Ask anyone what their favourite cuisine is and nine times out of ten, it'll be Italian. Pizza, pasta, and antipasti—what's not to love? Falling short of eating it along the Italian coastline (can’t be beat, don’t argue), Brisbane/Meanjin’s offering comes with great palatable praise, and it’s time for you to dig in.
Lucky for you, here at Urban List, we’ve done our due diligence (read: eaten all the carbs), and sorted the stayers from the players, finding the best authentic Italian eats all over town. You can say ‘grazie mille’ to us later. Drizzle that olive oil—here are the best Italian restaurants in Brisbane.
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1889 Enoteca
10-12 Logan Rd, Woolloongabba
Part restaurant, part wine cellar, 1889 Enoteca is a go-to destination for intimate dinners, lavish wine lunches, family spreads on Sunday and, of course, Roman cuisine. With an interior reminiscent of the Belle Époque, 1889 Enoteca is your best bet at an authentic and refined Italian feast paired with incredible wines. We recommend the zucchini flowers and iconic truffle gnocchi.
Olli Italiano
1/53 Lytton Rd, East Brisbane
New kid on the block, Olli Italiano, comes to you with a modern vibe and a whole lot of flavour. A fun and funky neighbourhood establishment, you’ll dig into plates of antipasti, pasta, and pizza as you dine curbside—it’s the true Italian way. Get more bang for your buck with their ASAP Wednesdays meal deal where you can grab an Aperol Spritz and a pizza for just $25. Molto bene.
Ciao Papi
5 Boundary St, Brisbane City
Image credit: Ciao Papi | Instagram
A refined yet relaxed eatery along the river, Ciao Papi serves up Italian hospitality in spades. Located at the New Farm end of the Howard Smith Wharves precinct, it’s the perfect place to perch, take in the river views, and enjoy a drink, a nibble, or long lunch in the sunshine. With a menu of plates designed to be shared and enjoyed, as well as smaller plate options for bambinos, this family-friendly eatery is an obvious option next time you’re craving the flavours of Italy.
Beccofino
10 Vernon Terrace, Teneriffe
Along with its sibling Julius in South Brisbane, Beccofino has long wooed Brisbane’s hungry Italophiles. Here, you can expect a casual and light-hearted dining experience with a crowd. Front and centre on the ordering agenda is the perfectly tender calamari fritti, followed by a main-sized serving of the duck ragu pappardelle. Get the full experience with a few Aperol Spritzes or a bottle of their finest red.
Bar Alto
119 Lamington Street, New Farm
One of Brisbane's most recognisable restaurants, Bar Alto is a triple threat of style, substance, and location. Perched alongside the river inside the iconic Brisbane Powerhouse, this Italian restaurant is the spot to settle into when you're craving authentic, hearty dishes with charm. From their famous mussels to wood-fired pizzas and light-as-air fried zucchini crisps, Bar Alto sets the bar for unrivalled river views—pasta on fork, Aperol in hand.
Otto Ristorante
Shop 1, River Quay, Sidon St, South Brisbane
Image credit: Otto | Instagram
Take a seat at Otto—a fine dining Italian restaurant found at the edge river in South Bank. Here, you’ll find Italian cuisine that’s rich in flavour, flair, and expertly plated. Sourcing the finest local ingredients, Head Chef Will Cowper’s menu is fresh, seasonal, and produce-driven so you know you’re in for a good feed (and multiple courses). If you’re after something a little lighter, their adjoining Otto Osteria offers a more casual experience where antipasti and casual drinks make for a laidback dining option.
Ramona Trattoria
131 Leicester Street, Coorparoo
If dough is what you want, Ramona Trattoria is where you go to get it. From handmade pasta to focaccia fermented for 48 hours, and light, fluffy, pizza dough, they’ve got all those sweet, sweet carbs down pat. Head chef and owner Ashley-Maree Kent’s unique menu boasts dishes like risotto with buffalo curd, wild boar ragu, and even a pizza with truffled local mushrooms. Make sure you stop by Bar Rocco next door for pre or post-dinner snacks and cocktails too.
La Lupa
3/321 Montague Road, West End
Inspired by central Italian cuisine, La Lupa is a Roman-style modern pizzeria restaurant offering an epic natural wine selection to accompany. Begin with their seasonal starters like roasted Roman artichokes with ricotta and bottarga or burrata with beetroot, prosciutto and olive crumble before moving on to their classic pizzas and pastas that pack a few unexpected twists.
Settimo
111 Mary Street, Brisbane CBD
Image credit: Settimo | Instagram
Featuring aesthetics galore, Settimo is an interior designer’s dream. From timber furnishings to pops of blue and yellow, and authentic Italian ceramic plates, you’ll feel like you’re smack bang in the middle of the Amalfi Coast. One of renowned chef Guy Grossi’s masterpieces, this Brisbane Italian restaurant serves up options like campanian seafood soup, cured mussels with nduja, and slow cooked lamb with breadcrumbs and parmigiano. We’re drooling already.
Julius Pizzeria
77 Grey Street, South Brisbane
Sitting right at the Grey Street entrance to Fish Lane, Julius is the perfect starting block for a delicious night out in this Melbourne-style foodie precinct. Headed by the minds behind Teneriffe institution Beccofino, Julius’ pizzas and pastas are an authentic continuation of a fine legacy, with the tartufo pizza being one of Brisbane's must-try dishes in our books.
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Rosmarino
6 McLachlan Street, Fortitude Valley
Image credit: Rosmarino | Instagram
Set in a stunning heritage building on the edge of the Valley, Rosmarino is turning heads for its exceptional eats and collection of Italian wines—especially from Etna. Whether you opt for bar bites and vino in the bar or a full-on feast, you'll find out-of-the-ordinary Italian fare on the menu that will leave you wanting more. Must-orders include the crespelle ai funghi and slow-cooked rolled lamb belly. Tight pants are not recommended.
Bar Rosa
77 Grey Street, South Brisbane
The little sister to Brisbane staples Julius and Beccofino, Bar Rosa is the spot for intimate and uncomplicated Italian bites. The perfect place for date night with a side of people-watching, order a glass of vino, share some squid ink spaghetti Lady-and-the-Tramp style, and judge passers-by under the city lights. Could it be any more romantic? Siri, play ‘Bella Notte’.
Gemelli Italian
15 James Street, Fortitude Valley
Image credit: Gemelli | Instagram
Gemelli Italian's glam, split-level space with dark wooden archways and a patterned ceiling is just the place for negroni and some antipasti before making the difficult choice of whether to order pizza or pasta. For us, it's between the slow-cooked oxtail and pork shin ragu with rigatoni and the Roma pizza topped with fior di latte, prosciutto di parma and burrata cheese. Enter: food coma.
Pilloni
166 Hardgrave Road, West End
Cancel your next trip to Sardinia, because Pilloni in West End has you covered. Pilloni takes their warm and welcoming vibe straight from Sardinian farm stays—or “agriturismo” if you’re feeling cultured. And, in the spirit of agriturismo, Pilloni sources all of their ingredients directly from local farmers and producers, cooking them over an open flame for that authentic farm-to-table feel. It’s also a stunning spot that’s perfect for date night, so find yourself a plus one to share a plate of their potato-filled culurgiones ASAP.
Mosconi
164B Arthur Street, Fortitude Valley
Boutique restaurant Mosconi, located in an old WWII surplus warehouse, is a must-try for anyone looking for a more intimate and unique date night. Their Euro-chic interior boasts two levels, as well as an option for outdoor dining—how very Euro. Order a glass of one of their many wines on offer, and pair it with dishes such as duck ragu pappardelle, pork cotoletta, or Brisbane Valley quail.
Sasso Italiano
4/148 Logan Road, Woolloongabba
Image credit: Sasso Italiano | Instagram
From the minds of some big hospitality veterans with experience at Ovolo hotels comes this warm and funky space that's not afraid to push the boundaries. Choose a table inside or on the breezy balcony, and don't miss Sasso's burrata topped with a take on bagna cauda, yolk-filled ravioli in brown butter, charred-edge pizzas, and whole grilled seafood. Feeling fancy? Sip negroni made with vintage Campari. Now we’re talking.
Antica
1/70 Kedron Brook Road, Wilston
Coming from a team that had serious chops for their beloved pizza truck, Pizzantica, Antica is a brick-and-mortar spot serving up some serious Italian vibes. Start with their massive burrata that's recommended for 4-8 people before moving on to expertly wood-fired pizzas, ricotta and orange ravioli with duck ragu, and cannoli filled with limoncello custard (and maybe a barrel-aged negroni).
Tartufo
1000 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
Featuring hearty cuisine, charming service, and welcoming old-school interiors, Tartufo restaurant offers the freshest produce and ingredients available with a strong focus on using local suppliers. Their dishes take you on an Italian journey via Umbria, Tuscany, and Naples, while the wine list exceeds more than 200 labels, predominantly from Australian vineyards.
Biànca
46 James Street, Fortitude Valley
Image credit: Biànca | Instagram
Ready for a salmon-hued exploration of all the best Italian flavours? Settle in to James Street's Biànca restaurant for a side of antipasti, house-made pastas, and epic desserts, complete with some of the best people watching you’ll find this side of the river. Choose your own adventure from their antipasti list before moving on to more substantial dishes like Wagyu bistecca, whole fish, and chicken cotoletta. Just leave room for their almond gelato with Jerusalem artichoke, honey, and cacao. Better yet, why not start with dessert first?
Justin Lane
132 Constance Street, Fortitude Valley
Justin’s in town? That’s right folks. Burleigh Heads icon Justin Lane has opened their doors in Fortitude Valley. Here, the crew have transformed the old Alfred & Constance space into the perfect al fresco setup. Settle in on their rooftop for a boozy afternoon in the sun with their legendary sourdough pizza or homemade pasta. With a motto like “eat, drink and be messy”, good times are almost certainly guaranteed.
Attimi
224 Given Terrace, Paddington
For Italian classics cooked by a chef who boasts stints at multiple Michelin-starred restaurants and counts Gordon Ramsey as a former colleague, you’ll want to check out Attimi. Settle in for an 8- or 12-course degustation journey through Italy, or work your way through their a la carte offering during the week. There’s no right answer, just tasty dish after tasty dish.
Popolo
3 Sidon Street, South Brisbane
Image credit: Popolo | Instagram
Picture this: unparalleled views of the city across the Brisbane River as you sit in a rustic and funky al fresco dining area, eating pizza and pasta to your heart’s content. Yeah, Popolo doesn’t sound too shabby, does it? Their menu includes tartufata pizza, Moreton Bay bug linguine, and pistachio panna cotta. In short, a certified good time.
Il Molo
1B Oxford Street, Bulimba
Irony is not lost on the owners of Il Molo. Directly translating to “The Jetty”, this is an aesthetic restaurant nestled next to the Bulimba Jetty. Their menu provides a variety of drinks, pastas, pizzas, and antipasti with flavour to boot. But, if decisions make you as anxious as us, there are solutions. Il Molo offers two banquet menus as well as a “Spritz and Salumi” deal for you and your favourite person to split as an afternoon snack.
Alchemy
175 Eagle Street, Brisbane CBD
Nestled on the banks of the Brisbane River, Alchemy offers up Italian with some French undertones. Considering their Chef is Brad Jolly, who won four first place titles in the La Chaine des Rotisseurs in Paris, it’s not exactly a surprise—and neither is the quality of the food. From sherry prawn risotto to braised beef cheek with confit garlic, and salt and pepper quail with almond cream, the food is almost as breathtaking as the view.
Massimo
123 Eagle Street, Brisbane CBD
Image credit: Massimo | Instagram
Riverside dining doesn’t get much better than Massimo. The Amalfi-inspired joint serves up a huge range of Italian eats all day long, including ragu di agnello, beef tartare, and even gives you the option to have a whole marron or lobster straight from the tank—now that’s some serious Euro beach club vibes. And if all that choice is just too overwhelming for you, fear not! Massimo also offers bottomless lunches and banquets. Why choose when you can just eat it all?
Persone
300 George Street, Brisbane CBD
‘A place to indulge in the good life’; that’s what Persone promises to be. It’s just classic, old-fashioned, good tasting Italian fare. They bring the food, you bring the company. Impress your table and order their lobster linguine, a few pizzas for sharing, and of course, a round of Aperols for the gang.
Acciuga
19 Brighton Road, Sandgate
Acciuga brings a seafood heavy Italian line up to the bayside with a simple mission: to cure the soul with good food and company. The love child of Italian expats Beatrice Nember and Diego Metrangolo means you’ll find some of the most certified Italian flavours around— no carbonara or lasagna nonsense here. Just simple, elevated, home cooked fare. Featuring a healthy mix of seafood (their grilled baby squid shines), veggie friendly options, and hearty meat dishes, this is Italian done different.
Elementi
257 Given Terrace, Paddington
For neighbourhood eats that warm the cockles, find yourself a seat at Elementi. Coming to us from former Julius and Beccofino chefs there’s plenty on the menu to rejoice about. Wood-fired pizzas and pastas are the heroes of the menu, all of which can be paired with something from the lengthy list of intriguing wines.
Main image credit: 1889 Enotecca | Instagram
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