"The food was excellent. Michelle provided amazing service without being overbearing. The wine…read morerecommended was delicious. Could not have asked for a better meal and experience"

About the most below average of an average Italian meal you could hardly believe you're paying…read morepremium prices for. We've owned a beachside home in Palm Beach for over 10 years and we've seen many restaurants come and go over that time. One of the stayers has been Balboa Italian but we're not big Italian food fans, but with the place being packed every time we walk past at night we eventually caved and made reservations for three. From the start of being seated at a table designed for two, not three, things got off to a rocky start. And let's just say everything became average from there and not worth detailing any further but to say the dishes tasted bland, lacked any "wow" factor and were about as remarkable as your very average Chinese takeaway where after 30 minutes you've forgotten what you've eaten and are hungry again. Perhaps our bipartisan taste for Italian food clouded the experience, but we think not. A taste for value-for-money, unique flavours and culinary captivation is one you never lose. It just wasn't here:

Good food We had a really enjoyable dinner here with a group…read moreof friends. My husband and I ordered a rocket, pear and grana padano salad, a mushroom pizza and a spaghetti carbonara. We really enjoyed our meals - the salad was delicious, the pizza base was thin and crispy, and we loved their take on carbonara with the addition of peas and mint!

Australia has its strengths, but pizza is not one of them. It's telling that even grading on a…read morecurve, I've yet to give any Australian pizza better than a four star rating. Pizza is inherently delicious, to be sure, and I've had some palatable and even enjoyable ones, but this was the first craveable one. Oddly enough, it was one of the first I saw upon visiting the area almost a year ago, but did not try it as it looked trendy and overpriced. Frankly, it is. But, still grading on a curve, that was a damn good pizza. They use a sourdough crust, which I suspect is a large part of its nuanced flavor. It was expensive, but also larger than many others' personal size and quite filling. Like most local places, they offer a set menu and do not give you a choice of toppings, but I was quite pleased to find the sharp four cheese pizza covered in ample arugula so I could feel at least a little bit good about eating it. The crust was nicely charred. While I suspect the sodium content in the sauce was rather high, as beachside indulgences go, it hit the spot all told. The location in Burleigh Heads is prime. There is a view of the beach (albeit across the highway), and it is quite close to a rainforest-covered overlook. The restaurant is large, with a bar and multiple indoor and outdoor seating areas, plus a fancy upper deck I did not venture to. They offer decent vegetarian options and even claim to be able to do a multicourse vegan dinner for groups that reserve for such. I fortunately visited on a midweek night, but despite its size, you can expect the place to be crowded at peak times. I imagine the crowds worsen the experience, but my own experience is that I'm happy to have found a pizza that excites my tastebuds.

We live locally and end up eating here (or getting takeaway) at least once a fortnight. It is…read moredelicious, authentic Italian. You can't go wrong with any of the pizza and pasta options but I HIGHLY recommend the Amatriciana pasta, the Gnocchi and The Con's Special pizza. The Chilli Mussels are also definitely worth a visit. Amazing value as it's off the main strip of highway and is BYO. I drive past every day and it's always packed. If you're looking for a delicious night out, which won't break the bank, you won't be disappointed! Sorry locals for sharing the secret...

Some of the best vegan pizza I've had on the Gold Coast. Authentic Italian and sooo tasty. The…read morestaff is incredibly friendly. Have been twice and has been amazing both times. Will continue to go back.

Great food. This place is always consistent, offer fair pricing and great service. Great range for…read moredietary options especially gluten-free.

Gemelli is one of my favorite Italian restaurants. The antipasti are really good especially the…read morecalamari and beef carpaccio. The spaghetti and bistecca are delicious for mains. The wines and cocktails are great as well.

Not good. The wait was incredibly long and the food was not particularly good…read more It's disappointing that three of the people in our party ordered lasagna only for it to be served cold and the plates had to be sent back. From the bathroom going back to the kitchen, you can clearly see into the kitchen. I watched the chef transfer the lasagna from a frozen then microwaved black plastic container. Uggh - not what I expect to get in a restaurant.

Dissapointing to say the least. Service and prices were good but the food was not restaurant…read morequality. Spaghetti marinara was a watery mess with some unidentifiable protein. There is no passion for cooking here. Disturbing.

Good Italo-Australian food, friendly service This is a great…read morespot for a family friendly dinner. We ordered a carbonara, the scallopine amore (veal) and a salad. The good was good, the service was attentive and the prices were reasonable.

I can honestly say that this would be my favourite Italian restaurant on the coast. Directly off…read morethe Goldcoast Hwy within the popular nobbies restaurant/bar strip its hard to miss, and miss it you should not. Their takeaway pizza has been a goto for myself over the last few years...like who could say no to pizza, but tonights dine in experience has completely won me. The service is no less then perfect, everyone we encountered had such great attitudes we were greeted, thanked and even waved goodbye by at least four staff members, the waitress we had was so polite and bubbly which just lights up the atmosphere. The food was delicious I ordered the Scaloppine Amore which i would certainly recommend to any veal eaters, perfectly cooked and portion size was certainly enough. My lovely lady had a All Meat Piza which as per ussual was great, Romanas certainly excels with their pizza. All in all a great experience and will 100% be back.

I might be tempted to try again but dine in option. My experience with takeaway was Depressingly a…read moredisappointed. Maybe it is because it was late and takeaway but the friendly and prompt service does not make up for three pizzas with overcooked toppings and undercooked bases. The garlic prawns great sauce but they really should say normal to small prawns in the menu as really my local supermarket has bigger prawns than those served. Good luck with new management hope things improve for Isabella's on Griffith street Coolangatta. Ps the garlic bread was great.

Satisfying regional offerings from Double Zero!. We rocked up with no reservations but seated…read more immediately. Starters was eggplant croquettes in tomato based sauce which was scrumptious. 4 pieces just enough to stave the hunger. Shared a pasta gnocchi with pumpkin, burnt butter and sage and a pizza: eggplant, ricotta, tomato on a beautiful thin crust. Double zero makes their own pasta and pizza dough and you can taste the difference. The extensive selection of vegetarian antipasti, pasta and pizza is great for vegetarians and those looking for halal eats. Wished we had a larger group because it was sad to limit our choices to 3 items!. Loved it.

Brilliant, authentic Pizza with a dreamy light base. Staff…read moreare enthusiastic, but a little forgetful and all over the place at times really. The only REAL downer is the weird Music. Popular hits of today, but none sung by the original artists - saving money much? LOL (Just a bit weird and tacky in that respect...)