When you wake up on a weekend morning, the week's rush behind you, the first thought is often how best to do something nourishing for yourself, perhaps with those you care about most. We want to invite you to Paninnis—the destination where your afternoon is exactly that, and so much more.
If you’re tired of the noisy city cafe scene and looking for a lunch that feels like a hidden European getaway, welcome to Paninnis Italian Restaurant. Located in the quiet heart of Mount Gravatt East at 4/28 Carrara Street, we invite you to slow down and rediscover the art of the long lunch.
Explore the Full Menu: While our weekend lunch article highlights some of our favourite dishes, you can always view our complete range of traditional woodfired pizzas, pastas, and house specials on our home page.
To Start: Hand-Crafted Sharing Plates
Lunch at Paninnis begins with plates that celebrate heritage and patience. Our signature Polpette is a testament to this—meatballs crafted from a 25-year-old recipe passed down by an Italian Nonna, slow-cooked in our signature tomato sugo for seven hours (although FYI, once you try them you might wish you ordered a second serve. Some things are just too good to share!).
For something equally indulgent, our creamy Burrata served with truffle honey and grilled house-made focaccia offers a perfect balance of aesthetic beauty and rich, creamy flavour. It is the kind of craft and quality you expect from a dedicated Italian kitchen.
The Main Event: From the Woodfired Oven to the Pasta Bowl
Whether you are craving a traditional pasta or a woodfired pizza, our menu focuses on the fundamentals done perfectly.
Of course, using Italian 00 flour is a must for us—it is the absolute standard required to achieve the light, airy, and digestible base that defines a true Italian pizza. After a 48-hour fermentation process, our dough is fired to create that signature crust and depth of flavour you can only get from a traditional woodfired oven.
Highlights include:
Chicken & Pumpkin Pizza: A vibrant weekend favourite with a honey garlic base, roasted pumpkin, and creamy Persian feta.
Gnocchi Salsiccia: Pan-fried gnocchi in a rich Napoli sauce with savoury pork and fennel sausage.
Fettuccine Funghi: For a rich, earthy lunch, this features sautéed local and Italian porcini mushrooms in a delicate garlic cream.
A Sweet Finish: Signature Italian Desserts
No long lunch is complete without a little indulgence. Our dessert menu features the classics that have made Paninnis a local favourite:
Signature Tiramisu: Our house-made masterpiece. Layers of coffee-soaked savoiardi biscuits and velvety mascarpone cream—it’s the authentic taste of Italy in every spoonful.
Bombolini: Warm, fresh Italian-style doughnuts filled with Nutella and served with vanilla ice cream and fresh local strawberries. It is the ultimate treat to share (or keep all to yourself).
Sip and Savour: Spritzers & Fine Wine
No Italian lunch is complete without the perfect pairing. Our drink menu is curated to elevate your dining experience, focusing on the craftsmanship of the pour:
The Spritz Selection: Start your lunch with a vibrant Aperol Spritz or our elegant Elderflower Spritz—a refreshing blend of elderflower, Prosecco, lime juice, mint, and soda.
Curated Wine List: Our list is a journey through Italy’s finest regions. Pair your meal with a bright Valpolicella from Veneto, a structured Nebbiolo from Piedmont, or a deep Montepulciano Conte di Lucca from Abruzzo.
Visit the Best Kept Secret in Mount Gravatt
Lunch is served every Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. As a boutique Italian restaurant, we focus on an intimate atmosphere, so we highly recommend booking in advance to ensure we have a table waiting for you.
Ready to secure your table? 👉 https://paninnis.com/
Find Us: 📍 4/28 Carrara Street, Mount Gravatt East (get directions)
📞 Call: 0480 258 248
🕒 Dinner: Wed–Sun from 5 PM | Lunch: Sat–Sun 12 PM–2 PM