Restaurant
Ciao
5 Boundary St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia
Find Ciao
5 Boundary St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Ciao
Ask regular HSW diners where to park a milestone table, and they point straight to this riverside boardwalk perch beneath the Story Bridge. River breezes, sweeping water views, and shared Italian feast menus set the pace for celebrations. The kitchen turns out reliable crowd-pleasers with sharp timing—crisp zucchini flowers stuffed with mozzarella over sugo, blistered crab pizza, and sliced 280g Pure Prime MB3+ sirloin resting in rich jus. Pours lean into dragon fruit mojitos and glasses of Crittenden Estate Pinot Noir, winding down to vanilla bean panna cotta paired with Amarena cherries and ricciarelli.
- Riverside Story Bridge Perch: Perched directly along the Howard Smith Wharves boardwalk with panoramic views across the river to the illuminated Story Bridge.
- Shared Feasting Banquets: Multi-course Italian feast menus designed to coordinate milestone birthdays, reunions, and lively group celebrations seamlessly.
- Produce-Driven Italian Classics: Showcases produce-led cooking from 280g Pure Prime MB3+ sirloin and blistered crab pizza to melt-in-the-mouth gnocchi and Amarena cherry panna cotta.
What's On at Ciao
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Diners Choose Ciao Papi
From sunset feasts under the Story Bridge to seamless group celebrations on the riverfront, here is why diners reserve their place at Ciao Papi. Book ahead to secure your table on the water.
Unmatched Boardwalk Views of the Story Bridge
Diners enjoy prime boardwalk positioning along Howard Smith Wharves with uninterrupted panoramas of the Brisbane River and illuminated Story Bridge.
perched on the boardwalk at Howard Smith Wharves, looking over the Brisbane River and Storey Bridge, is exceptional food and service to match.
Alex Myers Atmospheric Glasshouse Waterfront Ambiance
Enclosed glasshouse seating captures natural daylight, golden hour sunsets, and city lights reflecting over the water.
Dining in the glasshouse is incredibly atmospheric; the way the light filters through the glass, especially as the sun sets and the city lights start to twinkle, creates a magical vibe.
Lindsay ula Effortless Milestone and Birthday Celebrations
A vibrant setting paired with hands-on, attentive service keeps birthday parties and milestone celebrations running without a hitch.
The atmosphere was vibrant and welcoming — perfect for a special occasion. The staff were friendly and attentive, making sure everything ran smoothly throughout the evening.
Julian Warm Hospitality for Group Reunions
Thoughtful, accommodating waitstaff provide dedicated care for family reunions, senior diners, and accessibility needs.
Thank-you to Rahul & the team for making our reunion lunch that little bit extra special.
Ivonne Di Perna Seamless Italian Feast Banquets
Curated multi-course Italian feast banquets ensure fast, coordinated food and beverage service for group tables.
We went with the Italian Feast set menu — and wow, it was absolutely delicious! Service was prompt, with food and drinks arriving quickly.
Jemma McKee Flexible Group Dining and Dietary Accommodation
Pre-set menus easily handle parties larger than ten diners while adapting comfortably to individual dietary preferences.
Set menu for groups of more than 10 although they were happy to adjust for the dietary needs of 1 our group. Staff offered us more from the set menu when we finished but it was more than enough.
Alan McKernan
Most popular items
Guest favorites and standout dishes frequently celebrated across dining occasions
Italian Feast Set Menu
We went with the Italian Feast set menu — and wow, it was absolutely delicious!
Jemma McKee Sirloin Steak
The steak was really juicy and was the highlight of our meal. Everyone loved the sirloin steak.
Virunyada Chaopreecha (Fah) Zucchini Flowers
Starting with the zucchini flowers filled with mozzarella, basil and sugo, this was a standout dish.
Dan R Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta
The panna cotta had a silky texture, the cherries brought a deep syrupy sweetness and the biscuit was spot on.
Dan R
Other favorites
Complementary drinks, vegetable sides, and Italian desserts to round out the table
Dragon Fruit Mojito
the dragon fruit mojito which was fresh, vibrant and ideal for the warm weather.
Dan R Roasted Baby Carrots
On the side, the roasted baby carrots with whipped ricotta, honey and pistachio worked really well together.
Dan R Tiramisu
Tiramisu is the best I’ve had.
Madi-Mei Bucknell Affogato
the affogato was excellent.
Danielle Pereira
Beyond the menu
From celebration gestures to tailored group care, thoughtful hospitality elevates every visit. Book ahead to secure your riverside table.
Celebratory Table Touches
From presenting candles for dining guests to singing happy birthday, staff add thoughtful personal touches to milestone occasions.
Thoughtful Accessibility Care
Staff provide warm, proactive care for multi-generational bookings, smoothly supporting senior guests and wheelchair access.
Dietary Adjustments & Generous Banquets
Large-party feasting menus are flexibly adjusted for individual dietary requirements, with servers proactively checking if extra portions are desired.
Attentive Walk-In Accommodation
Even during peak fully booked hours, team members go out of their way to seat walk-in guests and handle ordering and payment by hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to book in advance to get a riverside table?
While walk-ins are sometimes accommodated at non-table service or outdoor spots, booking well in advance is highly recommended—especially if you want a prime riverside or glasshouse table with views of the Story Bridge, which book out fast. Standard reservation slots are typically allocated for 1.5 hours.
How does group dining and set menu ordering work?
Yes, set menus are featured for groups (required for parties of more than 10), and the kitchen can accommodate individual dietary needs. Many dishes are served in generous portions designed for sharing across the table.
Are there good non-alcoholic drink options available?
Yes, alongside wine, beer, and cocktails, the restaurant serves Italian soft drinks and refreshing mocktails like orange and pineapple concoctions.
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