La Bella Italia brings a restaurant, cafe and Italian specialty shop together at its Petone home. Antonio and Luisa Cacace moved from Massa Lubrense to New Zealand in 1992, then developed this combined dining and retail concept after shifting the business to Petone in 2001. The result is a place where lunch or dinner sits naturally alongside shelves of imported ingredients. Its family story is part of the experience, linking the food on the table to the couple's home region and their long effort to share Italian food culture locally.
Antipasti set out the pantry before the larger dishes arrive: handmade bread, Italian olives, regional cured meats and cheeses, fried calamari and crisp risotto balls all have a place. Pizza dough is made by hand and rested for 72 hours. Margherita Originale uses buffalo mozzarella and San Marzano tomatoes, while Napoli brings capers and anchovies, Capricciosa combines ham, olives, artichokes and mushrooms, and Calabrese adds spicy salami and Provolone Dolce. Those choices move from deliberately spare classics to fuller, savoury combinations without abandoning recognisable Italian foundations.
Pasta provides just as much range. Seafood risotto gathers mussels, clams, fish, tomato, chilli and white wine; tagliatelle carries slow-cooked Canterbury lamb ragù and pecorino. Spinach-and-ricotta crespelle comes with sage butter, while linguine with clams can be ordered in a classic garlic-and-wine version or with cherry tomatoes. Lasagne supplies the familiar comfort of béchamel, tomato and Bolognese. Beyond pasta, the kitchen serves wine-marinated chicken, market fish and whole fish for sharing, and can prepare gluten-free pizza or pasta on request.
Several experiences make the venue more than a conventional meal stop. Antonio's no-menu table is created for the guests on the day and honours his father Luigi's idea of hospitality, with matched wines available. Hands-on classes teach pasta making and can finish with the class's work cooked and served in the restaurant. The drinks list travels through Italian wine regions and includes spritzes, Negroni and Italian beer, while the shop lets diners continue browsing ingredients after the table is cleared. Together, these elements suit curious diners as well as celebrations and group outings.
Address: 10 Nevis Street, Petone, Lower Hutt 5012, New Zealand
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La Bella Italia Menu
Aspettando … | While you wait
Bread Basket
La Bella Italia handmade breads.
Pane, Olio & Olive
Selection of handmade bread, olives & extra virgin olive oil from Antonio’s hometown.
Schiacciata Rosmarino
Pizza bread, rosemary & olive oil
Schiacciata Marinara
Pizza bread, crushed tomatoes, oregano & garlic
Schiacciata Aglio
Pizza bread, garlic & olive oil
Antipasti | Starters
Small/Large
Il Classico
Selection of Italian cured meats & cheeses from their original regions, matched with olives, pickles & pesto, served with our bread (for 2-4 pax). Antonio’s wine match: Primitivo / Rose / Montepulciano. GF option.
Winter Gourmet
Combination of cold and warm delicacies: prosciutto wrapped bocconcini, calamari fritti, arancini, bruschetta, baked mussels, frittata, marinated olives and balsamic beef straccetti (for min. 2 pax). Antonio’s wine match: Chianti / Rose. GF option.
Bruschetta del Giorno on our Ciabatta Bread
Please ask our friendly staff for the bruschetta of the day. Antonio’s wine match: Rose
Calamari Fritti
Fried calamari with tartare sauce & lemon. Antonio’s wine match: Rose / Pinot Grigio. GF.
Arancini
Crispy risotto balls with aged Parmigiano Reggiano. Antonio’s wine match: Pinot Grigio / Negroamaro. V.
Piatti Importanti | Second Course
Bella Piena
Char-grilled, aged, grass fed Angus scotch fillet with hand cut potato fries, mixed green salad, Parigi butter. Antonio’s wine match: Chianti Classico / Valpolicella Classico. GF.
Il Pollo
Free-range chicken breast, stuffed with creamy mozzarella and chives, wrapped in smoked pancetta and served with mashed potatoes, broccolini and a creamy porcini mushroom sauce. Antonio’s wine match: Montepulciano, Valpolicella Ripasso
Trancio di Pesce Fresco alle Cinque Terre
Market catch fresh fillet with tomatoes, anchovies, clams & mussels. Antonio’s wine match: Greco di Tufo / Falanghina / Montepulciano. GF.
Pesce Intero Mediterranea
Whole fish with tomatoes, mussels, clams, potatoes & white wine. (For 2 – 3 pax). GF. Price: POA
Pesce Intero Luigi Cacace
In memory of Antonio’s father; baked whole fish dressed with capers, gherkins and EV olive oil. (For 2 – 3 people) Antonio’s wine match: Trebbiano / Falanghina / Rosso di Montalcino. GF. Price: POA
Contorni | Sides
Insalata Verde
Fresh green salad with vinaigrette.
Verdure d’Inverno – Winter Vegetables
Ask our friendly staff the vegetables of the day.
Insalata Complicata
Baby spinach salad with beetroot, feta cheese, caramellized onion and crispy garlic.
Nobile
Hand-cut chips, dressed with truffle oil, Parmigiano & parsley.
La Pasta
Controcorrente-Up the River!
Bronze extruded pasta with home smoked wild king salmon from Stewart Island, capers, spring onion & lemon, chilli, cream. Antonio’s wines match: Falanghina / Pinot Grigio / Rose
Il Mare di Amalfi (Rivisitato—Revisited)
Seafood risotto: mussels, clams, squids, fish, sun dried cherry tomatoes, chilli & white wine (revisited with linguine pasta). Antonio’s wine match: Falanghina / Pinot Grigio / La Calla Puglia. GF.
Tagliatelle con Ragu di Agnello
Bronze extruded pasta with slow cooked lamb ragu from Canterbury & pecorino Romano. Antonio’s wine match: Nero d’Avola / Don Antonio Primitivo / Aglianico
Crespelle di Spinaci e Ricotta
Crepes filled with spinach, ricotta & pecorino Romano with sage butter. Antonio’s wine match: Sauvignon Blanc / Rose. V.
Le Lasagne
Lasagna layers with béchamel, tomato, bolognese & Parmigiano Reggiano. Antonio’s wine match: La Calla Puglia / Rosso di Montepulciano
Linguine alle Vongole (Classico o Moderno)
Classico: linguine, fresh clams from New Zealand deep south, chilli, garlic, parsley & white wine. Moderno: linguine, fresh clams from New Zealand deep south, chilli, garlic, parsley, cherry tomatoes. Antonio’s wine match: Montepulciano / Pinot Grigio / Rose
I Bambini | for children only
Pasta al Pomodoro e Basilico
Short pasta with fresh tomato sauce & basil, Parmigiano optional. V.
Pasta Bianca
Short pasta with Parmigiano, cream, cheese. V.
Pasta alla Bolognese
Short pasta with Bolognese sauce, Parmigiano optional.
Pizza Margheritina
Mini pizza Margherita. V.
La Pizza
Our pizza dough is made by hand, then rested for 72 hours before serving. Gluten free pasta & pizza available on request (20 minute wait) – extra charge.
Margherita
Cow’s milk mozzarella, basil & tomatoes. V.
Pizza Ricca
Four cheeses, pancetta & dried tomatoes.
Margherita Originale
Bufala mozzarella DOP, basil & San Marzano tomatoes. V.
Zio Antonio
Fresh rocket, bufala mozzarella, prosciutto di Parma
Capricciosa
Artichokes, ham, mushrooms, olives, tomatoes & cow’s milk mozzarella.
Calabrese
Tomatoes, cow’s milk mozzarella, spicy Calabrese salami & provolone dolce (also available as a calzone).
Napoli
Tomatoes, capers, anchovies & cow’s milk mozzarella.
Al Tramonto
Cow and bufala mozzarella, prawns and pesto with cherry tomatoes.
Salsiccia
Cow’s milk mozzarella, house-made Italian sausages, rosemary.
Ma Va Fa
Cow’s milk mozzarella, tomatoes, red onions, capsicum, mild salami & pecorino.
Buon Giorno – European Morning Delights
Avocado
Multigrain bread served with warm kale, guacamole with tomato and porch eggs and hollandaise dressing.
Il Forte
Multigrain bread served with home made, grilled Napoli sausage, grilled Pancetta (bacon), grilled tomato and mushrooms. Eggs optional: scrambled or poached.
Tramezzino
Club tramezzino (sandwich), white or multigrain sliced bread with bacon, eggs, chicken with mayonnaise, iceberg, tomato, cheese. Served with warm kale quinoa and tomato healty salad.
Deli Light Bites
Start your day with Italian Sandwiches on your choice of: Fresh Panino Rolls or La Bella Italia Foccacia. 16.5
Caprese
Buffalo Mozzarella, Tomato and Basil Pesto
Parma
Prosciutto di Parma and Asiago Cheese
Porchetta
Stuffed Roast Pork with Provolone Cheese and Friarielli (Broccolini)
Don Corleone
Ventricina (spicy) Salami, Grilled Artichoke, Provolone Cheese
Patisserie
Croissant – Plain
Croissant – with Butter and Jam
Croissant – Chocolate
Croissant – with Ham and Asiago Cheese
Croissant – with Tomato and Mozzarella
Desserts from Our Kitchen
All of our cakes are made in house by our patisserie chef on a daily basis. Our full range of La Bella Italia cakes are available in the cafe cabinet.
Flan di Cioccolato con Frutti di Bosco
Warm soft-centred Whittaker’s chocolate pudding with berry compote and vanilla ice-cream (15 minute wait time)
Sofia Meringa
Demerara meringue topped with cream, passionfruit sorbet and passionfruit glaze. GF.
Tiramisù della Casa
Tiramisù with espresso and marsala
Cassata Napoletan Style
Nougat and hazelnut ice-cream with candied fruit and raspberry sauce – Cointreau
Gelato ‘Affogato’
Vanilla ice-cream with a short black. Add a shot of ‘Liquore’ – sambuca, amaretto or grappa.
Trentino
Warm apple shortcake with mascarpone gelato and toasted almonds
Special Occasion Cakes
Made to Order. Please order 48 hours in advance.
Black Forest Cake
Baked Lemon Cheesecake
Sicilian Apple Cake
Coffee Cake
G.F. Orange & Almond Cake
Celebration Cake
G.F. Pear & Pistachio Cake
Tiramisu Cake
Coffee
Reg. | Large
Espresso
Long Black │ Americano │ Bongo (piccolo) │ Macchiato
Flat White │ Latte │ Chai latte │ Cappuccino
Hot Chocolate │ Vienna │ Iced latte
Mochaccino
Teas
English Breakfast │ Earl Grey │ Peppermint
Green │ Chamomile │ Lemon, Honey and Ginger
Harney & Sons
Paris │ Chocolate Mint │ Hot Cinnamon Spice
Green with Coconut │ Blackcurrant │ Citron
Dragon Pearl Jasmin │ Ginger (caffeine free)
Aperitifs & Cocktails
To start… | per glass
Spritz
Aperol, Campari or Limoncello
Bellini
Prosecco & Peach purée
Italian Gin & Tonic
Lemon, Orange, Grapefruit or Original Gin with Tonic
Italian Ice Tea
Vodka, Triple Sec, Gin, Amaretto & Coca-Cola
Sorrento Ice Tea
Vodka, Triple Sec, Gin, Limoncello & Lemonade
Soft Drinks
per glass
Tomarchio Organic Sicilian Soda
Blood Orange | Chinotto | Mandarine | Lemonade
Gingerella
Ginger, lemon, sugar & spicies
Coca-Cola | Coca-Cola Zero
Homegrown Juice
Orange | Apple | Pineapple | Cranberry | Tomato (spiced) | Tomato (unspiced)
Tonic/Soda water
Beers
per glass/ bottle
Peroni on tap
Peroni Nastro Azurro-Lager
Crisp, refreshing beer with citrus & spicy aromatic notes
Peroni Zero (0% alcohol)
Three Boys Local Session IPA Light Beer 2.5%
Nice body, gorgeous hop aromas.
Parrotdog Sunday Pilsner
A lightly hopped 5% session pilsner.
Unique Beers at La Bella Italia
per glass/ bottle
Menabrea Premium Lager
A Summery premium blonde lager.
Menabrea Premium Rossa Double Malt 7.5%
Malt, spice & hop notes, fresh with bitter finish.
Menabrea Zero (0% alcohol)
Fresh, hoppy and citrus notes.
Digestifs
Amari Italiani
Amaro del Capo │ Montenegro │ Fernet Branca │ Cynar
Brente’ Grappa Riserva Barrique 36 mesi
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+ Log your visitHow prices compare
Against typical prices in Wellington
- Margherita pizza Typical in Wellington: $24.00 $26.50
- Mocha Typical in Wellington: $6.50 $6.50
- Short black Typical in Wellington: $5.00 $5.00
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