For the past two years, a cosy space on Hardgrave Road has been home to one of Brisbane’s finest pizza joints – Pizzartist. Originally a concept started by Holloway’s Raffaele Perischetti to showcase high-quality pizzas with an experimental twist, Raffaele has taken the concept further by overhauling the idea to create Luigi’s Italian. Luigi’s is a fully-fledged Italian eatery that focuses on quality food, served in a relaxed atmosphere reminiscent of neighbourhood eateries in Italy and boroughs of New York City. Seriously, if you consider yourself a true gourmand when it comes to Italian food, then buckle up – it doesn’t get much better than this!

Raffaele has overhauled the menu significantly from the Pizzartist approach (which changed its menu daily) with Luigi’s Italian offering a range of pizzas, pasta dishes and a few unique meals that draw influence from neo-Italian cooking as well as Chinese and Japanese cuisine. Recipes that have been passed down through Raffaele’s family have been incorporated into the menu, as well as influences from Raffaele’s travels and Malaysian heritage. Traditional pasta dishes such as carbonara, polpette spaghetti and aglio olio are joined by the likes of calzones and popular pizza varieties, but keep your eye out for Asian-inspired dishes such as the sakuraba soba noodles and the Quack pizza, which is topped with hoisin cream, five spice duck and coriander. What’s Italian food without good wine? Luigi’s has diners covered with a great selection of Italian, Greek and Australian wines, as well as a small selection of cocktails.

Don’t delay – head to the Stumble Guide find opening hours and location details.