Sera Amano

italian restaurant — Cromwell · Cromwell

About Sera Amano

Sera Amano is an Italian trattoria and restaurant located at The Mall in Cromwell, Central Otago. Welcoming diners daily from midday through the evening, the restaurant serves a full Italian dining experience spanning antipasti, hand-stretched pizzas, hearty mains, and traditional pasta plates alongside Italian and local craft beers, regional wines, and classic cocktails.

The kitchen presents a comprehensive menu featuring classics like bruschetta on homemade sourdough, beef carpaccio, slow-braised lamb ragu with pappardelle, and porcini mushroom risotto, accompanied by house-baked pizzas with various traditional toppings. Guests can round off their meal with classic house-made desserts like tiramisu and panna cotta in a relaxed trattoria environment, available for dine-in as well as online ordering.

Sera Amano: Authentic Italian Flavours in the Heart of Cromwell

Nestled within The Mall in Cromwell, Sera Amano Italian Trattoria delivers a welcoming celebration of classic Italian cooking right to Central Otago. Whether stepping in for a leisurely midday lunch or gathering with friends and family for an evening feast, guests are greeted with a warm trattoria setting where classic recipes and vibrant flavours take centre stage.

Open every day of the week from noon until late evening, Sera Amano blends authentic Italian dining traditions with local hospitality, creating a comfortable space where you can share generous antipasti, dig into comforting pasta bowls, or pair regional craft beers and imported Italian favourites with freshly fired pizzas.

Generous Antipasti and Woodfired Favourites

The culinary journey at Sera Amano begins with an inviting antipasti selection designed for table sharing. Options range from warm Sicilian olives marinated with citrus to classic beef carpaccio dressed with aioli, capers, lemon, and parmesan. Diners will also find shareable dough balls served with garlic oil and balsamic vinegar, alongside rich meatballs simmered in a spiced tomato sauce with fennel seeds and oregano.

Pizza lovers are well looked after with an extensive choice of both red and white bases. Purists can enjoy the simplicity of a buffalo mozzarella Margherita crowned with fresh basil, while those seeking something richer can opt for the Tartufo, layered with roasted mushrooms and truffle oil. Heartier options include folded calzones stuffed with prosciutto, spinach, and mozzarella, as well as the savoury seafood pizza featuring prawns, squid, capers, and anchovies.

Handcrafted Pastas, Rich Mains, and House Desserts

For pasta lovers, the kitchen turns out classics that showcase deep, simmered flavours and comforting textures. The slow-braised lamb ragu tossed with broad pappardelle ribbons and parmesan is an enduring favourite, while the seafood linguine brings together clams, prawns, and squid in a creamy sauce. Vegetarian options are just as thoughtful, featuring aglio e olio spaghetti with pecorino and capers, as well as pesto fusilli with roasted eggplant and feta.

Beyond pasta, substantial plates include tender beef cheek braised low and slow in a red wine sauce over mashed potato, alongside a velvety porcini mushroom risotto finished with truffle oil. Diners can round off the dining experience with classic house-made desserts, including robust espresso-soaked tiramisu, traditional vanilla panna cotta, or refreshing fruit sorbets and ice creams.

Italian Sips and Local Beers

To complement the food, Sera Amano offers a well-curated beverage list spanning classic Italian cocktails like the Aperol Spritz, Negroni, and Limoncello cocktail, through to tap beers and local Central Otago craft brews like Bannockburn Killarabbit Double IPA. For those dining on the go, the full food menu is also accessible via online ordering for convenient takeaway pick-up.

Signature items

  • Lamb ragu with Pappardelle
  • Beef Cheek
  • Mushroom Risotto
  • Tartufo
  • Tiramisu
  • Seafood Linguine

Menu

Mains

  • Beef Cheek — Slow cooked beef marinated in red wine sauce, served with mashed potato
  • Mushroom Risotto — Porcini mushroom, parmesan cheese, truffle oil
  • Seafood Linguine — Made with creamy sauce, clams, prawn and squid

Pasta

  • Aglio e olio Spaghetti — Garlic, olive oil, chili, parsley, capers, pecorino
  • Carbonara Fettuccine — Bacon, onion, cream, black pepper, egg yolk
  • Fusilli Pasta — Basil pesto, cherry tomato, eggplant, feta
  • Lamb ragu with Pappardelle — Slow braised lamb ragu, parmesan

Pizza

  • Calzone — Folded pizza with tomato base, mozzarella, prosciutto, red onion, spinach
  • MARGHERITA — Tomato base, buffalo mozzarella, herbs, topped with basil
  • Prosciutto — Garlic confit, caramelised onion, rocket, parmesan, tomato base, red pepper, prosciutto
  • Salami — Salami, mozzarella, olives, chili, tomato base
  • SEAFOOD PIZZA — White cream base, marinated prawns and squid, capers, crumbs, anchovies
  • Tartufo — White pizza base, roasted mushrooms, truffle oil
  • Vegetarian — Tomato base, spinach, red peppers, feta cheese, rocket, olives

Services

  • Door Delivery — Local delivery services
  • Fine Dining — Restaurant dining service
  • Outdoor Catering — Catering services for events
  • Banquets Hall — Function and banquet hall facilities

Tap Beer

  • Estrella Damm — Lager on tap
  • Fortune Favours IPA — Wellington IPA on tap

Antipasti

  • Beef Carpaccio — Aioli, capers, lemon, rocket, Parmesan, olive oil
  • Bruschetta — Feta cream, roasted mushrooms, prosciutto, balsamic reduction on homemade sourdough
  • Dough balls — Sesame seeds, garlic oil, balsamic vinegar and olive oil
  • Garlic Pizza bread — Garlic base, mozzarella cheese, herbs
  • Meatball — Fennel seeds, oregano, chili flakes, Parmesan, tomato sauce
  • Warm Sicilian Olives — Warm olives marinated with orange and lemons

Cocktails

  • Angelo Azzuro — Blue curaçao, gin
  • Aperol Spritz — Aperol, Prosecco, soda water, slice of orange zest
  • Espresso Martini — Vodka, coffee, sugar
  • Limoncello cocktail — Limoncello, vodka, triple sec, aperol, orange juice
  • Mojito — White rum, fresh mint, zesty lime
  • Negroni — Gin, sweet vermouth, Campari
  • Rossini — Strawberry, gin
  • Vodka Martini — Vodka, vermouth, lemon

Birra / Beer

  • Bannockburn Killarabbit double IPA — Double IPA craft beer
  • Moa Rhubarb & Apple Cider — Fruited cider
  • Monteith’s Pale Ale Can — Pale ale in can
  • Peroni Nastro Azzuro 0% — Zero alcohol Italian lager
  • Peroni Nastro Azzuro Lager — Italian lager
  • Stella Artois — Belgian lager

Dolci / Desserts

  • Blueberry sorbet — Fruit sorbet
  • Chocolate ice cream — Chocolate flavored ice cream
  • Tiramisu — House made Italian dessert with robust coffee flavor
  • Panna cotta — House-made dessert with sweetened cream set with gelatin, infused with fragrant vanilla or other flavors
  • Plum sorbet — Fruit sorbet
  • Vanilla ice cream — Classic vanilla ice cream

Cold / Soft Drink / Juice

  • Coca-Cola / Coke No Sugar / Sprite / Fanta / Dry lemonade — Assorted carbonated soft drinks
  • Juice Orange / Apple — Fruit juices
  • Lemon Lime and Bitters / Dry Ginger Ale / Soda Water — Mixed sodas and mixers
  • Perrier Sparkling Water Lemon — Lemon sparkling mineral water
  • San Pellegrino Sparkling Water 750ml — Italian sparkling mineral water bottle

Frequently asked questions

Where is Sera Amano located in Cromwell?
Sera Amano is located at 7 The Mall in Cromwell, New Zealand.
What are the opening hours at Sera Amano?
The restaurant is open seven days a week, Monday through Sunday, from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Can I order food online for takeaway?
Yes, Sera Amano provides online ordering directly through their website menu for takeaway pick-up.
Are there gluten-free choices available on the menu?
Yes, the menu includes gluten-free options such as the Meatballs and the Porcini Mushroom Risotto.
Does Sera Amano offer vegetarian options?
Yes, several items are marked vegetarian, including the Dough Balls, Warm Sicilian Olives, Margherita and Tartufo pizzas, and multiple pasta dishes.
What types of drinks are served?
The drinks menu includes Italian lagers, local craft beers, tap beers, Italian cocktails such as Aperol Spritz and Negroni, San Pellegrino sparkling water, juices, and soft drinks.

Tips

  • {"body":"Sera Amano opens at 12:00 PM and runs continuously through to 9:00 PM daily, making it ideal for late lunches or evening dinners.","title":"Plan for Lunch or Dinner"}
  • {"body":"Alongside Italian imports like Peroni, check out regional options on the list such as the local Bannockburn Killarabbit Double IPA.","title":"Try the Local Craft Beer"}
  • {"body":"If you prefer dining at home, you can easily place your order online directly from their menu page.","title":"Order Online for Takeaway"}

Good to know

  • {"dietary":"Gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan items are available on the menu."}