5 of the Best Italian Restaurants on the Gold Coast
The Gold Coast Italian restaurant scene has long been taking diners on flavour journeys that celebrate the many different regions of Madre Italia. From traditional trattorias to boutique bites, feast on bowls of steaming risotto and homemade butter-drenched pasta, aromatic garlic and rosemary sourdough bread dripping with olive oil, woodfired pizza, and of course, a serving or two of oozy boozy tiramisu.
Whether you want to enjoy a full-on family feast or an intimate and romantic date night for two, these are the best Italian restaurants on the Gold Coast.
Cucina Vivo
On the lobby level of The Star Gold Coast, Cucina Vivo is a Broadbeach favourite serving up traditional Italian fare with a focus on simple flavours done exceptionally well. Cucina Vivo reflects the beauty of pure Italian cuisine by utilising the finest seasonal ingredients, traditional flavour combinations and a sprinkling of amore Italiano.
Open for dinner from 5:30pm to 10pm Wednesday to Sunday, reservations are highly recommended due to their popularity with both locals and visitors alike. Guests staying at Dorsett Gold Coast can go from room to restaurant in as little as 3 minutes, with direct access via level 3 of the hotel.
Orzo
Located less than an 8-minute walk from Dorsett Gold Coast, Orzo brings the best of traditional Italian food with a twist to the heart of Broadbeach. With pasta crafted in-house using traditional '00' flour, shipped in from mother Italy herself, you will find it hard to get more authentic than this.
Enjoy an evening of food flavoured by centuries of rich Italian heritage, fresh-as-the-day seasonal ingredients, sommelier-selected wines, and a gourmet menu that's guaranteed to please. Starters are by no means an afterthought to the mains at Orzo. BBQ calamari topped with tarragon pesto, fregola Sarda and balsamic vinegar sambal or a selection of shaved cured meats, olives, aged balsamic, house pickles and bread are the perfect start to a delicious meal.
Be sure to try the rabbit ragu, seasonal mushroom and chestnut-smothered pappardelle with a side of roasted crushed red skin potatoes topped with rosemary salt. Finish your meal with an espresso and vanilla bean ice cream affogato or an indulgent dark chocolate Caprese cake with mandarin and kumquat sorbet. Open 7-days a week from 12 till late, reservations can be made online.
Goccia Italian Pizzeria
Located just a 5-minute drive from Dorsett Gold Coast in the beautiful Mermaid Beach, Goccia Italian Pizzeria has been a local favourite for the past five years. When it comes to crispy woodfired pizzas, mouthwatering pasta, sinfully sweet desserts and meals perfect for the little ones, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Pull up a chair, open the menu and choose from a dizzying array of fresh woodfired pizzas, perfectly thin, crisp and topped with authentic Italian flavour combinations. To kick things off, why not begin with scampi al Forno, a heady mix of wood-fired scampi served with aromatic lemon and chilli sauce. Then dig into a steamy bowl of Maccheroni Al Pomodoro topped with zingy parmesan and tomato sauce. A real treat awaits those who order the Tastasal pizza, with Italian sausage salami, prosciutto, ham and mozzarella served on a thin-crust tomato base and garnished with oregano.
Pair your meal with a 2018 Rosso di Montalcino or a crisp 2020 Borgo Pinot Grigio. Signature cocktails, Italian beer and lager and sparkling options are also on the menu. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 5 pm to 8:30 pm.
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Justin Lane
Nestled on the oceanfront of Burleigh Heads, just a ten-minute drive from Dorsett Gold Coast you'll find the ever-popular Justin Lane. When the motto is 'eat, drink & be messy’ you just know that the food is going to be lip-smacking good and the atmosphere relaxed yet vibrant. An icon of authentic Italian food on the Gold Coast for more than 10 years, the multi-level restaurant and bar cater to the whole family with a well-executed menu that takes care of carnivores, pescetarians and vegans under one roof.
Start your meal with a crisp Italian flatbread topped with rosemary, mozzarella, garlic, sea salt, and caramelised onion before digging into a generous bowl of lamb ragu, served with grana Parana and gnocchi. If pizza is your thing, you'll feel like you've died and gone to heaven as you sink your teeth into a hot slice of spicy prawn, calamari and garlic confit pizza. Finish your meal with vanilla, pistachio, lemon and ricotta-filled cannoli. Smaller portions are available for kids, letting them enjoy a carb-fest of Italian flavour too.
Gemelli Italian
Last, but definitely not least, you'll want to add Gemelli Italian to your list of the best restaurants on the Gold Coast. Located just a short walk from Dorsett Gold Coast, this absolute gem combines traditional Italian cooking methods with a modern flair to serve up some of the best Italian cuisines in the state. With food prepared by a family of Italian heritage and served in charmingly rustic surroundings, you're transported to the heart of Italia in Broadbeach.
Enjoy gourmet food, lovingly cooked and prepared using genuine imported Italian ingredients, with homemade pasta using '00' flour and free-range eggs. Start with an aromatic plate of crisp Pomodoro Bruschetta before moving into the melt-in-the-mouth slow-cooked oxtail and pork shin ragu. A generous cheese and meat selection awaits those who order from the Salumi menu, while traditional Italian sides and salads along with a fantastic selection of pizzas can be found.
Gemelli truly shines when it comes to desserts, with delicacies such as Bombolini, consisting of fried doughnuts and Sicilian custard ready to be devoured. Other popular options include Cannoli Siciliani, gelato, creme brulee, affogato, Nutella bomba, gnocchetti, hot chocolate fondant cake, tiramisu, and many more. Open for dinner 7-days a week, and for lunch, Thursday to Sunday from 12 to 3 pm. Bookings are highly recommended.
Stay in the heart of Broadbeach
Located within The Star Gold Coast world-class entertainment and leisure precinct, Dorsett Gold Coast provides stylish and elegant accommodation near the best shopping, entertainment and relaxation on the Gold Coast.
Choose between 313 elegantly designed rooms featuring modern facilities, stunning views and authentic hospitality from the moment you check-in. Explore the best that the region has to offer, making your way from Italian restaurant to Italian restaurant, feeding your senses come day or night.