Tucked away inside St Kevin’s Arcade, just outside the constant buzz of Karangahape Road, Pici is one of those little Auckland restaurants that manages to feel like a neighbourhood local, but right in the middle of the city!
Small and cosy, the pasta and wine bar has built a loyal following around a refreshingly simple idea: freshly made pasta, good wine and a warm, unpretentious place to enjoy both.
Pici was established in 2020 by Jonathan Thevenard, Kazuya Suzuki and Gemma Hareb, with a focus on high quality handmade pasta and a rotating selection of low intervention wines. Locally owned and owner operated, it has become the kind of place where the food is taken seriously, but everything else is a little more relaxed.
The menu is small, and that’s part of the charm. Pici keeps things uncomplicated, with a concise sharing menu that lets a handful of dishes shine. Pasta is naturally the star of the show, made fresh and served without unnecessary fuss.
If there’s one dish synonymous with Pici, it’s the Pici Cacio e Pepe. Thick strands of handmade pasta are coated in a glossy, peppery sauce, proving that some of the best dishes are often the simplest. Just make sure you save room for the cheesecake!
Wine is equally important here. Pici doubles as a wine shop, with a rotating list showcasing low intervention and natural wine producers. The team knows what they’re pouring and the personal, informed service makes it easy to find something to match your pasta, whether you already know your way around natural wine or simply want something delicious in your glass.
The open bar and kitchen bring guests right into the action, while upbeat music, a friendly team and tables filled with shared plates create a space that feels lively without losing its intimacy.
There’s something particularly comforting about finding a restaurant like this amid the energy of K Road. It’s almost like coming home, albeit a home where someone is making you pasta, opening interesting bottles of wine and serving you yummy dessert.
Unpretentious, uncomplicated and very easy to settle in, Pici is proof that there doesn’t need to be an enormous menu or endless bells and whistles to make an impression.
Book your table here!
Images by Jerome Warburton from Neat Places.