There’s nothing quite like soaking up sun-kissed river views over a cocktail or two. From the dazzling bar and restaurant Alchemy on Eagle St to classy Greek neo-taverna Hellenika on Howard Smith wharves, there are plenty of places to soak it all in this vibrant city.
Elevate your Insta feed at Madame Wu with its stunning sweeping river views and menu that celebrates the best of local produce and Asian cuisine. Here are some of the best restaurants in Brisbane city.
DogTap
The first Australian bar and brewery from Scottish craft beer trailblazers BrewDog has opened in Brisbane. Located by the river in Murarrie, the state-of-the-art taproom and brewery is set to shake up the summer beer scene. The venue offers 28 unique taps headlined by the company’s signature craft brews, including the industry-shaking Punk IPA. A rotating list of local guest beers will also be available. The wine list includes exclusively Aussie wines, and the spirits selection is heavy on local distilleries.
BrewDog’s Brisbane site is the company’s 95th globally, and its first in Australia. It features a massive 450-square-metre space that overlooks the river and Gateway Bridge. The interior is defined by rough-hewed timber, banks of blue leather booths, and an enormous keg feature wall. It also has a massive outdoor terrace and plenty of tables. ACOR Consultants designed the structural, fire, electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic engineering for the facility.
The menu is filled with classic bar eats that will pair well with your favorite BrewDog brew. From Korean-style chicken wings to baby squid, you’ll find a wide variety of delicious choices. There’s even a burger and pizza menu, plus a brunch menu on weekends with eggs benedict and chicken and waffles. Vegans are welcome too, with Mondays being a designated vegan day. You can also buy a growler at the bar to take your favorite brew home with you.
The Sound Garden
The Sound Garden is a two-level bar and restaurant that specializes in music and food. The space has a seven-metre-tall ficus hillii tree in the centre and two bars that span 13 metres and nine meters respectively, along with a large atrium and booth seating. The venue features a bespoke cocktail menu with music-inspired drinks and wood-fired share plates. The Sound Garden also offers a wide selection of vinyl records and CDs.
Fortitude Valley has been abuzz with a new addition to its live music scene. The newcomer, The Sound Garden, is a 770-person-capacity bar and restaurant that is billed as a “musical experience”. It is the latest project from Mantle Group Hospitality, which is better known for its Pig & Whistle and James Squire pubs scattered around the city.
Designed by local architects Hogg & Lamb, the space features brass-fronted bar, timber floors, and tan leather booths. The atrium features a large seven-metre-tall ficus tree that is nurtured by a skylight. A second bar and stage are built into the walls. The Sound Garden’s menu includes music-inspired cocktails, beer, and wine. The bar also offers a range of gourmet burgers and pizzas.
Libertine
With a glittering terrace overlooking the river and a lavish menu, Libertine is one of Brisbane’s most stylish and decadent restaurants. This sophisticated French-Vietnamese eatery is perfect for impressive dates or celebratory dinners. The restaurant’s sleek aesthetics and luxe menu will wow even the most discerning diners. Try the ricotta and pumpkin crespelle with burnt sage butter.
Located in the stunning former power station, The Sound Garden is a restaurant that’s as much of an entertainment venue as it is a food destination. The menu features an array of burgers, wings and tacos, accompanied by eye-catching vistas of the Brisbane river. The venue also hosts a number of live music events throughout the year.
If you’re in the mood for something a little more refined, head to Allonda, which offers traditional Italian dining with an Amalfi Coast glam. The team at this chic eatery put an emphasis on the quality of their produce, with dishes like meltingly tender slow-cooked lamb and roasted suckling pig proving particularly popular.
If seafood is your thing, be sure to check out ELSKA in The City, which boasts a sumptuous selection of fish from across the world. The restaurant’s intimate degustation menu is paired with a stellar selection of wines from around Australia and the world. The wine cellar downstairs is worth exploring as well, and is home to bottles dating back centuries.
OTTO
Located along the Brisbane River, Otto is one of the city’s best Italian fine-dining restaurants. The walk-in-only eatery serves cured meat boards, fresh oysters with lemon, mini focaccias, and fried artichokes — plus a wide selection of wines from the north of Italy. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday-Sunday.
Previously housed in the new 480 Queen Street, OTTO has relocated to South Bank’s riverfront space formerly occupied by Stokehouse Q. The move has resulted in a stunning waterfront dining room with vibrant glamour and striking river and city views. The menu is fresh, seasonal, and produce-driven. Head Chef Will Cowper’s cuisine draws inspiration from modern Italy and is built around incredible local ingredients. The wine list is inspired by a love of Italian varietals and will capture the attention of any wine lover.
With a stellar view of the Brisbane River and the CBD skyline, this is the perfect spot for a romantic evening out. Whether you are looking for a place to impress your date or take the in-laws out, OTTO has something to suit everyone. Its seasonal menu includes antipasto, pasta, salads, BBQ seafood, pizzas, and more. The dress code is smart casual.
