Every culture has its culinary matriarch - the Nonna, Tita, Lola or Yia Yia - whose dishes are laced with heritage, technique and a pinch of tough love. These restaurants channel that spirit. They're the places where sauces simmer all day, broths are built from scratch and nothing comes from a packet.
Here are five venues where food tastes like family, every time.
Oyama - Fortitude Valley, Qld
For more than two decades, Oyama has been Brisbane’s go-to for teppanyaki theatre
and Japanese comfort fare. Its open kitchen sets the stage for flame-grilled
action, while the interior - framed by cherry blossoms and Japanese
iconography - brings warmth to every table.
Begin with a delicate sushi platter showcasing fresh cuts of
yellowfin tuna, kingfish and scallops. Then lean into a classic comfort dish:
chicken Maryland draped in teriyaki sauce, served with miso soup, salad and
rice. It’s simple, balanced and prepared with care - just like a Japanese grandma
would do it.
Reserve your seat and reconnect with the quiet mastery of homestyle Japanese
cooking. Make sure to leave a review of your visit.
Yuni’s Kitchen - Northcote, Vic
At Yuni’s Kitchen, every dish tells a story. Set inside a heritage Northcote
building, this Indonesian gem pairs funky interiors with heart-on-sleeve
cooking. Walls of red and teal give way to plates born from Jakarta, Yogyakarta
and Balinese kitchens.
Laksa here is legendary - an aromatic broth brimming with
chicken, choy sum, noodles and tofu, crowned with spring onion and coriander.
Duck curry bursts with warmth, while steamed barramundi wrapped in banana
leaves brings subtle, fragrant depth. These are recipes passed down and plated
up with pride.
Come hungry and leave with a full belly and fuller heart - book your table at
Yuni’s and then review your experience.
Kalina’s Restaurant - Georges Hall, NSW
Rooted in Balkan traditions, Kalina’s is a love letter to a grandmother’s
philosophy of nourishing from the ground up. Tucked into Georges Hall, this
restaurant brings white-linen formality to soulful, family-style dishes, with
framed memories of the old country lining the walls.
Kick things off with salt and pepper calamari, then move on to grilled pork fillets stuffed with cheese and wrapped in speck. For something heartier, try the Balkan mixed grill with sausages, skewers and creamy garlic sauce, all served with rustic sides and thick-cut bread. It’s a feast meant to be shared - just like Kalina would’ve served it.
Ivy Italian - Nowra, NSW
On Nowra’s Kinghorne Street, Ivy Italian is where old-school Italian
hospitality meets coastal cool. Timber and soft lighting set the mood, while
the kitchen delivers dishes that wouldn’t be out of place on a Sunday table in
Rome.
Start with garlic prawns or grilled calamari, then twirl
into handmade pasta covered in creamy mushroom, onion and bacon sauce. The pizzas are a nod to tradition, but with a modern twist - mozzarella, salami and
olives co-mingle with pineapple on thin, bubbly crusts. Cap things off with a
tiramisu that tastes like a hug.
Settle in for a night where every dish feels like it came from Nonna’s
kitchen - book now and record your visit with a review.
Paesino - Keilor, Vic
Paesino lives up to its name - a little village of warmth and flavour in suburban
Keilor. It’s where friends and families gather around white-clothed tables to
share arancini, housemade meatballs and pizzas that balance tradition with bold
flair.
Go classic with Bolognese and porcini arancini, or opt for
the Ciccio Bello pizza - mozzarella, pork fennel sausage, nduja and broccoli
rabe. There’s a real sense of time and place here - every dish feels like it’s
been tweaked, tested and perfected across generations.
Book a table and let the slow-made sauces and bubbling crusts do the talking - then review your dining experience.
