With a CV that is dotted with some of Brisbane and the Gold Coast’s most revered dining institutions – including Arc Dining, Gemelli Italian and Eleven Rooftop Bar – Tom Torchut is no stranger to hospitality. Although this is his first foray into his own venue, Tom has been dreaming of Tommy’s Italian for more than a decade. When his path crossed with Ronnie Tarabay’s, the former owner of The Fish House, the pair decided to combine their strengths to create a restaurant that raises the culinary bar. The hardest part, Tom says, was trying to find a space that lived up to Ronnie’s expectations. As the old adage goes, good things come to those who wait, and after an entire year of searching, the perfect location presented itself in the former home of The Beach Shack in Currumbin. The much-loved 1920s building has undergone an incredible floor-to-ceiling transformation into a 120-seat trattoria that offers sharp but casual service, coupled with a sense of familiarity and warmth in its fit-out. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, Tommy’s Italian features a dedicated takeaway servery window, which opens daily from 6:00 am, slinging Single O coffee and Tommy’s twist on a traditional B&E roll – sliced-to-order mortadella, mozzarella and fried egg slathered with tomato relish. Those who wish to linger a little longer can make their way upstairs and perch themselves on the mezzanine to drink in the cerulean waters of Currumbin.

In true Italian fashion, the modern a la carte menu showcases exceptional local produce cooked simply. The hand-selected team of chefs will pay respect to the traditional Italian way, whilst bringing some exciting new flavours and techniques to the fold. The menu meanders from morning munchies (fresh pastries, sandwiches and grab-and-go options) right through to pizza and pasta-filled evenings. The antipasti provides the ideal place to start, with freshly baked focaccia della nonna through to pesto-filled burrata from Byron Bay all vying for your attention. Seafood features heavily on the extensive menu with the likes of grilled Western Australian octopus with ‘nduja dressing, grilled king prawns and a hefty 2.2-kg whole Murray cod nestled next to a mighty 1-kg T-Bone, which is sliced and ready for sharing. The pasta, however, should not be underestimated with every single piece made from scratch in-house. Those keen for a casual bite will appreciate the range of Neapolitan-style pizzas that are fired to crisp perfection in Tommy’s Italian’s Marana Forni woodfired oven. The flavours offer a modern twist to the classics and go beyond the standard ‘white’ or ‘red’ base to include peculiar (yet delicious) options such as the Vongole, which we’re told is like biting into the ocean, and features a clam base topped with clams, fermented chilli and preserved lemon, and the Gamberi, which begins with a zucchini base and is finished with fior di latte, garlic prawns, parsley and lemon. Tommy’s Italian champions a more sustainable approach by supporting small local suppliers for produce wherever possible. Accompanying the fare is an equally as extensive selection of beverages, including seven different kinds of spritz, cocktails, mocktails, craft beers and a geographically diverse wine list.

Tommy’s Italian is officially open! Skip over to our Stumble Guide for opening times and booking details.