When you search for “Italian restaurant near me,” you’re likely looking for more than just pizza or pasta. You want an experience that brings warmth, authenticity, and consistency. You want food that is handmade, considered, and crafted with pride. And you want a welcoming atmosphere where service feels genuine, and you can truly relax into the moment.
Factory51 in Coorparoo delivers all that and more. As one of Brisbane’s most-loved Italian dining destinations, Factory51 is where locals go for handcrafted food, friendly service, and a venue that feels equally suited to casual meals and celebratory evenings.
Whether you’re dropping in for a glass of wine and a few starters or settling in for a multi-course dinner, the antipasti menu at Factory51 is the perfect place to begin your meal.
Why Antipasti Matters
Antipasti, which translates to “before the meal,” isn’t just a way to warm up your appetite. It’s an opportunity to settle in, share with friends, and connect over food. At Factory51, we treat this course with the care and depth it deserves—offering a range of small plates that highlight both traditional and contemporary Italian flavours.
The menu focuses on balance: rich meets fresh, crispy meets creamy, bold meets subtle. Every dish is designed to be enjoyed either solo or shared across the table.
Our Most Popular Antipasti Dishes
Antipasti Plate
The Antipasti Plate is a vibrant showcase of everything we love about Italian food. With truss tomatoes, marinated olives, balsamic onions, cured pork loin, pickled zucchini, quartirolo cheese, and grilled flatbread, it’s layered with complexity and designed for sharing. It’s often the first thing to hit the table and the last thing guests stop talking about.
Porcini Arancini with Truffle Aioli
Arancini is an antipasto staple, and ours is a firm favourite. These porcini mushroom arancini are golden, perfectly crisp, and earthy in flavour. Served four per plate with peppery rocket and house-made truffle aioli, they deliver that rich, creamy interior that makes arancini so irresistible.
Pork and Veal Meatballs
Classic, comforting, and heartwarming. These meatballs, made from pork and veal, are served in a rich tomato sugo with ricotta salata and grilled flatbread. It’s the kind of dish that’s perfect with a bold red wine and just enough bread to mop the plate clean.
Battered Eggplant with Rosemary Sea Salt
Our crispy battered eggplant offers something lighter—but no less indulgent. Tossed in rosemary sea salt and paired with balsamic caramel, this vegan-friendly dish is a fresh favourite among diners looking for something unique yet approachable. Its crispy shell and tender centre make it ideal for starting a flavour-filled evening.
Italian Charcuterie Board
For those who love a long graze, our Italian charcuterie board delivers. Featuring prosciutto crudo and cotto, sopressa salami, capocollo, balsamic onions, and olives, it’s the perfect choice to complement a glass of wine and great conversation. Lavosh adds a crunch that balances the richness of the meats beautifully.
Woodfired Focaccia – Garlic & Herb or Truffle & Honey
Sometimes, the simplest dishes are the most satisfying. Our woodfired focaccia, baked in-house and served warm, comes in two delicious versions: garlic & herb butter, or truffle & honey butter. Both offer a fragrant, pillowy beginning to your Italian dining experience—and both regularly appear on tables across the room.
From Antipasti to Pasta: Handmade with Heart
Antipasti is only the beginning at Factory51. Our full menu reflects the same devotion to craft and authenticity. Pastas are handmade fresh each day using durum semolina, slow fermentation, and traditional shaping techniques.
Some crowd favourites include:
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Strascinate with mushroom, truffle, rocket, and parmesan
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Fusillo with pork and fennel sausage, chilli, and pecorino
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Capunto tossed with prawns, cherry tomato, and capers
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Orecchiette with braised lamb shoulder, olives, and rosemary
Each pasta dish is cooked to order and served in generous portions that feel celebratory, not heavy.
Curly ribbons of sourdough mafaldine pasta catch every bite of this rustic pork and fennel sausage sauce – handcrafted in Brisbane by Vede Pasta.
Woodfired Pizza, Traditional and Time-Tested
Our pizzas are built on slow-fermented sourdough, hand-stretched to achieve the perfect balance between chew and crunch. Toppings are selected with care, allowing key ingredients to shine.
Best-sellers include:
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Margherita with buffalo mozzarella and basil
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Prosciutto Crudo & Rocket with a drizzle of truffle oil
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Zucchini & Artichoke with goats cheese and confit garlic
For takeaway, we recommend calling ahead—our locals know they go fast. Order woodfired pizza here
Desserts That Complete the Meal
At Factory51, dessert is not an afterthought—it’s the closing note of a thoughtfully composed meal. Guests love our:
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Tiramisu made with espresso and Tia Maria
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Pistachio and Ricotta Cannoli
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Nutella Pizza with Gelato
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Affogato with optional Frangelico
Each dessert is made in-house and served with the same care as our mains.
Drinks to Match the Moment
Our drinks list features wines, beers, and cocktails that pair beautifully with our menu. Popular choices include the Espresso Martini, Negroni, and Limoncello Spritz. If you’re unsure what to pair with your antipasti, our team will happily recommend something you’ll love.
Why We’re a Go-To Italian Restaurant Near You
Conveniently located in Coorparoo, just 4km from the Brisbane CBD, Factory51 is easily accessible from Norman Park, Camp Hill, Woolloongabba, and East Brisbane. Guests appreciate the free street parking, easy online bookings, and the welcoming team that makes every visit special.
Looking for an Italian restaurant near you that consistently delivers? Factory51 has become the preferred choice for weeknight dinners, date nights, and relaxed weekend celebrations.
Celebrate With Us – Private Events and Group Dining
Our Workshop event space is ideal for:
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Birthday parties
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Rehearsal dinners
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Business gatherings
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Milestone celebrations
It includes a private bar, AV setup, and a range of flexible dining formats. From seated banquets to cocktail functions, we help you create something memorable.
Book Your Table Today
Whether it’s for arancini and wine, a full-course Italian meal, or a family gathering, we’d love to host you.