The Star will bring its authentic Italian restaurant concept to The Star Brisbane in 2024 as part of its rapidly expanding culinary line-up.

Cucina Regina – which takes its cues from sister venues Cucina Vivo on the Gold Coast and Cucina Porto in Sydney – is named Regina, the Italian word for Queen, after its prime location within Brisbane’s $3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf precinct.

The Star’s Cucina venues aim to reflect the spirit of Italian hospitality, where people socialise before or after a meal and enjoy a spontaneous appetiser, refreshment or gelato.

“Those who have enjoyed the warmth and welcoming nature of our Italian venues will attest that our Cucina experience gives meaning to the heart of the home,” said The Star Brisbane General Manager Food and Beverage, Dustin Osuch.

“A place where favourites are prepared with the care and precision you would expect when visiting a loved one or a dear friend, transforming the familiar into something special.

“Having first launched Cucina Vivo on the Gold Coast in 2014, I am thrilled to introduce our newest Cucina family member to Brisbane and bring one of our much-loved dining experiences into a city that is rapidly evolving into one of the nation’s top culinary destinations.”

Cucina Regina is the first of The Terrace – a riverfront terrace that will welcome thousands of locals and visitors into the resort – culinary experiences to be announced. It will cater to up to 160 guests through indoor and outdoor dining.

Designed by Australian-based Design Studio Tom Mark Henry, Cucina Regina intends to provide a warm atmosphere, similar to an Italian family table, where a mix of classics, comfort food and signature dishes can be enjoyed.

“From the first moments upon entry, it’s evident Cucina Regina deviates from clichéd Italian design cues,” said Tom Mark Henry Design Manager, Carla Matias.

“The venue’s interiors meld traditional and modern accents inspired by Italian towns and villages, inviting guests through to a dining area patterned with textiles, bold pops of colour, natural textured layers and a curation of local art pieces to create a homely space.

“Coloured textured glass within the shopfront bathes the space with a golden light, regardless of the weather. While the bar serves as the keystone for the venue, leaning into a neutral palette that speaks to the laidback aesthetic of Brisbane and sets the scene for an effortless transition from day to night.”