Portofino - Italian Restaurant

Right by the Runaway Bay marina—pure Gold Coast la dolce vita. Brisbane day-trippers and marina habitués are borderline obsessed with Maria’s vibrant, old-school hospitality. Forget the standard waterfront tourist traps. This is authentic, generous Italian dining with serious sprezzatura. The Della Casa pizza? A blistered, savory masterpiece. But the real flex is the pasta—flawlessly al dente and coated in rich, complex sauces. Think seafood marinara brimming with fresh catch, fork-tender veal, and prawns bathed in reductions you'll want to mop up with crusty bread. The chef frequently steps into the dining room to talk food with tables, adding that classic trattoria warmth, while live tunes from local musician Joe keep the energy breezy. Finish with a tiramisu that borders on fine art. Plentiful plates. Flawless vibes. Just go.