MariLuca Ristoro — Restaurant in Wellington

Edit 7 October: Tonight I tried the cabonara because it was recommended by a lady I spoke to last time I was at the restaurant. Unfortunately the cabonara was mega salty.

Before I ordered, I was asked if I wanted flat or sparkling water. I chose sparkling. The waitress told me it only comes in 750ml bottles. I said I probably didn't need that much but after the cabonara I regret not having ordered 750mls of sparkling water.

I was disappointed because the risotto I had a few weeks ago was so beautiful, when I was eating it, I could hear angels singing to me. And the tiramisu is TO DIE FOR. So getting cabonara so salty, I couldn't finish it, just made me sad. I am a huge fan of salt and I tried really hard to like this dish but it was inedible.

I will be going back because I believe perhaps this was just a bad day for the chef. Perhaps he just didn't taste the dish before sending it out. However, if the chef intentionally adds salt to cabonara, I hope this review makes him think twice.

I was stuck in traffic this afternoon on Mulgrave Street, when I saw this restaurant I had never been to!

As soon as you walk in the door, you forget you are in central Wellington and are transported to Italy.

The manager, Tom, is hilarious and incorrigible - he certainly knows how to sell you an extra glass or two of wine you're not sure you really need but it's worth it!

I had the risotto. It took a while to come out but when I got it, it was SO worth it. It was beautiful. The flavours were so intense, the texture was perfect. It was absolutely delicious. I honestly could have eaten two portions because every bite was better than the last!

I always hesitate to order risotto at restaurants because it's usually around $35 and if it's terrible, that is a lot of money to waste but somehow I knew this restaurant would do it right and they did not disappoint!

After the deliciousness of the risotto (and two glasses of wine), I was in a very good mood and ready for dessert.

I ordered the tiramisu and just like the risotto, it was some of the best tiramisu I've ever had! I don't know what it was about it that was so extraordinary but it was creamy and sweet and absolutely amazing.

I spent more money than I would have liked - $85 for a main, two glasses of wine and a dessert but it was worth every cent. I feel like everything, from the service to the atmosphere to the food and the wine, was a total experience and I left the restaurant with a smile on my face. It was food that was good for the soul and I feel like that's such a rare thing.

I...

“You had me at ciao” From the moment my colleague, Don Faulkner and I stepped through the door, we knew we were in for something special – but nothing could have prepared us for the sheer perfezione that unfolded. This wasn’t just dinner; it was a culinary symphony, an esperienza gastronomica we will carry with us forever.

Our waitress, Annaliese (Annie) deserves a standing ovation. Truly eccezionale – warm, attentive, and effortlessly charming. She made us feel not just welcome, but a casa, striking that rare balance of professionalism and genuine hospitality. Within minutes, we were completely at ease, as though we had been invited into a family trattoria in the heart of Tuscany.

And the food? Mamma mia! Words almost fail me. Every bite was an explosion of flavour – rich, authentic, and crafted with a level of care and artistry that belongs in the realm of the divine. It was as if the chef had bottled the very soul of Italy and placed it before us. This was, without question, the best Italian food either of us has ever had – no exaggeration.

The wine pairings? Fantastico! Each glass elevated the dishes to dazzling new heights – the velvety red and succulent dessert white sang in harmony with the food like a perfectly orchestrated opera. Whoever curates their carta dei vini deserves a standing ovation of their own.

As the evening wound down, we both agreed – this wasn’t just the best dining experience of our visit to Wellington; it set a new standard for what dining should be. We will assolutamente be back, again and, and can’t wait to hear that after two and a half years, Annie has finally seen the Godfather and remembers the all important “secret code” We couldn’t possibly rate this gem highly enough. Thanks again for a dining experience that will live with us forever....

It's our first meal in Wellington, we didn't know what to expect. Our appetizers were a feast to the eyes, but so much tastier when we tried them. My favorites are: Suppli--similar, if not the same as arancini (what we usually have in Italian restaurants in New York) it is crisp outside, moist and tasty inside, size is generous too. For mains, I had Gnocchi Ai Due Formaggi E Pistacchio. It was heavenly...feels like your eating pasta but tastes like potato which should be the case, since it's supposed to be dumpling made from potato. The flavor and texture were amazing! Not to mention it was served hot off the pan, and was still warm by the time I was done. I had the chance to taste their carbonara too, I have had various types from different Italian restaurants, this I would say could make it to Chef Competitions. Noodles were al dente, lightly creamy plus some crispy pancetta on top. We had the opportunity to try a dessert they seldom offer: cappuccino creme brulee. It was so good, my husband blurted out --i'm glad I married you. If not, I won't be on a vacation in Wellington and I won't have this dessert! So there you are, when in Wellington, a meal or two in Mariluca Ristoro is a must! It will be amiss for me not to mention the impeccable service we received from Annie and Tom. Both were sincerely courteous, prompt,...