Piccolo Bar brings the Esplanade family's Italian sensibility into a smaller neighbourhood wine bar near St Clair Beach. It works as both a bottle shop and an easy place to stop for a glass and something to eat, with afternoon opening flowing into the evening. There is no reservation system to negotiate: walk-ins can take a place alone or with friends, order a few snacks, and let the visit grow into pizza and another round if the mood suits.
The snack list is compact but detailed enough to build a meal in stages. Focaccia and marinated olives cover the simplest opening, while baccalà, burrata with crisp capers and chilli, prosciutto and coppa lean more fully into the Italian inspiration. Fava-bean dip with oregano and garlic adds a plant-based plate, and heartier choices include porchetta with salsa verde, house-minced venison and pork meatballs with romesco, fish crocchette and pumpkin-and-sage arancini.
Pizzette provide the natural centre for sharing. The porchetta version combines pork, pineapple and hot honey, setting richness against sweetness and heat. Diavola takes the spicy route with tomato and mozzarella, while mushrooms, scamorza and truffle oil give the fungi pizza a deeper savoury profile. A margherita keeps the familiar tomato, mozzarella and basil combination on hand for anyone who wants the most direct expression of the format.
Wine remains central to Piccolo's identity, spanning bubbles and local and international natural bottles, with retail pricing available for wine taken home. Cocktails, spritz, vermouth, tap and bottled beer, and low- or no-alcohol choices broaden the bar beyond that specialist focus. Tiramisu or chocolate budino can close the meal, and pizza and wine are also available to take away, giving the venue an easy rhythm between neighbourhood bar, informal supper stop and bottle shop.
Address: Unit 2, 246 Forbury Road, St Clair, Dunedin 9012, New Zealand
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