Bella Venezia

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

On the Mooloolaba Esplanade, with the Pacific Ocean stretching out beyond the dining room windows, Bella Venezia has been one of Queensland's most enduring Italian restaurants since 1983. What began as a beachfront institution has evolved into a Chef Hat establishment and the winner of Best Formal Italian Restaurant in South East Queensland for both 2022 and 2023 at the Restaurant and Catering Awards — recognition that reflects decades of consistent, considered cooking.

The Setting

The room offers genuine variety without feeling scattered. Plush blue velvet seating and red velvet VIP booths sit alongside tables overlooking the esplanade, while an alfresco Veuve Clicquot Champagne garden dining area opens out toward the water. For private occasions, a dedicated dining room behind a metallic curtain seats up to 20 guests at a single table — available exclusively to one group at a time, with customisable menus and wine pairing on request.

The Food

The modern Italian menu draws deliberately on what's close at hand. Seafood comes directly from Mooloolaba Port, and produce is sourced from Sunshine Coast suppliers. Shared menus open with charcuterie boards — Wagyu bresaola, truffle salami, capocollo, assorted cheese and truffle honey — before moving into entrées such as Mooloolaba Yellowfin Tuna Tartare with roasted chilli oil and pickled fennel, or Grain Fed Eye Fillet Carpaccio with Dijon emulsion and compressed herb mushroom. Mains include Pan Seared Barramundi with caramelised cauliflower purée and verjus beurre blanc, Confit Pork Belly with apple gel and fennel cream, and house-made Tagliatelle with slow-cooked Angus beef cheek ragout and basil-infused Grana Padano. Desserts on the longer shared menu extend to a Baked Lemon Tart with Italian meringue and a Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with raspberry and pistachio.

The Wine List

Wine Spectator recognised Bella Venezia with its Best of Award of Excellence in 2021 — a distinction that speaks to the depth and curation of a list spanning over 500 labels and more than 50 wines available by the glass. The restaurant does not accept BYO, and with a selection of this breadth, there is little reason to look elsewhere.

The Experience

Guests consistently single out the warmth of the floor staff — names like Nikki, David and Jason appear repeatedly in reviews, each noted for attentive, knowledgeable service. One long-travelled guest ranked Bella Venezia among the top three restaurants they had visited worldwide. The dress standard is smart casual at minimum; the tone is fine dining without formality for its own sake. For a special occasion, an anniversary, or simply a long lunch facing the Coral Sea, this Italian restaurant on the Sunshine Coast delivers with quiet confidence.