New Zealand Herald

Reviews for Prego Restaurant

by Maryana H.
18th June 2013

My partner and I went to Prego on Saturday last week for the second time in three years as we were going to an event later the same evening and had previously been to this restaurant when we were in the area.

We had been dreaming about having their calamari and seared tuna again since we last visited, because we have not found anywhere else that does calamari better, and we were not disappointed. The seared tuna is served with crispy capers and beautifully delicate veal, which goes perfectly together.

We told our waiter upon arrival that we would be sharing these two dishes, so we were brought two small plates and, and the portions of the dishes themselves seemed to be bigger than average, which was great.

For the main, we shared a pepperoni, kalamata olive and chilli pizza, which was crispy, hot and oh so very tasty! Perfect for sharing on a romantic date.

Even though we were pretty satisfied by that point, because we had some time to spare and were feeling quite contented with the restaurant, we ordered one portion of tiramisu to share, with the matching sherry. One of the best tiramisus around, for sure! Perfectly balanced and wickedly tempting, you just wanted to keep it all to yourself!

The wine list offered by Prego is quite comprehensive and would impress many wine connoisseurs. We recommend the Jules Taylor Merlot Rose and the Grasshopper Rock Central Otago Pinot Noir – lovely accompaniments to a wonderful meal!

We will definitely be back to Prego and wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone!

by Sam
8th June 2013

Visited for a work lunch with a large group and overall had a really enjoyable experience. My main was the lamb dish which was easily one of the best I’ve eaten, only left wishing there was a bit more of it! I did like the extensiveness of the menu as it could suit everyones’ tastes without the quality of the dishes suffering.

The wait time was considerable on this particular visit, but it was a big group and the staff were friendly so they are somewhat excused. I finished with the chocolate marquis which was enjoyably rich, the Tiramisu I tried of someone else also seemed like a good bet. I also really liked the heated seating.

by Angie
25th May 2013

There are usually only two reasons I would write a review. One is to say how good a restaurant is and the other is to say how bad it is, hoping to warn others away so that they don’t waste their money. Welcome to my Third category – mediocre.
We were seated in about 10 minutes, the staff at Prego are professional and unaffected. We started with garlic bread and garlic aioli and this was quite nice, it helps when you are really hungry! This was lunch so I ordered Cacciucco and my partner had market fish, which I think was king fish on a lemony(? ) risotto. I had a side salad of rocket, pear and Parmesan. I have to say that this is really basic fare, fish and rice – and broth and seafood. The fish was over cooked in both dishes, but worse, it tasted old. My broth was … I can’t find the words, it had no depth of flavour, nor was it hearty, it wasn’t bad, too thin or too salty, it was just too boring. My rocket salad was the high light for me, my partner enjoyed the tiramisu I found it too wet and soggy. My suggestion – get an Italian chef in the kitchen and start trying to impress!

by Biddy O.
1st March 2013

Prego is the most consistently fantastic restaurant that I know of. I have been coming here for years. I can never go past the calamari, it truely is the best I have ever tasted. We went last week. Everything was great as usual; great service, delicious non-alcoholic mojitos for the sober driver, (me), fantastic seafood pizza with proper seafood such as scallops and prawns, etc.. I cannot fault this place and I recommend it to everyone. Oh and very reasonably priced for the quality of food they serve.

by Lisa
22nd January 2013

My partner and I ate here for dinner and were unfortunately disappointed. I had smoked salmon which was about the size of the palm of my hand, there was some kind of mash with celery and that was it for my dinner, this was apparently the main course dish, it certainly wasn’t enough to fill me for dinner! It tasted really nice but it wasn’t enough, I had some of the salami pizza my partner had as well! It too tasted nice but nothing fab. It was completely packed and we couldn’t have a proper chat! The tables were too packed together, felt like I was dining with the table next to us. Staff were really nice and attentive.

by Steve M.
18th December 2012

Prego deserves its reputation as an institution in Auckland. Long a feature on the strip in Ponsonby this pace is always consistent and always meets expectations.

The woodfire pizzas are always a good start, but it’s the rotisserie chicken that always wins me and my family over.

To finish definitely tiramisu with an illy coffee on the side.

by Kimlash
30th August 2012

I have been going to Prego for 15 years now and it has never failed, either in how wonderful the food is or how knowledgable and helpful the staff are. This is, was, and probably, always will be, the best restaurant in Auckland.

by Georgina B.
23rd August 2012

I went to Prego with my family last July. It was a fairly cold night, and because it was so incredibly busy (you are not allowed to book), we had to sit outside. It was freezing! However, our table was surrounded by fire burners and our waiter gave us warm cuddly blankets to have for the night. The food is amazing – all five of us shared the Wood fired Garlic Pizza Bread, the Wood fired Mussels and the Calamari for starters. The flavours are outstanding and there was plenty to go around. As for the mains, I had the Lasagna Prego which was very good. Another main which was delicious was Linguine Marinara with a plentiful amount of seafood. As for desserts, “WOW” is all I can say. Make sure you try the Budino di Datteri (sticky date pudding, poached pears, ginger ice cream, hot caramel……) melt in your mouth sort of thing!

Overall the food is delicious, the atmosphere perfect and service was very attentive. A must visit if you are in Auckland!

by Stass
17th July 2012

I went to Prego for the first time in July 2011 with my family for a leaving dinner. There were 5 of us, including a 12 years old boy. Prego is always so busy and we had to wait for a table to open up. Not wanting to wait at the squashed bar with a 12 year old we went next door for some drinks. The Prego staff gave us a call on our mobile when a table opened up which I thought was great of them. It is incredibly busy in there. There are children running around everywhere upstairs, it’s so loud and the staff are rushed off their feet. However, if you can overcome this busy atmosphere, it really is a fantastic place! The 5 of us ordered a calzone, a beef and fish special of the day, a lasagna dish and a pasta dish. They were all exquisite. We had a friendly chat to some of the staff and they allowed us to move to another table outside for dessert where it was quieter and where some of out party could smoke. I would definitely go back here, but perhaps not for a romantic first or special date.

by Tabe-Aruki
12th May 2012

After dining at Prego a few times, we were impressed by their food (mainly pizza and tiramisu). However, our last visit was so awful I don’t think we will ever go back there again.

The restaurant was quite busy when we walked in, but there were a few tables free. Three or four waitresses walked past us without guiding us to a table; not knowing what to do, we sat down at one of the free tables inside, and we managed to get a waitress to take our order.

We remembered from previous experience that the pizzas took a long time to arrive at the table, so we decided to order a pizza first, before choosing what else we were getting.

I was looking through the menu when a man who looked like the manager walked over to our table and rudely told us to leave, as apparently there was a long waiting list of people who wanted to get a table, and we did not put our name down. This would have been understandable (although it still doesn’t justify the rudeness), had it not been for the empty seats we could see around us. It was also very strange that the manager (?) didn’t even try to put our name down on the waiting list, and simply walked away, leaving us feeling very embarrassed and awkward, since other diners were trying to see what was happening.

It was clear that they just wanted to kick us out because they thought we weren’t ordering enough food. This was a terrible experience, especially since all the good restaurants in Ponsonby were fully booked for dinner by this time, and we had to go back to the CBD.

It’s such a shame, as good Italian restaurants are rare in Auckland… We will not be going back since a restaurant that is so obsessed with making money can’t be providing you with the best food possible for the price.

I recommend Toto, Barolo (in the Langham) or Da Vinci if you are looking for an Italian restaurant for dinner in/near the CBD with good food AND great service.

by Martin
20th February 2012

Had a nice time at Prego. Still an institution in Auckland. A bit disappointed about my main as the pork was a bit dry and also they were changing the wines so ran out of 7 in the list, just bad luck I guess. Still good thought.

by Saleem
8th February 2012

I had my birthday here recently with a group of 13. The restaurant was humming, they don’t normally take bookings but reserved a table for us for 15 people. The atmoshere wa electric, the food was fantastic and the waitress that looked after our table was a real laugh and gave fantastic service. I couldn’t compalin about the evening at all and thankyou prego’s for making my birthday celebration such a fantastc night. Would highly recommend and would definitely return

by Lou
19th January 2012

I’ve only had the pleasure of dining here twice, the second time 2 weeks ago. The food is always fresh, well presented and very tasty. The pizza’s are a treat, the calamari entree delicious.

The service is friendly, professional and as helpful as can possibly be.

This place is fantastic for catching up with friends for a lunch outside in the garden with a few wines.

by Joy
31st December 2011

Such a great place! I always know that the food will be perfect and the specials are always to be tried! (love the pies! Fish and beef both great!)
Quick service and always attentive.
Not ideal for a romantic date but great for friends and families.
The addition of blankets at the outside tables on winter evenings is a cute touch.

by Tracy L.
3rd December 2011

The food was absoutley awesome – probably the best I’ve had! and the service to match was awesome too!
Go here for a dining experience!!

by johannaejames@gmail.com
23rd August 2011

Always a favourite, service has always been fantastic and we have never had to wait as long as we are advised. Food is great and so reasonably priced for such a good restaurant. Agree with the cold breeze, have sat by the fire on one occasion and it was lovely on a cold winter day, but the most recent time we came we were seated by the door and had to keep our jackets on which was a shame, food, wine and the fabulous Allpress coffee made up for this though.

by Lauren
11th July 2011

Attentive service and a humming vibe, not really the place to go for an intimate dinner date but good for groups. Watch out for the cold breeze if you are seated near the doors, we kept our jackets on for most of this night which was a shame. There’s a lovely open fire in the middle of the restaurant but it didn’t heat the room too much. Beautiful food (our entrees: vitello tonnato, mussels, mains: lamb and the linguine marinara). The tuna in the linguine marinara was horribly overcooked though which was really the only let-down of the night – staff were apologetic and offered to get a new one but there was not much point (I just avoided it). All else considered, a nice restaurant.

by Sarah B.
8th July 2011

Went a couple of weekends ago with some friends for dinner. We didn’t have to wait the advised hour for a table, and the food was excellent. OUr waitress was a little manic, but had a good knowledge of the menu.
I had wood roasted hapuka on dill risotto with orange hollandaise which was delicious. The dessert of a cassis sorbet and passionfruit semi freddo was also to die for. I tried a friends pizza and it was yummy too.
Good value and a good night out. Only criticism is the tables and chairs aren’t that comfortable, but hey who cares when the food is that good?

by David B.
10th March 2011

You can’t fault the service and the is food excellent.

There was a group of six of us including two kids who ate off the kids menu. Our pizza, steak and pasta could not be faulted.

Great Place.

by Rob C.
28th January 2011

I have been eating at Prego since about 1986. We have been there at least two or three times a year ever since. We have celebrated numerous special occasions there, from engagements, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, you name it.
Most recently we had the big table at the back for a birthday, which I had always wanted to do, and it was so worth it.
It has never, ever disappointed, and always been of a very high standard.

by julieB
25th January 2011

Good quality and authentic Italian menu , much much better than your “typical” tried and tested worn out Italian cliche menu.
Very good service , good presentation . Quality of ingredients really good too.
Best Indian – Oh Calcutta in Parnell,
Best Italian – Prego in Ponsonby,
What else do we need

by Catherine
29th November 2010

Love Prego! Service great, Food delicious but unpretentious. Can be a little loud during peak times tho but i think this adds to the “vibe”. Also very reasonably priced.

by Janine D.
23rd November 2010

Have been slowly working my way through Prego’s wine list every week for the last year. Have just finished the stickies.Starting on the menu next year as haven’t remembered leaving yet. Prego is the best place in Auckland, go there, eat drink and be merry because they just love it when you do.

by Sarahj
22nd July 2010

Was lucky enough to go to Prego on Saturday night, enjoyed every minute from the funny bartender to every last drop of the Grasshopper Rock Pinot Noir. The food was excellent also, I could have shared the mussels for the entree, but still had room for the crispy skinned snapper on a lovely risotto – even though I was about to pop I couldn’t miss out on the ice-cream for dessert. Can’t wait to go back next time we’re in Auckland.

by Love f.
4th July 2010

Prego is about as old as my wife’s car and still continues to achieve a level of excellence day after day.

Having eaten there at least 4 times in the past year usually going for the pasta or stone oven pizza which are always great. I have to tell you about the beetroot carpaccio I had there last year – one of the best first course of the year for me! And I am fortunate enough to eat out a lot and in different countries. So big pat on the back for being so good at what you do and thank you!

After more than 20 years most of Auckland will have already been at least once, but if you haven’t then give it try. Service, price and great energy will work their magic and make you even happier.

by Theresa C.
17th May 2010

Absolutely delightful!

I went to Prego for lunch with my boyfriend yesterday and took the only free table for two in the courtyard. The waitresses were all very efficient and friendly. We could tell that they were properly trained from the way they handled the dishes.

We had garlic bread, seafood pizza and calamari, which were all very delicious. The garlic bread and seafood pizza had a nice crisp, while the calamari was very tender with a beautiful light golden yellow finish. The calamari was the best that I have ever had!

The bill for our lunch was of great value considering the high quality of food that we had and their fantastic service.

I would have loved to order dessert but was very full. I will just have to go back!

by mario
21st January 2010

the best italian restaurant
in Auckland is Portofino
working 30 years great

by Sarah
17th September 2008

The best Italian place in Auckland.
Me and my bf are a regular.
Never had a bad meal.
Always excellent service.
Georgous fish dish.
Beautiful pasta and really yummy pizza’s.
Calamari with aioli is always great.
Highly recommended.
Always busy

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