Tommy’s Italian, Currumbin: Snacking on grilled prawns and sipping on a crisp glass of rosé on the balcony at Tommy’s Italian is a delightful way to spend a sun-kissed day on the Gold Coast. Popular with locals and celebrities alike, this modern coastal trattoria brings a touch of luxe to the coast with its famed seasonal menu celebrating local produce from the Northern Rivers. For those looking for a more casual Italian affair, Little Tommy’s is the takeaway-centric sibling dishing out a selection of Tommy’s favourites and best sellers – think mortadella, pepperoni and classic Margherita pizzas alongside a couple of different pasta dishes that you can take home to devour.

Orzo, Broadbeach: Since Orzo opened its doors it has tantalising taste buds of both locals and out-of-towners. The Italian eatery is by owners of the Social Eating House and Bar, with its coastal-inspired menu driven heavily by sustainable produce and local seafood, with lunch, dinner and in-between snacks (like cheeses and cured meats) served daily. Our pick? One of the delicate handmade pastas and a house negroni.

Piatto, Mermaid Beach: Translated to mean ‘plate’, Piatto is a cosy Italian-inspired restaurant that is the culmination of all of the Pearce family’s past hospitality ventures. Reinventing itself in mid-2022 as a solely Italian bar and ristorante, Piatto brings handmade pasta, aperitif-style cocktails and neighbourhood vibes to Mermaid Beach. Think plates of mortadella and salami, porcini and ricotta cappelletti with a mushroom brodo and slivers of housemade Italian cakes to finish.

Cucina Vivo, Broadbeach: Inspired by the cliff-top restaurants of the Amalfi Coast, Cucina Vivo at The Star Gold Coast dishes up authentic classics and inspired favourites in a convivial and relaxed setting, which is centered around a giant woodfired pizza oven. It’s great for group dining, there’s an extensive wine list and the Italian desserts (we’re looking at you, ricotta-stuffed cannoli) are to die for.

Osteria del Mare, Burleigh Heads: If you’ve been daydreaming of basking in the Amalfi Coast sunshine eating antipasto and sipping an Aperol spritz, then Italian eatery Osteria del Mare is probably the next best thing. Here you’ll find all of your Italian favourites like light and crispy pizzas, hand-cut pastas, salads, seafood, antipasto, delicious housemade desserts and more – all dished up just metres from Burleigh Beach.

Balboa Italian, Palm Beach: This multi-level dining spot brings a little piece of Italy to Palm Beach, and is well known by locals for its delicious woodfired pizzas and handmade pasta. A new menu has just dropped, featuring the likes of roasted-lamb cannelloni with black-truffle mushroom sauce – drool.

Goccia Italian, Mermaid Beach: This is a true neighbourhood gem. You’ll smell the traditional pizzas from miles away, so follow your nose and you’ll be greeted with a hearty ‘ciao’ from owners Anna and Goccia before settling in for a truly authentic feast. Pizza is the hero here, and there’s also a handful of starters and share plates, alongside daily specials. Just so you know, the ‘bosco’ pizza (mozzarella, porcini mushroom, blue cheese and prosciutto) is highly addictive.

Pepé Italia Deli, Palm Beach: Bringing people together over traditional homemade Italian food, the refreshed deli-restaurant continues to showcase quality Italian ingredients and recipes, including antipasti, traditional woodfired pizzas and handmade pastas, that are sure to tantalise taste buds. Get your Pepé fix by sitting in at the cosy Palm Beach restaurant or the takeaway the delicious deli offering of sliced meats, cheeses, pastas and sauces to indulge at home.

Sogno Italiano, Mermaid Waters and Burleigh Waters: When Sogno Italiano opened its doors in Mermaid Waters almost two years ago, the response from the local pizza-loving populace was an immediate and resounding yes. Fast-forward a couple of years and tables in the suburban 55-seater are just as in demand as the day they opened, prompting owners and cousins Sushil and Prajwol Maharjan to scope a second spot just a pizza-toss from their original Mermaid Waters home. One of the main drawcards of the new Burleigh Waters venue is an impressive woodfired oven that churns out perfectly crisp crusts.

Bottega Chevron Village, Chevron Island: Bottega delivers a kind of casual fine dining concept envisioned by head chef and owner Enzo Loterzo, who draws on his 30-plus years of experience with chefs from Bill Marchetti to Simon Humble and has a reputation for being an artist of food. Just trust us on this one.

Radici Pasta House, Coolangatta: Translated to mean ‘roots’ in Italian, Radici Pasta House offers a culinary experience that is deeply rooted in Italian food culture – something which owners Valentina Dominici and Otello Mancini and the venue’s head chef Marco Minore are incredibly passionate about. The trio grew up in various regions of Italy surrounded by gastronomic traditions, traditions they hope to share with all who dine here.

Modo Mio, Broadbeach: This elevated Italian eatery is by Max and Amanda Alfieri, who have owned and operated restaurants at Sanctuary Cove for years. When it comes to the menu, it’s a culmination of favourites from their 28 years in hospitality. There’s Neapolitan style pizzas, entrees (or Primo Piatto, as they’re called here), pasta and mains. Modo Mio brings Max and Amanda’s passion for great food and ambience to life in a stunning marble-filled setting that provides the perfect backdrop for dining, drinking and making a day (and night) out of your shopping expeditions.

Double Zero, Coolangatta and Robina Town Centre: Specialising in authentic Italian food made with love, these two sister venues feature a relaxed and welcoming disposition and rustic charm. The state-of-the-art pizza ovens (which have been flown in from Italy) churn out a seriously moreish range of pizzas that achieve that perfect balance between crispness and crust. Just trust on this one and wrap your mitts around a slice post-haste.

Gallura Italian, Tweed Heads: Inspired by the Italian island town of Sardinia, Gallura offers a menu of traditional Sardinian specialties, with a few subtle twists and modern adaptations. Local seafood from the Tweed region shines bright here, with dishes like chargrilled local octopus with cannellini-bean crema, pickled green tomatoes, baby radish and nduja and Italian favourites like spaghetti vongole (clams) and a lemon-butter risotto with king prawns pulled straight from the Tweed.

Gemelli (Broadbeach) and Gemellini (Nobby Beach): If it’s nonna’s cooking you crave, then you can’t go wrong with these two traditional Italian siblings. Gemelli in Broadbeach is larger and armed with a more extensive menu, while Gemellini brings a more intimate vibe to Nobby Beach – both keep it simple and authentic, serving pizzas, handmade pastas and more. There’s also Roy’s by Gemelli in Sorrento – a neighbourhood trattoria serving loyal locals with hearty Italian fare.

Baskk Italian, Coolangatta: Simple, honest and traditional Italian food made using quality all-local produce is what it’s all about for the new Baskk Italian. Think relaxing cocktail-filled lunches, aperitivos and snacks in the afternoon sun, and long-table dinner feasts (with all of the vino) at night. Bonus: they have a kick-ass selection of vegan pizzas!

Salt Meats Cheese, Surfers Paradise: Pizza, pasta, cheese, charcuterie, wine – this is where you’ll find all of life’s greatest pleasures under one roof. The gnocchi is divine, the baked cheese is an absolute must try, and famed cheese-wheel pasta is what dreams are made of. Oh, and don’t get us started on the authentic woodfired pizzas …

Sofia’s Restaurant & Bar, Broadbeach: Sofia’s Restaurant & Bar is bringing a little taste of coastal Europe with a mouth-watering menu that is designed for sharing. The venue’s owner Henry Hunt wanted to bring people together with good food and good wine, which is precisely what you’ll find here.

Costa D’oro, Surfers Paradise: ‘Costa’ (as it’s known to locals) has been serving authentic Italian food from the same premises in Surfers Paradise since 1987.  The family-owned and operated establishment prides itself on creating traditional Italian dishes using fresh Australian produce, with grass-fed veal and beef and local hormone-free chicken forming part of an impressive menu of classics. Don’t leave without experiencing the tiramisu.

Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers, Southport: This dedicated gnoccheria won over hearts and stomachs in Brisbane for years before making the move south, setting up shop in Southport in early 2020. Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers specialises in authentic handmade Italian gnocchi, all made from scratch on site. The menu is kept intentionally simple with a choice of six gnocchi variations, plus sides and snacks like marinated olives, Italian salad, truffle-salted potato chips, and golden salt-and-pepper calamari. Save room for a cannoli, chased with some limoncello.

Ioesco, Sanctuary Cove: If you’re a firm believer that Italian food is best enjoyed on the water’s edge, then Ioesco will certainly tick that box for you. Steeped in tradition, Ioesco has been delighting diners with its modern Italian fare for more than a decade – it’s well known for its true Italian hospitality and contemporary interpretations of classic Napoli cuisine.

Crispy Italian Bar, Burleigh Heads: Filling the panini-shaped void in our collective hearts, Cripsy Italian Bar in Burleigh Heads offers up mouth-watering Italian cuisine, coffee at any time of the day, perfect pizza and aperitivos at sunset. As the name suggests, the paninis are delightfully crisp on the outside and packed with oozy cheese and flavour on the inside, and the pizza is cooked to crisp perfection in the venue’s woodfired oven. See for yourself why it’s earned a spot on the list.

Bread and Butter, Kirra: If you know, you know. If you don’t, do yourself a favour and pull up a seat to make your way through Bread and Butter’s piping-hot selection of pizzas and pastas. We could go on, but some things just need to be experienced first-hand.

Lello’s Pasta Bar, Brunswick Heads: Venturing further south from the Gold Coast, head to local Lello’s at Brunswick Heads for pasta approved by Nonna.  Sit out on the side verandah and drink in the small town hospitality, where the staff make you feel like family. It’s all about simple dishes done well – the classic flavours of fresh basil, tomato and mozzarella sing, salt-and-pepper calamari is lightly coated the traditional way and the tagliatelle lamb ragù will not disappoint. Lello’s is a glorious celebration of Italian food.

Mario’s Italian, Broadbeach: When a restaurant has been operating for nearly 30 years, you can assume they must have the formula right. Despite its facelift in 2017, Mario’s retained its history and charm, while elegantly stepping into the modern day. The menu spans from pizzas, to handmade pastas, Italian share plates and more – and it’s all best enjoyed with a well-made negroni in hand.

MOZZA MOZZA, Southport: If you’re looking for Italian with a side of fun, MOZZA MOZZA is it. With giant cheese wheels and edible pizza-dough bowls filled with pasta, this modern trattoria’s menu is designed to surprise and delight.

La Calabrese, Surfers Paradise: If there’s one thing the Italians have nailed, it’s the art of dining. La Calabrese, located on level one of Ocean by Meriton (opposite COAST Beach Bar & Kitchen), has been designed for this specific artform, with comfortable leather booth-style seating running down the centre of the dining room, an open kitchen filling the air with irresistible aromas, and the team jovially conversing in their native Italian tongue.

Enzo’s Cucina, Surfers Paradise: The focus here is on fresh and homely Italian food that is served with the warmth of southern Italian hospitality. Every bite that makes its way on to a plate has been lovingly crafted by the team to deliver a flavour bomb to your taste buds. The gnocchi, for example, are made from scratch by Enzo’s nephews. The meatballs pay homage to Enzo’s mother’s cooking. In true Italian style, every meal is a celebration.

Belvedere Stonemill, Burleigh Heads: Located beneath Swell Resort, the authentic Italian eatery is the handiwork of Italian-born Fabio Rocco Ricciardi, who was previously the chef for the Ferrari team in the Formula 1 racing circuit. Pizza and pasta are the hero here – everything from the stuffed tortellini to the spaghetti and the pizza bases are crafted daily from unbleached, organic grains that have been stone milled to create an earthy, rustic flour. The creamy gnocchi, served in a baby wheel of pecorino cheese, is an absolute must-try.

Hunting for pizza and only pizza? Check out these top spots for pizza on the Gold Coast for a few ideas.