Ask anyone what their favourite cuisine is and more often than not, it'll be Italian. Pizza, pasta and antipasti—what's not to love? So I've been salivating ever since I was appointed the task of sharing the best Italian restaurants on the Gold Coast/Kombumerri with you. Hey, someone's got to twirl their fork, slurp that cheese and sip all the aperitifs and all I'm saying is I was up for the challenge.
With great palatable praise comes great responsibility, to not only deliver delicious meals to the masses, but to pay homage to the traditional recipes—some of which have been handed down and perfected through countless generations. And that’s what makes Italian food so damn great, it’s been tried, tested and tasted over and over again.
Here at Urban List, finding authentic Italian requires due diligence. Lucky for you, I’ve done the legwork (shovelled in kilos of carbs) and sorted the stayers from the players. You can say grazie mille to me later. Scroll on for 23 of the best Italian restaurants on the Gold Coast in 2025, in North to South order.
The Gold Coast's Best Italian At A Glance
Northern Gold Coast Italian
Mad Over Italian
Shop 4, 99-103 Broadwater Ave, Hope Island QLD 4212
Yet to hear about Mad Over Italian (MOI)? It's not by accident. The locals are keeping this one quiet in hopes to nab the tables for themselves. Plating up Italian flavours with coastal flair in their casual dining space, I am seriously shocked this place is not booked out every night of the week—jump on this Italian restaurant before the rest of Gold Coast does and book your table 12-3pm or 4:30-9pm any day of the week. View the menu here.
Owned by a Gold Coast family, "the crew have nailed the branding, the service, the vibe, and it's my absolute favourite Italian restaurant on the Northern Gold Coast," says Urban List Contributor Danielle Read. "The Barramundi ala mediterrania is the perfect fusion of Italian flavours and Australian seafood. The garlic, chilli and cherry tomatoes errupt into symphony in this white wine and bisque drenched saucy number. I'm obsessed." You heard her, run don't walk. Read more.
Jafa
Shop 7, 253 Ferry Rd, Southport, QLD 4215
I would be remiss not to mention Jafa in a list of the Gold Coast’s best Italian restaurants. "This cosy Italian gem has won my heart with their handmade pizzas and pastas," says Urban List Contributor Harmony Lee. "Their focus on fresh, delicious ingredients shines through in every bite. their extensive wine list, featuring a focus on Australian, New Zealand, and European varieties, is a true crowd-pleaser."
Interestingly, their pizzas undergp a complete fermentation period, which makes for light bases that don't sit as heavy in the belly. The gamberi spinachi pasta with its fresh prawns, sundried tomato and lashings of creamy sauce is one of the more interesting Italian dishes I've seen on the Gold Coast and is best followed with the apple and blueberry crumble. Oh, if you must. Read more.
Mr P.P.’s Deli & Rooftop
43 Nerang Street, Southport QLD 4215
Image Credit: Mr P.P's | Isabel Croker
Tucked inside one of the Gold Coast’s few historical buildings, Mr P.P.’s namesake was a Postmaster General whose family called the space home for a century. Today, this moody, multi-level haunt is arguably one of the best Southport restaurants for rooftop sips, generously loaded pizza, and top-shelf tipples.
Drop in for a sundowner affair above Southport’s hustle-bustle on the rooftop or hide away in the adjoining vintage Percy’s Bar. Urban List Editor Isabel Croker says, "The sopressa salami pizza with a ricotta base, roasted peppers, basil, and chilli-infused honey is a crowd favourite, best ordered at sunset on the rooftop, so you can watch the sun go down with pizza in hand." To be fair, though, there are no wrong choices at Mr P.P’s—check the full menu out here.
Bambino Ristorante
Shop 3/117 Ashmore Rd, Bundall QLD 4217
If you're on the search for dinner and a show, Bambino Ristorante is the best Italian restaurant on the Gold Coast for you. Slurp up your linguini Lady and The Tramp style while crooning to live entertainment every night, because according to the team "pizza and pasta taste better with a side of vino and song." They're not wrong. View the menu here.
Open Tuesday through Thursday from 5pm and Friday through Saturday from 12 noon, you may have just discovered your new favourite night out without the cover charge. Read more.
Roy's By Gemelli
Cnr Campbell & Panitz St, Sorrento QLD 4217
When Italian fare is this good, it’s worth hunting down. Which is exactly what you’ll need to do if you want try one of the best Italian restaurants on the Gold Coast, Roy's By Gemelli. Helmed by the Gemelli crew—brothers Alec, James and Paul Carney—you know it's going to be seriously good when they head up a formidable six Italian venues across the Gold Coast and Brisbane.
The brothers aspired to create a social meeting place for the neighbourhood of Sorrento, where residents could wine and dine without needing to drive or book a babysitter. Roy's is also named after the brothers' adorable dog, Roy, so extra points. Roy's by Gemelli is open seven nights a week 5pm-8:30pm and for lunch 12pm-2:30pm Friday through Sunday. View the menu here.
With a menu bursting with Gemelli classics and authentic recipes from the motherland, for the rest of us, a drive into the backwaters of Broadbeach is definitely worth it for this mid-week family dinner spot. Roy's tiramisu is so damn creamy and beautiful, it feels like I'm on a date with it and my partner just happens to be sharing the table with us. Not kidding. Read more.
Papa Rolly's
1/124 Pappas Way, Carrara QLD 4211
Image Credit: Papa Rolly's | Clayten Fowler Photography
Speaking of the Gemelli empire, I would be remiss not to include their newest Italian venue, Papa Rolly's. Named for the very first food truck twins Alec and James Carney (along with older brother Paul) launched back in 2016, Papa Rolly’s is bringing Gemelli’s signature handmade Italian fare to Carrara, with a more casual, family-friendly vibe.
Alec and James explained why they felt drawn to Carrara, saying “We feel our company ethics of growing up cooking with mum resonates well in a community location and we want to bring that vibe to Carrara like we did with Roy’s By Gemelli.”
So what’s on the menu? Many of their Gemelli-style classics star on the homestyle-inspired Italian menu, with emphasis on wood-fired pizza and handmade pastas. The Bella Donna pizza with San Marzano tomato, double mozzarella, provolone cheese and New York pepperoni is a must-order, as is the Rigatoni Roy’s pasta with chicken breast, mushrooms, avocado, cherry tomatoes and Napoli sauce. Papa Rolly's also boasts an on-site Gelato Gemelli bar and you can BYO with a $10 corkage fee.
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Central Gold Coast Italian
Cucina Vivo
The Star Gold Coast, Lobby Level, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Image Credit: Cucina Vivo | Instagram
Step past the open-plan kitchen and crackling wood-fired pizza oven and you’ll be transported to a little slice of the Amalfi Coast right here in Broadbeach. I love Cucina Vivo’s retro ‘60s colour palette of dusty pink and seafoam blue, decorated with oversized pendant lights, plantation-style shutters and a chic white terrace overlooking The Star’s sparkling resort pool.
Keep an eye out for ticketed events like the Italian Long Lunch where you'll indulge in a three-course share-style lunch with a 2.5 hour drink package and live entertainment. Or, ogle the menu to mentally order before your booking.
I recommend tasting your way through the entire menu of antipasti, wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas and Alla Grigila mains (from the charcoal grill), crafted by Head Chef Grant Parry and his talented team. Bring your appetite because you must not leave without trying Cucina Vivo’s legendary Cioccolato Rosso Ferrari. I'll leave it at that to not ruin the surprise. Read more.
Sofia's Restaurant & Bar
Oasis Shopping Centre, Victoria Avenue, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Image Credit: Sofia's | Instagram
Sofia’s Restaurant and Bar is a homage to the dreamy tones of coastal Europe and this Italian gem delivers a magnificent share-style menu that's stripped back, refined and lets the quality produce speak, nay, sing for itself. What really makes this one of the best Italian restaurants on the Gold Coast for me is the raw bar.
Featuring live oysters opened to order, served with a side of Chardonay mignonette. Or the cheekily named Caviar Bump, served with a glass of frozen Beluga vodka. Yes, they mean business. View the full menu here.
Created by the team behind Luna's Broadbeach and Southport's Farina & Co., the menu is simplistic and showcases the flavours of fresh, local produce—as well as some delectable European specialties thrown in for good measure. Oh, and the white-washed space with mirrored wall arches filled with Aperol bottles is seriously stunning. A short wander from The G Broadbeach north tram stop, book any day of the week for dinner 5pm-10:30pm or Tuesday through Sunday for lunch 12pm-2:45pm. Read more.
Gemelli Italian
2/2685 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Image Credit: Gemelli Italian | Instagram
A packed dining room seven nights, plus lunch Friday to Sunday, is a testament to the Gemelli crew who introduced some of the most authentic Italian fare to the Gold Coast. Gemelli, translating to ‘twin’ in the mother tongue, is the original trattoria in their hospitality empire and is somewhat of an institution among pizza and pasta lovers. View their menu here.
Come for the wood-fired pizzas and melted gnocchi bowls and stay for the drool-worthy Nutella Bomba desserts sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and plated with generous scoops of vanilla gelato. It's recommended for 2-4 people, but I've polished off one solo and was not the slightest bit mad about it. Read more.
Mario’s
Shop 48-52 Oasis Shopping Centre, Victoria Ave, Broadbeach QLD 4218
You know if your Italian dinner destination is called Mario’s, you’re in good hands. With a staggering 20-plus pizzas to tempt you, from the simple Capricciosa to the Zingara with garlic prawns, spinach and camembert, it’s inevitable you’ll be rolling outta here. I literally eat my weight in smoky fettuccine carbonara each time I dine in and have not regretted lapping up that classic garlic cream sauce once. Browse menus here.
With over 20 years on the scene and a big favourite with both locals and tourists, it would be a crime to leave Mario’s off a list of the best Italian restaurants on the Gold Coast. Read more.
Double Zero
2/2715 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Neapolitan pizzas are known for their simplicity, and after a decade delighting diners with their authentic woodfired pizzas with the Naples tick of approval, Double Zero is hands down one of the best Italian restaurants on the Gold Coast for pillowy bases bouncing with fresh mozarella. So it’s no surprise they’re certified by Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana as one of Australia’s most authentic Italian pizzerias. An impressive feat indeed. View their menu here.
Book your table any time Sunday through Thursday 4:30pm-8:30pm or Friday through Saturday 4:30pm-9pm. Try Double Zero’s genuine Napoletana creations for yourself which is definitely best paired with an aperitif, like a Campari or Limoncello Spritz, to really feel like you've transported to Italy, without the jetlag. Read more.
Ciccio's Pizza and Gelato
104 Surf Parade, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Ciccio’s Pizza and Gelato is helmed by the Sicilian-born pizza and pastry chef Emanuele Malara and since launching onto the Broadbeach dining scene in October 2024, this casual, pint-sized spot has certainly made its mark.
Drawing on Emanuele’s decades of culinary expertise—honed in Rome and at the iconic Gemelli Group—Ciccio’s celebrates Italy’s most iconic duo: pizza and gelato. At Ciccio’s, “Si mangia con le mani,” meaning “to eat with your hands,” is taken quite literally—here, you’re encouraged to forgo cutlery and dive in. If you weren't already sold, Emanuele recently won 'Pizza Chef Of The Year' and 'Best Classic Pizza' at Australia’s Best Pizza Awards 2025.
Ciccio’s pizzas are an experience in themselves, featuring a highly fermented dough that changes colour seasonally. With 30 different options, choosing just one is no easy feat. I love that at Ciccio’s, dessert isn’t an afterthought—it’s a necessity. Their housemade gelato, crafted from the finest ingredients, comes in 18 rotating flavours. Ciccio's is open from 5:30pm during the week and from 12pm on weekends, so you really don't have an excuse to not visit...just saying. Read more.
Sapori
Santa Cruz Village, 60 Santa Cruz Blvd, Clear Island Waters QLD 4226
Goccia Italian Pizzeria
1A/2375 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
For top-notch pizza, pasta and share plates that won’t break the bank, it’s obvious why locals have fallen head over heels for Goccia. Cosy up inside near the wood-fired pizza oven or dine alfresco under the festoon lights, Goccia (pronounced ‘gotcha’) is like a warm hug from family, made all the more authentic by the Italian accents taking your order with a smile. View their menu here.
I'm going to be bold and claim that Goccia are serving up some of the absolute best pizzas on the Gold Coast. So much so that it'll be near impossible to choose just one. Do as the locals and order the 50cm family pizza with three flavours on one base. Book your table any time 5pm-8:30pm Wednesday through Sunday. Read more.
Piatto
2460 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
"Cooking is what I’ll do until I die," says Harry. I enjoy that it’s the first job that is a genuine expression of myself. I’ve had other jobs where I go to and have to be another person. But here, I walk in and I’m genuinely being myself, that’s a good sign." And the family affair is all part of that expression. "Brad and I are in the kitchen, he taught me everything so I’m basically a replica of him." You can taste the love in these dishes.
I guarantee you'll enjoy a flavour festa when you dive into a steaming bowl of George's Prawn Risotto, with hints of chilli and a flavour lift thanks to preserved lemon, she's rich and creamy. Perfectly paired with a drop from Piatto's dizzying collection of beautiful imported Italian wines. If you’re a fan of authentic Italian cuisine and wine, book via text on 0405 607 729. Read more.
Gemellini
2247 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Baby brother to Broadbeach’s much-loved Gemelli Italian, you may be tempted to dine at Gemellini for the beautiful fit-out alone. A refined addition to Nobby’s dining scene and one of the best Italian restaurants on the Gold Coast for moody dining and serious carb-loading, Gemellini is dishing up authentic wood-fired pizzas and homemade pastas with recipes inherited from Nonna. View their menu here.
Open Monday through Saturday for dinner from 5:30pm and Sunday for lunch, my go-to dish is The Carne pizza with pomodoro base, salsicce (a house-made fennel pork sausage), ham and salami. But there really are no wrong choices at Gemellini. Read more.
Lenny’s Pizzeria & Bar
Shop 5/58 Railway St, Mudgeeraba QLD 4213
"Lenny’s Pizzeria & Bar is the kind of sprawling pizza joint that's reminiscent of balmy Euro summers sipping spritzes alfresco, except with an Aussie spin, under the shade of poincianas," says Urban List Contributor Danielle Read. "This place is founded by Rob, one the OG Justin Lane crew who has a real passion and knack for next-level pizza bases - chewy, thin and proved generously," she continues. "The prawn pizza with spicy confit garlic, fermented chili and lemon is a winner every time."
But you’ll have to get there in a flash, because keep slingin' food until its sold out - which late in the night is often (and we assure you, it’s not for lack of preparation). View the menu. Check their Instagram for weekly pizza specials which have included the likes of Rick and Mortydella, The Gorgon Hamsley and Keanu Leaves. Hilarous.
Open 4:30pm-9pm Tuesday through Saturday, dive into delectable Italian cuisine at its finest with Lenny’s pork and beef meatballs, arancini with porcini mushroom and a curated selection of everyone’s favourite—pizza. If I haven’t got your full attention yet, their house-made ice cream with regularly changing flavours will flip that. With so much more to satisfy your Italian cravings, Lenny’s Pizzeria & Bar is a skeleton key for picky eaters, and has your next catch up written all over it. Read more.
Southern Gold Coast Italian
Crispy Italian Bar
1840 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Image Credit: Crispy Italian Bar | Instagram
You know when an Italian restaurant is filled with Italians, well, they're doing something right. And that's very much the vibe at Crispy Italian Bar. As charming owners Ricky Proserpio and Matteo Tricario explain, traditional Italian bars or ‘Bar Italianos’ seamlessly blur the lines between restaurant, cafe and bar—a place where you can grab a panini for lunch, an aperitivo at sunset or sit down with friends and chow down on pizzas. There’s no rules and that’s just how we like it.
The star of the show is the pizzas with 16 pizzas gracing the menu, all of which can be made gluten-free. The wild mushroom with mozzarella, mixed mushrooms and truffle oil is delectable and we can’t go past the vulcano, with prosciutto di parma, Calabrian nduja and stracciatella. If you have room, the chilli honey stracciatella is also next-level.
Expect ultra-crispy yet thick pizza crusts—hence the very aptly named ‘Crispy Italian Bar’. Specials to keep an eye out for are the half-metre wood-fired pizza which serves three people and Wednesday night Gnocchi Night—four different types of gnocchi in a wood-fired pizza bowl. Crispy is open from 5pm Tuesday to Saturday and from 12pm on Sundays—more details here.
Justin Lane
1708-1710 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Image Credit: Justin Lane | Instagram
The king of Italian food in Burleigh, Justin Lane has been providing a warm welcome to those seeking a charismatic dining experience since 2011 with their iconic attitude 'eat, drink and be messy'. Hands down a local institution and one of the best Italian restaurants on the Gold Coast for sourdough pizza and handmade pasta, there's a constant thrum to this fantastic spot. Browse their impressive collection of menus, including an entirely vegan Italian menu and banquet option. From my experience, it's the only fully vegan-specific Italian banquet on the Gold Coast.
If it's your first time visiting Justin Lane, get in early to nab a seat on the open-air terrace for a few negronis in the late afternoon sunshine. My pick for dinner? The prawn, calamari and garlic wood-fired pizza on sourdough. Justin's Long Lunch which runs Friday to Sunday delivers endless food and drinks for two hours. Switch your next bottomless brunch for a bottomless Italian feast. Read more.
Balboa Italian
1069 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Image Credit: Balboa Italian | Instagram
One of the best Italian restaurants on the Gold Coast, and a firm favourite of mine, is Palm Beach’s Balboa Italian. Like a glistening beacon of beauty on the Gold Coast Highway, this treasured neighbourhood haunt serves the locals fine Italian fare with a contemporary twist, all in the most magnificent of settings. With towering ceilings, a grand chandelier and the perfect amount of rustic charm, Balboa’s decor is all kinds of Insta-worthy. Plus, it's open seven nights for dinner and Friday through Sunday for lunch. View the menu here.
"This is classic Italian delivered in the best possible way—and, if it’s not on your date night roster, you’re missing out," says Urban List Contributor Duncan Croker. "I suggest starting with the Byron Bay burrata, a chef’s special served up with house-harvested honey, followed by any of the pasta or gnocchi mains. If it’s slated to be fine, request a seat on the upstairs outdoor balcony." Read more.
The Deli By Pepe
Shop 13/1102 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Tommy's Italian
818 Pacific Parade, Currumbin QLD 4223
Image Credit: Tommy's Italian | Instagram
Located on pristine Currumbin Beach, Tommy’s Italian is the breezy southern hang with all the charm of a coastal Amalfi getaway. The bright, airy venue features an upstairs balcony with prime position for those unbeatable ocean views with your long, lazy Italian lunch.
The menu encapsulates the perfect Italian food philosophy—simple food done well, with a focus on fresh, high quality ingredients. Load up the lunch table with antipasti including burrata and chicken liver parfait, as well as something hot and fresh from the grill, before diving into the classic pizza and pasta selections with a modern twist. Open 5pm-9pm from Monday to Thursday and for lunch and dinner from Friday to Sunday, Tommy's is perfect for big group catchups, but you'll need to book well in advance. Read more.
Bar Evelyn
58 Marine Parade, Coolangatta QLD 4225
Last yet certainly not least, Bar Evelyn has made a serious impact since it landed on the Gold Coast dining scene a few years ago. While not strictly wholly Italian, Bar Evelyn has Italo-American influences but with sourdough pizza, hand made pasta, seasonal antipasti and natural wines making the vast majority of the menu, I think it deserves a place in this article.
Melbourne hospitality legends and the driving forces behind Bar Evelyn, Mark Catsburg and Nick Stanton, were to inspired to open Bar Evelyn in part due to their love of pizza and the lively culture that surrounds it. The 70s-inspired venue is almost diner-style with subtle American influences but it oozes intimate charm both inside and out. While the menu changes frequently, must-orders include the salami and hot honey pizza, the vodka sauce rigatoni and tiramisu which is to-die-for. Seriously. Bar Evelyn is open from 5pm Monday to Thursday and from 12pm Friday to Sunday—more details here.
Honourable mentions: Baskk Italian, Enzo's Cucina, La Calabrese, Bar Monte and Tamero Burleigh.
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Main image credit: Balboa Italian | Instagram
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