Giuseppe's Cantina — Restaurant in Queensland

I was really avoiding reviewing Giuseppe's because I'm likely going to go back again as there is not much else to do in Mount Isa but I just can't help myself. I have been there twice. First time - 2/5. The calamari was so salty; it caused me heartburn and indigestion. The barra was overcooked, burnt to the crisp. The potatoes were soggy. The parmesan chips were dry. The saving grace was the cocktails, particularly the one that is a spin of the amaretto sour. Second time - 2/5. The service was slow, had to wave down the waitress for our drinks. Entree was okay, the calamari was not as salty as the first time I had it. For my main, I told the waitress to tell the chef not to overcook the barra. The barra was cooked well however garnished with jalapenos and gherkins which was rather revolting and far from any Italian dish I have ever had. My baked potato was grey and did not look safe to eat. Saving grace - cocktails. So much potential, such a big let down. Overpriced...

Best “grub” in Isa.

Having travelled to Italy, I like to think I know the difference between Australian Italian and authentic Italian and the chef at Giuseppe’s Cantina brings the goods with the best authentic Italian this side of the black stump.

The arancini is delicious and light, and would pair well with a crisp Italian wine. We instead delighted in the bar’s take on the Aperol Spritz (Prosecco and Aperol with added soda water) and a gin concoction which went down faster than the miners’ elevators.

Three pastas were sampled during our experience: a hearty beef rosse dish with soft and large tagliatelle which was featured on a specials menu, the gamberi con rucola (prawn spaghetti) which makes one want to drink the remnants of the sauce, and the broccoli orecchiette that provided substantial heat with each flavourful morsel.

If you have the space in your desert stomach, the tiramisu is both sweet and satisfying to cap off a night with friends or...

We had a large group of people book in which they were aware of. No one came to take a drink order so after waiting for 25minutes we ended up going to the bar and ordering individually. During the whole dinner they did not come and ask for drinks once. The food was ok. The miso pasta however was absolutely disgusting and I am unsure why that is on the menu. A couple sitting next to us didn’t eat theirs either. My partner and I ended up vomiting when we were home due to that pasta. I know it was that as that was the only thing I ate.

The service was incredibly slow. The food was even slower to come out. We ended up being at the restaurant for almost 3 hours to get all of our food.

If you want to come as a couple then I’d recommend but more than four people and i wouldn’t bother. They cannot say the restaurant was full either as only half of the restaurant was taken.

With some work this place...