There’s only so many times you can book a big table, squint at a menu, and try to shout across the noise for someone’s birthday dinner.

If you’ve done the restaurant thing before (and let’s be honest, we all have), maybe it’s time for something different. Something hands-on, relaxed, and actually memorable.

This year, skip the restaurant. Fire up the oven instead.

The Birthday Experience That Actually Feels Personal

At Marino & The Dough, we bring everything needed for a full pizza night into your home, your backyard, or even your Airbnb. It’s not catering. It’s an experience.

Every private session includes:

72-hour fermented dough made fresh for your group
A curated topping station, veg, meat, and even dessert pizzas if you like
Your own dough artisan (Luke) guiding the stretch, top, and fire
A Gozney pizza oven that hits 500°C, real flame, real results
And the best part? You and your guests do the cooking
OR if you don’t want to cook - we offer catering too ;)

It’s interactive, tactile, and way more fun than just waiting for your order to arrive.

Why It’s Perfect for Birthdays

Whether you’re turning 30, 50, or “it’s just a number,” here’s why this format works:

Everyone gets involved, no bored guests stuck at one end of the table
BYO-friendly, serve your own drinks, make your own vibe
Kids or adults welcome, we adjust the flow to suit your crowd
No awkward splitting the bill, just one booking, one shared experience
Feels elevated but not formal, great food, warm atmosphere, zero pressure

You set the scene: Music, drinks, whatever you want! Don’t be shy. And we bring the fire ;)

How It Works

Most birthday bookings happen in one of three ways:

1. Backyard at Home

Plenty of space, personal feel. Perfect if you’re hosting 8–15 people and want a mix of food, drinks, and good music.

2. Airbnb Weekend Getaway

Celebrating away from home? We can come to your rental property and set everything up there. Ideal for birthday trips or family holidays.

3. Indoor-Outdoor Flow

Have a kitchen that opens to a patio or deck? We’ll set the oven up outside and keep prep inside, best of both worlds.

Add Your Own Twist

Want to bring a birthday cake? Go for it.
Want to have a theme to your party? Your party your choice. Choose what ever vibes you prefer, chuck on some music or put out some decor.
Want a playlist and dance floor after dinner? You do you.

We’ll handle the pizza side of things from start to finish, so you can focus on having a good time. Every part of the experience is flexible, but always anchored by great dough, great food, and good people cooking together.

Book Early, Birthdays Fill Fast

We take a limited number of bookings each month to keep every masterclass or even catering personal and hands-on. If you’re planning for:

Summer birthdays
Milestone celebrations
Last-minute gatherings

…now’s the time to lock in your date.

Head to our booking page to request your private pizza night.

Not too keen on doing it yourself? Contact us for catering options instead.

Final Thought

Birthdays shouldn’t feel like an afterthought, or like every other dinner you’ve had this year.

Gather your mates, family, or work crew. Make some dough. Fire up the pizza oven. And celebrate with something a little more real.

Gold Coast Birthdays Done Right: Skip the Restaurant, Make Pizza at Home