Restaurant
Ciao Bello
219 Hawken Dr, St Lucia QLD 4067, Australia
Find Ciao Bello
219 Hawken Dr, St Lucia QLD 4067, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Ciao Bello
Stepping into this St Lucia dining room feels like pulling up a chair in an Italian home kitchen. Owner Antonio runs the floor and the pans solo—greeting guests warmly, humming while delivering plates, and even jogging across Hawken Drive to fetch cold beers or almond milk when someone asks. The kitchen deals in hearty plates at sensible prices, with heaps of leftovers headed home in foil containers. Regulars drop in for thin-crust pizza topped with spicy chicken or salami, alongside heaping bowls of spaghetti marinara and fettuccine cooked al dente with prawns and cream. Dietary swaps never cause a scene either, with vegan mozzarella and halal preparations handled without fuss.
- Hands-on host hospitality: Antonio runs front-of-house and kitchen simultaneously, offering hospitable personal touches like stepping off-premise to source requested drinks.
- Generous, family-scale portions: Pizzas and pastas arrive in substantial portions at neighborhood-friendly prices, leaving plenty to take home.
- Flexible dietary options: The kitchen accommodates dietary needs with ease, offering vegan mozzarella alongside halal-friendly preparations.
What's On at Ciao Bello
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Reasons to Choose Ciao Bello
Why diners choose Ciao Bello for intimate hospitality, hearty portions, and flexible dining
Hands-on hospitality from the owner-chef
Guests are hosted and cooked for directly by Antonio, creating an intimate, welcoming Italian dining experience.
The best part of the meal was the owner/chef Antonio, he was very sweet and made sure we had a great food and time here.
Karthik Bathula Personalized service that goes above and beyond
The host provides dedicated concierge hospitality, including personally fetching off-premise requests to ensure guest comfort.
The gentleman even went across the road to buy us two beers.
Filippo Generous, high-value portions
Pizzas and pastas are served in hearty, substantial portions that provide genuine value for money.
Very good portions and value for money.
Valentina Moscoso Abundant servings with take-home value
Meals are scaled generously enough to feed hearty appetites with plenty to take home afterwards.
They were SO large, and for such a good price!! You definitely get more than what you pay for!
Amberley Nowicki Thoughtful catering to custom dietary needs
The kitchen and host proactively accommodate specialized requests and dietary restrictions for seamless group dining.
The owner that served us was such a sweetheart, and did his best to cater to our dietary needs when asked!
Dain Lee Halal-suitable Italian cooking
Diners looking for halal-conscious Italian cuisine can dine comfortably knowing preparation needs are respected.
All the food he cooks is suitable for halal food.
mustafa
Most popular items
Customer favorites prepared with generous home-style Italian cooking
Meat Lovers Pizza
The pizza was phenomenal. The crust had that perfect golden crunch on the outside, with a satisfying balance of bite and snap. Toppings were fresh, generous, and full of flavour.
Riki Yamashita Fettuccine Pollo e Funghi
the fettuccine was somehow even better, just a bit past al dente but still with bite, fantastic flavours from the mushrooms and onion.
Alicia Ang Spaghetti del Pescatore
The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente and loaded with big, fresh prawns. Each prawn was tender and juicy, with no rubbery texture or shell issues; just pure seafood bliss in every bite.
Riki Yamashita Veal Scallopini
Wow, just had Veal Scallopini with mushroom and bacon sauce mash and the best vegetables ( fresh and not overcooked ) for lunch. Great price and service is excellent.
Ian THOMAS
Beyond the menu
Thoughtful, above-and-beyond hospitality details experienced by diners at Ciao Bello.
Personal Concierge Errands
When guests request items not in stock or ask for drinks while dining BYO, the owner will personally step across the street to pick up almond milk or beer.
Hands-On Owner-Host Care
The owner personally cooks in the kitchen and waits tables out front, engaging diners directly so guests feel like part of the family.
Generous Take-Home Portions
Plates and pizzas are served in massive sizes designed for value, with the owner proactively encouraging diners to box up and take home unfinished portions.
Custom Dietary Accommodations
The kitchen accommodates varied requirements without fuss, offering dedicated vegan mozzarella options alongside halal-friendly food preparations.
Before you head over
Practical tips for ordering, dietary requests, and timing your visit
Prepare for Generous Portions
Portion sizes are especially large and filling, so consider sharing or planning to take leftovers home.
Ask for Dietary Adjustments
The kitchen readily accommodates dietary preferences, including vegan cheese options and halal-friendly preparations.
Pace Your Visit During Peak Times
The owner manages both the cooking and the floor, so allowing a bit of extra time during busy dinner rushes ensures a relaxed visit.
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