Urban Gusto brings an Italian-inspired restaurant format to central Rotorua, occupying 1122 Tutanekai Street and serving from lunch into the evening. The dining room is backed by a menu that moves well beyond a single pizza or pasta speciality. Its stated focus on traditional methods, local suppliers and fresh ingredients gives the venue a clear framework while leaving room for New Zealand touches.
Antipasti are designed to open the meal with contrasting flavours. Bruschetta layers pesto, ricotta, tomato and balsamic on toasted ciabatta, lamb meatballs sit in a cherry-tomato ragù, and seared scallops come with lemon-butter risotto, pesto and chorizo. Vegetarian diners can turn to the antipasto salad or grilled vegetable kebabs with halloumi and salsa verde. The range supports either one starter per person or several plates shared across a table.
Pasta and pizza occupy the broad middle of the menu. Fettuccine Europa combines chicken, pine nuts and a sweet-chilli garlic cream, while carbonara is finished with bacon, a poached egg and Parmesan. The pizza list ranges from Margherita and four-cheese combinations to pear with Gorgonzola, a mushroom and artichoke Gusto Fungo, and a New Zealand lamb version with olives, red onion, feta and mint.
Larger mains keep the Italian influence but make space for local produce, including New Zealand ribeye, horopito-marinated chicken, a seafood risotto and lamb shank with red-wine reduction. Tiramisu and ricotta cheesecake provide recognisable finishes, while sorbet offers a lighter alternative. Gluten-free pasta and pizza-base options, alongside vegetarian and vegan-request markings, make the menu easier to navigate for a mixed group.
Address: 1122 Tutanekai Street, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand
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Urban Gusto Menu
Antipasti / Starters
GARLIC LOAF
Preserved lemon, confit garlic, fresh herbs. (V)
LOADED PULL- APART LOAF
Garlic loaf filled with crispy bacon and mozzarella. (VO)
BRUSCHETTA
Toasted ciabatta, pesto, ricotta, tomato, balsamic. (V)
Antipasto Salad
Sundried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, artichoke, capsicum, rocket, citrus dressing. Add salami or chorizo – $7.90
Caesar Salad
Baby cos lettuce, crispy bacon, parmesan, croutons, poached egg. (VO) Add chicken – $7.90 Add prawns – $8.90
Lamb Meatballs
Cherry tomato ragù, balsamic drizzle, parmesan, focaccia.
Grilled Veg Kebabs
Halloumi cheese, roasted eggplant, capsicum, red onion, salsa verde. (V)
Seared Scallops
Lemon Butter risotto, pesto, chorizo.
Urban Platters
VEGETABLE PLATTER
Mixed olives, honey-glazed baby carrots, artichoke, roasted courgette, sautéed capsicum, sundried tomatoes, roasted eggplant, pesto, and a vegetable kebab.
SEAFOOD PLATTER
Marinated prawn and bacon skewer, garlic butter & white wine steamed mussels, smoked salmon, and salt & pepper squid.
ANTIPASTI PLATTER
Italian cured meats, mixed vegetables, marinated olives, and pesto.
Primi / Pasta
Gluten free pasta available for extra $3
FETTUCCINE EUROPA
Chicken breast in a sweet chilli and garlic cream sauce, finished with pine nuts and Parmesan.(VO)
Linguine TUSCANY
Chicken breast tossed in a Marsala cream sauce with mushrooms and Parmesan. (VO)
FETTUCCINE CARBONARA
Crispy bacon in a rich garlic cream sauce, topped with a poached egg and Parmesan. (VO)
Vegetable Pasta
Roasted courgette and eggplant with olives, pesto, and crème fraîche, served with penne. (V) (VEGO)
SPAGHETTI MEATBALLS
Lamb meatballs cooked in a cherry tomato ragu, finished with Parmesan.
PRAWN Linguine
Prawns in a sweet chilli and garlic cream sauce, topped with Parmesan.
Bacon & Creamy Tomato Spaghetti
Crispy bacon with crème fraîche and a cherry tomato ragu, finished with Parmesan.
BEEF BOLOGNAISE
Slow-cooked beef in a rich tomato ragu with fresh herbs, served with penne and Parmesan.
Pizza
Gluten free bases available for extra $3. ADD ADDITIONAL PROTEINS: Chicken $4, Prawn $5, Beef Cheek $5, Vegan Cheese $3
MARGHERITA
Buffalo mozzarella, fresh basil. (V) (VEGO) ADD PROSCIUTTO – $5.00
Four CHEESE
Ricotta, buffalo mozzarella, feta, Parmesan. (V)
PEAR AND GORGONZOLA
Caramelised onion, gorgonzola, pear, rocket, pinenuts. (V) (VEGO)
GUSTO FUNGO
Béchamel, roasted mushroom, olive, artichoke, feta, truffle oil. (V) (VEGO)
Prawn PIZZA
Béchamel sauce, prawns, chorizo, cherry tomato, pesto.
HOROPITO CHICKEN & PANCETTA
Horopito-rubbed chicken breast, bacon, cherry tomato, rocket, aioli.
MEAT LOVERS
Salami, beef cheek, chorizo, ham, pesto.
NZ LAMB
Lamb mince, kalamata olives, caramelised red onion, feta, mint, aioli.
Pepperoni Hot Honey
Pepperoni drizzled with spicy honey on home made pizza dough.
Secondi / Mains
NZ Ribeye
300g ribeye served with roasted vegetable medley, fresh salad, and salsa verde. (GF) Add a fried egg for $2.50.
Horopito Tuscan Chicken
Horopito-marinated chicken breast with cherry tomatoes, garlic and cream sauce, fresh herbs, and toasted ciabatta.
Pork Milanese
Crisp breaded pork loin with garlic-butter mashed potatoes, fresh salad, lemon, and salsa verde.
Eggplant Parmigiana
Roasted eggplant layered with tomato Napoli, mozzarella, and parmesan. (VEGO) (GF)
Fish of the Day Risotto
Creamy tomato risotto with prawns, mussels, fish of the day, and parmesan.
NZ Lamb Shank
Hind shank served with garlic-butter mashed potato, red wine reduction, and honey-glazed carrots. (GF)
Beer-Battered Fish & Chips
Peroni-battered fish of the day, lemon, salad, aioli.
Contorni / Sides & Sauces
Roast Vegetable Medley
Roast potato, courgette, Kalamata olives, and cherry tomatoes.
Mash Potato
Garlic-butter mashed potato with fresh herbs.
Pear and Pecan Salad
Sliced pear, candied pecans, rocket, parmesan, and citrus dressing.
Fries
Sea salt and aioli. Upgrade to truffle & parmesan fries for $5.
Mushroom Sauce
Butter Chicken Sauce
Dolce / Desserts
TIRAMISU
House-made biscotti, cocoa nibs.
SORBET
Berry sorbet with fresh fruits and peach coulis.(VEGO) (GF)
RICOTTA CHEESECAKE
Peach cheesecake served with vanilla ice cream and peach coulis.
A THOUSAND LAYERS
Flaky puff pastry with vanilla and chocolate pastry cream, vanilla ice cream, and chocolate sauce.
CHOCOLATE SUNDAE
French Vanilla Ice cream, Chocolate sauce drizzle with rainbow sprinkles.
Gusto Panino / Sandwich
Every sandwich is served on fresh baked Focaccia
CHICKEN PARMESAN SANDWICH
Parmesan-crusted chicken breast with Napoli sauce and melted mozzarella.
VEGGIE MELT SANDWICH
Roasted eggplant and courgette with capsicum, sundried tomato, and melted mozzarella.
STEAK SANDWICH
160g beef sirloin with mushroom sauce, beetroot relish, lettuce, and tomato.
SALMON & RICOTTA CHEESE SANDWICH
Smoked salmon with ricotta, red onion, lettuce, and tomato.
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+ Log your visitHow prices compare
Against typical prices in Rotorua
- Fish and chips Typical in Rotorua: $28.95 $24.90
- Caesar salad Typical in Rotorua: $20.99 $23.90
- Margherita pizza Typical in Rotorua: $24.90 $22.90
- Tiramisu Typical in Rotorua: $18.00 $18.90
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