Italian-born Chef Andrea Morigi (formerly of Merivale venues Uccello and Jimmy’s Falafels) will be heading up the kitchen at Lito, a new Italian-inspired eatery within the Mondrian Gold Coast hotel in Burleigh Heads, Queensland.
The ground-floor beachfront restaurant Lito opens 5th June 2025 at the Mondrian Gold Coast hotel.
From post-surf espressos to aperitivo hour, this all-day restaurant is vying to become a laidback dining destination and neighbourhood hub, with an Italian summer vibe that also channels Burleigh’s unique mindset.
“It’s about joy on the plate – handmade, wholehearted, relaxed” says Morigi. “Like the kind of meal best shared among friends with something good in the glass. Lito invites you to settle in without watching the clock — for a long lunch, a slow dinner or anything in between.”
Morigi’s menu targets simplicity and generosity. Dishes include wood-fired breads, hand-rolled pasta, slow-cooked porchetta, rotisserie chicken, lobster bucatini, crisp calamari and tableside tiramisu. Mornings bring Allpress coffee and Italian-influenced breakfast plates including Calabrian poached eggs, sourdough toasties and wood-fired calzones.
The wine list rotates with the seasons, spotlighting both Australian and Italian producers, while classic aperitivi, spritzes and signature cocktails round out an all-day bar menu.
Interiors are by Sydney-based Alexander & Co., blending textured Mediterranean details with relaxed Australian charm, creating a versatile space with indoor dining, alfresco tables and a semi-private chef’s table beside the open, wood-fired kitchen.
Lito is part of Mondrian Gold Coast, the first Australian location from the hotel brand, developed by Ennismore in collaboration with Vitale Property Group.
Ennismore was founded in 2011 by entrepreneur Sharan Pasricha. The hospitality group entered a joint venture with Accor in 2021, creating a new autonomous entity and a lifestyle hospitality company, with Accor holding a majority shareholding.
Ennismore has an ecosystem of 17 brands with 145 operating hotels, resorts, and branded residences, 139 in the pipeline, and over 300 restaurants and nightlife destinations. The group operates hotels in over 30 countries with 30,000 team members.
