Trattoria alla Toscana

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Trattoria alla Toscana was the highlight of our trip to Napier.

The owner is incredibly warm and welcoming, and both the owner and staff are genuinely Italian. From the moment we walked in, it felt like stepping into a family-run restaurant in Italy.

The food exceeded all expectations. The beef was perfectly cooked and incredibly tender, the pasta was outstanding, and the Italian red wine recommended by the owner paired beautifully with the meal.

Before coming, we considered another Italian restaurant in Napier that has slightly higher online ratings. However, we’re so glad we chose Trattoria alla Toscana. For us, being served by an Italian team and experiencing their hospitality, food, and wine culture added a level of authenticity that made the evening truly special.

This wasn’t just a great meal—it felt like a genuine Italian dining experience.

I would happily travel all the way from Auckland to Napier again just to eat here. Highly recommended!

Absolutely delicious Italian food, can’t expect that in Napier town. Store running for over 31 years. Local trusted, tourist recommended. Worth to try when you have a chance to have a dinner in Napier. Best and only Italian restaurant in town. Others not authentic Italian.

My husband and I have visited this Italian restaurant twice now in just over 2 months and each visit has been nothing short of wonderful. From the very first step inside, the owner who is also the main host makes you feel genuinely welcomed and well cared for. He is incredibly attentive, and warm, ensuring every guest feels covered and looked after until the moment they leave — an added *wow* factor that truly elevates the experience.

The staff reflect the same warmth and professionalism. They are friendly, welcoming, and consistently pleasant in their service, which makes dining here feel relaxed and special.

The food deserves a special mention. It is absolutely delicious, generous in portion size, and visually delightful. The presentation is spotless — every dish is a feast for the eyes before it even reaches the palate. We also love that we are often treated to something complimentary to try, which adds a lovely personal touch.

Despite having several dietary restrictions — including the requirement for halal food and certain allergies my husband has — we never feel limited or forced to compromise. The menu may be selective, but we always find something fantastic to enjoy. We usually go for a three-course meal, and each course has been consistently satisfying and well thought out.

Overall, this restaurant offers not just great food, but a complete dining experience filled with warmth, care, and attention to detail. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves — they truly capture the magic of this place.

Fabulous food, service, and atmosphere. We ended up at this lovely restaurant on a whim, and boy are we glad we did. We were warmly greeted and shown the specials. An amuse bouche was given to us after ordering, which was a focaccia and sauce. I ordered the fish which came as a generous portion, perfectly cooked, and a jus that was drinkable. My husband had the ragu with house made pappardelle that was prefect and melt in your mouth. We shared a beautiful asparagus and balsamic dish.
Overall this was a beautiful meal and I highly recommend anyone in Napier going this restaurant a go.

Very nice Italian food and selection of Italian and NZ wines. Good customer service stands out these days and we felt very welcome. The aged beef fillet special was delicious, the texture was perfect, and the poached pear dessert was a highlight.