Chermside locals who’ve been craving a proper sit-down Italian feed will want to take note: a new Italian restaurant has opened at Westfield Chermside, and it’s already turning heads on Level 1.
La Regina, which sits just outside the main food court below Event Cinemas — near Grill’d and GYG — takes its cues from the warmth and generosity that Italian dining is known for. The space is set up for everything from a weeknight dinner with the family to a longer, more celebratory meal, and the menu reads like a love letter to the Italian table.
For starters, there’s a generous antipasti board piled with prosciutto, mortadella and salami, alongside arancini, marinated olives, bread and bocconcini. Other entrée options include rosemary and herb focaccia, salt and pepper calamari with aioli and rocket salad, and chilli prawns made with local prawn cutlets in a chilli garlic sauce. The arancini deserves a special mention — the kitchen rotates the flavours each week, giving regulars a reason to keep coming back.
The pasta selection is the kind of thing you’d want on a cold Brisbane evening. The Linguine Marinara is loaded with mussels, clams, prawns, scallops and calamari in a Napoli sauce with chilli and garlic, while the Pappardelle Al Ragù D’Anatra features flat ribbon pasta slow-braised with duck and tomato. There’s also ricotta and spinach Cannelloni, Lasagna, and a Gnocchi Boscaiola — soft potato gnocchi in a creamy sauce with Italian pork sausage and mushroom.
Those after something more substantial can choose from the mains, which include a Veal Scaloppini (served with either a creamy mushroom sauce or white wine and garlic sauce, steamed vegetables and roast potatoes), a grilled 250g rump Bistecca with fries and salad, and a Brodetto Di Pesce — a traditional Italian seafood stew with mussels, clams, prawns, scallops and calamari in a tomato-based sugo, served with sourdough.
The pizza list covers the classics — Margherita, Capricciosa, Diavola, Calzone and Marinara — alongside more indulgent options like the Montanare, topped with mozzarella, mortadella, burrata and crushed pistachio, and the Primavera, finished with rocket, prosciutto and shaved parmesan.
Dessert is not an afterthought here. The tiramisu is made in-house, layered with espresso-soaked savoiardi biscuits and mascarpone. There’s also a panna cotta with mixed berries and cannoli filled with sweet ricotta cream, crushed pistachios and dark chocolate.
On the drinks side, the bar carries an Italian wine list available by the glass or bottle, Italian and Australian beers, and a solid cocktail menu featuring Italian classics like the Negroni, Bellini and Rossini, as well as house originals including a Basilico Martini, Italian Mojito and Rose Negroni Fizz. Aperitivo options — Campari, Aperol, Cynar and Cinzano — round out the pre-dinner possibilities, and there are also mocktails, Italian sparkling water, soft drinks and coffee.
Families are well catered for, with a dedicated kids’ menu offering spaghetti bolognese, Margherita pizza or chicken nuggets and chips.
La Regina is located on Level 1 at Westfield Chermside, Cnr Gympie and Hamilton Road. The nearest parking is at ground level off Gympie Road near Grill’d. Bookings can be made at laregina.com.au/chermside.
Published 3-March-2026
