The Best Italian in Brisbane

The Queensland Premier has Italian parents, which might explain the boom in great Italian restaurants in Brisbane. So, how do you choose the best Italian restaurant in Brisbane? Holiday Goddess takes a culinary dive to help you out.

Il Molo on the River

Is it delicious pizza outside, in a historic suburb with river and jetty views? Somewhere you can bar hop afterwards, or go boutique shopping?

Well, that would be Il Molo, in Bulimba, on the waterfront.

Bulimba by Ferry

If you believe in location, location, location when choosing an Italian restaurant, try Bulimba. In fact, you can take the old ferry to Bulimba – and walk straight to your table outside.

Bulimba is around 30 minutes from the Brisbane CBD in an old sugar cane and pineapple district.

It’s where the well-known Italian sideshow man, Joseph Marconi, had his snake charming act (he invented Goanna Salve). Our review is below.

Italian Mama Authenticity

If you want Italian Mama authenticity, Ristorante Tartufo in Fortitude Valley is owned by Tony Percuocco, who comes from a big Naples restaurant family. The pasta and gelato are made in house.

Glamour at Otto

For glamour, Otto Ristorante is in the city. It’s the Brisbane sister to Sydney’s Otto. The prawns are from Skull Island. It also has an award-winning wine list.

Art and Pizza

Julius Pizzeria is over the road from Queensland’s Cultural Centre – so after admiring the art, you can admire the calamari.

Massimo for Groups

Massimo also has location, location, location advantages. Stroll along the river after the eggplant parmigiana. There’s also a banquet menu, if you want to go with a group. They also offer ‘endless, bottomless lunch’.

World Famous Italian

The most famous Italian restaurant in Brisbane is 1889 Enoteca. In Italy, Gambero Rosso rates this Roman cuisine specialist as one of the best in the world. It has a 400-bottle wine list.

Most Hatted

Attimi is the most hatted Italian restaurant in Brisbane. This is Michelin dining and has a vegarian degustation ‘Italian Tour’ menu.

The Holiday Goddess Review – Il Molo, Brisbane

Take a CityCat ferry to Oxford Street, Bulimba for the most relaxing Italian al fresco dinner in Brisbane, at Il Molo.

Book an outside table, watch the sun set over the river and enjoy the fast and attentive service – no finger-clicking required. We dined on Wednesday night and it was quiet and peaceful outside.

If you prefer to go earlier, from 3pm to 5.30pm Il Molo offers proper Italian aperitifs with Aperol Spritz, delicious lemon olive oil cake, Frangelico, Grappa, Roasted Fig Pizza and Calamari Fritti. If you can’t be in Rome, be in Brisbane…

We had dinner for three and the Gamberi alla vodka pizza with lemon garlic prawns, sungold tomatoes, pecorino and basil kept everybody happy.

The Caprese salad with heirloom tomato, basil and the softest, freshest buffalo mozzarella also vanished soon after serving.

Oxford Street has plenty of good bars for a nightcap afterwards. Try wandering down to Melrose, Old Mr. Rabbit or the Oxford Tap House.

Want More Holiday Ideas? Try The Weekend Walk Show on Substack.