Whether you're a die-hard pasta fiend or just craving a big bowl of hearty Italian comfort food this winter, the Gold Coast/Kombumerri Country has some truly incredible Italian restaurants serving authentic spaghetti, orecchiette, ravioli, fettuccine and pappardelle.
From rich, creamy sauces and slow-cooked wonders to fresh seafood delights, we've rounded up the best pasta dishes to stick your fork in. Take a twirl through—in no particular order— Urban List’s most mouthwatering pastas on the Gold Coast.
Sofia's
Oasis Shopping Centre, 53 Victoria Ave, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Image Credit: Sofia's | Instagram
For a coastal European menu that fits perfectly with the sunny vibes of Broadbeach, Sofia’s is our go-to for top-tier pasta. The extensive menu changes seasonally, ensuring that each dish is crafted with the freshest ingredients available.
However, one crowd favourite remains constant—Sofia’s Cacio e Pepe for two. This heady mix of linguine, cream, and cracked pepper is served table-side, tossed in their impressive 40kg parmesan wheel. The theatrical presentation alone is worth the visit, but the flavours will have you hooked from the very first bite.
Piatto
2460 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
An intimate 16-seat dining experience, Piatto focuses on seasonal local produce and simple, delicious cooking. With an ever-changing menu that reflects the finest ingredients of the moment, this charming spot offers a small and carefully curated selection of Italian vinos to complement your meal.
This winter, we think you should dive into their rigatoni smothered in a rich, hearty wagyu beef bolognaise. Perfect for those cooler Gold Coast nights, this dish is the ultimate comfort food, blending robust flavours with high welfare, high quality beef and perfectly al dente pasta.
Mozza Mozza
Cnr Olsen Ave & Musgrave Ave, Southport QLD 4215
Image Credit: Mozza Mozza | Instagram
As you can probably tell by the name, Mozza Mozza is the Northern Gold Coast's latest mozzarella-inspired hotspot, known for its casual Italian kitchen vibes. This lively eatery serves up everything from wood-fired pizzas to decadent pasta dishes and colourful cocktails.
We're suckers for their Wednesday pizza bowl pastas (two for $40) and don’t miss their Thursday special—two cheese wheel pastas for $50. Trust us, it's as indulgent as it sounds. With tableside cheese wheel service and plenty of cheeky mid-week specials, Mozza Mozza is perfect for a fun night out with friends or a romantic date night.
Orzo
3 Oracle Bvd, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Named for the rice-shaped pasta, Orzo offers a modern twist on Italian classics with handmade pasta that will make your heart sing ‘That’s Amore’. As the sister restaurant to local institution Social Eating House + Bar, Orzo has a big reputation to live up to, and achieves it by bringing a creative flair to traditional Italian cuisine.
A must-try is their tagliatelle with braised duck, pine mushroom, and cavolo nero. It’s a delightful blend of rich and earthy flavours that showcases the chefs’ talent for combining unique ingredients in perfect harmony.
Balboa Italian
1069 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Ahh, how we love this sophisticated southern belle. And we’re not the only ones. The popular Balboa is all about classic Italian techniques with modern interpretations. Their culinary approach respects the quality of the ingredients, resulting in dishes that are comfortingly familiar yet distinctly unique.
Gnocchi fans, rejoice. Their chestnut gnocchi with mushroom duxelles, black truffle, and sage is a must for adventurous eaters, while traditionalists will love the melt-in-the-mouth beef cheek gnocchi. Slow-cooked to perfection, it’s a dish that promises to satisfy even the heartiest of appetites, in the fanciest of settings.
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Gemelli Italian
2/2685 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Image Credit: Gemelli Italian | Instagram
Gemelli Italian has long been bringing the best of Italy to Broadbeach with a focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients, just like you would find in Italy. The famous rigatoni ragu stars eight-hour slow-cooked oxtail and pork shin with crushed San Marzano tomato, creating a truly sublime dining experience.
For a fun twist, get it served in a woodfired pizza dough bowl for an extra $10. The vibrant atmosphere and rustic setting make Gemelli a great spot for enjoying traditional Italian flavours with a modern flair. There’s a reason this authentic Italian institution is so beloved by locals.
Gemellini Italian
2247 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach QLD 4218
Gemellini offers a cosy, intimate dining experience with authentic Italian flair. The ‘baby brother’ to Gemelli in Broadbeach, Gemellini brings a fresh Italian approach to the southern end of the Gold Coast.
Their rigatoni with an eight-hour slow-cooked lamb shoulder ragu in crushed tomatoes and pecorino is simply sublime. Designed for sharing, their menu encourages you to gather with family and friends to enjoy a feast in true Italian style. Generous portions, lots of laughter and plenty of vino.
Salt Meats Cheese
The 4217/10 Beach Rd, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image Credit: Salt Meats Cheese | Instagram
For a fun night out, Salt Meats Cheese serves up cheesy pasta straight from their famous flaming parmesan cheese wheel. Known for being the first venue to bring this unique dining experience to the Gold Coast, they offer various flavour options starting at just $25 per person, leaving plenty of credit card space for a tiramisu at the end of the night.
We also need to give a special mention to their traditional spaghetti and meatballs; a true comfort dish you cannot miss. Funky, vibrant, and perfect for a relaxed evening with friends, Salt Meats Cheese is a must-visit.
Goccia Italian Pizzeria
2375 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Pronounced ‘gotcha’, the unassuming Goccia is a cosy spot that won’t break the bank, offering divine pizza, pasta, and share plates.
Their penne al pomodoro with homemade tomato sauce, buffalo mozzarella, and basil is simplicity at its finest, with the combination of fresh ingredients and authentic Italian flavours makes this dish a standout. Whether dining inside close to the wood-fired pizza oven or alfresco under the festoon lights, Goccia provides a warm and welcoming dining experience.
Cucina Vivo
The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach QLD 4218
At Cucina Vivo, simplicity meets exceptional flavour. Inspired by the Italian love for traditional dishes made with the finest seasonal ingredients, their menu is a celebration of Italian cuisine.
Their fettuccine boscaiola with pork sausage, mushrooms, cream, and parmigiano reggiano is a dream come true. Paired with their extensive selection of Italian and Australian wines, and set amongst some of the prettiest décor around, a meal at Cucina Vivo is an experience to remember
Justin Lane
1708-1710 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Image Credit: Justin Lane | Instagram
Known for its ever-popular wood-fired pizzas and oh-so-cool laneway vibes, Justin Lane also excels in the pasta department. Their gnocchi with slow-cooked, herby lamb ragu is a hearty soul food dish, perfect for any day really, but particularly welcome in the cooler months. We're also suckers for their spaghetti prawns with crayfish bique, prawns and chilli oil.
We promise, this generous portion of pillowy pasta will warm you from the tips of your toes to the cockles of your heart. Paired with their open-air Burleigh Heads setting, Justin Lane offers an Italian dining experience that is both comforting and stylish.
Crispy Italian Bar
4/1840 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Crispy Italian Bar is a unique dining experience in that it truly brings the essence of traditional Italian bars to the Gold Coast. Their Wednesday night gnocchi bowls are a carb lover’s dream. Served up in a wood-fired pizza bowl for some real carb-on-carb action, you'll be hard-pressed to choose from the four incredible flavours on offer, but if you twist our arm, we’d have to go for the tartufone with truffle paste, cream, truffle oil, and mozzarella.
This innovative concept of dining combines delicious food with a cosy, friendly atmosphere, and needs to be added to your calendar, stat. P.S Crispy Italian Bar has just launched a full pasta menu this week, which we'll have more details on shortly.
Mr PP’s Rooftop Bar and Laneway
43 Nerang St, Southport QLD 4215
Mr PP’s in Southport is famed for its lively atmosphere, live music, and multi-level fun, but did you know that their slow braised venison ragu with pappardelle is truly the star of the show?
One of those IYKYK dishes for true pasta connoisseurs, this incredible concoction is also served with pancetta, black cherry, red wine, tomato, and Grana Padano. Rich and packed to the rooftop with flavour, it’s the perfect meal to enjoy while taking in the views.
Osteria Del Mare
2/1718 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
For pizza and pasta lovers, Osteria Del Mare is an absolute Gold Coast must-visit. Chef Andrea Riva, originally from the Northern Italian region of Emilia Romagna, brings his culinary roots to the Gold Coast.
Their signature dish, lasagne del mare, features fresh squid, prawn, and fish cooked to perfection between delicate layers of activated charcoal pasta. This dish is not only exquisite but also totally Instagram-worthy, making it a must-do for any pasta aficionado.