Where To Find Auckland’s Best Cacio E Pepe Dishes

If you are a lover of pasta and wine, Pici is the restaurant for you; located on dear old K-Road, this Italian eatery is the perfect escape. The restaurant is quaint and rustic, with a warm and welcoming ambience. There is nowhere we would rather eat pasta than at Pici. Speaking of which, the pasta is made fresh in-house, every day; Pici specialises in deliciously simple cuisine, including the Cacio E Pepe. The cheesy, chewy and peppery delicacy was a finalist in Metros 2021 Best Dish category, and if you have had the pleasure of eating the dish, you will understand the hype. Traditionally, Cacio e Pepe is pepper, cheese and tonnarelli or spaghetti, and this dish goes perfectly with a glass of pinot grigio.

Pasta and Cuore hold the key to our food-based fantasies, proving that happiness and carbs go hand-in-hand. The Italian restaurant and pastificio specialise in fresh, hand-made pasta. Unsurprisingly, Pasta and Cuore stole the hearts of all those who visit; they even host pasta making classes so budding chefs can learn the craft. The sheer abundance of pasta is enough to make us swoon; from spaghetti gorgonzola, gnocchi al Pollo, tagliatelle al ragu, tortellini con Panna and Cacio e Pepe. If you would like to try your hand at home, Pasta and Cuore sell fresh pasta to-go; the Cacio e Pepe recipe is easy to follow and uses only a handful of ingredients.

Laughter in the air, pasta on the plate and wine in our glasses; Baduzzi is the ultimate dining spot for boisterous nights out. Gather the family, your friends or your partner and head over to the North Wharf for an Italian-inspired feast. Whether you are in the mood for ricotta rotolo, potato tortellini, buttered maltagliati and Cacio e Pepe; Baduzzi has it all. The pasta is hand-made and cooked to order, fresh every day. Cacio e Pepe’s simplicity is part of its elegance and desirability. The strong flavour of black pepper is paired with cheese and pecorino; it coats the pasta in a delicious layer akin to a sauce. Baduzzi has an incredible range of Italian beers and wine; if you need advice on what drink to have with dinner, ask the waitstaff; their knowledge is unbeatable.

Visit Italy without leaving the country; ELMO’s is a little slice of heaven located in the heart of Ponsonby. The intimate, warm and romantic restaurant creates a truly authentic Italian experience. With art on the walls, wooden accents and the smell of freshly baked dough in the air, this is one eatery we cannot resist. The menu showcases classic Italian cuisine with a focus on pizza and pasta. ELMO’s spaghetti Cacio e Pepe is rich and indulgent; this is our go-to dish every time we visit. The flavours easily complement one another to create an unforgettable dish that combines black pepper, pecorino, Parmigiano-Reggiano and a creamy sauce.