Welcome to Gina’s Italian Kitchen

AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS “GINA’S”

We serve fabulous Italian food with exuberant service in the genuine style that is generous Italian hospitality. You want quiet darling? Then you’ll have to go elsewhere because we don’t do quiet. At Gina’s you will enjoy wonderful Italian food in a joyful and lively atmosphere that is unmatched in Auckland.

Gina’s owes its’ name to a gorgeous Italian woman, Gina Maio.

Originally from Calabria, she grew up in Melbourne where she met her German husband Bodo Luckfiel. They moved to Auckland in 1973 opening their first restaurant in Mt Eden. Gina says her biggest challenge in those days was sourcing basic ingredients like olive oil (which she bought from the pharmacy) and Italian cheeses and salami, which were sometimes smuggled in from Melbourne by visiting family and friends.

My friends and I became a regular fixture at Gina’s around 1995. They were die-hard pizza fans and for me, well, it was the beginning of my love affair for all things Italian. The food, wine, culture, L’amore … I met my Italian husband Alessandro and oh my God he could cook! Friends and I would invite him over and he’d make pizza, pasta and gnocchi from scratch! “Marry him!” they all cried.

 Then I introduced Alessandro to Gina. “Marry him!” she said. And so we did. Not long after we married, Gina and Bodo asked us to take over their business. Theirs were big boots to fill, but we were up for it. To this day we continue in their tradition of preparing warm, hearty Italian food served in a style that is generous and down-to-earth.

 Thank you for visiting us online, we hope to see you soon at Gina’s!
Joyce Fantoni

Book a table at Gina’s Italian Kitchen

Dinner 7 Days | Lunch Monday to Friday from 12pm

+64 (09) 302 2061

 161 Symonds Street, Auckland 1010
[email protected]