From Italy with love… and a dash of Samoa.
Twenty years of family, flavour, and culture. Two countries. One table.
"Our mother, a proud Samoan. Our father, an Italian chef. We grew up with both tables."
Italy & Samoa on every plate.
Paddles is the creation of a passionate culinary team dedicated to honouring time-honoured recipes influenced by Italian heritage. Since 2004, Paddles has brought the traditional regional cuisines of Italy to the heart of Samoa, pairing these dishes with world-class wines.
The restaurant is an inviting space that reflects the essence of Italian cuisine — the interplay of flavours and aromas, the rustic charm of Italian countryside, the freshness of seasonal ingredients, and the warm spirit of Samoa.
View the Menu →Giovanni Rossi.
Giovanni Rossi is the owner and frontman of Paddles Restaurant — the living embodiment of everything the restaurant stands for. Born to an Italian father who brought the passion, precision, and recipes of the old country, and a Samoan mother who brought the warmth, the welcome, and the soul of the Pacific, Giovanni grew up at the intersection of two extraordinary food cultures.
Today he carries both traditions forward with pride. At Paddles, Giovanni is the face guests see, the voice they hear, and the reason they return. He has built a restaurant that doesn't just serve Italian food in Samoa — it tells the story of a family, a fusion, and twenty years of love poured into every plate and every glass.
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A legacy built over two decades.
Two cultures. One kitchen. A story that has been unfolding in Apia, Samoa since 2004 — and showing no signs of stopping.
Tables filled with memories.
"Absolutely the best dining experience in Samoa. The pasta is genuinely handmade and you can taste every bit of the Italian tradition. The outdoor terrace under the stars is unforgettable. Paddles is a gem."
"We've dined at Paddles six times now and it never disappoints. The Seafood Marinara is exceptional — fresh, perfectly seasoned, generous. The Italian-Samoan fusion feels genuine, not gimmicky. Truly world-class."
"Worth every dollar. Giovanni's Carbonara rivals anything I've had in Rome. The service is warm, attentive, and proud — exactly what you want from a family restaurant. Samoa is lucky to have Paddles."
"We visited Paddles on our honeymoon and it was the highlight of our trip to Samoa. The Tiramisu Italiano alone is worth the flight. A rare restaurant where Italian precision meets Pacific soul — we'll be back."
Honoured by those who matter most.
Your table is waiting.
Monday to Saturday · 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM · Sunday Closed
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