Prego Restaurant

Had a wonderful dining experience at Prego. The service was outstanding—warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming without being intrusive. The food was absolutely delicious, beautifully presented, and full of authentic flavours. Every dish felt thoughtfully prepared and perfectly balanced. From start to finish, everything was seamless and enjoyable. Highly recommend Prego for anyone looking for excellent food, impeccable service, and a lovely atmosphere. Will definitely be back!

Had the 6 pieces battered oyster for entree. For mains we had the fettilucine pasta and the saltimbocca di pollo. Oyster came out, fresh, nicely battered and large. Bit oversalted on the batter so 8/10. Fettucine was excellent. Seasoned just right and was creamy and tasty 8.5/10. The chicken dish was just ok for me. It was savoury, chicken was quite tenderized potato was nicely baked but just the flavour and the dish didn't standout for me 7/10. Service from a guy I think call Sam was amazing. 10/10. Restaurant is a bit noisy so not really a nice environment to eat classy food.

Another amazing afternoon here for my friend’s birthday! I’ve been a few times now and it’s always a win! Walk-ins only (which I love) oysters were 🔥 cocktails were next level and the service was absolutely spot on. Food never disappoints and finishing the night at the bar just topped it all off. Highly recommend.

I won't give a 5/5. Instead a 6 or even a 7 out of 5 for the food and service. Great food, especially those beer battered oysters- oh wow. And the great service, simply awesome.

Since 1986! Who else can claim that in Auckland? And second owner operator since 1991. Need any other reason to come here and try? How about their 5 cheese pizza - yes not Quattro here 😁 Amazing kitchen and professional front of house staff that I thought was simply most impressive. Yes not your cheap pizza pasta Italian food joint, but that’s not what Ponsonby does or anyone needs. Make it count when you go out. Plus they have some free parking spaces, yes in Ponsonby and yes good luck with getting one, but still that’s very unusual and worth a note here.

Cameron, an absolute legend and gem of a person, served me. The food was delicious and the service excellent. Keep up the good work; I’ll be back. Thank you!

I’ll start with the positives. The atmosphere was excellent — a beautiful, inviting space that immediately gave the impression we were in for a great dining experience. The wine list was also outstanding, clearly curated with care and offering some top-quality choices. The broccolini was the highlight of the meal and truly deserves full marks. Unfortunately, the rest of the experience didn’t live up to expectations. The food overall felt disjointed. My pasta was overly salty (thankfully I only ordered the entrée size), and the pizza was soft, undercooked, and lacking in flavor. Even the tomato sauce and basil were dull, which left the dish flat. The four of us shared it, and all agreed it missed the mark. Other dishes were similarly underwhelming, with little depth or balance. The initial service was really warm and welcoming, the mid service felt disconnected, with no real warmth or sense of engagement, when we had concluded our meal there was more of an attempt at some small humor.— but it felt more like it was “just a job” for the most part. (But this could also be my opinion working in the luxury/high end sector of hospitality) It’s a shame, because the setting and wine list suggest so much potential. Unfortunately, the food and service didn’t measure up, and I won’t be returning.

Where do you start?! This place was outstanding! The service was absolutely amazing followed by the food that was delicious 😋 I will definitely be back next time i am in Auckland!

Super good food. Coming twice in one week. It's worth waiting. Ordering closed at 10:00 pm.

Recommended to me and now I recommend to YOU!! Food is soo good and atmosphere open and relaxing. A bit noisy but not horrible. Excellent service too. The Hokey Pokey made me want to do the hokey pokey!

The husband and I came across Prego (precovid) after having visited the nearby market and not finding exactly what we wanted. This restaurant was awesome. The wait staff were so friendly and helpful. We had so much food.... I had their seafood pasta, which was super fresh and delicious. The husband had pasta with marinara, which he like as well. We also split a pizza (so much food!), Which was perfect as well. I would love to come back someday!

Amazing food! Best Italian ive had near auckland. Food and service was fantastic. No reservations but wait was not long. Sat at the bar and killed some time. Cant wait to go back.

From beginning to end this was an excellent restaurant, we were graciously welcomed and a table prepared for us without much wait. Our waitress from France was very professional and her suggestions were excellent. What's we had: - Pane Ciabatta - warm and fresh -excellent - Wagyu beef fillet melts in your mouth -excellent - Risotto All'anatra - duck infused risotto - excellent - Market fish (Kingfish) with herb risotto - excellent - Creme brûlée - excellent We felt comfortable, the staff was friendly and not pretentious. The food tasted freshly prepared, not heavy or greasy but just right, we will eat here again.

Sometimes a girl gets a hankering for a massive bowl of pasta. Specifically, slathered in seafood and rich tomato sauce. This happened on a holiday in Auckland and after a quick bit of research I was on my way to Prego. Hooray! The marinara linguini was excellent - super fresh and an abundance of fishy things. I added extra chilli because, hey, I'm a heat feind. Prior to eating this giant bowl of carbs I devoured the vitello tonnato which was rather impressive too. With knowledgable service and a great wine list, I'd be happy to have Prego as my local Italian.

Prego has been around for over 25 years and it remains just as busy as the day it opened! Why? Well, consistency. You know exactly what you're going to get at Prego. For starters, the staff are really well trained. They know the menu and wine list inside out and despite their manic lunch & dinner rushes always seem to deliver a really high level of service. The same can be said of the food - it's always on the money and is delivered within a reasonable timeframe. It's for these reasons that Prego is a favourite for businesses lunches and dinners. The only downfall, you can't book. Personally, my favourite time to go is at 3pm on a Friday when things have quietened down a bit. They stay on a full menu right through out the day and it's way more chilled. We often come here for girls long lunches, share a couple of pizzas and their calamari w rocket and aioli. Mention must also be made of their vitello tonnato - thin slices of veal and seared tuna with crispy fried capers and a mayonnaise type sauce. It's seriously good!

This Italian has been around for donkey's on Ponsonby Road. Prego has had a recent makeover, it's still a minimalist space but with some acoustic and furniture upgrades its better. Most of the classic dishes are still on offer, pizza, fillet of fish on herbed risotto, iconic pastas however not the best I have had - my friends lasagne was just swimming in tomato and cheese. My Seafood Marinara was full of lovely perfectly cooked seafood but not a lot of liquid, sauce or anything to coat the spaghetti. I thought Marinara was a tomato base sauce. So I was cracking on the pepper and wishing for more parmesan. The service was ok although the waitress quite grumpy. Pity I couldn't fit dessert as I had eyed up a few things. Prego's must be doing something right though as they are always busy and I think they will continue to be. It was a cool space to share in celebrating my friends birthday.

Service: 4/5 Food: 3/5 Price: 3/5 a little too expensive for its value. Environment: 3/5 This place was so noisy. Maybe it is on a Sat night. If you want to have some decent group conversation, this is not a place for you. We had to shout out the whole night, even with the person next to you. Food, ok. Not that special. My pizza was salty and the linguine needed some salt. But I have to say, the service was good. Staff were very friendly.

I just wanted to come here because I still have "Prego" ringing in my ears from last year in Italy. They say it all the time. Sometimes three times in a sentence. "Prego Prego Prego" is an actual communication in Italy, and no one could actually tell me what it means. Given that, and the soft way "Prego" falls off the tongue in Italy, I think Prego has a worthy name. The staff rapidly cleared a table, and service was prompt and efficient. My meal boasted scampi, but only featured prawns, and the fish was a bit over, Mal's veal was also overdone. Would I go back? Probably not, but the vibe is wonderful, so I think we just may have been unlucky.

Ah Prego. How you endure. Still a place to see and be seen, still with some of the worst acoustics around. Still, we go. Because it's fun and the food is always good and the people always worth a look (and a listen - those tables are close together). I love the salads and usually have the Fettucine Alfredo without the ham. I appreciate it when chefs don't get all arsey about leaving something out - it's not like I'm ADDING something in that they "forgot" right? I have so many memories from here; work do's, girlfriend catch-ups and I even had a very shortlived "thing" with a travelling barman in a previous life. Oh God. And that's what's great about Prego. It's a backdrop to so many an Auckland tale suffused in garlicky Italian goodness and sozzled in the grape of the day. Just be careful on the way to and from the toilets.

Amazing food. Buzzing atmosphere. Exceptional service. Some beautiful to eat all ages. The surf & turf was so good. Polenta cake and the prawns. Delish. My partner bad the duck risotto. Delish. He kids shared pizzas. Beers, cocktails and wine were all perfection. The desserts had were a chocolate one and a ginger steamed pudding which were both so so good. Plenty of cheeses and amazing dessert wines. The wait stuff were knowledgeable, efficient and overall and excellent night out...again! Thanks prego

Prego, Prego, Prego. A Ponsonby institution. In my mind the best, and cheapest, item on the menu is the freshly baked house loaf, served with creamy butter and a saucer of balsamic and olive oil for dipping. It's piping hot, crumbly yet so soft on the inside and the perfect beginning to a delicious Italian meal. A must-order! The seafood linguini is also excellent, as is the calamari, the tuna starter and the whole baked snapper. You can't go wrong with the risotto either. Good service and consistently excellent food, makes Prego a restaurant not to be missed.

Prego is always a winner. Brilliant service, food and drinks, whenever we're looking for a new place to go, we always just end up going back to Prego because it's guaranteed to be an awesome time. My favourite is the Surf & Turf, but I ask for roast potatoes instead of polenta because I find it a little to hard to stomach. And I also have a little, well actually a huge soft spot for their Espresso Martinis. Ah-mazing. They accommodate for kids really well by handing out colouring in pages and crayons. It means they're kept busy while you can enjoy a peaceful meal. Prego epitomises Ponsonby food and I always come away stoked on the whole experience.

I have been here twice now and from those two experiences I know that this will always be the restaurant I choose when I am wanting somewhere luxurious to go for dinner. It truly feels like a celebration when I eat here, the food is just incredible. The décor is light and inviting during the day, with plenty of outdoor seating, then at night things change. It morphs into somewhere magical and romantic, proving the versatility of this restaurant. Both times I have been, I have ordered the same dish, just because it was so so good I can't bear not to have it. Once I had the calamari as a starter and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it! I also noticed they offer some lighter tapas style dishes which I thought would be good to enjoy with my boyfriend over a glass of wine or beer. The service is great, really attentive and informative, if you can get them to read out the days specials it's a must as they do it so well!

The lamb meatballs are amazing! Our server was extremely friendly and the ambiance is really nice as well.

Great restaurant in a cool neighhood. I had the pappardelle al ragu. Very good, great portion size too. Enough to fill me up but not so much that I felt uncomfortably stuffed at the end. The service was perfect. Attentive but not bothersome. The server recommended the perfect wine to go with dinner based on my preferences and let me try a sip first. Lots of seats both inside and outside. The interior felt relaxed and classy. I'd definitely come back here on a future visit to Auckland.

From the service to the food, this place is 5-star all around. We walked in on a busy weekend night, so there was a 30-min wait for a table. So we sat at the bar & had a lovely time chatting with the bartender about his favorite world wines and NZ's new craft beer scene. Finally seated at a lovely table on the front patio, where the hostess made sure we were far enough from a smoking table not to be bothered. Our waitress was awesome, and recommended some delicious dishes. We started with gorgeous green-lipped mussels, then had the linguini with prawns and duck risotto. All were fabulous! Highly recommend this as a date night spot.

Fettuccine Alfredo and Rucola Salad: Yumm! Spaghetti Carbonara has been my fav and glad its back on the menu

Great staff and service. Food was phenomenal. Local craft beer. Great wine selection. You will not be disappointed.

Loved the experience and taste! Portions are perfect and dessert deeelish! Service wonderful, waitress very attentive, informative and sweet. If we have more time in NZ i'll return for more good times. Chill atmosphere with nice outdoor and indoor seating.

Just have to say that I ordered a vegan and gluten free spaghetti napolitana and usually when going out the combination of vegan and gluten free does not always produce the best meals but my pasta was absolutely amazing ! I couldn't even tell that it was gluten free and I left feeling very satisfied with my meal

I think it's very important, when reviewing restaurants that you've been to many times over the years, to not review them until you've been recently. I am a big Prego fan, have been for a long time, but considering that I haven't been since about October 2012 (heaven forbid) I couldn't bring myself to review it. About five years ago my friend and I went to Prego for comfort food, wine and a damn good gossip. We sat outside under the fairy lights, covered in blankets kindly offered by the restaurant, drinking a bottle of red wine (probably cheap - we were only fresh into the workforce really) and scoffing down pasta. Now that we're married, own homes, have busy jobs, it's sometimes harder to have those nights, and to celebrate that we were indeed having one of those nights, we went back to Prego. We did exactly the same thing. We sat outside under the fairy lights and right beside the damn good heater (seriously - where are they from? I need one for my deck), and we drank our red wine and scoffed our pasta. We were incredibly thrilled when we discovered the sticky date pudding was still on the menu as it was five years ago - comfort food at its finest. And you know what, I really can't complain about anything. They forgot to bring out the blankets, but maybe they knew the heater was pumping out so much heat, they'd wait to see if we got cold. We shared the calamari as you do, and it's lovely, crispy, cooked to perfection... but I don't like it quite so much anymore. That, however, is personal preference. I can certainly see that it's a beautiful dish done well by the team at Prego. My main, on the other hand, blew me away. I am really embracing the winter dishes of late. I crave beautiful tomato and red wine ragu dishes with meat so tender it just melts in the mouth. I cannot get enough right now. Naturally, that's what I ordered. The waitress didn't even mind when my friend and I suggested we would want a small mountain of parmesan cheese all over our pasta as it was delivered to the table. It was beautiful. It's a simple dish, but when done well it is outstanding. Prego, is, as ever, a brilliant spot for a casual week day dinner, a long boozy lunch in the sun on a Sunday, or a quick bite before heading off to do something else. Your wine glass (from a fairly extensive list) will always be topped up, the food will always be just as you expected it - comforting and soothing. What's not to like?

Went to Prego on a Wednesday night with a a friend for a farewell dinner. Interior is nice and minimalistic, with dim lighting. We arrived around 6:30, with plenty of open tables. However, it got crowded very quickly. Thankfully my friend and I arrived earlier. I ordered the Pappardelle Al Ragu, a braised lamb pasta with wide noodle. SO GOOD. It was a rainy day so it was a perfect comfort food. My friend ordered the Tortellini with spinach and pumpkin puree. The walnuts on top added a perfect crunch. A new flavor experience. Service was good but as it crowded, and my table was shoved between a two crowded tables, the waiter took a long time to reach our table. We had to ask him twice for our check! Food definitely made up for it though! In summary, expensive food but worth it, come early or make a reservation!

I have been coming to Prego with my family for as long as I can remember. We have never left feeling anything but totally satisfied. The menu offers everything you would expect of an Italian restauant, plus more. Especially perfect for families. Inside and outdoor seating make this restauant ideal for almost any occasion. Never had a bad experience here. Except on my latest visit I had a grumpy waiter who was very uncooperative when I asked to alter something with the meal I chose, he said "it wasn't possible" which I wasn't impressed with because restaurants should always be able to help cater to the dietry needs of guests, but I won't hold it against the restauant because it was a one-off event and the guy was probably just having a bad day. Fantastic restaurant, absolutely love it here, you won't be disappointed!

Always sure to impress this old staple of Ponsonby Rd! Everything Prego delivers is of a high standard from food to service to wine. I usually go for a long lunch... once you sit down its hard to leave :) My go to is sharing a pizza, calamari and salad with friends. They do also have a great more substantial menu if you want a full dinner. There is a reason this place has been around for 40 years!

This was just outstanding, service was on point and food was just to die for. Will be going back soon.

Love it here, been going since I was young and always exceptional! Haven't been for a while since I've moved to Aus but ill be back soon for a feast!

This is a fine Italian. Don't expect anything too exciting on the menu but expect it to be done well. Lovely choice of wines. Delightful setting with great decor and good attentive staff.

"Prego" is Ponsonby Road's staple - having being resident on the main strip for 28 years. I have had numerous exquisite lunches and sumptuous dinners here since the 90's. The other night was no exception. Prego does not take reservations - so it's walk-in and wait, most of the time. The bar is nestled by the kitchen: friendly and inviting, with knowledgable and professional bar staff, which is always refreshing. After a 15-minute duration we were seated and offered menus. I opted for Foxes Pinot Noir and my friend had a Peroni beer. We ordered the Calamari Frittati, Market Fish (Hapuka) on risotto, Spiced Beef Pie on mash. All courses were divine and didn't disappoint. Prego is an Italian restaurant, hence synonymous for lush pizza & delectable pasta dishes, and seafood, of course! Entrees from $12.50, pizza from $25, Mains from $26 - $40, Desserts $14.50. Extensive wine/spirit/beer list! Do I need to say anymore? Just go.

Would have to be the best Spicy Prawn Risotto I have ever experienced. Service was great, quick and clear. Had a yummy glass of cloudy bay sav to finish my dinner off. Had an entree size of the risotto which was a great amount. The pork belly with parsnip purée looked really delicious as well. Overall a yummy place to have a great dinner on a rainy evening go Prego.

Fantastic, BUSY restaurant. We always try to hit up Prego when we are home in NZ. The whole Red Snapper is spectacular.

An institution that manages to do keep its mojo. I've been going here for decades. And it still sets a high bar. The service is awesome. The food consistently good, sometimes spectacular. The wine list is solid. But the thing that amazes me is the consistency of excellence. Year after year, Prego doesn't produce a dud - well at least in my hundreds of outings there. In the fickle world of restaurants, that deserves an outstanding rating.

We come to Prego for the calamari. Crispy, light battered rings of seafood on a bed of rocket and aioli. Delicious. Others swear by the garlic pizza bread. My ex boyfriend loved the spaghetti agioli. He doesn't speak to me much anymore, but that garlicky, chilli-flecked pasta does. All of the food is good, as are the cocktails. Our waiter is Ethan, and he is as great as the cuisine - if not better. Friendly, knowledgable and good looking - everything you'd want in a man that is serving you. He smiles while he tops up our waters. The place is loud so we're dining al fresco tonight - Ethan brings us a big black blanket without asking. Come dessert (a shared warm and gooey sticky date pudding - we had no room for the tiramisu) we've fallen in love. We'll be back for Ethan - and that calamari.

I often forget about Prego, with so many new openings in Akl and so many new places 2 try I forget about the old faithfuls such as Prego. Prego truly is a tried and trusted Ponsonby institution where the food is always good, I honestly don't think I have ever had a bad meal here. If you get there early enough grab one of the outdoor tables in the courtyard under the fairy lights with heaters and blankets in the winter. Great place for a Sunday lunch or a late night Friday dinner with a group. Reasonably priced, great selection and always good service and I love that if you dine early it's full of families enjoying a yummy dinner together but later on in the night has a cool funky vibe. Calamari is a must, I highly encourage sharing so you get 2 taste a little bit if everything. Also try the tuna and version entree it is truly spectacular!

Every time I go here I remind myself that I need to go here more often. It's not snobby, it's upmarket, and you want to come here. The American waiter that serves everyone is so chilled and informed. I love it here. Pasta is divine, mains are to die for and if you manage to get dessert (the cocktails are so good) then we'll done. They do look good but I've never managed it myself. Would recommend surf and turf. Any pasta dish. The antipasto. Get in there.

Awesome service, this girl named diva was looking after us and I can say she was the best and looked after us so well, She helped us pick the best options we ordered cheese and garlic bread with some tamator basil and mozzarella cheese ummm.. it was mouth watering.. then we got some gnocchi in napotali sauce.. cant complain,finally we got some vegetarian pizza I thought it was a lil too' tamotoiiee' should have gone for what diva suggested.. the mushroom and mozzarella one..! Thank you so much we enjoyed everything.. including the sticky pudding :)

Truly an Auckland institution, I have been coming here for over 8 years. Tonight was my first visit in the last 5 years and I have to say the restaurant has not dropped a step. Always a pleasant buzz without being too loud, Prego strikes the right balance for a dinner out that is casual and yet still feels upmarket. The pasta here consistently delivers as does the market fish-of-the-day. A good selection of Italian and Kiwi wines by the glass make for an above-average by-the-glass selection. Service is always professional and responsive.

What ever the time of day, the service and food is always exceptional! Love seeing families enjoy their meals or spotting the odd celebrity while dining.

The whole fish (almost always snapper) is amazing here. Great location, great food, and great for families. Always good service and the food is solid. One of my favourite restaurants in Auckland and not too pricey for what you get.

we had lunch here today 25/08/2014 haven't been for a while but the place is still one of the best locations in Auckland on a great sunny afternoon with friends sat outside in the sun and enjoyed a good bottle of NZ white and the meals were great , my wife had the calamari I had one of their trademark pizzas half and half and our guests had the duck risotto which he said was spectacular all in all a great afternoon the staff were very friendly and knowlegable about the menu and the service was good as expected......

We started with the Garlic pizza bread ($7) which was the best pizza bread that I had! Crispy but soft inside. I had a Seafood marinara ($29) which I hoped it to be chili, but I had to add a bit of salt to bring out the flavour. My colleague seemed to enjoy her Vegetarian pizza ($25) though. We had Tiramisu, Valrhona caramel chocolate marquise and Sticky date pudding (all $14) which we all were happy about. I have to say the service was flawless. Empty glasses were filled, dishes were removed without us noticing it, kitchen being flexible with special requests (yes I changed a ginger ice cream to a vanilla one)... there is a reason why this place is always packed.

Lovely place with great service! The cream brûlée was most out standing. Good selection of wines! It's better to show up a little early for tables, they do get pretty busy easily!

Most enjoyable restaurant meal for some time! Excellent staff; Filet steak and snapper on a risotto were absolutely perfect.