MariLuca Ristoro's Thorndon dining room is tucked down a small Mulgrave Street alley behind vine-covered walls, close to the Parliament end of town but removed from its busier streets. The site previously housed Maria Pia's Trattoria, and the MariLuca name has remained through a later change of ownership. Jeoffrey and Yasmin Bisa took over in 2016, preserving the warm, personal style of service while shaping the restaurant around Jeoffrey's long Mediterranean and Wellington cooking experience.
The kitchen describes its food as inter-regional Italian, with freshness and simplicity carrying more weight than elaborate presentation. Fresh pasta is a particular strength: pappardelle comes with braised duck, while fettuccine is paired with a slow beef ragù. Porcini-mushroom risotto uses Carnaroli rice, parmesan and truffle oil for a meat-free main that still has depth, allowing a table to explore several Italian regions and textures without leaving the restaurant's traditional frame.
Classic main courses give the menu a reassuring centre. Saltimbocca alla Romana layers veal with Parma ham and sage, while Mediterranean chicken is chargrilled with oregano, citrus and garlic. Fish of the day provides a lighter route, and rosemary-roasted potatoes, spinach, green beans or salad keep the accompaniments direct. These plates show the kitchen's preference for recognisable combinations handled carefully rather than buried under too many competing elements.
Weekday lunch adds hand-tossed, thin-crust pizza with a crisp, bubbly edge and the restaurant's own tomato sauce. For larger gatherings, customisable set menus bring pasta, risotto, chicken, veal and fish into an organised two- or three-course meal, with tiramisu or vanilla panna cotta to finish. MariLuca's private Capana room gives those group meals a more intimate setting, while ordinary reservations remain well suited to a quiet lunch or a lingering Thorndon dinner.
Address: 55-57 Mulgrave Street, Thorndon, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
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MariLuca Ristoro Menu
Antipasti (Starters)
Suppli’ (2pcs)
In-house tomato, basil risotto balls with stringy mozzarella..
Salumi Misti
Prosciutto, salami, mortadella with crostini.
Bruschetta del Giorno (4pcs)
Grilled bread with seasonal toppings (Gluten free bread +$2.00)
Grigliata Impanata di Pesce
Grilled prawn, squid and mussels in herbed bread crumbs, Sicilian dressing.
Antipasto Misto ( for two)
Mixed cold cuts, cheese, sundried tomatoes, marinated grilled artichokes, eggplant, olives, bread.
Olives
Primi Piatti (Pastas & Risotto)
Pappardelle con Anatra
Large pasta ribbons with braised duck sauce.
Gnocchi ai Due Formaggi e Pistacchio
In-house potato gnocchi with mascarpone, parmesan and pistachio sauce.
Linguine ai Gamberoni
Flat spaghetti like pasta, white wine, chilli, garlic, prawns, tomato, olives.
Fettuccini alla Bolognese
Fresh pasta ribbons with beef ragu sauce
Spaghetti alla Carbonara
Spaghetti, guanciale, black pepper, pecorino and egg sauce
Risotto ai Funghi Porcini
Carnaroli rice with mushroom, parmesan, truffle oil, pea tendril, garlic.
Secondi Piatti (Main Courses)
All main courses are served with rosemary roasted potatoes
Saltimbocca a’ la Romana
Veal scaloppine with Parma ham, sage, white wine sauce, buttered green beans.
Agnello alla Griglia con Bagna Cauda
Rosemary & garlic marinated chargrilled lamb rump, medium rare, bagna cauda dressing, roast baby carrots.
Controfiletto di Manzo all’Aceto Balsamico
Grilled beef sirloin, reduced balsamic, green salad or grilled mushroom.
Pollastrello alla Mediterranea
Grilled half chicken, garlic, oregano, citrus, thyme, cherry tomato, garlic spinach.
Pesce del Giorno
Please ask our wait staff for our Fish of the day. Price: Market Price
Contorni (Side dishes)
Bread Sourdough (4slices)
( Olive oil and balsamic vinegar +$3.00)
Insalata
Mesculin greens, cherry tomato, cucumber, in-house balsamic dressing, parmesan, red radish.
Patate arrosto con Rosmarino
Roast potatoes with rosemary.
Verdure Saltate
Sautéed in olive oil, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, onions
Dolci (Desserts)
Tiramisu
“The classic”
Torta di Arancia
In-house almond orange cake with dulce de leche gelato.
Sorbetto (DF)
Three scoops of sorbet.
Gelato Misto
Three scoops of mixed gelato, strawberry, pistachio, hazelnut.
Vaniglia Affogato
Two scoops vanilla gelato, shot of Espresso (with Liqueur + $4.50)
Formaggi Misti con Frutta
Mixed Italian cheeses with fruits and bread.
Lunch – Antipasti (Starter)/Contorni (Sides)
Salumi Misti
Prosciutto, salami, mortadella, bread
Patate arrosto con Rosmarino
Roast potatoes with rosemary
Insalata
Mesculin mix, cherry tomato, cucumber, red radish, balsamic dressing, parmesan.
Bread Sourdough (4slices)
(Olive oil and balsamic vinegar +$3.00)
Olives
Lunch – Pasta (Served with Penne)
Pomodoro e Basilico
Tomato sauce, butter, garlic, basil, parmesan.
Tonno
Tomato sauce, butter, garlic, white wine, tuna, basil.
Putanesca
Tomato sauce, butter, garlic, capers, olives, anchovy, chili, white wine.
Al Funghi
Mushroom, butter, garlic, onion, cream, parmesan, parsley.
Al Broccoli
Tomato sauce, butter, broccoli, garlic, white wine, anchovy, chili, parmesan.
Lunch – Chef’s Pasta Fresca
Pappardelle con Anatra
Large pasta ribbons with braised duck sauce.
Gnocchi ai Due Formaggi e Pistacchio
Potato gnocchi with mascarpone, parmesan and pistachio sauce.
Fettuccini alla Bolognese
Fresh pasta ribbons with beef ragu sauce.
Linguine ai Gamberoni
Flat spaghetti like pasta, white wine, chilli, garlic, prawns, tomato, olives.
Lunch – Main Course
Saltimbocca di Pollo
Chicken scaloppine with Parma ham, sage, white wine sauce, buttered green beans.
Pesce del Giorno
Please ask our wait staff for our Fish of the day. Price: Market price
Lunch – Pizza (We serve approximate 10” size)
We serve approximate 10” size
Margherita
Tomato sauce, oregano, mozzarella.
Salami
Tomato sauce, salami, mozzarella.
Napoli
Tomato sauce, mozzarella, anchovy, olives.
Prosciutto Cotto e Fungi
Tomato sauce, mozzarella, cooked ham, mushroom.
Quattro Formaggi
Tomato sauce, mozzarella, gorgonzola, brie, parmesan.
Quattro Stagioni
Tomato sauce, mozzarella, ham, olives, mushroom, artichoke.
Lunch – Dolci (Desserts)
Tiramisu “The classic”
Gelato Misto
Three scoops of mixed gelato, strawberry, pistachio, chocolate.
Vaniglia Affogato
Two scoops vanilla gelato, shot of Espresso (with Liqueur + $4.50)
Aperitivi
$13 /30ml
Aperol
Campari
Martini Rosso
Martini Bianco
Birre
Peroni Nastro Azzurro
Menabrea Premium Lager
Tuatara Pale ale
Tuatara Pilsner
Cocktails
Spritz: Aperol / Campari / Limoncello
Kir Pètillant
Bellini
Greenall’s London Dry, Indian Tonic
Rossi (Italian Reds)
Barbera d’Asti “Fiulot” D.o.c.g. Prunotto 2023 Piemonte
Red cherries and red flowers. Medium bodied with soft tannins. Perfect with pastas and game sauces.
Barolo D.o.c.g. Prunotto 2019 Piemonte
The king of red wines with violets and red roses petals. Nebbiolo at its best…. Seductive and permanent flavors.
Amarone della Valpolicella “Bixio” D.o.c.g 2017 Veneto
Full-bodied, tannic, dark cherry, ripe plum, ripe cranberry and light fig notes, spicy, warm, long. Perfect pair with game, grilled and braised red meats, mature cheeses.
Rosso Veronese “Regolo” I.g.t Sartori 2021 Veneto
Valpolicella ripasso style, full bodied red! Plum jam, tobacco, chocolate. Silky on the palate with warm finish.
Bianchi Locali (NZ Whites)
Rose ‘Pond Paddock’ 2022 Martinborough
Light creamy texture with crisp acidity, a little tannin, plenty of red fruit flavors, dry finish
Toru ‘Te Whare Ra’ 2023 Marlborough
Blend of Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Pinot gris. Multi-layered palate with flavors of Mango, citrus, red apple and lychee with lingering spiciness.
Chardonnay ‘Charles Wiffen’ 2023 Marlborough
White and Yellow stonefruits, citrus, fruit, nuts and creamy barrel element
Sauvignon Blanc ‘Caythorpe’ 2024 Marlborough
Concentrated and intense aromas of white floral and gooseberry fruit, dry to taste and a long lingering finish.
Distillati
Greenall’s Original Gin
Hendrick’s Original
Remy Martin V.S.O.P.
Bas Armagnac “Laristan” XO
Liquori
$13 /30ml
Frangelico
Amaretto
Sambuca
Caffe’
White / Tea
Black / Tea
Mocha
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+ Log your visitHow prices compare
Against typical prices in Wellington
- Margherita pizza Typical in Wellington: $24.00 $22.00
- Mocha Typical in Wellington: $6.50 $7.00
- Tiramisu Typical in Wellington: $16.90 $19.00
- Carbonara Typical in Wellington: $29.50 $36.90
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