Sometimes, pasta just hits different. While we all love the warm embrace of a perfectly al dente carbonara or the Sunday comfort of a slow-simmered Bolognese, there’s something thrilling about a Chef who breaks the rules - and gets away with it. Across the country, a new generation of culinary creatives is twisting pasta’s classic DNA into something bolder, brighter and distinctly their own.
Whether it’s an Aussie-Italian seafood hybrid served under palm trees in Port Douglas or a Japanese-inflected spaghetti masterpiece hidden in Neutral Bay, these are the restaurants rethinking pasta as we know it and serving up bowls worth travelling for.
Salsa Bar & Grill – Port Douglas, Qld
Overlooking the cerulean waters of Port Douglas from its perch on Wharf Street, Salsa Bar & Grill is what happens when tropical elegance meets coastal comfort. Think white timber walls, breezy louvred windows and a drinks list that screams island holiday - best enjoyed with an Aperol-fuelled Canefire Sunset in hand. The mood is polished yet playful, perfectly matching a menu that’s earned legendary status among locals and sun-seeking tourists alike. This is not your average beachside haunt - this is a dining experience that blends Far North Queensland flair with Modern Australian finesse.
On the pasta front, Salsa’s standout is the linguine pepperincino with Tiger prawns, brought to life with a fiery mix of Aussie black pepper, garlic and fresh chilli. It’s a dish that dances between heat and delicacy, elevated with shaved Parmesan and served alfresco for the full Port Douglas effect. This pasta is a love letter to the sea and the spice of the tropics.
Secure your waterfront table now - this one books out fast.
With more than three decades under its belt, La Fettuccina has become a culinary cornerstone on Cairns’ Shields Street. The atmosphere here is one of effortless warmth: diners chat beneath a streetside awning or settle into the softly lit dining room where heritage meets hospitality. Staff who’ve been part of the furniture for decades bring a sense of continuity and calm, while the kitchen stays firmly in the present - delivering plates full of colour, flavour and local pride.
Among the generous serves and comforting classics, a dish that turns heads is the spaghetti with prawns, mushrooms, shallots, garlic and chilli. Olive oil binds this vibrant medley of earth and ocean, transforming a humble spaghetti base into a fragrant, fiery fusion of flavours. It’s both bold and beautifully balanced - a nod to tradition, but with a pulse-quickening modern rhythm.
Book now and discover why this Cairns icon still leads the pack.
Step inside Arte Bianca and you’re not in Double Bay anymore - you’re in a sun-soaked Italian kitchen where the pasta is fresh, the wine flows freely and everything feels touched by Nonna’s hand. The interiors are warm and intimate, dotted with timber, flickering candles and rustic charm. For those who prefer a side of people-watching with their meal, the outdoor tables along Bay Street offer the perfect stage for a lazy long lunch.
Arte Bianca’s take on seafood pasta? The linguine allo scoglio - a tomato-based marvel loaded with prawns, white fish and mussels, kissed with garlic and chilli. It’s everything you want in a seafood pasta but sharper, smarter and somehow more soulful. The sauce is light but robust, letting the seafood sing while the linguine carries every bold note.
Tables fill quickly at dinner - reserve yours and let the sea-inspired flavours wash over you.
Jicca Dining – Neutral Bay, NSW
At Jicca Dining, boundaries blur in the best possible way. This Neutral Bay gem merges Japanese precision with Italian passion in a fit-out that’s sleek, modern and charmingly understated. A white-tiled counter and a warm timber communal table set the tone for dishes that surprise and delight, all served with the kind of heart that lives up to the restaurant’s name - ‘home sweet home’.
The headline act? A dramatic squid ink risotto brought to life with mussels, squid and tomato sauce, elegantly seasoned with garlic and chilli. It's Japan meets Sicily in a single spoonful - umami-rich, briny and beautifully dark. It’s also visually striking, with a deep noir hue that sets it apart on any table. Forget predictable pasta - this is fusion done right.
Bring your appetite and book ahead - this local favourite gets busy.
Over in Adelaide’s Northeastern suburbs, Dilano’s is quietly revolutionising pasta with a flair that’s all its own. Housed in a sleek venue lit with soft purples - a touching tribute to the owner's late sister - it’s a place where the food tells a story and every plate carries intention. From the warm welcome to the perfectly plated starters, everything about Dilano’s feels personal yet polished.
Among the risottos and risqué flavour pairings, one dish demands your attention: the linguine with blue swimmer crab, tossed with Spanish onion, fresh chilli and a rich rosetta sugo. It’s decadent but deft, the sweetness of the crab playing against the heat of the chilli and the depth of the tomato base. A bold reimagining of a seafood pasta favourite, this dish proves why Dilano’s continues to draw a loyal crowd.
Call ahead to lock in your next standout dinner reservation.
Whether it's seafood with a chilli kick or ink-black risotto under Japanese influence, these venues aren’t just serving pasta - they’re redefining it. They respect the classics, sure, but they’re not afraid to riff, reimagine and reinvent. So, next time you think you've seen all pasta has to offer, grab a fork, head to one of these bold kitchens and prepare to be surprised.
