Verdi's Italian Restaurant Review

Italian mateship

"Hey mate, what'cha thinking 'bout ordering?"

"Bugger, it all looks damn good. Think I'll go the steak with a beeeaa."

"Top stuuffff!"

Verdi's Italian Restaurant on Shields Street is marketed as an Italian restaurant, but mate, the atmosphere is the closest thing I've ever found to an Australian restaurant. No other restaurant in Cairns celebrates a more blokey display of paternalism by the patrons and waiting staff than Verdi's. To be frank, on the few occasions I have visited Verdi's I have been slightly put off by the unusual dining tone. But in retrospect it could be a bold and original service ploy. Rather than towing the customary restaurant line - that is, non-intrusive service with a smile - Verdi's creates a traditional Australian cultural experience with Italian food.

The restaurant has an informal vibe, like a mix of Hog's Breath Cafe and Mondo Cafe. The waiters are predominantly 30-ish year old men who appear to love their job because they can totally relax and participate in the great Australian game of instant mateship. A few profanities shared with the newcomers? Ah, it's all par for the course. Jokes about private body parts? Great for a laugh. Comments about the woman seated at the next table? You beauty! A huge flat-screen TV hangs at one end of the restaurant showing the latest rugby league match, and close by is a bar fully stocked with beer and other alcoholic brews. The ambience at Verdi's is conducive to drinking so it is relatively easy to be swept up by the mateship and start chatting wildly about origin football and barra fishing.

Ordering food at Verdi's is a simple procedure. The menu offers a copious selection of Italian meals and most will be familiar to patrons, so close your eyes and place your finger anywhere on the menu. You'll choose a meal that will satisfy you. In Aussie style, the meals are presented pragmatically and the prices hover around the $20 mark for a standard main.

One of the great things about Verdi's is the location. It is situated on the corner of Shields and Sheridan streets, and people from all walks of life stroll past the large glass windows. This is wonderful entertainment that is markedly better than football on the large screen TV. I could watch for hours.

Verdi's is always filled to the rafters and there are many people who love it. I dare say the reasons for visiting Verdi's lies predominately with the casual Aussie atmosphere.

"That was bloody good Bruce."

"Too right."

- Diner Diller

Verdi's Italian Restaurant	Cairns CBD
A popular restaurant with locals, Verdi's have consistantly outstanding quality Italian food, innovative menus and friendly staff. Live music on weekends make for a lively atmosphere. Private function room available for large groups.
cuisines: Italian features: A la carte, Al fresco review: Italian mateship (12/7/2003) contact: (07) 40521010 | 66 Shields Street
Mini Reviews
Anita Hanchob	2nd Mar 2007
Wonderful night, Pizza great Lamb Shanks superb. A bottle or two of "Henry" and your on top of the world.
Kara	4th Dec 2006
You can not go pass Verdi's Chicken 'n' Fetta... It is to die for. Best restaurant in town.
James Orland	20th Oct 2006
I had lamb rump from the specials board today on a work lunch. It was perfectly cooked, pink, not too done. It had a divine jus and a deep fried polenta cake which was suprising good. The jus perfectly complimented the lamb. The huge spring of rosemary sticking out of the giant wild mushroom showed the flair and personality of the kitchen staff. It was the feather in the cap!
Bee	1st Sep 2006
Had a fabulous friday lunch with the guys from the office. The Veal Verdi is great (and not even green!). Great aussie beers on tap...but don't ask where buffalo mozarella comes from!
Richard	1st Sep 2006
Great food as always. Pizza is always the best in cairns.
Jason	1st Sep 2006
Some great beers in tap, perfect for a Friday work lunch. The special woodfired lamb and buffalo mozzarella cheese pizza went down a treat with a fine aussie Ale. Snap!
Matt	1st Sep 2006
The meals at Verdi's is superb - well presented, delicious and moderately priced. The staff are pleasant and very helpful. The range of drinks on the menu is impressive, with a number of local and imported beers. -- 8/10
Isabelle	1st Sep 2006
The food was great - everyone at my table enjoyed their meals, and the staff were friendly. It's a good place to have a relaxing lunch :)
Snaps	1st Sep 2006
Verdis' is good, they got Heineken on Tap and the Pizza's are great, a little expensive but they also have Mozzarella made from Buffalo's Milk... cant beat that.. -Snap
Ian	17th Jun 2006
The food is excellent, some time staff can be lacking but most time it is good. I must say that Verdi's WAS my favourite when it was tucked in that little hole in Abbott Street, the larger premises has made a visit a whole lot less romantic. Remember the food is Great and you will love it.
Ayisha Shandiman	17th Mar 2005
Never have I been to such a satisfying restaurant!! The food at Verdi's is unbelievable! The staff are curteous, funny and extremely knowledgable of the menu. It is refreshing to go to a venue and actually look forward to hearing the specials. I would call this a dining experience because you become so involved in the happenings of the place, at the particular time i was there it was someone's birthday and the entire room was encouraghed to get up and clap to an upbeat version of "happy birthday". It was absolutely hilarious. If visiting Cairns you must stop into Verdi's even for lunch the meals are great and you will not be dissapointed. Bon Appetit`
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