There’s a certain clarity that comes through when a restaurant is built by people who already share camaraderie, who aren’t trying to overcomplicate the brief. Sfera, the new Italian bistro now open at Northcote Point, is exactly that: a friends-and-whānau-led project grounded in community, consistency and food that’s meant to be enjoyed often, not over-analysed.

Sfera is the collaboration of childhood friends Matt Ross and Jack Reinsfield, alongside Jack’s mother, Loraine Reinsfield, who previously ran the much-loved Clarence Road Eatery for three years. What began as a conversation about refreshing that space evolved into something more ambitious but still deeply familiar. A long-held dream of opening an Italian restaurant that felt welcoming, reliable and rooted in its neighbourhood.

Jack leads the business as general manager, bringing recent experience from London back home to the family venture. Matt Ross, following the sale of Candela in 2025, takes charge of the kitchen and food direction, joined by Jack’s partner Camille, a recent Le Cordon Bleu graduate. Earlier this year, the core team travelled through Italy on an extended research and development trip, not chasing trends, but absorbing everyday dining culture and letting it quietly inform what Sfera would become.

The menu is intentionally straightforward. Food is brought back to basics, with a focus on seafood, modern Italian sharing plates and fresh handmade pasta, each shape crafted daily from recipes designed for long lunches and generous tables. Pizza is a cornerstone, cooked in a Valoriani wood-fired oven shipped from Florence, striking a balance between Neapolitan softness and Roman structure. With dedicated pizza chef Vinnie producing more than 80 pizzas a day, care and consistency sit at the heart of the offering. Familiar favourites from Candela make a return, reimagined with a lighter, more refined touch.

The drinks programme mirrors the same philosophy. Italian-leaning wines inspired by regions such as Umbria and Puglia sit alongside standout New Zealand selections, supported by a short list of classic cocktails done well: limoncello spritz, peach spritz, or a perfectly chilled martini. Nothing fussy. Nothing forced.

The space itself is open, bright, and relaxed, with the pizza oven at the heart of the room. Located on a corner site with sea views and next to the Bridgeway Cinema, Sfera is designed to function as a true neighbourhood staple. Somewhere to bring kids, dogs, friends, family, or simply grab a takeaway pizza on the way home from the beach.

At its core, Sfera is about familiarity and ease. A place people can rely on, return to, and feel part of.

Opening hours:
Wednesday – Sunday
Breakfast 8am – 11.30am
Lunch & Dinner 11.30am – Late

sfera.co.nz