Combining traditional family recipes and modern flair, Gemelli Italian in Broadbeach offers a mighty fine selection of fresh pasta including perfect portions of gnocchi that are handmade onsite by the owners themselves. Opt for the simple Napoli version with ricotta and basil or go all out with the Gnocchi Della Casa with pumpkin, sage, pinenuts and cream topped with crushed pistachio, because after all, World Pasta Day only occurs once every 365 days. If you enjoy your pasta with a little pizazz, Cicchetti Gold Coast’s beautiful beetroot and ricotta ravioli with goats cheese curd, candied walnuts and poppy seeds is a winner as is Cavalier Bar & Italian’s Gamberi linguine, which is made with ebony-hued squid ink pasta and topped with king prawns, tomato and capers, a splash of white wine, basil and lemon. Continuing the modern take on traditional Italian recipes, Ristorante Fellini’s specialty Linguette Ai Frutti Di Mare offers a contemporary take on the classic spaghetti marinara and is made with pasta lovingly created by the venue’s master of pasta, Raffaele Di Benedetto.

If the weather is fine, make a reservation on the balcony at Cucina Vivo and settle in for a little afternoon delight by way of delicious food and a wine list that is longer than your arm. While every one of the venue’s pasta dishes would certainly be worthy of World Pasta Day celebrations, try the Tortellini Ripeni; tortellini filled with fresh crab meat, ricotta and lemon zest and served on green pea puree. Pull up a seat on the deck at De Vito Waterfront overlooking the water in Southport and plunge a fork into a bowl of the house special Fettuccini De Vito prepared by the Gold Coast’s famous singing chef or wander in off the beach and into Vapiano in Surfers Paradise. If you’re keen to keep the celebrations going well into the evening, nab a table at Sanctuary Cove’s Ioesco. As a rule, if it’s good enough for celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, it’s good enough for us. Meanwhile, Mario’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria has been serving traditional Italian fare since 1989 so they are clearly doing something right. The best part is that the portions err on the side of massive so you can take the leftovers home and extend your Pasta Day celebrations into the next day. Hidden in the heart of suburban Robina, Spaghetti and Jazz offers amazingly fresh pasta with a side of entertainment.

If you would prefer to celebrate this special occasion in the comfort of your home (with or without pants, we’re not here to judge), swing by Salt Meats Cheese at The 4217 in Surfers Paradise and pick up everything you need to create a delicious Italian pasta at home. Be tempted by pretty rainbow coloured creations and curious flavours of linguine such as squid ink, cocoa, hot cayenne pepper, spinach, black pepper and saffron. Miami’s That’s Amore offers a mouth-watering array of pasta to eat in or takeaway or better yet, have your steamy fresh pasta delivered to your door while you get started on a bottle of Italian red.