Alpino

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Taste of Italy in the Waikato

On Victoria Street in Cambridge, New Zealand, Alpino — full name Alpino cucina e vino — makes a straightforward promise: dining experiences that are not only delicious but built on fresh, quality ingredients sourced from local suppliers. It's a combination that has earned the restaurant recognition from Gambero Rosso, Italy's most authoritative food and wine guide, a distinction that carries real weight for an Italian restaurant operating at the far end of the world.

Two Locations, One Kitchen Philosophy

Alpino has grown to two addresses — the original Cambridge spot on Victoria Street and a second room in Mount Maunganui on the Bay of Plenty coast — both open seven days a week from midday through to late. The expansion speaks to a loyal following that stretches well beyond the Waikato region.

What to Expect at the Table

The menu leans into Italian classics, and guests consistently single out the desserts. The tiramisu and panna cotta have drawn particular praise, with one diner describing them simply as "to die for." The front-of-house team draws regular compliments too — staff who take time to walk guests through the menu and make the room feel genuinely welcoming rather than transactional.

The Gambero Rosso fork recognition underlines what regulars already know: this is Italian cooking done with care, in a setting that feels relaxed and unhurried. Whether you're stopping in for a midweek dinner or settling in for a Friday night that runs past midnight, Alpino delivers that rare thing — a consistent, honest Italian experience far from Italy's borders.