree

• Garlic Pizza Bread — Freshly baked pizza bread seasoned with garlic
• Olive Pizza Bread — Baked pizza bread topped with savoury olives
• Cheese Pizza Bread — Warm pizza bread topped with melted cheese
• Greek Salad — Fresh salad featuring classic Greek ingredients
• Italian Salad — Crisp mixed salad dressed in Italian style

Desserts

• Tiramisu — Classic Italian dolce made with layers of mascarpone, sponge, coffee, and Marsala wine
• Ice Cream Sundae — Traditional ice cream sundae dessert
• Mamma Rosa's Cheese Cake — Homemade lemon cheesecake on a biscuit base

Beverages

• Lindauer Special Reserve — Sparkling wine bottle
• Spritz- Classic Venetian — Classic Venetian style aperitif spritz
• Prosecco — Italian sparkling wine available by the glass or bottle
• Parthenium Grillo — White wine by the glass or bottle
• Tohu Sauvignon Blanc — New Zealand white wine by the glass or bottle
• Castel Firmian Pinot Grigio — Italian Pinot Grigio white wine
• Two Rivers Sauvignon Blanc — Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
• Church Road Chardonnay — Hawke's Bay Chardonnay
• Soggiorno Rose — Rose wine by the glass or bottle
• Chianti — Classic Italian red wine
• Montepulciano — Italian red wine
• Church Road Merlot — Red wine
• Rabbit Ranch Pinot Noir — Central Otago Pinot Noir
• Trinity Hill Syrah — Hawke's Bay Syrah
• Parthenium Nero d'Avola — Sicilian red wine
• Menabrea — Italian beer
• Peroni — Italian lager beer
• Peroni Libera 0% — Zero-alcohol Italian beer
• Sparkling Mineral Water — Bottled sparkling mineral water
• Soft Drinks & Juices — Coke, Coke No Sugar, Lemonade, Ginger Beer, Lemon Lime Bitters, Orange Juice, Apple Juice
• Santa Vittoria Italian Sodas — Limonata, Aranciata, and Aranciata Rosso
• Calalenta Rose — Dry Italian cellar rose with flavours of raspberry, melon, and grapefruit
• Saragat Vermentino — Crisp, dry, aromatic white wine from Sardinia
• Saragat Cannonau di Sardegna — Spicy Sardinian Grenache red wine
• Chianti Classico Riserva — Smooth and savoury Sangiovese from Poggio Civetta
• Vesevo Taurasi — Aged deep, dark red wine from Campania near Naples
• Paesi Tuoi Barolo — Delicate, dry Nebbiolo red wine from Piedmont

Classic Pizza

• Margherita — Tomato and cheese
• Mamma Rosa — Tomato, cheese, green olives, and anchovies
• Paesana — Tomato, cheese, capsicum, and onions
• Funghi — Tomato, cheese, and mushroom
• Pepperoni — Tomato, cheese, capsicum, and salami
• Prosciutto — Tomato, cheese, and ham
• Hawaiian — Tomato, cheese, ham, and pineapple
• Occhio Di Bue — Tomato, cheese, bacon, and egg
• Salami — Tomato, cheese, and salami
• Quattro Stagioni — Tomato, cheese, ham, prawns, mushroom, and salami
• Pancetta — Tomato, cheese, and bacon
• Marinara — Tomato, cheese, tuna, and prawns
• Speciale — Tomato, cheese, ham, salami, bacon, mushroom, capsicum, tuna, prawns, and olives
• Vegetariana — Tomato, cheese, mushroom, capsicum, pineapple, olives, asparagus, and onion
• Capricioza — Tomato, cheese, olives, anchovies, and capers
• Pollo — Tomato, cheese, smoked chicken, mushroom, onion, and capsicum
• Carnivoro — Tomato, cheese, ham, salami, bacon, and barbeque sauce

Special Pizza

• Parma — Tomato, cheese, parma ham, olives, camembert, and basil
• Mediterraneo — Tomato, cheese, feta, olives, sundried tomato, red onion, and basil
• Siciliana — Tomato, cheese, mushroom, spicy sausage, sliced tomato, red onion, and basil
• Greco — Tomato, cheese, lamb, olives, capsicum, red onion, feta, basil, and tzatziki
• Salmone — Tomato, cheese, salmon, capers, cream cheese, capsicum, red onion, and basil
• Gorgonzola — Tomato, cheese, smoked chicken, blue cheese, mushroom, capsicum, and basil

Takeaway Sides

• Tossed Salad — Fresh tossed green salad

Frequently asked questions

Where is Mamma Rosa located?

Mamma Rosa is located at 31 Melanesia Road in Kohimarama, Auckland.

What days and hours is Mamma Rosa open?

The restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday from 4:30pm to 9:30pm. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Does Mamma Rosa cater to gluten-free dietary requirements?

Yes. Many pasta dishes can be made gluten-free upon request, and pizzas can be made on a gluten-free base for large sizes.

Are takeaway orders available?

Yes, Mamma Rosa offers a comprehensive takeaway menu covering their pizzas, pastas, salads, pizza breads, and desserts.

Can I book a table in advance?

Yes, table reservations can be made by contacting the restaurant directly by phone at 09 528 9506 or via their website booking page.

Is there a minimum spend or bill policy for dine-in tables?

The restaurant operates with a policy of one account per table and has a minimum charge of $20 per person for dine-in guests.

Tips

• {"body":"If you avoid gluten, ask the team when ordering. Many pasta dishes can be modified, and large pizzas can be baked on a gluten-free crust.","title":"Ask About Gluten-Free Adaptations"}
• {"body":"Complement your meal with Italian wines sourced directly from regions like Sardinia, Sicily, and Tuscany, including Vermentino, Cannonau, and Chianti Classico.","title":"Explore the Italian Cellar List"}
• {"body":"When visiting with a group, keep in mind that the restaurant processes only one account per table and requires a minimum spend of $20 per person.","title":"Keep Table Policies in Mind"}

Good to know

• {"dietary":"Gluten-free options available for many pasta dishes and large pizza bases upon request."}