ADDRESS:   10/26 Jellicoe St, North Wharf
CHECK WEBSITE FOR OPENING HOURS
MAINS:   $19 – $49
WEBSITE:    baduzzi.co.nz
CONTACT:   09 309 9339
SCORE:   17.5 / 20

You don’t need to travel to indulge in a joyous Italian escape – just get to Baduzzi in the heart of Wynyard Quarter on Auckland’s waterfront. Owner Michael Dearth is one seasoned operator. His beautifully appointed Italian- American restaurant, with its open bar centre-stage, is a place of Instagram-worthy food and knowledgeable fun-loving staff. They welcome you as family here and deliver flavour bombs to excite any generation. The Baduzzi menu is a delight. Woodfired wild- caught prawns wrapped in black-peppered pancetta, are a riot of flavour. The hāpuku is of the highest quality and the meatballs legendary. The well-rounded menu, with options for all food preferences, combined with a drinks list rich in Italian wines, beers and liqueurs, is an unashamed celebration of Roman culinary heritage. Bravo!

IN BRIEF: The Italian job done to American perfection