Pastarita brings the real taste of Italy to Picton Street in Howick, Auckland, serving pasta and authentic Italian flavours in a warm, family-friendly atmosphere. The restaurant describes its spirit as evoking the generosity, humour and simplicity of Italy, and it has built its name on quality ingredients and traditional recipes — from breakfast through to dessert.
Mornings are an occasion in their own right. The Colazione menu covers freshly baked pastries, artisan breads and creamy cappuccinos, alongside heartier plates like the Piatto del Mattino breakfast plate, the vegetarian Eggs in Purgatory, the savoury Waffle di Patate and cornettos filled with smoked salmon or cream and raspberry.
Beyond breakfast, the menu runs through antipasti (bruschetta, Dynamite Shrimp, Loaded Fries), salads, a full line-up of Primi pastas — Carbonara, Alfredo, Arrabbiata, Marinara prawns and the oven-baked Pasta Fresca among them — and Dolci such as tiramisu, Italian affogato and strawberry cheesecake. Pastarita also offers table bookings, online ordering, eGift cards and a catering service for events and corporate functions across Auckland.
On Picton Street in Howick, Auckland, Pastarita sets out to do something simple and appealing: serve the real taste of Italy in a warm, family-friendly room. The restaurant describes its spirit as evoking the generosity, humour and simplicity of Italy, and that idea runs through everything from its breakfast pastries to its pasta bowls and desserts. Whether you're planning a casual lunch, a romantic dinner or a special celebration, the focus stays on quality ingredients and traditional recipes.
Mornings get special attention here. The Colazione menu features freshly baked pastries, artisan breads and creamy cappuccinos alongside heartier breakfast dishes inspired by authentic Italian flavours. The Piatto del Mattino — literally the morning plate — is a hearty, wholesome spread built to energize the day. The vegetarian Eggs in Purgatory brings rustic simplicity with perfectly poached eggs, while the Waffle di Patate offers a savoury twist on breakfast classics.
Cornetto lovers are well looked after: the Cornetto de Salmon pairs smoked salmon with spinach, guacamole and parmesan, and the Cornetto de Cream & Raspberry layers fluffy whipped cream with juicy raspberries. There are also homemade pancakes with a rich berry sauce, plus arancini — golden, crispy rice balls filled with mozzarella, blue cheese and parmesan — for a savoury start.
The antipasti table covers familiar Italian comfort: bruschetta with tomato, onion, garlic and mozzarella; cheesy garlic bread; portobello mushroom boats with the same tomato-and-mozzarella topping; and a minestrone soup made with a colourful assortment of fresh vegetables. For something livelier, order the Dynamite Shrimp — crispy, deep-fried crumbed prawns coated in a signature Dynamite sauce made fresh in the Pastarita kitchen — or the Loaded Fries, a customer favourite that piles rich, creamy layers onto extra-crunch golden fries.
Lighter appetites are covered in the Insalatone section: a timeless Caesar salad, the Insalata di Orzo (a light, refreshing orzo salad) and a pasta salad of al dente pasta, juicy tomatoes, crisp lettuce, briny olives and sweet carrots.
Then come the Primi, where Pastarita's Italian heart really shows. Classics sit alongside house twists: a luxurious Alfredo; Arrabbiata in rich Napolitana sauce topped with hot chilli flakes; a Carbonara made creamy with smoked chicken rashers; Chicken Parmesana with parmesan and mozzarella; and Chicken Pasta tossed in the signature pink sauce that blends cream and Napolitana. The Creamy Di Funghi celebrates mushrooms sautéed to golden perfection, the Marinara pairs succulent prawns with a rich aromatic sauce, and the Pasta Fresca is an oven-baked comfort dish of lamb mince, red sauce and melted mozzarella.
Leave room for dessert. The Dolci list runs from Tiramisu — cream, sugar, egg and coffee — to the Italian Affogato, which marries bold espresso with creamy gelato, and the Coffee Dream of vanilla ice cream, coffee and whipped cream. There's a Fragola cheesecake topped with ripe strawberries, a silky panna cotta, and pancakes for those who like dessert to double as breakfast. The drinks list is alcohol-free ("Vino alcol free") and includes Corona Cero 0.0%.
Pastarita positions itself as a spot for casual lunches, romantic dinners and special celebrations alike, with a warm, family-friendly atmosphere throughout. Practicalities are easy: tables — including breakfast tables — can be booked online, favourites like Carbonara or Loaded Fries can be ordered online, and eGift cards make handy gifts. A catering service extends the kitchen's reach to events and corporate functions across Auckland.
You'll find Pastarita at 3/60 Picton Street in Howick. Vegetarian diners have clear options such as Eggs in Purgatory, Bocconcini Capresi and the salads, and the restaurant presents itself as a halal restaurant. If you're only ordering once, house picks include the Dynamite Shrimp, the Waffle di Patata and a tiramisu to finish.