Deli di Bossi

Deli di Bossi owner Jenna Carter grew up cooking with her nonna, who moved from Italy to Australia in 1940. Originally from regional Victoria, Carter’s aim was to bring that Italy-by-way-of-Australia vibe to Auckland. A slick, laneway-style cafe, Deli di Bossi is well-suited to its CBD location at the base of The Pacifica apartments on Auckland’s Commerce Street.

Despite the deli's urban feel – with high ceilings, exposed brick walls and the noise of the city filtering in – Carter still manages to channel the welcoming warmth she knows so well, looking after customers enjoying the simple eat-in menu.

Sit at a small round marble table, or perch at the gorgeous tiled communal table.

Over half the food menu is dedicated to cicchetti, which is traditionally a type of snack (like tapas) widely found in Venice.

Deli di Bossi’s version of cicchetti is slightly more substantial – you’ll find several different sandwiches including Mortadella (the thinly sliced sausage is complemented perfectly with oozing melted mozzarella), Fungo with mushroom and fresh ricotta, Al Prosciutto with prosciutto and ricotta creme, and Caprese Pomodoro with heirloom tomato, mozzarella and basil.

There’s also a calzone and a particularly wonderful puffy golden pizza fritta that is slathered in passata and piled high with fresh tomatoes, ribbon-like prosciutto and bright green basil leaves. Salads, salumi boards and sweets – including a take-home portion of tiramisu – round out the selection.

Also for home, browse the glass cabinets and various fridges filled with an array of cured meats, fresh pasta and Italian cheese, plus fresh bread baked on-site.