Ciao Cusina at Birkenhead RSA

Ciao Cusina is comfort done with confidence, celebrating familiar flavours and hearty portions.

On Auckland's North Shore, this nostalgic spot keeps things refreshingly straightforward. Crowd-pleasers set the tone, and dinners are all about pure simplicity.

The kitchen opens with loaded fries crowned with bacon and cheese or pulled pork, and calamari paired with sweet chilli sauce and aioli for a crisp, moreish start. Burgers bring a sense of nostalgia, featuring a classic beef burger or a chicken option grilled or fried, each arriving with fries.

Bigger appetites turn to mains such as pork ribs served with coleslaw and fries, or a scotch fillet finished with mushroom or peppercorn sauce alongside a fresh salad. There’s even a snack selection for grazers, from calamari rings to garlic-buttered grilled prawns, highlighting bold, buttery and peppery notes.

Built around honest satisfaction and flavour-first cooking, Ciao Cusina suits everything from casual catch-ups to no-fuss suppers. Those tempted should make their way over, pull up a chair, and let good taste do the talking.