Il Vento

The Verdict

Neatly nestled inside Mooloolaba’s Wharf precinct, Il Vento is like a little slice of Italy on the Sunshine Coast.

This authentic Italian joint makes and rolls their pizza bases and pastas in-store, every day. They even make all their own sauces from scratch, so everything is super fresh.

The menu features all the Italian classics we know and love, as well as some traditional dishes with a modern twist. Think: polenta and gorgonzola chips, arancini platters, pumpkin and pancetta gnocchi and amazing wood-fired pizzas. As for dessert, there’s cheese platters, tiramisu, panna cotta and the Il Verde cannelloni, as well as a selection of delicious gelato flavours.

The slightly rustic décor is just as impressive as the menu, featuring plush navy blue leather lounges, bold dark timber tables, textured brick walls and mood-setting down lights. There’s also an outdoor seating area where the kitchen is on full display, so you can watch your pizza dough being rolled and placed into the giant pizza oven, before it lands on your table.

Not only does this joint serve up outstanding foodie delights, but it’s the incredible atmosphere that will keep you coming back. The staff are bubbly, the ambient music is super relaxing and the cool coastal breeze that drifts in over the wharf makes it feel like you could be sitting in a restaurant on the Amalfi Coast. 

Image credit: Amy Higg for Urban List