I live locally and we visit Mamma Rosa often – have always found the food to be delicious and the only trouble we have ever had is being early enough to get a table as this is a small and busy restaurant. I have never ordered take-away so cant comment on how well the food travels, but dining in has always been a great experience, with friendly staff and a cosy atmosphere. My absolute favourite dish is the canneloni, it has never disappointed!

I’ve just come back from Italy and was looking forward to seeing how one of our local Italian restaurants holds up against the real deal.

The calamari was delicious, and I’d recommend it to anyone. However the large pizza wasn’t really that large, nor was the margherita very good at all. It was much too cheesy and there was little to no tomato flavor coming through. Not to mention the price for the size/quality was horrendously high at around $27 each.

Wait staff aren’t particularly charming either.

Won’t be going back.

absolutely fantastic. risotto is a favourite both seafood and chicken! well recommended. only downfall is it is a small area… though this makes for a vibrant atmosphere.

Great menu and the specials sounded delicious also. The Caprioska pizza I had was delightful and all other meals were throughly enjoyed by the others at my table. Staff friendly and helpful, and restaurant warm and cosy on a rather unplesant Winters evening . We will be back for sure. PS Other tables were complimenting the chef on their meals too when they were leaving
AAA++++

Have only had takeaway from here, pizzas were always excellent and the lasagne was delicious, accepted credit card each time, haven’t eaten in though..

False Advertising I ordered 4 Pizza’s expecting to pay $44-$50 as advertised so you can imagine my shock when the takeaway pizza’s came to $105 for 4……Talk about ripped off and they were average at that!

After 10 years of boycotting Mamma Rosa (due to a bad experience) we decided to give it a try (takeaway)…. bad move…their pizzas used to be really great but now a soggy expensive mess. Frozen supermarket pizzas would surpass anything Mamma Rose could serve up.

Our first visit to restaurant, we went with 2 other couples one couple had been many times. This is a great restaurant with excellent food (outstanding food) many other people know this as well because it was full. Staff were friendly and efficient, food arrived in a timely manner, not rushed or too slow just right. Out of 10 we rate the food 9 and the service 8-9. Value for money 9 again. All in all a definite return visit is on the cards.

Went there with a big group (11 of us) and they over charged us with corkage when only a portion of us brought BYO wine to the restaurant. After getting that bill fixed, we realised they still charged $5 per head for corkage. so 9 out of 11 of us drank our own wine and paid an extra $45 just for using their wine glasses!!! They menu said corkage is $3 per head, but for table with more than 10 people they charge $5 per head. I asked the young waitress what the logic is to charge more for corkage, she explained it’s a small place and with bigger table that’s what they charge. I am shocked. While they are making money on the food we purchase with a larger group, should it be economies of scale and make corkage cheaper or at least the same for everyone? I don’t think I will go there again. Bad experience, ordinary food.

Locals tend to avoid this restaurant if you have any idea of true Italian food. Everything has the same sauce, parsley is the only garnish, the staff turnover is amazing and the owners mother is rude! No eftpos, but you don’t find that out until you are ready to pay. Not good enough Mumma Rosa. This is basic Kiwi style Italian food – badly done. Obviously many reviews below feel the same.

I’d give them a four but they lose a star for refusing eft-pos. Quite frankly in this day and age it is ridiculous.
I’m assuming it’s a tax-dodge of sorts but if you don’t accept it why don’t you at least advise your staff on a suitable response instead of a shrug of the shoulders?

Absolutley my favourite restaurant so yummy lovely staff.. Best dishes are peperoni Pizza and Spagetti alla Mamma Rosa with chilli oh so yum!!!!!!

Friendly service and very nice food, served hot and well presented from a menu with all the familiar Italian dishes. Well organised and operated neighbourhood restaurant that runs smoothly when busy. Good one…keep it up!

Lovely little restaurant and great service. However, not ‘real’ Italian food. Don’t come here if you’re expecting an authentic Italian meal, come if you’re after a local cheap eat.

Loved the food, It was just beautiful.. great service! But it sucks that they have no EFTPOS! Had to use the wine shop next door. Why no EFTPOS mama rosa – its very modern thing to have these days.. However your beautiful food wipes the grump of my face..

Delicious food! have been here a number of times now! cabonara is so good and the pizzas are really tasty good flavour! my partner is Greek and struggles to find good Greek food in Auckland, but he was very impressed! nice to have a combination of Italian and Greek food to choose from and the owners are really friendly! This is my favourite restaurant!

I have been eating there for nearly twenty years.
Very few restaurants are as consistently great.

Lovely little eatery however a few things just didn’t quite leave me walking out wanting to come back in a hurry, my concerns are about basic table condiments ie. there were none!Every other Italian restuarant I’ve dined in will either be offered freshly milled black pepper or have it bought to the table for you to help yourself. The same would be for parmesean cheese.The entree size Calamari had no garnish (another basic) and the taste of oil was prominent (a sign that the oil wasn’t hot enough when cooked).My friends carbornara was delicious as was other friends’ ravioli.I was a tad disappointed with the over cooked beef canneloni (was it pre-frozen then heated in the m/wave?)The garlic bread was beautiful. And lastly – no eft-pos, luckily the wine shop next door was open (just made it in time) to get some cash out or it would’ve been poly pad scourers to pay for the meal.ps. the waitress was lovely.

Fantastic Italian food, great staff and wonderful atmosphere. Would recommend to all, as it’s my favorite restaurant. The ravioli is the best I’ve ever had.

We’ve eaten here a couple of times now and it’s fast becoming my favourite Italian Restaurant. Gorgeous food, great staff and very reasonable prices. A little cramped out the back when it’s busy – but it’s worth it!

great little place to eat, always happy with the food!cute settinga nd lovely staff

Excellent food and if you are a vegetarian strongly recommended. Try the vegetarian Pizza and lasagna.

Pizza baked on fresh dough and not on some stored bread base.

The place is Small, not flashy, the food is very delicious and very good for the price charged.

Service is with smile from very polite waiters.

Worth going

Best Italian in Auckland, and great staff. Would recommend booking first. Love the Calamari!!

Pathetic excuse for Italian food, but good place to dine, because of the excellent service. Overall, good place okay!?