Treat your tastebuds to the mouth-watering flavours of Italy by ticking off every exceptional Italian restaurant in Brisbane.
Big, robust tastes and sensationally dressed carbs—it’s little wonder why Italian cuisine is renowned the world over. Here in Brisbane, master culinary stars are jazzing up traditional techniques with quality ingredients and daring delivery. While still retaining the warmth of a traditional trattoria, every top-notch Italian restaurant in Brisbane is a one-way ticket to memory-making mangia. Sit back as we round up the standouts.
The shortlist
Best wine list: 1889 Enoteca
Best views: Persone
Most Instagrammable: Bianca
Best for seafood: Settimo
Fine dining gem: Pilloni
Best family-friendly spot: Beccofino
1. Julius Pizzeria
Found at the foot of Fish Lane, one of the city’s hottest laneways, located within walking distance to South Bank, Julius Pizzeria is a top-shelf Italian restaurant in Brisbane.
You’ll spot merry diners swilling vino out the front before you enter its doors, and when you do step inside, the buzz is intoxicating. Reminiscent of a Melbourne laneway star for more than just its setting, it’s a place filled with high-quality cooking, great wine and attentive hospitality.
As its name suggests, the pizza is a drawcard, so take your time as you peruse the Rosse (red) and Bianche (white) menus, where beautifully blended sauces slathered across traditional crispy bases lead the way. Elsewhere, there’s an inspired range of starters, just under half a dozen pastas (the duck ragu will send you straight to Venice) and showstopping mains.
Average Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Trendy and moody
Review: 4/5
Location: 77 Grey Street, South Brisbane
2. 1889 Enoteca
Walking through the doors of 1889 Enoteca feels like a big, cosy cuddle from Nonna. Narrowing its Italian artistry to the city of Rome, the Brisbane institution brings seriously authentic indulgence to the inner southern suburbs.
While the food itself delivers knockout after knockout (the crab and chilli tagliatelle is a smash hit and you’ll pine for it long after you leave), it’s the vibe and service that leave their mark.
Mains include beautifully executed meats, perfectly puffed risotto and seafood delicately layered with balanced flavours. And don’t miss the wine list—It’s massive and spilling over with hard-to-find Italian labels.
Average Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Warm and friendly
Review: 5/5
Location: 10-12 Logan Road, Woolloongabba
3. Popolo
Been a while between frocked-up long lunches? Remedy that at Popolo, one of the most charming Italian restaurants in Brisbane. Found at South Bank overlooking the Brisbane River, the hot spot is famed for its elegant waterfront tranquillity, despite the vibe remaining pretty relaxed. Pop your most glamorous sunnies over your eyes as you choose from a selection of pizzas, pasta, seafood, meaty mains and traditional starters. Sweet tooths will also appreciate the ample desserts on offer, spanning classics like tiramisu and panna cotta, as well as cakes.
Average Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Stylish
Review: 4/5
Location: R3 Sidon Street, South Brisbane
4. Ciao Papi
An Italian restaurant in Brisbane that endlessly dazzles, Ciao Papi is perched upon one of the city’s dreamiest waterfront corners.
One of Howard Smith Wharves’ brightest stars, the dining destination juts out over the Brisbane River right near Story Bridge at the New Farm end of the entertainment precinct, providing a dramatically beautiful backdrop no matter what time you’re dining.
Pick between crispy or pudgy-based pizzas generously topped with fresh ingredients, flavour-crammed pasta, even heartier mains and Instagram-friendly antipasti dishes as Aperol Spritzes roll out of the kitchen rapidly (when in Rome, or thereabouts), and animated revelry flows effortlessly.
Average Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Blissfully breezy
Review: 4/5
Location: 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City
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5. Biànca
Top off a stroll along the sophisticated run of boutiques along James Street with a visit to Biànca. An exceptional Italian restaurant in Brisbane, the space is impressive to no end (you’ll want to take every bit of tableware home with you) as a terracotta-flushed fit-out dials up the warmth.
Brightened further through its delicious open-air frontage, the restaurant sings architecturally—and then there’s the food. We recommend one of the two set menus to take advantage of the headliners, which span elevated pastas, beautiful small plates and unadulterated seafood wizardry.
Average Price: $$$-$$$$
Atmosphere: Slick
Review: 5/5
Location: Shop AM5, Ada Lane, 46 James Street, Fortitude Valley
6. Settimo
The brainchild of Guy Grossi, one of Australia’s most celebrated chefs, Settimo is a vibrant tribute to the Amalfi Coast and its famed seafood hauls.
Sink into its colourful dining room, located within The Westin Brisbane hotel, with a bottle of white in tow as you cruise a menu of fresh-caught delicacies.
Think traditional heroes like delicately dressed raw fish and octopus, as well as whole fish and mussels. Don’t overlook the expertly considered Pasta al Limone, too, absolutely nailing a minimalist classic.
Average Price: $$$-$$$$
Atmosphere: Fun-loving
Review: 4/5
Location: The Westin Brisbane, Level 1, 111 Mary Street, Brisbane
7. Bar Alto
Piggyback a meal at Bar Alto onto a day of exploration inside the Brisbane Powerhouse, one of the city’s best museums.
The Italian restaurant in Brisbane is located right inside the museum and overlooks the Brisbane River, so it’s the perfect spot to reflect on the morning’s culture fix.
You’ll score a menu of Italian classics including antipasti, grilled seafood and meats, pasta and risotto and a few share dishes including the outstanding slow-cooked lamb shoulder.
Average Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Pure chic
Review: 4/5
Location: Brisbane Powerhouse, 119 Lamington Street, New Farm
8. Persone
Lock in your next special occasion at Persone, one of the best Italian restaurants in Brisbane and perhaps the country.
Showcasing some of the greatest views in the city, the fine dining destination celebrates the culinary artistry of Italy in spectacular style.
You’ll find elegant antipasti, a couple of crowd-pleasing pizzas, homemade pasta and refined mains in addition to an indulgent ‘Banchetto’ set menu.
Average Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Euphoric
Review: 4/5
Location: Brisbane Quarter, Level 2, 300 George Street, Brisbane City
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9. Otto
One of Sydney’s most acclaimed restaurants, Otto, sets an all-new fine dining standard up north. One of the best Italian restaurants in Brisbane these days, Otto is situated right off the Brisbane River and draws the same well-to-do crowds that have turned Sydney’s outpost into an internationally recognised culinary stalwart.
Make it a lunch booking to soak up shimmering views as a superb wine list accompanies some of the finest Italian fare in town. All the traditional dishes are there, elegantly dashed with contemporary techniques. A bucket list dining destination.
Average Price: $$$$$
Atmosphere: Smart and classy
Review: 4/5
Location: Sidon Street, South Bank, South Brisbane
10. Pilloni
Unassuming at first glance, Pilloni is a hidden gem that won’t stay quiet for long.
The Italian restaurant in Brisbane is on a suburban street in the trendy West End, nailing Sardinian fare in a gloriously homely fit-out to mirror your ultimate Instagram dreams.
It’s all-consumingly atmospheric, from the vintage oil paintings and traditional masks hanging on the walls, to the scent of homestyle cooking coming out of the kitchen.
Outstanding service pairs harmoniously with mouth-watering dishes that celebrate the flavours of Italy with masterful flair.
Average Price: $$$$-$$$$$
Atmosphere: Intimate
Review: 5/5
Location: 166 Hardgrave Road, West End
11. Elementi
Led by some of the city’s most accomplished culinary talents, Elementi is an Italian restaurant in Brisbane doing exceptional things in the kitchen. The team met while working at Beccofino (more on that shortly), leaping out on their own to offer their own passionate spin on Italian cuisine.
The result is excellent woodfired pizza, split into ‘Rosse’ and ‘Bianche’ like every good pizza menu should, pasta, antipasti and mains that draw a loyal local following. Fuss-free to let the food speak for itself, it’s a relaxed spot to sit back and savour.
Average Price: $$$-$$$$
Atmosphere: Light and bright
Review: 4/5
Location: 257 Given Terrace, Paddington
12. Beccofino
Can’t shake the kids? Beccofino is just for you. The family-friendly Italian restaurant in Brisbane is a long-time crowd pleaser, sorting out top-notch Italian cuisine for parents and their littles.
While a dedicated kids’ menu is a welcome treat, there’s also a beautiful menu of grown-up purposed delights including a long list of pizzas, antipasti, pasta, mains and desserts. The dishes are generous, the staff are endearing, and the vibe is always buoyant.
Average Price: $$$-$$$$
Atmosphere: Homely
Review: 4/5
Location: 10 Vernon Terrace, Corner Florence Street, Teneriffe
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