Restaurant Nina West End | Must Do Brisbane

RESTAURANT NINA HAS PERMANENTLY CLOSED TO BE REPLACED BY CONCEPTUAL ITALIAN RESTAURANT BAR MARIO'S.

Restaurant Nina inhabits an artfully refurbished old West End shop in the Rialto Theatre precinct, from where it serves up some of the best Italian food in town.

Serving up rustic yet highly refined traditional dishes including a handful of pastas and a wide selection of melt-in-the-mouth pizzas, Restaurant Nina is the go-to for lovers of Italian food on this side of the river.

Pull up a seat outside or in the cosy wood-adorned interior and start with one of their Italian-flavoured cocktails such as the apptini (fresh apple juice, gin & triple sec), aperol spritz, chinotto (artichoke liquor, cola and bitters) or Nina Margarita (tequila, grapefruit, agave and bitters).

As for the food, start with one of their divine house-baked breads (recommended is the caramelised onion, mozzarella, parmesan and oregano). Then there's a choice of three pastas - orrechiette (peas, goats curd, mint, greens and parmesan), nonna spaghetti (sweeet tomato, garlic, basil and parmesan) or gnocchi parisienne (funghi cream, porcini, parmesan and truffle oil)

As for the pizzas, choice include margherita, pepperoni, verde (all the green things), romana (salami, mushroom, chilli and honey), sicilain (napoli, anchovy, olives, mozzarella and oregano), fellini (artichoke, tomato, olive, eggplant and basil) and calzone. You can also add extra toppings such as prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella, pancetta, mushrooms olives etc.

As well as the pizzas, pasta and smalls (including green salad, caprese, cheese gratin or maple caraway roast carrots with chickpeas, coconut labneh and confit lemon), Restaurant Nina has a couple of desserts on offer including the must-try chocolate textures (vegan chocolate sorbet, white chocolate and tapioca pearls)

And that's not all - in the adjoining shop Restaurant Nina has created a convivial funky little bar where you can enjoy a cocktail, glass of wine or beer (Peroni Leggera or Red or Stone & Wood Pale Ale) as well as dishes from the menu.