Review The Italian Job Restaurant - Auckland Central

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! i just came here to grab takeaway dinner for my mum and i. the food was the most delicious pasta i’ve ever had in my life. 1 pasta fed us both and we had soooo much leftover! the staff were lovely. the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. the food is authentic. i can’t wait to try more. wish i could give more than 5 stars. support ya local :)

The restaurant was amazing! Great staff that were attentive and kind. The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was very authentic. Highly recommend! Definitely coming back😁

Wonderful Pizza! Probably the best I have ever tasted and that says a lot because I am very critical when comes to pizza. The pizza bread entree was served up rather quickly and was a delicious surprise while enjoying our chilled beers. Fredo, the host was very friendly and made sure we were given a great dining experience. The staff where nice and saw to our orders expediently. We dined at the tables outside, which was great during early evening. Inside the restaurant there was a more intimate dining room and a couple extra areas for even more privacy. Ask for their Italian Wine and beers, export quality. 5+ Stars in suburban Auckland.

We were Very nicely received without reservation. Deliciously fresh salad & natural unadulterated calamari with fresh lemon .. just like in Italy .such a treat sitting outdoors in the last of the afternoon sun , great to find a family owned operation serving genuine European home style dishes...

Best garlic cheese bread iv had....lovely authentic Italian pasta and sauces taste homemade lovely service

Such a lovely restaurant with excellent food. One of my favourite in Auckland!

If I could go 5+ I would. Exceptional service and food.

Affordable price with superb food. Great for families too

Brilliant great little local place. So friendly, and really nice old school homely Italian style food. Love it! Oh, and brilliant pizza.😁

Great tasting pizza, and really friendly owner and staff. Service was great, and will definitely be picking up again, thank you.

Amazing amazing Italian! So delicious and just the right portion! I’m obsessed! Customer service was outstanding, the lady serving us was so lovely! 11/10!

Delicious! And great service. Would definitely recommend their special pizza, very yum and special indeed

Always amazing whether dine in or take out. Wholesome, hearty Italian food made family style with a cozy restaurant.

We were early walked into this local restaurant. Greeted at the door by the friendly proprietor and waitress proceeded to take us to our table. We ordered the veal Tiramasu /Veal Masala n Lasagne with side of veges, dessert to share. Meal was very enjoyable and owners surprise at end Shot of Lemoncello. I am not a regular but have visited this restaurant once or twice per year over last 20+ yrs. Love the friendly atmosphere and the food has never disappointed.

Excellent pizza Quattro Staggioni, red wine, tiramisu & banana crepe. Highly recommend!

We have just moved into the area and have been here a few times, have loved the food and service every time has a lovely authentic feel! Will definitely keep going back!!

Consistently great pizza and pasta every time. They are happy to accommodate any special requests. Lucky to have a local traditional Italian restaurant that doesn't charge Herne Bay prices.

Have been coming here for years, ever since primary school. Had my 21st dinner here absolutely love it.

I truly don't believe it's right to serve such low grade food at these prices. This is an article written about this establishment by the NZ Herald: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10868488

Very quick takeaway, garlic bread was delicious and crispy. Pizza was also delicious. Love that you can see them making the pizza, quality ingredients.

If you know Italian food, then you know this is not it. Overpriced, fake, disgusting, embarrassing. <br/>If you want to eat cheap food at a run-down place, with people pretending to be Italian, and on top of that pay top dollar, then go to the blw job restaurant.

An absolute waste of money. It has a cheek calling itself an Italian restaurant. We had the Gorgonzola pasta - I think they may have run out of Gorgonzola because it was tasteless and awful. My husband had the pizza, the base was oily and the cheese over cooked. I can't believe you can get simple Italian food so wrong. Please don't waste your time or money.

Talk about boring food and atmosphere. First, our menus were stuck to the surface of the table - probably because they are seldom cleaned? A putrid smell came from the kitchen, maybe it's time they took out the trash? I wouldn't know where to begin with the food, so I'll just say the taste-buds have tasted better spaghetti out of a can, and better pizza from a fast food joint. Our table also ordered their steak and seafood - again tasteless. Could have gone to a real Italian restaurant and spent less.

I've been coming here for years. Great food and a very nice owner/operator. Ive tried just about everything on the menu. You need a second location out east:) Due back soon!

Fredo and staff were so kind and accommodating to our group of 13 - nothing was a problem, they bent over backwards for our large group all night long - The food came out hot and plentiful and all at the same time - I love we could take our own wine.  Kudos the The Italian Job, we will see you again very very soon xxx

Great meals, especially the Pizza! Always friendly service and awesome regulars. Freydo is a wonderful host and always works hard to provide a pleasant experience! Would recommend to anyone on Jervois looking for something tasty in the evenings.

The food was amazing! I usually only eat Italian in Melbourne but this is so far the best Italian in Auckland. The staff was great super friendly.

Service was friendly and very prompt with regular check-ins. The menu has quite a selection to choose from, so a good place to bring friends. I had the triple pepper eye fillet with a glass of wine and waffles for dessert. Presentation on the main was good, it came out in very reasonable time and the steak was cooked perfectly to medium as I requested. The dessert was not too sweet (I would have preferred a little more syrup, but NBD), but very nicely presented and baked perfectly. Will definitely return to try other items on the menu.

Unappetizing, unauthentic, distasteful food!<br/><br/>Thought we'd give this place a go and came out very disappointed. I decided to come here and see what others think and it seems there is a shared opinion about "bland tastes" and "unauthentic food AND owner who pretends to be Italian!" They claim the steak is grilled - my steak (sirloin) was pan-fried, dry and fatty, not to mention no shallots that is mentioned to come with the dish. The toppings on the pizza were old and flavorless. Their beef lasagna is definitely frozen then microwaved before being served as my daughters lasagna was still frozen inside! The place is understaffed which reflects in their poor and late service. The manager/owner - Freydo, is rude to staff, and customers who object to the food not being what is advertised on their menu, as I experienced. Feeling sorry for the waitress working there my wife placed a $20 note in the tip jar; forgetting my cellphone on the table I came back to get it only to see Freydo taking the $20 note out of the tip jar and putting it in his pocket! Absolutely disgusting.

We went here last night, and the food was delicious.  My flatmate and I ordered a pizza and it was very good, and a really good size. The service was fantastic! The only thing that would make it 5 stars is the decor, but it still was a warm and friendly place.

Visited this restaurant with my daughter on Sunday evening - I can't say enough good things about this place - it was fantastic from the moment we walked in. Staff was friendly and the food was the best Italian food I have ever eaten.

The most thin and burnt pizza base possible. The ingredients were so bland and very oily  and he wants to charge $25? We live in the neighborhood and nearly always see this place empty, now we know why. First and last time we visit the so called Italian Job.

Don't want to spend too much time here. The "Italian Job restaurant" is not where you go for an authentic, tasty Italian meal. It's where you go to be served food out of the microwave. For those that believe they are Italian please have a look at the manager's name on the wall, speak to him in Italian (if you can), ask where in Italy he is from in Italy.

I'm very surprised by the bad reviews. The Italian Job is a great little restaurant, run by actual Italians! It's good value for money, all the dishes I've tried have been delicious, and the atmosphere is so welcoming. I personally love the vintage decor, it's charming. I would particularly recommend the olive bread, and the vegetarian cannelloni.

The majority of bad reviews speak for themselves. A low-class restaurant that offers distasteful food at upper-class restaurant prices. A disgrace to real Italian cuisine!

I am surprised to see the negative reviews. I have been to The Italian Job a few times now and I think it is awesome. I had the vegetarian cannelloni tonight and it was absolutely delicious!

To quote the last reviewer, "cheap and cheerful". Don't expect too much and you will not be disappointed. Friendly family service. The sauce with the gnocchi was more like a soup, but the pate was excellent, and anything from the pizza oven great. Odd wine list - a few bottles to choose from but only one red or white choice by the glass. If you are just wanting a quick filling meal, The Italian Job fits the bill.

Best pizza in Auckland - worth the price, Fredo is a great host, highly recommend.<br/>Have not eaten their other dishes, but the pizza is fresh & always delicious

I have had better pizza made by a child. Seriously.<br/><br/>Too greasy. Too expensive. No flavour. And the base tasted like it was made from a mattress.

Yeah, wouldn't go back. Pan cooked fish served on iceberg lettuce? Weird ... And pricey. Steamed vegetable side dish , so bland . went home and ate some toast to get over it.<br/>The front door was damaged as well, hard to get in. I wonder how long it had been like that? Looked neglected.<br/>If I could rate it no stars. I would.

Horrible food. I ordered take out from here as it was the closest restaurant to me that did Italian.<br/><br/>The pizza crust was ok but the toppings/cheese was bland and had little taste, the cheese had a strange processed/plastic sort of taste to it.<br/><br/>The pasta sauce tasted like it had come out of a packet, it was watery thin and had that powdered stock taste.<br/><br/>I'm a programmer, not a chef, so it baffles me how I could easily make 10 better pasta dishes without a recipe book than the one this 'authentic Italian restaurant' that's been open for 20 years served me.

This is possibly the worst restaurant, and certainly the worst Italian restaurant we have visited.<br/>The food was worse than average, and we actually left without finishing our meals. Going to another establishment for desert and coffee.<br/>Never mind the decor you can live with lime green focus on improving the quality and the ingredients used in the perpetration of your food. It's enough to make a real Italian ashamed.

After experiencing a delightful dinner in December 2012, and being told I could book a private room for a special birthday in 2013, I was really upset that this could not happen. In December 2012 I was told there was room in a private room upstairs for 15 to 20 people but when I tried to book I was told this was not now available. The unavailability seemed to be that it would be too much for the kitchen, then I was told there was not enough room in the special room, then I was told that renovations were taking place and then I was told that Fridays are nights that the owner would like to keep free. I am so confused and very disappointed to be told one thing and then one so different.

We went there for desert, it resembled something from a primary school homecraft class.<br/>I had crepes, it had canned apricot with artificial cream on it a small bit of cheap ice cream, the crepe was doughy and not cooked properly.<br/>My partner had profitta rolls, the proffita was stale, canned creme and a horrible chocolate sauce that resembled a budget supermarket brand.<br/>We couldn't eat either desert.<br/>The only good thing was they didn't charge us for the experience, which is good as we wouldn't have paid.<br/>what happened to Italian flair ?? it aint at this restaurant.<br/>Won't be back

We were a party of 6 and liked the place. It has character and you are not cramped against the next table. The waitresses were good and very attentive even though they were fairly busy.(Sat Night.) Finger bowls were provided for the pork spare ribs without asking. Our meals were good and there was plenty at a reasonable price and the bYO was an advantage. Being able to change potatoes for vegetables at no cost was great. Will return for sure.

My 2nd time to this little slice of Italy hidden away towards the end of Jervois Road. The first time was an experience the 2nd time back even better then the 1st.<br/><br/>Right from walking in we were greeted by the hosts with a cheerful Hello and Welcome, shown to our table and provided with Water, Menu's and a pleasant introduction to what lay waiting for our taste buds on the Menu.<br/><br/>We choose first off the Olive Bread, this arrived promptly and was well presented it really was soft and fluffy and well seasoned with olives and olive oil. It was buttery and flavorsome and a pleasure to eat. My only regret is that it went too fast between the two of us.<br/><br/>Next we ordered Gamberoni All' Aglio to share. Black tiger prawns, smothered in olive oil, garlic, parsley and lemon juice, then seared on the grill. This was beautifully presented the prawns looked big and fat and shone from the glaze of sauce. <br/><br/>The sauce on the dish was light delicate and not at all over powering it complimented the prawns well. It was smooth creamy and full of different flavors (lemon, garlic and parsley) adding to the whole dish.<br/><br/>Next we ordered Mains I had Ravioli Gorgonzola last time so wanted something more tomatoey. I ordered the Beef Lasagne Layers of pasta, bolognese and béchamel sauce, baked in the oven and topped with mozzarella cheese. <br/><br/>I was well pleased when the mains arrived it looked wonderful and the smell said it all. <br/><br/>The presentation was excellent beautifully layered lasange with tomato and cheese melted on top, surrounded by moat of aromatic and seasoned sauce. The sauce was thick but not too thick and not too thin either it coated the back of my spoon well and was wore a rich red almost slight orange colour to it. Cutting into the fresh lasange the pasta was cooked just right firm yet giving way to my fork as I pressed into it. The meat was clearly visible layered between the lasange sheets it looked like work of construction it held its form up until the last bite.<br/><br/>The meat was tender and delicate and flavorsome not at all over powered by the cheese, lasange and sauce. I was quite surprised I expected a regular ground mince but this was quite different altogether. This made the whole dish a pleasure to eat. Each part of the dish held its own.<br/><br/>Next I had Waffles this was okay as a dessert the waffles were warm fresh and soft and creamy easy to eat. The sauce was fruity and complimented the ice cream and cream well. The rich reds of the strawberry sauce stood out on the whites of the cream and ice-cream and the golden waffles made a lovely base.<br/><br/>This was my 2nd time back to The Italian Job and once again I left feeling satisfied with a filling and tasty meal complimented by great service and great food. Money well spent. The Italian Job will be one of our locals. We plan to visit often.

First time visitors and it was simply because the restaurant we went to wasn't open. Delicious meal, lovely service, great chef. We were a large table and a tad loud, but they didn't seem to mind. <br/><br/>Will definitely be going back, for a more quiet, intimate meal.

After a rough family time down in the Tron surviving on hotel &amp; hospital food - not easy with 3 under fives - the wife and I were craving a good pasta but traffic precluded us getting home to cook in time. I made the decision to go via Herne Bay to the Shore and get takeout from a long known but never patroned Italian Job. I ordered 3 $15 pastas (ravioli, gnocchi &amp; tortellini with different sauces) and the kids were allowed a toilet stop - try that at other Herne Bay venues! Early on the Wednesday night they weren't busy, so within 15 mins we had our fare, and finally got home where the kids wolfed down their handmade tortellini (skipping the mushrooms of course) and we were similarly satisfied with our share. If you want swanky surroundings head on up the road - I was just happy with a pasta meal like "mammma" used to make, and the way your mamma probably would've set up a trattoria didn't phase me at all. We'll stop in again if we pass that way any time soon.

We were very disappointed. It is very old hat, expensive and not value for money. <br/>6 pieces of ravioli for $25, my calamari was tough chunky and the worst flavour ever. Always have it at an Italian but I was wondering if was going to make me ill. <br/>The steak was average, someone had square cut one end and it looked odd. <br/>the accompanying potato cut into slices had what looked like an orange horrid cheddar processed cheese on it. <br/>The decor was awful, waitress nice but the men cooking were obviously over it. A large pizza $36 we were in Mission Bay an hour later and noticed no pizza on any menu was that exorbitant.<br/>will never go back or recommend

Good local Italian, my wife and I have eaten there and got takeaway about twenty times over the past couple of years and always been happy with the food, service and price. You could pay at lot more for a lot less in Ponsonby and Herne Bay. We have taken friends on several occasions and they have all enjoyed it too.

This place is over priced and poor. The lime green decor is very old and very tired. I mean, $34 for a large pizza? Domino's is better value for money and tastier. <br/><br/>The place needs a spruce up.<br/>These other reviews can't have been written by people who have been here. You can try the place but I bet you'll be disappointed and will have spent too much. A shame, with no other Italian in Herne Bay to speak of, it could be so much better.<br/><br/>Horribly over

Great food at Great prices. Good authentic Italian atmosphere enhanced by Italian owners.

We went tonight for the first time and really enjoyed the experience; having read the reviews after doing a google search on Italian Restaurants in Ponsonby (and ignoring the negative review!). Service was good, pleasant "rustic" setting and food was really nice - mussels, fettuccine carbonara, marinara and quattro pizzas. Could have done with a better quality sauv blanc by the glass. Will go again.

Ideal restaurant<br/>Authentic and wonderfully freshly cooked tasty food<br/>Very welcoming and friendly staff<br/>Let us in early and allowed us to sit late<br/>Highly recommended.

Ok so they are not BYO anymore but the pizzas are still the best in the western world! The bases are perfect and the toppings, although very traditional, never disappoint. The staff were warm and accomodating even with the 5 children towed in. Quick note, seeing the bottom two reviews, it looks like the same person has clearly got something against the restaurant and it looks personal. That a little unprofessional if you ask me!

Great restaurant, have never had a bad meal there!. Love the pizza's! Seafood one is the best! Nice cozy atmosphere. I think the review at the bottom is a joke it is nothing like that at all. Its a very nice place. Would recomend to any one in the area!