Napoli Contemporanea pizzeria bar cucina — Restaurant in Waitematā

I recently went to visit this authentic Italian restaurant as I found it online and wanted to try it for myself - it did not take me long to realise this was a BIG mistake.

As we entered the room SEEMED nice, calm and quite - we were shown to our seats for the night when we instantly realised how hard it was to move around due to the amount of seating they have tried to squish into such a small area, next thing I noticed was the bright florescent green lights that make the room feel dirty and dark. However, don't worry there is a terrible picture on the wall of the slums of Italy to try and make you feel better about where you are dining.

But hey, let's all take a deep breath and hope the food will take us away from all the physical attractions. We were first greeted by a lovely woman of potentially asian decent who gave us some nice chilled water, unfortunately she did forget the glasses which I would expect more of considering it is a 4.9 star restaurant. We were then greated by who we would presume is the owner of the business as he has just enough pep in his step that he knows he holds all the power (also most waiters actually understand the importance to customer service). He was pretty much instantly rude but it made me wonder.. hmm maybe this is what Italy is like, maybe he is really working hard on giving us the FULL EXPERIENCE.

ANYWAY - We order our food painfully dealing with his disrespect and trying to hold in our frustration as he could clearly see we didn't understand the menu and felt like he was purposefully trying to make us look dumb, We ordered a couple starters and mains which were some pasta and pizzas.. you know... all the things you go to an Italian restaurant for.

The food comes and admittedly the starter was quite yum, however i wouldn't say this for the rest of the food which was below average - I tried to take some pictures of it but unfortunately the green lighting made it look even worse and i didn't want to bring down this restaurant anymore than needed as everyone other than him who we dealt with was very lovely and hard working. Pizza was very slopped and the base was wet and couldnt even hold up so I folded it into a small ball and ate it that way before realising it tastes terrible either way. Keep in mind I have gone to MANY Italian restaurants and I know what good tastes like.

Okay back on track, we ask for a top up of our drinks and he brings us back an alcoholic beverage instead of a non alcoholic which is what we asked for as the drink was for someone who medically is unable to drink liquor. luckily, hr brought it back in a completely different glass so we were able to tell the difference between her two drinks or else we could've been in a seriously terrible medical situation. Really makes me wonder if they take it into consideration when you ask for GF???

We go to pay and he actually became less painful towards the end which was a pleasant surprise.

Would I recommend going here? Not at all, I think you can see in all his other negative reviews that he is quite egotistical and point blank RUDE. (I wonder if he treats his staff as bad as he treats his VERY HIGH PAYING customers)

Is it worth a try? I mean maybe if you want to see if he's been going to therapy and dealing with his disgusting attitude.

I can see there is plenty of really positive feedbacks on this restaurant but i cant help but think it is fake or paid for because no way did I experience anything like this when...

Mama Mia here with an actual review, not these 5.0 bots. Edit - Nice reply, now why are the meatballs cold? Mama Mia

Pizza We ordered three different pizzas, and boy were they consistent. The crust and flavour were great but that’s where it ends. Picked up these gorgeous slices of heaven using the classic crust to crust folding technique and oh dear. From where the crust ends to the tip of the pizza went straight vertical with maximum sogginess. Pizza log flumed all the toppings onto the plate. Ok that’s fine, we adapt. Switching to the knife and fork to cut this up like the gremlin I am. Nope… you would have a better chance cutting chewing gum with a McDonalds paper straw. The 100% hydration toppings technique has obliterated the pizza back to raw dough form. But don’t fret, the best way to eat this pizza is to fold the tip to the crust and then in half again like some sort of pizza origami. Honestly, the flavour is fine but the eating experience is kinda bad. 2/5

Pasta Ordered the spaghetti and meatballs. The meatballs were cooked but arrived cold in the center??? You guys out there precooking the meatballs then throwing them in the freezer or something? We told the waiter and they went back to have it made again then told us it would be 5 minutes. Maybe 5 Italian minutes, these things came back 20 mins later, when we finished all the other food. Nonetheless they arrived back at the table but instead of spaghetti, they switched it to fettuccine????? Okay sure. Time to cut open the piping hot meatballs right? Wrong, they were lukewarm as if they Mr Miyagi’d the meatballs to try heat them up. But if you think we going back to the waiter with another problem, think again! After that wait time, I’d rather have the food today. 1/5 – try cooking the meatballs when making the dish.

Dessert Ordered the dessert of the day. This was described as a sponge cake with custard and ice cream. You don’t have to tell me twice. This thing hit the table and eh. It wasn’t a sponge cake that's for sure, sponge cake it made with egg whites as leavening. This was more pastry/tart crust with a lemon custard inside. This may as well be the dessert of yesterday with how dry and over-baked it was. The custard was the only thing trying to give it moisture, but the ratio was way off. The ice cream was neon pink but tasted fine I guess. Maybe lay off the food colouring. Nonna would be very disappointed. 2/5 - has potential.

Experience Food takes a very long time to come out of the kitchen, you look around and everyone is sitting with empty plates as they try to make as many pizzas as possible with this small oven. They also take orders from uber eats, so you are sitting there watching motorbike helmet boys coming in and mugging your pizza spot while you wait for your order to finally arrive. The food may have been sub par, but for those prices, you bet I'm eating every last bit. 2/5 - whats up with the plastic dollar shop...

A Taste of Italy, Right Here in Auckland! Napoli Contemporanea is more than just a restaurant; it's an authentic Italian culinary journey that transports you straight to the heart of Naples. From the moment you walk in, the warm and inviting atmosphere hints at the exceptional dining experience to come, and boy, does it deliver! We kicked off our meal with the arancini, and they were nothing short of perfection – perfectly crisp on the outside yet delicately tender within, a true testament to the kitchen's skill. Alongside, the home-marinated olives were a delightful, briny counterpoint, perfectly whetting our appetites for what was next. For our main courses, we indulged in two masterpieces. The spaghetti alle vongole was a work of art, both visually stunning and exquisitely flavorful. The pasta, clearly made in-house, was cooked to an impeccable al dente, and the sauce was as vibrant and fresh as any we've savored in Italy itself. This dish alone solidified Napoli Contemporanea as a must-visit. We also savored the Genovese Napoletana, a rich and deeply satisfying dish that showcased the restaurant's commitment to traditional, robust flavors. The depth of flavor in this slow-cooked ragu was simply outstanding. Just when we thought the meal couldn't get any better, dessert arrived, and it was a grand finale. The panna cotta al cappuccino was a silky smooth delight, a harmonious blend of creamy and coffee notes. But the true star was the pistachio tiramisu. This wasn't just dessert; it was a revelation! Its magnificent texture and unparalleled flavor made it arguably the best tiramisu we've ever had – a perfect balance of creamy mascarpone, delicate ladyfingers, and the rich, nutty essence of pistachio. Beyond the incredible food, the service is truly fantastic. The staff are attentive and knowledgeable, ensuring every need is met with a smile. And then there's Rocco, the owner, who truly makes the place special. He's incredibly welcoming and goes out of his way to make you feel right at home – even for someone like me, who dared to walk in wearing a Juventus shirt! His warmth and hospitality are the cherry on top of an already phenomenal experience. Napoli Contemporanea isn't just serving food; they're crafting experiences. Every dish is a testament to their passion for authentic Italian cuisine and their dedication to using high-quality ingredients, right down to their incredible house-made pasta. If you're looking for an unforgettable Italian dining experience in Auckland, look no further than Napoli Contemporanea. You won't be...