Passo

You wouldn’t necessarily expect to stumble upon an authentic Sicilian restaurant serving up mouthwatering dishes in the heart of Paraparaumu, but Passo is here to challenge your expectations. The restaurant is owned and operated by a proud Sicilian food lover, Michele Passarello, who comes from a family of cooks and has been working in the kitchen from a very young age. Michele is passionate about the culinary traditions of his motherland and thrives on sharing them with the people of Kāpiti Coast.

Stepping inside Passo, you’ll immediately find yourself immersed in a warm and hospitable environment that is more than just a place to eat;  it is a place to gather and enjoy time amongst family and friends while enjoying good food. Colourful interiors, complete with an impressive mural by Dr D Foothead (who is known for illustrations for round-the-corner beer makers Duncan’s Brewing), create a sense of fun, while dim lighting and quality furnishings add a sense of sophistication. 

The menu offers a wide variety of modern Italian fare. There are the classics, like pizza and pasta, which naturally take centre stage, but a number of other items, such as salads, fresh market fish or steak, also feature. Though, who could not love the scrumptious in-house created pasta that comes in a variety of forms and with a variety of toppings.

And when it comes to the pizza, it’s some of the best you will dig your teeth into north of the capital. The dough is lovingly created in house and twice fermented according to the traditional Sicilian method. This is no fast food, and because the dough is nearly yeast-free, it doesn’t leave you feeling bloated but well nourished instead. Crispy and soft at the same time, just simply delicious; oh and Passo can also whip up an 18” family pizza which can be snapped up by slice during lunch time too.

Weekly specials keep things interesting for regular customers, and the entire menu gets a shake-up every once in a while as well. If you reside within a reasonable distance from the restaurant, you can also enjoy its delivery service.