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Hours
Mon
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Tue
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Wed
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Thu
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Fri
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Sat
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.5
Travellers' Choice 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
Learn More
PRICE RANGE
$10.00 – $30.00
CUISINES
Italian, Mediterranean, Romagna
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
meals, features
Does this restaurant serve Romagna food?
Details
PRICE RANGE
$10.00 – $30.00
CUISINES
Italian, Mediterranean, Romagna
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Dinner, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Street Parking, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Digital Payments, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Family style, Non-smoking restaurants, Gift Cards Available
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4.5
320 reviews
Excellent
270
Very good
30
Average
9
Poor
5
Terrible
6
SusanE2763
Kelowna99 contributions
Nov 2024 • couples
We’ve been to Babagatto several times for dinner and it is consistently delicious AND a very happy experience letting the Italian owner take care of us. His wine pairing and food recommendations are always helpful and appreciated, and his authentic passion and energy will make you smile. Grazie mille!
Written 30 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lesley Langelaan
Mount Maunganui26 contributions
Feb 2023 • couples
Babagatto never fails to please and always lifts our mood (last night, this was right from the moment we rang to ask if they had a table free in 10 mins! 😂)
Sadly we only manage to make it here about once a year but are always assured a warm welcome, it feels like being embraced into an Italian family home. The European accents from surrounding tables adds to that sensation.
A good meal out in our eyes has to include delicious food (that I couldn’t or wouldn’t make at home), engaging, entertaining hosts, affordable but excellent wine and soul. Babagatto exudes all these qualities in spades!
My tagliatelle was a plate of dreamy creamy deliciousness, perfectly seasoned with fab herbal notes (ok I’m getting a bit poetic here but it was just what I needed after a hard few weeks of work and stress). We went with the recommended red wines which were silky smooth and robust Italian/Sicilian and $11/glass and finished off with oozing chocolate unctuousness 😍 oh and the obligatory coffee… black, short and definitely not decaf! 😂
The owner is refreshingly and uncompromisingly honest about what to eat and drink and how and so he should be as he’s created perfection in this establishment!
Go there! 💚🤍❤️
Written 1 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wrylee
Tempe16 contributions
Jan 2024 • couples
As other reviewers have noted, the server (owner) was very animated and suggested some fresh burrata that was not on the menu. We each selected a different wine by the glass from the menu and he brought over both bottles. After a taste we decided to just keep the full bottle he had brought.
I was looking at the tagliatelle with sausage but was convinced by our host to take the Bolognese instead. I don't know if this was the *right* choice, not tasting the sausage, but the Bolognese was outstanding (we're headed back later this week so my wife can order that dish). I literally have been trying to recreate great Bolognese that I had in Italy and now Babagatto's is the one I will compare mine to.
The tiramisu and cafe were perfect as well.
Highly recommended!
Written 24 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brendon
Bondi6 contributions
Feb 2023 • family
Started off well. Unfortunately the host forgot the entree and then abandoned us sans dessert or coffee to pay at the front desk as he chatted to his regulars. Unfortunately showing him our discount voucher brought out additional displeasure. The food that we received was nice, the host quirky and then unforgivably inattentive. Various staff seemed to be imbibing in wine as they went around the restaurant, perhaps this contributed to the overall less than satisfactory experience. I went home and had a cup of tea, buttered toast and honey. Not recommended.
Written 14 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
debbie d
Christchurch84 contributions
Jan 2024 • family
We had an amazing lunch, friendly owner/waiter. Food was delicious and plenty of it, unlike some restaurants he didn’t have us over order on food and brought delicious complimentary bread for our sone to mop up his pasta sauce . Will definitely go back.
Written 31 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JoyRotorua
14 contributions
May 2022 • none
The service was excellent, the food was delicious, and our wine glasses were generously filled with very good Italian wine - that was very reasonably priced. Our overall dining experience was tops - thoroughly enjoyable. Would highly recommend if you want to feel like you have just had a homely, tasty, delicious meal in Italy!
It was a really really good meal, the Porchetta was sumptuous as were all our dishes! Good food, good service, good atmosphere, good prices.
Written 27 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
heatherr896
Auckland Central14 contributions
Feb 2023 • couples
We went here on our first day in Nelson after 3 weeks travelling around the South Island. It was by far the best meal that we have had whilst in NZ. The owner/chef chose what we had and it was real authentic Italian food at a sensible price. 123NZ$ for 2 mains, a pudding and a very good bottle of Puglia wine. So good that we have decided to go back on again on our last night. If in Nelson this resturant is a must.
Written 27 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AskDrN
Pueblo253 contributions
Jan 2023 • none
Reservations a must! The restaurant is small and quiet with great atmosphere. The waiter puts on a show. He'll bring wine to taste and choose, refuse to let you order coffee during the meal, and sit down with you offering to order your food for you. Some like this, some don't. Everything is delicious!
Written 7 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rona A
Nelson10 contributions
Dec 2020 • none
Babagatto is a perfect dining experience of food, service and ambience - all without pretence. Homemade pasta, freshest salad, great fish, tiramisu and memorable coffee all at affordable prices. Served in the best service style of relaxed friendliness and impeccable dedication to quality. Generous portions. Checked tablecloths, friendly house wine refills, each table's bread baskets and olive oil/balsamic vinegar add just the right touches. Can't wait to return.
Written 1 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Russell Greenblatt
Chicago12 contributions
Jan 2024 • family
OUTSTANDING place for authentic Italian dinner. Opens @ 5 pm; get a reservation because it gets crowded. Small, family-run, and excellent food/atmosphere at a reasonable price. ONLY thing missing was they do not serve spumoni, but the warm chocolate molten cake is very good.
Written 26 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lucy D
Dunedin10 contributions
Jan 2021 • none
Awesome service! We were seated promptly even without reservation, and the enthusiastic waiter (later found out his name was Raf) was very welcoming and funny. Nice atmosphere. We ordered homemade pork pasta and lasagna, and tiramisu for dessert. The food itself was good, but I think the amount could have been bigger (we paid $13 for a small mug of tiramisu). But other than that, our experience was great! The waiter occasionally checked in with us (me and my sister) and we shared good talks.
Written 20 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phillip S
Sydney37 contributions
Nov 2022 • couples
From the start our Italian host made us feel like we were having dinner with friends. Tonight was a fixed 4 course menu. Every dish was tasty and enjoyable.
Our host suggested a bottle of Sicilian red wine that matched our meal perfectly.
Written 18 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil C
Nelson437 contributions
Oct 2024 • couples
My wife and I dined early, 5.30ish. Excellent service .
Started with yummy bread s with olive oil. I know, you're meant to save them for moping up later but 🧐🤔🤗.
A delicious red, Raff's recommendation, an entree of Polenta with walnut and some whippy thing
then we shared the Tagliatele fungi with their deliciously light spelt flour pasta.
A full restaurant by 6.30.💥🔥❤️ Grazie. 🥳
Written 11 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Georgia
1 contribution
Apr 2022 • none
This amazing restaurant was found after a quick google search looking for the best Italian in town. Once we arrived, we were greeted warmly by the host and instantly felt welcomed! The service was top-notch, with the server being probably the kindest and most attentive, yet hilarious waiter we have ever had! The food was delicious and we could tell from the first bite it was made with love. I wish we lived locally so we could come here every week!
We had the bruschetta and the gnocchi, paired with a beautiful red wine recommended by the host.
Written 27 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Voyager822581
3 contributions
Dec 2024 • family
This was our first time at this restaurant and we will be back the next time we visit Nelson. We were so well looked after from start to finish. The food was delicious and the wine was excellent. Babagatto is a great place with a vibrant atmosphere and I highly recommened dining here.
Written 10 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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