Cucina Regina

Cucina Regina is an authentic Italian dining experience fit for royalty. Perched in prime position right in front of the Neville Bonner Pedestrian Bridge on The Terrace of Queen’s Wharf, the dining destination takes its cues from sibling venues Cucina Vivo on the Gold Coast and Cucina Porto in Sydney to dish up elevated Italian fare out of a luxe 160-seat space that features a mix of indoor and outdoor dining areas. 

Bringing a touch of old world-charm to the precinct, the laid-back restaurant simultaneously looks like it wouldn’t be out of place in the cobbled streets of Rome or the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, with a muted colour palette and a huge curved bar taking pride of place at the entrance. Whether you’re in the mood to enjoy a negroni over a woodfired pizza or settle in for a multi-course Italian feast, you’re covered here—there’s even a tucked away private dining room for up to 18 guests. 

Italian-born Executive Chef Davide Incardona has created a menu inspired by the Italian family table, starting with small plates like wagyu beef bresaola, porcini mushroom arancini and soft fried squid. Pizza and pasta is a must of course, and Cucina Regina delivers with options like rigatoni carbonara, slow-cooked lamb ragu and gamberetti pizza with garlic prawns, chilli, zucchini and creamy stracciatella. 

That’s not all though—coming off the grill you’ll find Moreton Bay bugs served with garlic and herb butter and a smokey flatbread, and a traditional Bistecca Alla Fiorentina—a 1.1kg gold t-bone steak designed for sharing. And for dessert? Keep your eyes peeled for the dessert trolley serving up tiramisu, cannoli and crema catalana. 

As for that bar we mentioned, spritzes and negronis are a staple on the cocktail menu of course, but you can also sip on a curated wine list of Italian drops, and wines made in an Italian style. That lunch booking may just turn into evening drinks—but Cucina Regina is the spot for it. 

Image credit: Supplied