Toret Cucina Italiana

Located in Ōakura, a charming seaside village 20 minutes out of New Plymouth, Toret offers a dining experience that is as authentically Italian as they come. Their ethos is simple: great food, great service, great atmosphere – a promise that is upheld daily, as attested by locals who rightly proclaim Toret as the best Italian restaurant in Taranaki.

The handmade pasta is reason alone that the restaurant hums with hungry diners across the week. Each creation is delicious in its simplicity, where traditional Italian recipes take locally sourced ingredients for a spin. The tortelloni is a staple that has been around since day one, and is joined by a rotation of equally tempting pasta dishes. Do you opt for the classic tortelloni stuffed with kumara and goat’s cheese? Or the linguine with fish ragu, calamari, olives and pangrattato? Oh, but what about the homemade gnocchi with Wagyu short ribs and orange gremolata? Needless to say, dinnertime decisions are never easy. The concise and thoughtfully curated menu also features beautifully refined starters and mains that hero seasonal produce.

Of course, we wouldn’t be in Italy without a glass or two of vino. Toret’s wine list is the culmination of years of research and testing, showcasing both Italy and New Zealand’s finest wine regions, from Campania to Central Otago. There’s beer and plenty of classic aperitivo options too.

Nicolò Vogliotti first opened the doors of Toret in December 2020, fulfilling a lifelong dream shared by his wife Katie. Hailing from Torino, Nico’s culinary career has led him from the North of Italy to the North Island of Aotearoa. While starting as a pizzaiolo (pizza maker) upon his arrival, he always knew he wanted to share the deeper roots of Italy’s food culture with New Zealand. At Toret, you’ll either find Nico making magic happen alongside a small dedicated team of chefs in the kitchen, or on the restaurant floor, charming guests and keeping the limoncello flowing.

Toret captures the spirit of a true trattoria, evoking the warm and friendly atmosphere of neighbourhood restaurants scattered all throughout Italy. They take looking after people seriously, and that goes for both the diners and staff. There’s a real sense of community, and if you peek through the window after hours, you’ll likely spot the whole team sharing a meal together at the end of their shift. That’s amore.