Very good seafood restaurant as a part of the Eagle St pier precinct right on the Brisbane river. Large, open restaurants with outdoor undercover seating options. Has a business casual vibe for lunch and more formal for dinner but still allows children. Their crab lasagne is delicious. Very rich - I recommend ordering a main size to share. (The entree size is half the portion but half the price). Of course, there are many other things to eat - all their seafood has been super fresh every time I've been there. We also once ordered the daily special seafood pasta and there was literally a mountain of seafood on top of the pasta. I have never had room for dessert there come to think of it... must try next time!! read more

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You know I could write paragraphs about Il Centro singing its praises to you. Its location on Brisbane's riverfront. Its luxury settings and high quality menu. Really it boils down to two words: Sandcrab lasagne. That is all you need to know when visiting Il Centro. Oh, that and order it in the entrée size. It is rich and creamy and I'm yet to meet someone who can take on the full main meal serving. read more

Il Centro Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Brisbane, QLD

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16/12/2012 Eat Sweet, Live Sweet, Stay Sweet There is a lot to appreciate about Brisbane's Eagle St Pier's (Riverside) dining precinct. Great views, a variety of eating and drinking options, Sunday markets, and now, for us, Il Centro Restaurant and Bar. It's amazing what you can discover on a "whim". Strolling the Sunday markets, views of the Story Bridge and Brisbane River, the weather was perfect, (although a little warm), we decided to walk in to Il Centro (initially to recuperate and get a cold drink). But before we knew it, we were requesting a table for two and asking for the Dessert menu! It must have been our light-headedness and thirst from the heat and our penchant for the sweet life :) The Manager who greeted us, was very friendly and accommodating. Whilst being outside would have been nice to take advantage of the views on offer, it was early afternoon (post lunchtime), so it was still quite hot outside. Our choice of being indoors was a great relief from the scorching summer weather. Our friendly waitress looked after us with Jugs of iced water as we quenched our thirst and perused the dessert menu. We decided on: Vanilla Creme Brulee with Passion Fruit Sorbet, mango and mint salsa AND Cold Set Chocolate Tart with Honey and Macadamia Gelato and Cocoa sauce. Once Dessert came out, there was nothing really more to say. We were just silent, as we enjoyed each exquisite flavour of the two desserts on offer. Executive Chef Catherine Anders has delivered a special Summer Dessert Menu, which every foodie and lovers of the sweet life, should be very excited about. We were on a happy high, drunk on dessert! At $17 each, Dessert is excellent value, high quality presentation & taste. One would expect nothing less for such a "fancy" venue in Il Centro Restaurant and Bar. A great way to spend a Sunday afternoon, and we can't wait to come back one day for a full lunch or dinner service. Overall a memorable experience; excellent service and a beautiful dessert menu. read more

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Couldn't agree more with the older reviews - the crab meat lasagne is delicious. A mouthful is full of flavors from the crab, well-textured lasagne and the creamy sauce that helps blend the flavors together. The entree size was perfect for a fulfilling meal. I went there for dinner with family. It was a little awkward when we first got there because we couldn't get anyone's attention. But once that is over, the service was very nice with the servers occasionally dropping by to check on us. If you like a little more variety for your meal, I recommend getting some sides like the roasted cauliflower. It was a simple yet unique way to prepare cauliflower. As for dessert, I wish that their portion would be a little smaller. Otherwise, be sure to go with someone you can share dessert with because you definitely want to try some of their desserts. I highly recommend the tiramisu. It is very smooth with a good amount of coffee flavor. In conclusion, if you have not been here, DEFINITELY try the crab meat lasagne. Or at least get someone in your party to order it so that you can try. But, don't say I didn't warn you that you will likely want your own! read more

Il Centro Restaurant - Tiramisu - Italian Near Me - Brisbane, QLD

The Eagle Street pier dining precinct is unique in a way, a dining precinct where a large percentage of its restaurants offer fine dining-quality food but in a semi-casual setting. Il Centro plays its part as the token Italian restaurant on the strip. Offering an impressive selection of pan-Italian dishes with creative Modern Australian influences, Il Centro holds a certain class to its dishes whilst still maintaining a casual dining atmosphere. Seating is in the form of a single large dining room with views of the kitchen and full bar. There is also seating outside. The food menu is organised into the typical Italian sections of antipasti, primi, pasta and risotto, secondi and verdure (salad). Standouts include the hugely popular sand crab lasagne and BBQ spatchcock. Daily specials across all the categories and are displayed on a chalkboard that is wheeled around to each table upon seating. On this visit I ordered the arancini to start and a main of the daily special veal saltimbocca. The arancini was filled with truffle and taleggio topped with sautéed wild mushrooms. Two divine rich flavoured ingredients combined, offset slightly by the rice so to be not overpowering. A wonderful dish. The saltimbocca was equally impressive with juicy and tender strips of veal, delicately wrapped with prosciutto on a bed of mascarpone mash and broccolini, completed by a drizzling of red wine jus. Wanting to continue this exciting dining experience, I ordered the daily special dessert of raspberry soufflé. Straying from the usual chocolate, the raspberry was a nice refreshing choice with its sweet berry flavours, although maybe slightly too sweet. Service was excellent with many of the waitstaff entertaining casual conservation throughout the courses. Combined with its bridge views, Il Centro is perfect for an eclectic Italian casual dining experience, at reasonable prices for the quality of the food produced, and in a great location. read more

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Before I start to explain to you my delight with this Restauant or as many will say, a 'Brisbane institution', let me tell you it has been seven years since my last visit to Brisbane and the first thing I was thinking of during my inbound flight was the meals I had enjoyed previously at this restaurant. From Moreton Bay Bugs to the steaks to the star of the show: The Crab Meat Lasagne. I have searched the world for equal flavours calling itself Crab Meat Lasagne in the USA, Mexico, UK and Canada only to be deceived by the name and left disappointed. As you now know my passion for this dish of brilliance, please fast forward to last night: taking a cab from my hotel, I was eager with anticipation to know if the recipe had changed. Like coke had done in the 80's, I wondered if IL Centro had decided to change the brew....when I walked I to the restaurant, I felt I was teleported back to 2007 and was eager to get the dish in front of me! I started with a glass of white, plain and simple and moved to an entree of carpaccio di manzo along with some amazing sour dough bread. I was taken back with the flavours of yore and was looking forward to my main of the dish I have not had for so long the Crab Meat Lasagne. The texture of the carpaccio was amazing and I used the bread as I would toast points to take in the delicious flavours of the lightly treated meat. When my crab meat lasagne arrived to my table I was amazed by the simplicity of the dish and the complex flavours it possessed - my first bite was orgasmic from a food perspective. The meal took me back to 2007 and the small tomato chutney garnish helped me through the journey and concluded the night with such perfection. Yes, perfection. Granted, the service was a bit lacking; but the food took the last leg of the restaurant relay race and iced it as an a+ experience. Next time you are looking for something unique to this world that you cannot get anywhere else in the WORLD, you need to get down to this fine establishment and create your own memories of a dish which in my mind is one of the top 10 best! read more

Service is superb, I felt the wait staff provided undivided attention to the two of us, regardless how busy it got as the night progressed. Although their menu does not indicate whether items are gluten-free, a simple inquiry is easy. I had the duck -- tender as it should be, the sweet potatoes with sage and pears is wonderful. My partner had the sirlion, all tops. read more

Il Centro is one of my favourite FIne Dining restaurants in Brisbane. It has become somewhat of an icon in the Brisbane dinning scene and reason for this is that is continuously offers award winning food and impeccable service. I have eaten here only a few times, only for special occasions as Il Centro is not the sort of restaurant many people would visit frequently since the prices are pretty up there. Let me assure you that this food is worth the occasional splurge. One of their famous dishes- the Sand Crab Lasagne- is simply the most astonishing thing that will ever hit your pallet. Last time I was here, my family ordered the Crab tasting platter (which included a piece of said lasagne) and it was a dish I could not fault. I am awful at describing intricate flavours but trust me, the food here is the real deal. On top of excellent food, the service here is equally as great. The staff are all fully trained, know their menu back to front if you have any queries. I know I sometimes say I don't care too much about good service as long as my food arrives on my plate, but I do appreciate receiving this level of service, it makes the night a lot more pleasing. Il Centro is a special occasion restaurant. If there is a birthday in the family, or someone is getting married/graduating/leaving the country, Il Centro is the restaurant you want to dine at. read more

Service was great they explained what was in the dishes and food was fabulous! First of the many more visit to come read more

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Ox tongue more like Ox yum! I have had this dish a few times over the years and not once has it compared to the one I had at Il Centro. Marinated for over 24 hours and the sauce a gift to the taste bud Gods...I loved every bit of it and even though the serving size was generous, I felt as if to not finish it would be a crime. The person I was dining with had a fish pasta with a puttanesca style sauce which she ended up spilling all over her, not due to intoxication in the standard sense but more due to the intense flavor the dish supplied, which inspired inhalation and lack of respiration. You will need to book ahead to get in here but if you happen to pop in when its at its busiest you can expect fantastic service irrespective of the booking numbers. read more

I am not a woman of willpower, nor do I want to be. When I get a craving, I will do everything I can to satiate it, and I was in my second weekend in Brissy when I felt a hankering for beef carpaccio coming on. My food cravings must be stuck in the era of the sauce smear, because beef carpaccio was pretty hard to find. I spent hours scouring the interwebs and was about ready to just gnaw my way through a butcher shop when Il Centro came in as a recommendation. Within hours I was riverside with an incredible view of Story Bridge. Il Centro is fancy-like so I resisted temptation to scoop up the carpaccio with my hands and used a knife and fork. I didn't even spill a drop on the white linen napkin. The perfect entree size (that's appetizer for you Yanks) I even managed to save room for the small serving of their famous crab lasagna. I was worried I wouldn't have room for both dishes, but I managed to fit it all in. Heroic, I know. read more

Il Centro Restaurant - When that carpaccio craving hits, nothing else will do. - Italian Near Me - Brisbane, QLD

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Awesome service and pretty impressive wine list - but the food was rather ordinary. Marinated octopus was over cooked and actually crunchy. Caprese salad had grainy mozzarella and underripe tomatoes. Veal scallopene was overcooked, under salted, and tasteless. Fettuccini carbonara had nice pasta but was lacking any egg or bacon and sauce was extremely oily. read more

I have been here a few times over the years and it has always been good. Most recently I went with my parents and unfortunately it was not that great and will be my last time. It was a cold evening and we were seated outside. When we mentioned it was a but chilly there was no attempt to move us. We ended up moving our table ourselves away from the draft. Then the menu. It took us so long to decide because there was nothing really exciting. We ended up ordering the crab lasagne which is always good. The lamb shanks which were ok but a bit boring and a duck dish which was over cooked and dry. There was no effort with regards to presentation of the dishes and looked (and in some regards tasted) like something I could make at home. The service was basic and lack lustre. All this would be forgiven if reflected in the price, however when you are paying around $40 for a meal it's not worth it. Don't get what all the hype is about. read more

Scaloppini, carbonara, ravioli in sinful sauces --- it was all AWESOME. My wife had the crab lasagna and it was to die for. Our friend had the butternut squash ravioli, which was similarly delectable and my scallopini and carbonara were delicious. Between these and the bottle of wine, we were too full to have any dessert. read more

Brilliant food. Outstanding service (waitress Simone).....she is very poachable.... one of those waiters that doesn't make a fuss when u are talking... I even rang her boss to compliment the service..... WINE list perfect. Venue incredibly stunning..... views of Storey Bridge..... no doubt in my top ten visited ever. read more

A glorified family restaurant. Which is fine, but not for what you're paying. Think you're paying for the view? Think again. It's such a public space that the view is distracting more than anything else. read more

I ate and ate and ate till I couldn't no more. The service was excellent, the food was so good I forgot what I ordered. And save room for dessert (this was my mistake!). read more

I went to Il Centro to try their famous sand crab lasagne and it was definitely something I'm glad I did. Very creamy and full of flavour. You can choose either an entree size or a main size. I found that the entree size was more than plenty for me. It is so rich and creamy that I think ordering a main size would be too much. Looking forward to my next visit to order more from their menu. read more

Came here for Christmas eve lunch, well worth it. Signature crab lasagne was rich but very delicious.

Wonderful food and service. Was looking forward to the crab lasagna and was not disappointed

The place was highly recommended and hence had dinner there on a week day. The service was good. The staff were very helpful and polite. The restuarant is well set and offers a beautiful setting for the evening. The food did not live up to our expectation. It was good but not worth going back for. The servings were tiny. I ordered the lamb, and did not realise they had served the main meal. Expensive and you pay for the location and fame. read more