Sometimes, though, you just need to dive into a big ol’ bowl of steamy carbs. Whether you’re into short and saucy or long and meaty, we’ve collated Brisbane’s best pasta dishes that are guaranteed to send you back to the deliciously different regions of Italy.
BAR ALTO | NEW FARM
Tucked into the iconic Brisbane Powerhouse, Bar Alto’s strozzapreti with prawns, squid, tomato, chilli and black olives is a hearty, seafood-y delight that goes perfectly with the river views (and a crisp glass of white).
RIPIENA | FORTITUDE VALLEY
Finally, you can have your pasta and eat it too! This neat little pasta lab run by some dedicated Italian ex-pats rolls out some of the best dough in town, ready for you to cook at home (sorry, what’s that?), or eat in store! Our pick? The tortelloni filled with pork loin, prosciutto di Parma, mortadella, and Parmigiano Reggiana, served in a cream sauce (with more Parm, obvs).
1889 ENOTECA | WOOLLOONGABBA
Enoteca’s been dishing up some of the best pasta in town for eleven years, and their gnocchi with pork and fennel sausage, truffle tapenade, and parmesan cream is a must-try Brisbane dish! Pair it with a glass from the unique wine list, which heavily features vini naturali (that’s natural wines, amore).
BECCOFINO AND JULIUS | TENERIFFE AND SOUTH BRISBANE
Veni, vidi, vici, vino… these Teneriffe and Fish Lane staples by the same team deliver the most consistently delicious Italian food in town. While the daily specials are always hard to skip, we can’t look pasta the everlasting pappardelle with duck and tomato ragu.
PASTA CLUB | WEST END
Where do we sign up? From the talented team behind CJ’s Pasta, Pasta Club is a moody West End haunt serving modern classics with plenty of swagger. The menu is hand-written each day, and always just as tasty as yesterday’s.
IL GANCIO | NUNDAH
Who knew you could slurp some of Brisbane’s most traditional Italian eats on the top floor of Toombul shopping centre!? Il Gancio’s house-made Sardinian-style pasta with Genovese basil pesto, parmesan and pine nuts will transport you straight to the homeland.
LA LUPA | WEST END
If cheese is your kind of business, then this team means business! We reckon their classic cacio e pepe is the best in town, with strong, tangy truffle pecorino, glorious chunks of cracked pepper, and the perfect al dente spaghetti. Mamma mia, Lupa’s got it.
ETERNA | FORTITUDE VALLEY
Do as the Romans do and eat as the Romans eat at Eterna. One of the ‘eternal three’ quintessential dishes of the eternal city, this rigatoni alla carbonara is as authentic as they come, with eggs, guanciale and pecorino Romano. We truly could eat this dish for the rest of eternity.
OTTO | CBD
This Sydney import plates up some classically-inspired, contemporary takes on great Italian food, and their signature dish is as impressive as their sweeping views: succulent Moreton Bay blue swimmer crab and mascarpone-filled ravioli with black garlic crema makes for a good time, every time.
UH OH SPAGHETTIO | FORTITUDE VALLEY
This funky Valley spot keeps things saucy until the wee hours–serving pasta until 2 am on Friday and Saturday nights. Better yet, everything on the menu is wickedly affordable, with all pastas $20 and under. Our pick of the bunch is the Peroni-infused macaroni with fermented honey ricotta, anchovy, and gremolata.
GUSTO DA GIANNI | HAMILTON
Bursting with Italian atmosphere and an uninterrupted view of the Brisbane River, Gusto da Gianni spreads the gouda vibes and so much more. Once you make it through the tome of options, lay your eyes on the lasagna classica–pretty much the perfect take on a staple, if you ask us.
Because life’s too short for soggy pasta.
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