The Amore is a family-friendly Italian restaurant in Longhurst Shopping Centre, where the menu is designed to move comfortably from a few shared starters to pasta, pizza and dessert. Table bookings and a dedicated dining room make it suitable for planned evenings as well as relaxed neighbourhood meals. The kitchen, led by head chef Tej, does not confine itself to one narrow strand of Italian cooking. Instead, it gives groups enough breadth to combine crisp appetisers, seafood, rich pasta sauces and oven-baked pizza around the same table.

The starter section encourages that shared approach. Arancini and bruschetta deliver familiar Italian textures, while flatbread and olives offer simple accompaniments for drinks. Prawns, squid and smoked salmon introduce several seafood preparations before the main courses, and a chicken starter provides another substantial option. These dishes let diners build contrast early in the meal, moving between fried, grilled and fresh elements rather than committing immediately to one large plate. A mixed selection is especially effective for a group waiting on pasta and pizza.

Pasta carries much of the menu’s depth. Pappardelle bolognese gives the slow-cooked meat sauce a broad ribbon to cling to, while rigatoni pollo and carbonara offer creamy, savoury alternatives. Seafood spaghetti brings shellfish and the sea into the section, and beef ravioli provides a filled-pasta choice with its own texture. Vegan gnocchi ensures plant-based diners have a composed main rather than a modified side dish. Together, these plates cover hearty, delicate and vegetable-led directions without losing the comfort expected from an Italian restaurant.

Pizza adds an easy sharing option and works well when a table wants to combine baked dough with bowls of pasta. Salads and sides can lighten the richer dishes, while a children’s selection helps the restaurant accommodate family meals. Tiramisu and panna cotta offer classic endings, and chocolate pudding takes dessert in a warmer, more indulgent direction. Wine and other drinks complete the dinner format, while takeaway provides another way to use the menu. The Amore is most rewarding when several sections are brought together rather than ordered in isolation.

Address: Longhurst Shopping Centre, 1 Hamill Road, Halswell, Christchurch 8025, New Zealand

Get directions

Moved or closed? Tell us: Moved Temporarily closed Permanently closed

The Amore Italian Restaurant Menu Menu updated on 17 Sep 2026

To Start

Arancini

$18

Italian rice balls stuffed with pumpkin, sage, taleggio and roast pepper served with spicy arrabbiata sauce (V)

Bruschetta Napoli

$18

Fresh tomato, bocconcini, basil and aged balsamic vinegar (VGA)

Flatbread

$18

Freshly baked with chili, garlic, basil pesto, napoli sauce and pecorino (GF) (DFA)

Gamberoni

$22

Grilled banana prawns served with chili, garlic and vino sauce (GF)

Calamari Guazzetto

$20

Grilled squid rings cooked with anchovies, roast garlic, chili and olives served on mixed mesclun salad (GF)

Mixed Sicilian Olives

$16

Slowed cooked warm olives served with grilled ciabatta (V) (GFA)

Mama Fried Chicken

$18

Italian herb and paprika crispy fried chicken served with R.R.P aioli

Parmesan Smoked Garlic Bread

$14

House-made ciabatta bread filled with Italian herbs, smoked garlic butter and parmesan (V)

Smoked Salmon

$20

Mascarpone, smoked salmon, capers, fennel and caramelised onions on top of crispy Italian bread

Pasta

Pappardelle Bolognese

$30

Slow cooked pork and beef mince sauce served with house-made ribbon pasta (GFA)

Rigatoni Pollo

$30

Smoked chicken, olives, red onions and roast mushrooms cooked in creamy vino sauce and pangrattato (GFA)

Fettuccine Carbonara

$30

Roast pancetta cooked with vino bianco and egg yolks (GFA)

Spaghetti di Mare

$31

Prawns, smoked shrimp, squid rings, mussels and scallops cooked in garlic, chilli and marinara sauce (GFA) (DF)

Beef Ravioli

$33

Hand-made pasta pillows filled with braised beef served with portobello mushrooms, roast peppers, broad beans and Italian cream sauce

Gnocchi Verde

$33

Hand-made potato gnocchi with basil pesto, red onions, beans, roast pumpkin and hazelnuts or fresh tomato and basil napoli sauce (VG)

Gnocchi con Capra Ragù

$33

Slowed-cooked goat meat in red wine, served with hand-made potato gnocchi

Truffle Risotto

$31

Arborio rice slowed cooked with roast mushroom, truffle oil, baby spinach, mascarpone and parmigiano (V) (GFA)

Lasagne

$31

House-made layer of pasta, pork and beef bolognese sauce, béchamel, mozzarella and fresh napoli sauce

Spaghetti Meatballs

$30

Beef meatballs slow cooked in napoli basil and red wine sauce (GFA)

Pizza

Margherita

$28

Napoli base, basil, buffalo mozzarella and EVOO (V)

Salsiccia

$29

Spicy Italian pork and fennel sausage, basil pesto, roast mushrooms, caramelised onions and potato

Salmon

$30

Smoked salmon, capers, mascarpone, tomato, red onion and rocket

Vegetariano

$29

Artichokes, spinach, fresh tomato, capsicum, ricotta and olives (VG)

Pollo Affumicato

$29

Smoked chicken, fior di latte cheese, tomato, capsicums, roast pine nuts and black olives

Amete Carne

$30

Ham, Italian salami, spicy sausage, meatballs, mushrooms, kalamata olives and mozzarella

Amore

$30

Cheese base, pesto, mortadella, bocconcini, pistachios, basil and rocket

Umbria

$30

Parmigiano, garlic, chili, fresh tomato, prosciutto and rocket

Calzone

$30

Folded pizza with sundried tomato, capsicum, ricotta, salami, mozzarella, parmesan and rocket

Papa's Fav

$30

Napoli sauce, squid, shrimps, mussels, red onions, anchovies, capsicum and rocket

Ham and Cheese

$16

Pinapple, ham and cheese with pomodoro sauce (GFA)

Napoli

$16

Tomato base and cheese (GFA)

Side

Amore Salad

$15

Cherry tomatoes, pears, bocconcini, croutons, baby spinach, mixed leaves with aged balsamic dressing (GFA) (VA)

Insalata Verde

$14

Cos lettuce, pomegranate, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, olives, pecorino and honey lemon dressing (DF) (V)

Hand-Cut Fries

$12

Served with aioli (DF) (V)

Potato Skins

$14

Crispy potato skins with vegetable salsa (DF) (V) (GF)

Truffle Polenta Fries

$14

Golden, soft in the middle truffle polenta chips with aioli (GF) (V) (DF)

Grilled Seasonal Vegetables

$13

Mains

Chicken Marsala

$41

Free range chicken breast marinated in Italian herbs, finished in marsala wine and creamy mushroom sauce Served with potato gratin and seasonal vegetables (GFA)

Filetto

$42

Grilled fillet steak cooked to your liking served with potato gratin, seasonal vegetables and your choice of sauce; rosemary and garlic, mushrooms and garlic, or brandy and green peppercorn sauce (GF)

Amore Lamb

$42

Roast lamb rack and braised lamb shoulder served with orange kumara purée and mixed vegetables (GF)

Fish of the day

$42

Please ask our friendly staff for details

DOLCI

Tiramisu

$18

Traditional layered savoiardi biscuits dipped in espresso, marsala, bay leaves and mascarpone cream

Panna Cotta

$18

Creamy Italian dessert with amaretto and vanilla beans (GF)

Gelato

$17

House-made gelato and sorbet (GFA)

Affogato

$16

A shot of espresso over vanilla ice cream and Frangelico

Cioccolatto Pudding

$18

Warm chocolate pudding, salted almond, vanilla ice cream and amaretto liqueur sauce

Ice Cream Sundae

Scoops of vanilla ice cream served with your choice of chocolate or berry sauce

Patsa

Spaghetti Bolognese

$16

Pork and beef in bolognese sauce served with spaghetti (GFA)

Gnocchi Napoli

$16

Fresh tomato napoli sauce served with potato gnocchi

Fettuccine Alfredo

$16

Chicken and roast mushrooms cooked in creamy Italian sauce (GFA)

Sides

Grilled Seasonal Vegetables

$13

(DF) (V) (GF)

Wine

Te Mania Rosé – Nelson NZ

glass $14 / bottle $60

Renzo Masi Chianti Cornioleta Rufina DOCG, Italy

glass $16

Ruby red colour, structured and concentrated wine, it shows scents of little red berries and flowers as typical of Sangiovese, yet with lively acidity.

Scanavino Prosecco – Veneto, Italy

glass $14 / bottle $60

Rocca Ventosa Pinot Grigio – Italian

glass $14 / Bottle $60

Georges Michel Chardonnay – NZ

glass $14 / $60

Mt. Beautiful Pinot Noir – North Canterbury

glass $16 / bottle $70

Valle d’Oro Montepulciano – Italian

glass $16 / bottle $70

Poggio Civetta Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Italy

bottle $120

Beer

The Amore Italian Lager

$14

Brewed locally in Lyttelton this light, refreshing lager is a must-try!

Craft Beer

$13

Ask our friendly staff to see what’s on tap right now

Peroni Nastro Azzuro

$12

Corona Extra

$11

Heineken

$11

Panhead Supercharger APA

$11

Steinlager Light 2.5%

$10

Cider

Monteiths Crushed Apple Cider 330ml

$13

Somersby Cider 330ml

$13

COCKTAILS

Margarita

$18

Tangy mixture of rich grassy tequila, tart fresh lime, citrusy orange and a savoury salt rim

Aperol Spritz

$18

You’ll love sipping on this beautiful and refreshing Italian cocktail. Prosecco, Aperol and our secret ingredient make this the tastiest Aperol Spritz EVER!

Gin Basil Smash

$18

Rossa Vodka

$18

A delicious spirit with a balance of lemon, strawberry and raspberry flavours

Amore Speciale

$18

It’s fun, bright and colourful. Plus, it’s tropical and fruity, which is perfect for our sweet cocktail loving friends.

Negroni

$18

Gin, Vermouth Rosso and Campri

NON-ALCOHOLIC

Ginger Beer, Lemon Lime and Bitters

Juice

Orange, Apple, Cranberry, Pineapple

Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite, soda water, Ginger Ale, tonic water

MOCKTIALS

San Pellegrino

$11

Aperol Spritz

$13

Aromatic bitter, Crodino, orange juice, soda water and an orange slice

Blueberry Rosemary Smash

$13

The perfect drink to sip in the summer- fruity berries, aromatic rosemary, and a refreshing kick from the lemon

Virgin Mojito

$14

A refreshing mix of lime and mint

Been to The Amore? Be one of the first to rate it.

+ Log your visit

Margherita pizza Typical in Christchurch: $26.00 $28.00
Tiramisu Typical in Christchurch: $16.00 $18.00
Carbonara Typical in Christchurch: $29.00 $30.00
Spaghetti bolognese Typical in Christchurch: $29.98 $16.00
Lasagne Typical in Christchurch: $23.50 $31.00

Read the full guide (10 restaurants)

The Amore Menu