Brisbane is a city of dining hotspots. Local favourites include a sand crab lasagne that has reached almost cult status and Moreton Bay bug curry.
Sydney restaurateur Michael Gloftis continues to reshape the Brisbane restaurant scene with his classy Greek neo-taverna Hellenika in the new Calile Hotel in James Street and SK Steak & Oyster at Howard Smith Wharves. Here are the top restaurants besides The Brisbane Club for a wonderful dining experience.
OTTO
The bold new abode of Sydney favourite Otto is set to impress Brisbane diners with its classy Italian cuisine and killer views. The restaurant is located at 480 Queen Street and it offers some of the best food in the city. It is a must-visit place if you are looking for a place to impress your date, the in-laws, or a business lunch.
Its slatted timber walls and ceiling, naval brass and marblo resin are inspired by heritage listed Woolloomooloo Wharf. Chef Will Cowper’s menu is fresh and unashamedly simple, taking inspiration from modern Italy. The wine list has been created by Alan Hunter, a former Queensland Good Food Guide Pol Roger sommelier of the year. The list will capture any wine lover’s attention with a decisive line-up of classic and esoteric Italian regions and varietals.
The walk-in only Bar OTTO serves cocktails and aperitivo, along with plates like cured meat boards, salt and pepper calamari, and suckling pig mini focaccias. Guests can enjoy wines from the same area of Northern Italy as the main restaurant.
Boom Boom Room Izakaya
Located underneath the glamorous blush-hued fine-dining restaurant Donna Chang in the heritage-listed basement of a 1920s sandstone building, Boom Boom Room has had a bit of a shakeup. A directional pivot has seen the moody bar and restaurant transform into an izakaya (a Japanese-inspired pub and cocktail bar). Signature elements of the venue, including the eye-catching main bar area with its gorgeous arches, the opulent velvet booths that sit below the original vaulted bank chambers and a Timothy Oulton ‘Rex Dining Table’ in the Trumpet Room have been kept largely intact.
The menu has been re-written to reflect the izakaya shift, curated by executive chef Jake Nicolson and beverage director Aaron Clark. It includes a selection of mouth-watering snacks like miso glazed toothfish with bonito mayo and shichimi pepper, the barramundi katsu bao burger, Yarra Valley salmon-roe gunkan, and fried silken tofu with wood-roasted cauliflower. The drinks list is similarly refined, featuring cocktails like the Reiki Master (a twist on a classic penicillin mixing Suntory Toki whiskey, umeshu, pickled ginger, honey and lemon juice) and the Hana, which blends cherry blossom with Haku vodka, lychee and green-tea soda.
Black Hide by Gambaro
Black Hide pushes the boundaries of traditional steakhouse design. The large dining space in Brisbane’s historic Treasury building features a boutique display of aged beef, opulent leather and grey furnishings and a stunning view across the river.
The Gambaro family has a long standing reputation in the seafood business, and this heritage restaurant on Caxton Street is one of Brisbane’s most renowned eateries. However, four years ago they opened Black Hide at Treasury Brisbane and it has a deservedly solid reputation for world class Queensland steak.
The menu includes a choice of two export quality wagyu cuts with a marble score of nine, plus a selection of seafood dishes including grilled Hervey Bay bugs and a lobster entree. The menu also offers a number of delectable share plates and a decadent dessert list featuring a Pedro Ximenez ice cream and a wagyu fat frangipane tart.
Alchemy
For their fourth album, Alchemy, Disclosure went back to basics. They removed all samples and guest vocalists, and focused on their own songwriting more than ever before. It was a risky move, but it paid off. The result is a more personal, intimate record than any they’ve released before.
The food at this restaurant is delicious and elegant. It is a perfect choice for a romantic night out. The staff is friendly and the service is fast. The prices are reasonable for the quality of the food.
The restaurant is located in a beautiful location with stunning views of the Brisbane River. Its modern Australian menu has subtle French undertones. On a recent visit, Gothamist sampled fried cuttlefish wrapped in a thin sleeve of batter with a pot of chorizo oil mayo and braised pork cheeks dressed with a knob of fingerling fries. Be sure to save room for dessert — the homemade apple crisp is divine.
Donna Chang
Located in the heart of the arts, culture and entertainment hub that is the Brisbane Powerhouse, GOMA restaurant serves up a mix of classic and contemporary dishes. Diners can enjoy a la carte options or “The Exhibition,” a multicourse menu. There is also an extensive list of wines to choose from. The restaurant is perfect for a romantic dinner or an intimate meal with friends.
Other standout restaurants in the area include Chinese beauty Madame Wu, which offers river views and a range of cuisines from across Asia, and Boom Boom Room Izakaya, an ambient cavernous basement bar with a rare spirits list and private vault rooms. Also worth checking out are the Ghanem Group’s Patina at Customs House, Gemelli Italian in Hotel X and Bisou Bisou French Brasserie in the same hotel.
Overlooking the Brisbane River and Story Bridge, Alchemy is a slick dining experience that’ll make your Insta feed look fabulous. The menu is seasonal and wholesome, with plates like braised goat penne and beetroot risotto. The bar is a good spot for cocktails, too.
Riverbar & Kitchen
Located on Eagle St Pier, this breezy waterfront venue overlooking the Brisbane River is known for its inventive cocktails and creative global cuisine. The restaurant is ideal for any occasion from casual drinks and snacks to a group dinner. Guests can enjoy sweeping views of the Story Bridge and Brisbane River from their tables.
The menu at Riverbar & Kitchen is inspired by simple ingredients and classic cooking techniques, with French flair and Southern influence evident throughout the dishes. Guests can sample appetizers like grilled half-shell scallops with caper and lemon, and Moreton Bay bug sliders, or order a shared platter of spanner crab spaghetti, chargrilled cauliflower and kingfish crudo.
The breezy waterfront dining space, with outdoor seating and a relaxing vibe, is perfect for anyone looking to unwind and soak up the sunshine. The restaurant also offers a selection of refreshing cocktails, as well as wine and beer.
