AUSTRALIAN GOOD FOOD GUIDE - Home of the Chef Hat Awards

Escape to an Italian Paradise with these 3 Venues


Join us on an exquisite journey tailored for those who cherish the depth, diversity and richness of Italian cuisine, intertwined with the unique, vibrant essence of Australian culture and ingredients. This curated collection showcases a selection of premier Italian dining experiences across Australia. Each venue, with its distinctive character, philosophy and culinary approach, contributes to a tapestry of flavours and experiences that celebrate the timeless tradition of Italian gastronomy while embracing a modern, Australian twist.

Pizzeria Sisily
Gourmet Italian with a Seaside Twist

At the forefront of our Italian Paradise journey tour is Pizzeria Sisily, a haven for lovers of gourmet Italian pizza and pasta, offering a menu that speaks to the heart of Italian dining culture while embracing the fresh, vibrant essence of Australia’s local ingredients. The venue is renowned for its inventive approach to traditional Italian dishes, featuring a fusion of flavours that surprise and delight. From the curated range of gourmet pizzas to the array of sophisticated pasta dishes, each offering at Pizzeria Sisily is a testament to the art of Italian cooking, redefined.

Escape to an Italian Paradise with these 3 Venues

The standout dish, combining marinated garlic Mooloolaba prawns, tomatoes, capers and chilli on a red pizza base, epitomises Pizzeria Sisily’s innovative spirit. This pizza is a masterpiece of flavour, balancing the sweetness of the prawns with the tanginess of the capers and the heat of the chilli, all harmonised on a perfectly baked crust. It’s a culinary creation that pays homage to Italy’s rich gastronomic heritage while celebrating the bounty of Australian seafood, making Pizzeria Sisily a must-visit destination for anyone seeking an extraordinary Italian dining experience.

La Botte D'Oro Restaurant
Tradition Meets Modern Elegance

La Botte D'Oro Restaurant stands as a beacon of Italian culinary tradition, with a history that weaves itself into the fabric of Australia's dining scene. This establishment combines the heartwarming comfort of traditional Italian fare with the sophistication of modern dining. Guests at La Botte D'Oro are treated to an immersive experience, where each dish tells a story of heritage, passion and the pursuit of culinary excellence. The restaurant's ambience, characterised by its elegant decor and warm, inviting atmosphere, sets the stage for a truly authentic Italian dining experience, from the first bite of antipasto to the last sip of espresso.

Escape to an Italian Paradise with these 3 Venues

Among the crown jewels of La Botte D'Oro’s menu is their celebrated approach to pasta, offering guests a selection of exquisite sauces paired with their pasta of choice. A prime highlight is the ragu alla Romana with gnocchi. This interpretation takes the beloved richness of beef ragu and peas, enveloped in a savory tomato sauce and pairs it with the soft, pillowy texture of gnocchi. This pairing elevates the dish, with the gnocchi serving as a perfect canvas for the robust and hearty flavours of the sauce. The beef ragu, tender and deeply flavourful, harmonises with the sweet peas and the tangy tomato sauce, creating a comforting yet sophisticated flavour profile. Handcrafted with meticulous care, each one of La Botte D’Oro’s exquisite dishes are a testament to their commitment of preserving Italian culinary traditions.

Piccolino Restaurant
An Italian Sanctuary

Rounding off our Italian Paradise journey is Piccolino Restaurant, a culinary sanctuary that offers a refined take on Italian dining. Piccolino stands out for its meticulous attention to detail, from the selection of the freshest ingredients to the execution of each dish, ensuring a dining experience that is both authentic and innovative. The restaurant's ambiance, combining rustic charm with modern elegance, reflects its culinary philosophy: to create a harmonious blend of traditional Italian recipes and contemporary culinary techniques. Piccolino is a place where every meal is a celebration of Italy’s rich gastronomic legacy, reinterpreted with a modern Australian sensibility.

Escape to an Italian Paradise with these 3 Venues

Among the standout offerings is the Gippsland marble 4+ porterhouse, a dish that embodies Piccolino’s commitment to the gastronomic experience. Cooked to perfection to highlight its natural depth of flavour, the steak is accompanied by Italian potatoes, roasted to achieve a golden exterior and fluffy interior and broccolini, adding a crisp, fresh contrast. The dish is completed with a vibrant chimichurri sauce, its herbaceous and tangy notes cutting through the richness of the steak, creating a harmonious balance of flavours. This signature dish is a testament to Piccolino’s philosophy of combining the finest Australian produce with traditional Italian dishes, offering a dining experience that is both authentically Italian and uniquely Australian.

Featured Locations

Italian    $$$$$

Piccolino Restaurant

Deeply ingrained in the local area for more than 20 years, Piccolino Restaurant on Blackburn Road in Mount Waverley has emerged from humble beginnings to an iconic Melbourne dining destination. Ste...

Italian    $$$$$

La Botte D'Oro Restaurant

Since 1977, La Botte D’Oro on Marion Street in Leichhardt has combined the best of modern and traditional cooking and service into a tantalising restaurant experience. This simple and stylish tratt...

Italian    $$$$$

Pizzeria Sisily Bar and Dining

Find Sicilian-inspired dining in the heart of Golden Beach on the menu at Pizzeria Sisily Bar and Dining on Landsborough Parade. This Sunshine Coast dining destination is the ideal spot to unwind a...

Want more AGFG?
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest articles & news...