From swanky restaurants in brisbane city to hidden Asian gems, there’s plenty of places to fill your belly. Head to Customs House for a Parisian feast or try Madame Wu’s Asian-fusion fare.
Greca, a free-wheeling taverna-inspired eatery by celebrated Sydney restaurateur Jonathan Barthelmess, sets authentic Greek eats to winsome riverside views at Howard Smith Wharves. Try chargrilled meats and moussaka in gorgeous, homely surrounds. Here are some renowned restaurants in Brisbane city that offer premium menu.
Opa Bar + Mezze
Brisbane’s food scene is thriving. The city has many restaurants to choose from, including those that offer a diverse selection of dishes and wines. In addition, some restaurants feature a variety of vegetarian options.
Celebrity Sydney restaurateur Jonathan Barthelmess brought his free-wheeling 210-seat taverna-inspired eatery Greca to Howard Smith Wharves in late 2018, and the venue is already making waves for its authentic Greek eats (think fried saganaki cheese with honey and oregano, and katoumari, a smashed filo and semolina cream dessert).
The Ghanem Group continues to reshape the local dining scene with classy Japanese taverna Boom Boom Room and the upscale Blackbird in a heritage-listed Woolloongabba loft. The family-run group also operates a range of high-energy corporate-friendly hangouts, such as the tequila-fuelled LOCAL and the upmarket but casual Same Same.
In the west end, Joy offers a sophisticated dining experience paired with a wine list that spans regions and years. This highly acclaimed restaurant can only seat a limited number of diners each night, so booking ahead is essential. Its menu is as elegantly plated as it is delicious.
Alchemy
The menu at Alchemy is small and creative, with a range of drinks available. The restaurant has a low-key pub atmosphere and is popular with locals and tourists alike. The dark wood, refurbished antique bar, and exposed brick walls make the space feel warm and inviting. The food is influenced by the seasons, with dishes like braised goat penne and beetroot risotto on offer.
The word “alchemy” has long had a mysterious and magical connotation. It was used in the past to refer to a process of transformation or transmutation, but today it is more generally understood as a metaphor for the mystical and unpredictable nature of life. The art of alchemy is based on four principles: transformation, creation, combination, and evolution.
The owners of Alchemy Wine Beer, Anne McIntosh and Nicole Casell, have taken the concept and added their own twist to it, creating a laid back environment that is a hit with Hamburg residents. The restaurant has 75 wines and 50 beers, as well as craft cocktails, and Prosecco on tap. They also serve brunch, with dishes including chicken and waffles, chive butter biscuits, strawberry and chocolate Belgian waffles and avocado toast with poached eggs.
Los Felix
Brisbane’s South Bank is a hot spot for dining, with a smattering of trendy, small places and some fine-dining restaurants. The area is also home to the Gabba, and its name may mean “whirling waters” or “fight talk place.”
On the shores of the Brisbane River, this waterfront district consists of two peninsulas with skyscrapers and a modern landscape. A one-two punch of openings in 2018 and 2019 fueled a new attitude, including the launch of the swanky Calile Hotel in James Street and Howard Smith Wharves, breathing life into the once-forgotten riverside strip.
The menu at this popular modern Roman restaurant is a feast for the eyes, with dishes like handmade pasta and roasted porchetta that showcase the best of Queensland produce. The wine list is equally as impressive, with a focus on natural wines from the Italian peninsula. In a bright, well-coiffed space, diners are treated to an experience that is almost immediately clear-modern, organic and youthful. The restaurant is a favorite of locals, and a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy a true taste of Italy in Brisbane.
Allonda
Tucked down a laneway off Longland Street, Allonda brings a more modern and casual aesthetic to Modern European dining in Brisbane. Chef Sam Todd has worked with owners Kevin Docherty and Sebastiaan de Kort to craft a menu that is broad in its scope, but shaped by choice Australian ingredients. Snacks like potato terrine with cultured cream and smoked caviar and tempura market fish sandos are perfect to share, while larger plates include casarecce with beef ragu and black onyx rib eye.
The curated 90-strong wine list is also a standout, with Yanika digging a little deeper to find banging drops from small producers. Cocktails including the Tilde sour made with Tidle raw vodka, grapefruit bitters, and egg whites are a great way to kick start or finish your meal.
Allonda is one of a handful of restaurants in Brisbane that offer fine Italian cuisine with river or City Botanic Gardens views. Others include Madame Wu in the old Embassy Chambers, Opa Bar + Mezze and Tillerman on the riverfront, and Jumbo Thai and Walter’s Steakhouse in the heritage-listed Customs House precinct.
Madame Wu
The food is a fusion of Hong Kong, Taiwanese and Southern Chinese cuisines with some fresh Queensland produce and seafood. It’s meant to be shared and includes lots of yum-cha classics, like Moreton Bay bug dumplings with XO sauce or sticky Kilcoy beef.
The menu is backed by an extensive wine list and the restaurant has party written all over it. It’s a great place to bring the whole group and has two private dining rooms, a cocktail bar, and a massive cellar.
A well-loved Brisbane fixture, Madame Wu is an old-school eatery that serves up a range of Chinese favourites in a cosy setting. The owner, Sylvia Wu, was born in 1915 in Jiujiang, a city south-west of Shanghai, and grew up watching her family’s maid prepare their meals. Her versions of Chinese classics were so popular that Hollywood luminaries flocked to her restaurant, Madame Wu’s Garden. She later wrote a book and worked on charity projects after her daughter died of cancer. She was 106 when she passed away in 2014. She left behind a devoted following of customers.
