Welcome to FQ Eats, our latest series where our editors recommend the best restaurants and bars around Aotearoa. This week, we reflect on the FQ Team’s lunch at Herne Bay’s favourite local and newly refreshed, Andiamo.
Where
If you live anywhere near Herne Bay, you’ll know Andiamo. It’s always been the neighbourhood spot you can rely on, and after its recent renovation, it feels even more like the place everyone ends up at. The new name, Andiamo Bar & Dining Room, makes sense the moment you walk in. There’s more bar, more buzz, and a clear nod to Italian food you won’t be able to get enough of.
First impressions
Inside, the space has that familiar Andiamo feeling, just sharpened up: stonewashed walls, soft heritage tones, and Sam Burton’s stencilling giving the space a bit of personality without trying too hard. The bar is now the heart of the room, the type of place where you stop ‘just for a drink’ and somehow end up ordering plates to share.
The highlights
A warm Thursday afternoon turned out to be the perfect time to visit – the whole neighbourhood felt like it had already eased into weekend mode, and Andiamo was right at the centre of it. The place was buzzing as soon as we walked in: the bar full, the doors pushed wide open, and that relaxed, chatty atmosphere you get when everyone’s in no rush to leave. One of the real highlights was how quickly everything hit the table. We’d barely settled into our spot before the first plates arrived. The menu suits the scene perfectly – relaxed Italian with a mix of the classics everyone returns for and a few fresh, new dishes that fit straight in.
What we ate & drank
We ordered a few things for the table and didn’t overthink it. The fried stuffed olives were gone almost instantly (no surprise), the chilli fried calamari had the perfect kick, and the charred asparagus became the dish everyone kept going back to. We had to try the ricotta-filled ravioli, which was soft, rich, and exactly what you want on a long lunch. Our drink of choice? A bottle of cold rosé – a classic team FQ pick.
Final verdict
Andiamo has always felt like it belonged in Herne Bay, but after the revamp, it feels even more at home – it’s easy to see why locals love it, and why visitors keep coming back. With its refreshed interiors, open-door flow, and a menu that balances old favourites with fresh new dishes, this beloved local is set to remain a cornerstone of the neighbourhood’s dining scene.
