Handmade pasta and elevated Italian classics shine at Oro by Sogno Italiano
If you’ve dined at Sogno Italiano in Mermaid Waters or Burleigh Waters, you’ll know the formula – generous plates, comforting Italian classics and a sense that everyone at the table is meant to leave full and happy. It’s a warm, convivial style of hospitality that has earned the brand a loyal following across the Gold Coast. Now, owners Sushil Maharjan and Prajwol Maharjan have brought that same spirit to Broadbeach with Oro by Sogno Italiano – a new opening that feels familiar at heart, but dialled up where it counts. Here’s why this latest addition deserves a spot on your dining radar.
Oro marks the third venue in five years for the duo, who have quietly expanded their hospitality footprint with a steady sense of purpose. The move wasn’t impulsive. Broadbeach had long been on their radar, even before Burleigh Waters entered the frame. When the opportunity arose to take over the former Vida Broadbeach site, the timing finally aligned.
“Broadbeach is a food hub,” says Sushil. “It attracts locals, tourists and surfers. People genuinely come here to dine.” It didn’t hurt that many regulars from their Mermaid Waters restaurant had been nudging them in that direction for years.
While Oro carries unmistakable Sogno DNA, the menu signals a clear shift forward. This time around, pizza has been deliberately left off the table. In its place is a more considered, protein-forward offering that leans into handmade pasta, premium cuts and seafood. It’s a move that feels well judged in a neighbourhood already rich in excellent pizza joints.
Pasta remains the backbone, made fresh daily on site and without shortcuts. There’s confidence in the line-up, from fork-twirling spaghetti carbonara, sans cream and finished tableside in a pecorino wheel, to slow-cooked ragu and pillows of ricotta-and-spinach-filled pasta. The gnocchi d’agnello, built around an eight-hour slow-cooked lamb shank, is already emerging as a crowd favourite. Soft, generous and deeply comforting, without the heaviness that can often come with gnocchi.
Seafood plays a larger role here than at their previous venues. Scallops baked with chilli butter and grilled Mooloolaba king prawns bathed with ‘nduja and olive oil set the tone, before making way for mains like a seafood risotto designed to transport diners straight to the Italian coastline. The spaghetti with Moreton Bay bugs remains a hero for long-time fans, while show-stopping centrepieces such as rock-lobster spaghetti and a substantial seafood platter speak to Broadbeach’s appetite for indulgence.
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For those who favour land over sea, a dedicated grill section delivers everything from Angus eye fillet and costata di manzo to a generously sized tomahawk intended for sharing. Classic secondi, including veal saltimbocca and chicken cacciatore, keep the menu grounded in tradition.
Beyond the plate, the venue has received a light cosmetic refresh, retaining much of its former character while introducing thoughtful touches such as a piano, updated seating and subtle refinements throughout. More changes to the outdoor space are still to come. Toward the back, the cavernous barrel has been retained as a private dining and event space, offering a setting that feels both intimate and memorable.
On the drinks front, cocktails are summery and unfussy, with spritzes, margaritas and a popular watermelon smash leading the charge. The wine list spans Italian staples, local drops and celebratory bottles, while aperitivo hour runs daily from 3:00–5:00 pm, easing the transition from afternoon to evening with spritzes and small bites.
Oro by Sogno Italiano feels like a natural progression. Still rooted in the generosity that made the original venues so loved, but refined just enough to suit its beachside Broadbeach address. In a dining strip crowded with options, Oro doesn’t shout for attention. It lets the menu does the talking.
Head to The Directory for opening times.