At first glance, Sfera feels like it’s always been part of Northcote Point. But behind it is a story built on friendship, family and even an inspirational trip to Italy – to get it just right.
Sitting just beside Bridgeway Cinema, Sfera has settled naturally into the neighbourhood. And the path to opening was shaped by years of friendship, shared ideas and a bit of perfect timing.
It began when Jack Reinsfield offered to help his mum, Loraine, rethink the future of the space that once housed Clarence Road Eatery. What started as a simple idea to refresh the restaurant quickly grew into something more ambitious. Around the same time, Jack reached out to his oldest friend Matt Ross for advice.
They were already circling the idea of a pizza-led concept, thinking about woodfired ovens and what a great local spot could look like. As it happened, Matt was preparing to step away from Candela in 2025, and the timing lined up. With Loraine backing the vision, Sfera began to take shape.
Jack and his partner Camille Perrett were living in Berlin at the time and began to brainstorm what Sfera could become, from branding through to the fit-out, working on it remotely while planning their move home to NZ after eight years overseas.
What was initially just one last trip to Europe before moving back turned into something far more defining, with Jack and Camille meeting Matt and his wife Leola, in Italy.
The trip helped shape the food, feel and the philosophy of Sfera, grounding it in a style of Italian dining that’s relaxed, generous and built around simple things done well.
Back in Auckland, the fit-out came together, the kitchen came to life and Sfera shifted from idea to reality. Matt stepped into the role of leading the food direction, with Camille alongside him in the kitchen, bringing a refined but approachable touch shaped by her Le Cordon Bleu training.
Around them, the wider circle of people who helped build Sfera began to take form. Leola, with years of hospitality experience, played a key role in setting up the restaurant, from systems and training through to shaping the wine list, and now works closely with the team on PR and marketing. Chef Matt Reade, another close friend and a talented chef in his own right, also helped develop the original menu alongside Matt Ross.
And then there’s everyone else, family, friends and the wider community. Jack’s dad was on site almost daily during the fit-out and still lends a hand when needed. Familiar faces from Clarence Road Eatery are back in the kitchen, alongside a mix of friends, locals and extended whānau who have all played a role in bringing Sfera to life.
That sense of connection carries through to the restaurant itself. The menu focuses on fresh seafood, handmade pasta and modern Italian sharing plates designed for long, easy meals. Pizza is a standout, sitting somewhere between Neapolitan and Roman styles, crisp yet structured, cooked in a Valoriani woodfired oven with care and consistency.
The drinks list follows the same thinking, inspired by everyday dining across Italy and paired with a selection of NZ wines. It’s concise and thoughtful, built around classics done properly, from spritzes to a well-made chilled martini.
The space, led by Loraine, is open, light and relaxed, with the pizza oven at its centre. It’s designed to work for whatever kind of visit you feel like, whether that’s a quick takeaway on the way back from the beach, a casual drink or a dinner that stretches into the evening.
Sfera is exactly what it set out to be. A neighbourhood restaurant built by people who know each other well, backed by years of experience, and shaped by a shared love of food and hospitality.
Head along and try it for yourself! Book your table online at sfera.co.nz