Pilloni Restaurant

121 reviews

166 Hardgrave Rd, West End QLD 4101, Australia

pilloni.com.au

+61738462745

About

Pilloni Restaurant is a Restaurant located at 166 Hardgrave Rd, West End QLD 4101, Australia. It has received 121 reviews with an average rating of 4.6 stars.

Photos

Hours

Monday12-2:30PM
Tuesday12-2:30PM
Wednesday12-10PM
ThursdayClosed
FridayClosed
Saturday5-10PM
Sunday5-10PM

F.A.Q

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The address of Pilloni Restaurant: 166 Hardgrave Rd, West End QLD 4101, Australia

  • Pilloni Restaurant has 4.6 stars from 121 reviews

  • Restaurant

  • "I was so enthusiastic to get to Pilloni after being such a huge fan of La Lupa and the intrigue of the Sardinian cuisine! Fire-powered food is slowly but surely becoming a popular niche amongst the Brisbane dining scene (Agnes topping the lot) - and Pilloni is a fantastic competitor"

    "Being the first one, let's favour the algorithms"

    "NEW RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE- REVIEW Pilloni Fine Dining Restaurant provided me with a wine list upon my arrival and I was given a warm welcome by the staff"

    "Pilloni West End, a Sardinian restaurant, offers an impressive culinary experience that will captivate your taste buds"

    "I celebrated my birthday dinner here and left feeling slightly disappointed after hearing great things about this restaurant, particularly how great the service is"

Reviews

  • Abi Doherty

I was so enthusiastic to get to Pilloni after being such a huge fan of La Lupa and the intrigue of the Sardinian cuisine! Fire-powered food is slowly but surely becoming a popular niche amongst the Brisbane dining scene (Agnes topping the lot) - and Pilloni is a fantastic competitor. We were so impressed by the freshness of the natural oysters, as well as the refreshingly innovative “parsley oil, fermented carrot gel and bottarga dressing” oysters. Great combination! Moreover, the standouts were, without a doubt, the charred octopus and Culurgiones. The octopus was the best i’ve ever had (and i’ve had a lot of octopus)! It was tender, buttery and perfectly accompanied by the potato foam. As for the culurgiones - how could you go wrong with pasta dumplings in a pecorino and tomato sauce. So very satisfying. Though I want to applaud Pilloni, being a new restaurant - there were a variety of flaws that I would not normally excuse for an establishment. Our booking was for 7.45. We were not seated until 8.20. So incredibly grateful for the complimentary snacks they gave us when we were seated - but during our wait time we felt ignored by the bar staff. It was only the two of us with a pair of two other men at the bar stools… to have been acknowledged would have made the atmosphere feel slightly more hospitable. When we were finally seated in the beautiful restaurant (really do love the interior design here) - we had to ask for our menus. I will admit it was probably my own fault for some of our poor choices when it came time to order. The chickpea crisps did not have the notes of truffle I was hoping for, nor the texture variety that should have come from the cream and crisp shell. When our dishes came, the shisito peppers were served without the ricotta. Luckily, our waiter noticed before I said anything and returned with the cheese on top. It was a side dish that lacked umph. Where was the almond cream? and the ‘smokiness’ of the ricotta?? Next time I will just get the carrots. My bad! Overall, for a new restaurant, Pilloni shows a lot of potential! I wanted so desperately to provide 5 stars but the service definitely needs polishing. I read another review stating they would give 3-stars if they weren’t sympathetic… I agree. Can’t wait to come back for some meatier mains… and perhaps a larger serving of the octopus. Bravo to Pilloni!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$80–100

  • Carlos Macías

Being the first one, let's favour the algorithms. Firstly, thank you for brining great quality to West End. We were lucky enough to score a table with no booking at the first night. I did try to call several times that day but nobody answered the phone (C'mon guys!!!). This was possible thanks to the mediterranean service offered by the host (usually in Australia you would get a "sorry we are fully booked", with no manoeuvring capacity from the host). He encouraged to have a wine whilst seeing what he could do, and sure enough he delivered. During the first night what can go wrong, will go wrong - so whereas this review should probably be a 3 stars for our experience, I understand they are fixable things that will get better. Once at the table the waiting period was way too long. Probs 20 minutes for the waiter to come and take our order, roughly 30 minutes to receive the entrees and a whipping 50 minutes between entree and mains. I would have loved a little detail considering this, but never came. To our liking, portions could be a bit more generous for the price. We had the octopus, which was absolutely perfect. Tender, charred just right and flavoursome. Mains were the ragu pasta and kingfish, both fantastic. Again, portions (particularly the kingfish) could be a bit more generous but the quality of the produce was outstanding. It is not easy to cook that fish properly over the embers and let me tell you, it was just perfect. Congratulations to the chef. The wine list is comprehensive and, pricey as wine is this days, I believe it was not crazy. To sum it up, the quality is there, the produce is there, the venue is there, and the willingness to deliver is there. I am sure once the initial issues get polished, you guys will consistently deliver 5 stars. All the best!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$40–60

  • Ariel Yeung

NEW RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE- REVIEW Pilloni Fine Dining Restaurant provided me with a wine list upon my arrival and I was given a warm welcome by the staff. During the tasting process, they allowed me to sample the wine and asked me which type I preferred. Due to this, the evening began in a sweet and comfortable manner. In spite of the staff’s sweet and attentive nature, the food was rather bland and did not stand out. As my first course, I ordered the Oysters Natural ($5 AUD), which were not cold enough according to the staff and I was concerned about their freshness. Besides the lamb neck slow roasted with fregolone and parsnips ($72 AUD), which the staff highly recommended, I also tried the lamb leg slow roasted with fregolone and parsnips ($72 AUD). In spite of this, the dish tasted bland and the meat was served cold rather than warm, which diminished the overall experience. In spite of its simplicity and delicacy, the side dish of Shisito peppers, smoked ricotta, burn almond cream ($16 AUD) did not complement the lamb in any way. Dessert, an Alghero-style caramel flan with marsala cream and figs ($16 AUD), was the highlight of the evening. It was not overly sweet, which was perfect for the end of a meal. The portions of the food were generally large enough to accommodate two people. Though the staff at Pilloni Fine Dining Restaurant was attentive and sweet, and the ambiance was pleasant, the food’s cost did not correspond to its quality. As a result of the blandness of the lamb neck dish and the disappointing oysters, the overall experience was less than satisfactory. The attentive service and the standout dessert were particularly appreciated. Rating: 4/10
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner

  • J T

Pilloni West End, a Sardinian restaurant, offers an impressive culinary experience that will captivate your taste buds. From the sensational charred corn chickpea tart, king fish crudo chickpea tart to the delectable scallop crudo, each dish is a delightful journey of flavors. The polipo, a charred octopus dish, was an absolute standout, leaving a lasting impression with its sensational taste. The spaghetti alle vongole, served with fresh vongole, was a satisfying plate of pasta that showcased the essence of Sardinian cuisine. The dessert menu at Pilloni is equally enticing. The menjar Blanc, an olive cake with white chocolate namelaka, milk ice cream, and plum, was a heavenly delight that left us craving for more. While the suckling pork was not as remarkable as the other dishes, the overall dining experience at Pilloni West End was exceptional, offering a taste of Sardinia in every bite. Note: This review reflects my personal experience and opinion of Pilloni West End, based on a single visit. Taste preferences may vary, and it is recommended to explore a variety of dishes to fully appreciate the restaurant’s offerings.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$80–100
Food: 5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Spaghetti Alle Vongole, Charred Octopus, Scallop Crudo

  • Jenny Ngo

I celebrated my birthday dinner here and left feeling slightly disappointed after hearing great things about this restaurant, particularly how great the service is. Sadly, our server was not very welcoming and their service was very cold, therefore it felt like our evening started off on a sour note. At one point during our dinner I could over hear the server and a kitchen staff arguing over something which is not very professional especially when guests are sitting near the kitchen area and could see everything. The server was clearly annoying and made things very awkward. The venue itself is gorgeous and our table had a view of the kitchen and its spectacular open fire cooking space. Food came out rather quick but most dishes were ok, mostly bland and under seasoned, nothing memorable. The oysters left a fishy after taste, not very pleasant. The bread for the Tartars was way too hard making it a struggle to bite and enjoy the dish, it would be better if the slices were a little thinner. The only dish worth noting is the Spaghetti Alle Vongole, the clams were fresh and sweet whilst the pasta had great texture. Given the above we decided to skip dessert.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$140–160

  • Sho Ko

Fabulous experience. I went to dinner with my favourite group of health conscious friends. The open kitchen, music, beautiful decor of the venue gave us a good vibe. Menu is simple yet provides options for everyone - wine and drink list is pretty extensive. The drinks were great that it actually tastes liquor. We shared everything. The stand outs are octopus, lamb, complimentary flatbread with ricotta dip, and chocolate rum drink. I couldn’t believe how tender the octopus was. I was able to divide them with spoon! The surprise was the chocolate rum drink. It was not too sweet and hits you with a hint of rum at the end. Next time, I want to try the preorder dish - pig or lobster dish. I thank for the friendly yet professional service!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$80–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Charred Octopus, Collo Di Agnello

  • Amazon Gilpin

The staff were welcoming and the service was prompt. Whilst the ambiance was cozy, with very flattering lighting, the illusion was swiftly interrupted just after 10pm, as you could see the team hurrying for an efficient close. Although there was no salad option, the menu descriptions match the food perfectly, with a fair range of dishes to choose from. Our experience included flatbread and olives, a dozen ‘fresh’ oysters, Octopus and the fish of the day (Spanish mackerel) with the celery side. All courses presented beautifully, with the celery being a surprising favourite for flavour, but would probably try some other things next time. Given the picturesque environment and attentive staff, I could see this becoming an easy regular for a classy mid-week drink so put it on your radar!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Recommended dishes
Flat Bread and Cream

  • Tiffanie Ng

Amazing Sardinian restaurant, with beautiful food and drinks! We had the warm olives, fresh oysters, charred octopus, focacia with labneh for entres; wagyu, garoupa, grilled asparagus for mains and the affogato and olive oil cake for desserts. Everything was great except the wagyu (800g), though delicious, was fatty. Service was friendly and thoughtful. Love the rustic yet modern architecture, be it the cosy and breezy bar area or the moody and romantic vibe of the main restaurant + 1.75% surcharge with Visa and Mastercard + 1.85% surcharge with Amex + 7% service charge for group of 8+ + 10% surcharge on Sundays
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$100–120
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Olives, Charred Octopus, Foccacia

  • Ivan Lai

EXCELLENT EVERYTHING!!! The food was very very delicious and better than most other similar restaurants. The staff was extremely friendly and attentive and the service was terrific. Although the price is a bit high, both the food and atmosphere is definitely worth it! Would highly recommend!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$80–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Ragù, Flat Bread and Cream, Menjar Blanc, Charred Octopus, Collo Di Agnello
Parking space
Somewhat difficult to find parking
Parking options
Free parking lot, Free street parking
Parking
Not many parking spots dedicated for the restaurants. Mostly street parking.

  • jer lau

Didnt know what happened with the chef that day.... the vongole pasta turned out like this... when the waitress brought it to the table, i questioned myself if i ordered the right dish as i recalled all pics i have seen on social media are like art works.... but this is like a kid meal... Didnt wanna make a scene on the spot so i didnt say anything to the staff (maybe i should have) And the taste was blend... i could only taste the oil.... what a big disappointment. I would have given zero star but the othe dishes were actually ok n the restaurant is pretty
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$80–100
Food: 1
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4

  • Danielle Lang

Atmosphere was nice. Great ambience. Drinks were delicious. The server was awfully quiet. We couldn't hear anything she was saying to us over the music and was not especially welcoming in any way. We ordered quite a few dishes and were left still feeling quite hungry. For $90pp we were quite disappointed that that was the case. The food was bland and underseasoned for the price we paid. There are better restaurants out there. I won't be recommending this place or coming back again.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$80–100
Food: 1
Service: 2
Atmosphere: 5

  • Dean Cobussen

Amazing service right off the bat. Warm relaxed surroundings and most off all, prompt service while not making you feel rushed like many commercial style restaurants do. Pilloni is about well sourced produce and honest cooked food. Another wood fire restaurant in Brisbane could take some lessons from theses guys. They don’t smother produce in sugary sauces and flavours, they let the food speak for itself. This restaurant deserves attention for discerning dinners. Lamb, pork or cuttlefish, it was all really good!
Meal type
Dinner
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

  • L

Pilloni boasts delicious, well-prepared food and a stunningly beautiful interior. However, slow service (especially with delayed drinks and long gaps between courses) and a loud, echoey environment marred the experience. Communication hiccups and the inability to hear each other took away from the enjoyment.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$120–140
Food: 4
Service: 2
Atmosphere: 3
Parking space
Plenty of parking
Parking options
Free parking lot, Free street parking

  • Andrew M

Like eating at Nonna house. The authentic food from Sardinia is special. Far exceeds your average Italian. Do yourself a favour and visit this place... Soon We'll be back next trip to Brisbane for sure. See Photos for the delicious dishes we enjoyed.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$140–160
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Ragù, Flat Bread and Cream, Charred Octopus
Parking space
Plenty of parking
Parking options
Free street parking

  • Z

A really beautiful Mediterranean style restaurant. The design and architecture is rustic, nestled amongst West End. The food is good quality and worth the money. The mocktails are delicious, it’s the first time I’ve ever reordered! The staff are kind and it’s awesome being able to see some of the kitchen and the preparations they do.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$40–60
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

  • Matteo Andreotti

Perfect lunch at the perfect venue! Food, service, wine and atmosphere amazing all around! Every single dish was to die for!! Compliments to Andrea and Valentina to build this amazing gem! Pietro and the crew in the kitchen are awesome in what they create with the sensational food!! And thanks to Alessia for the fantastic service!! We had so much fun!! Just thank you for the amazing lunch!!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

  • Sharon Smith

Approaching Pilloni from the outside you already feel you’re about to step in something that Brisbane has never had before. Inside it feels like an elevated & well curated version of Nonna’s house. Open fire in the kitchen, staff all in linen, it’s intimate but friendly & the food is everything you want - simple, full of flavour, quality ingredients & authentic.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$60–80

  • Ralph B

Ambiance and Venue - warm, elegant but not intimidating. There were big tables for families and groups which made the venue welcoming. Amazing wine list. If we didn’t drive, we will get a bottle of that greek red wine! Food was impeccable! Cannot fault it! From appetizers , sides, to main ! Service was great- attentive servers and food came out in a reasonable time. Will go back again!
Price per person
$100–120

  • Hong Chu

Good food, good service and good atmosphere made my Friday dinner absolutely enjoyable and worth the drive (quite far from where I’m living). The lovely young waitress Heeso was very friendly, helpful and professional. Thank you. I’m sure we will go again.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$120–140
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

  • David Tsang

Service was very good. We had the suckling pig which was good but the sides were small. Olive oil cake was very nice. I'd try the other dishes next time as Sardinian food is supposed to be good seafood wise.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$120–140
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4

  • Grace Goodwin

Delicious new restaurant in West End. Incredibly styled, attentive and friendly staff, wonderful rage of wines and delicious food. Would highly recommend the Culurgiones (dumpling style of pasta) and the spaghetti. We can’t wait to return!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$100–120

  • Nick C

Amazing spot and a must try. Great service and extensive wine list.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$120–140
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Spaghetti Alle Vongole, Charred Octopus, House Cured Anchovies, Collo Di Agnello

  • Aurelien Ducos

What an amazing restaurant !! Some friends brought me and my family to Pilloni to try their suckling pig (need to be ordered in advance), and it was the best we have ever had. All the food was fantastic and the service was excellent, the restaurant is also very well decorated.Highly recommended. More

  • Beau Chenery

Food was excellent, service was terrific and prices on the menu and wine were top end as well. Do not ask me to tip. Your menu prices justify everything. Probably the most expensive place in brisbane to eat. Stop asking for a tip. Other than that. Great. More

  • Liane Lagahit

Incredible food, amazing and friendly staff. Everything we had was great, but the octopus is definitely a must try, as well as both of the mains. Will definitely be back again!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$120–140

  • Jack Richards

An all round impressive experience. The ambience is perfect, as others have mentioned. A great wine list - many 4+ star wines by the glass. The meals were plated impressively and were impeccable.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

  • Grace Lipscomb

I've been here twice now, and have been super satisfied with my experience both times. The first time the staff graciously accommodated us by moving us to a bigger table so my partner and I could sit next to one another (at the time both

  • Julia Murphy

This is a beautifully fit out restaurant with lovely ambience and attentive staff. However, the food we ordered was quite disappointing. I went with three other people and found that all of our mains (4 different pastas) were quite bland

  • stephen hall

This place is stunning. Truly great food. Lovely bread. Best octopus ever. Spectacular lobster. Interesting pasta. Great predominantly Italian wine list. Really terrific service. Looking forward to returning More

  • Sherry Zhang

We loved every single dish, and the ambiance, and the service, and the wine. It’s classy, casual, unpretentious, most importantly the food was really amazing, we couldn’t fault anything. A well deserved 5star!

  • Lory Smith

An amazing place, unique of its kind. Probably the best Italian restaurant in Brisbane. The food is outstanding, the service is great and there is something about the place itself that can't be described. More

  • DL G

We stopped in for a look on our walk one evening and ended up having oysters, olives and bread with a couple of drinks. It was all delicious - the setting in the bar is dark and relaxed. I loved it! More

  • ali munro

Brilliant long sunny Sunday lunch. Such a warm and welcoming place. Great food. Great cocktails and wine. Knowledgeable staff. Perfect.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

  • Kara

Expect flavours that are authentic, and non-apologetically Sardinian. If you can afford one dish only go for the culurgiones and get the focaccia to soak up the rich sauce. You're welcome.

  • Sue Jay

Really nice food, a bit different from the usual Italian fare, and good service.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

  • An Thu To

Delicious food and amazing service for private function. The quality was excellent and great experience for special occasion
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

  • Mario Eraso

The perfect place to have dinner and wines! Came with my wife and can’t wait to come back with friends for dinner. 100% recommended. More

  • Sara G

The food and service at Pilloni were exceptional! I particularly loved the culurgiones - delicious! Fabulous service too. More

  • Wilson Lorensyah

The place here is actually quite good, but quite limited options of pasta which hopefully they can add more options

  • Sop Khim

Amazing food, open kitchen and open fire cooking! Enjoyed every plate. Definitely be back.
Service…
More

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