Must-see restaurants in Brisbane & Around

  • GOMA Restaurant

    Brisbane

    The Gallery of Modern Art's luminous, fine-dining restaurant showcases native ingredients in a sophisticated, contemporary menu that might begin with raw…

  • Grown

    Brisbane

    At West End's western edge, this airy, sustainable cafe-restaurant champions local produce and meat-free dining. Almost everything is made in-house,…

  • Donna Chang

    Brisbane

    Polished, contemporary Chinese in a converted 1920s bank? Count us in. Paste hued and chandelier pimped, Donna Chang peddles superbly nuanced dishes like…

  • Madame Rouge

    Fortitude Valley

    Dark and sexy, Madame Rouge sets a very Parisian scene with red-velvet curtains, tasselled table lamps and Toulouse-Lautrec prints. The menu – co-designed…

  • Baja

    Fortitude Valley

    Piñatas are ditched for Tasmanian oak, natural clay and Queensland marble at dimly-lit, next-gen Baja, where smart, Mexican-inspired dishes flaunt top…

  • Catbird Seat Bistro

    Brisbane

    Behind French-lattice windows, Catbird Seat runs an intimate, soulful affair, its bentwood chairs, blackboard specials and petite bar paging a somewhat…

  • Messina

    Brisbane

    Sydney's cult-status artisanal gelateria keeps Brisbanites cool with its extensive, rotating repertoire of freshly churned flavours. The emphasis is on…

  • Greenglass

    Brisbane

    Up a flight of stairs wedged between a discount chemist and a topless bar is this pared-back, loft-style favourite. Here, produce is king, translating…

  • King Arthur Cafe

    Fortitude Valley

    In a barrel-vaulted former warehouse off James St, this neighbourhood favourite serves gorgeous coffee (including batch brew), just-baked goods and…

  • Pablo

    Brisbane

    An idiosyncratic mix of midcentury design, antiques and Australian-themed street art, affable, homely Pablo is a brunch favourite among New Farmers. Local…

  • Bacchus

    Brisbane

    Indulge in a little afternoon delight at Bacchus, a plush, gold-accented restaurant well-known for its afternoon high teas. Nibble elegantly from three…

  • Banoi

    Fortitude Valley

    Located in the up-and-coming King St precinct, casual, contemporary Banoi stands out for its family-style Vietnamese cooking, from pillow-soft bao buns…

  • Greenhouse Canteen

    Brisbane

    It's cool to be kind at this plant-based, gluten-free eatery, a modern, light-filled space within walking distance of South Bank. The menu is seasonal,…

  • Pearl Cafe

    Brisbane

    Euro-spirited Pearl is one of Brisbane's best-loved weekend brunch spots, with freshly baked cakes on the counter and beautiful cafe fare on the menu…

  • Sea Fuel

    Brisbane

    The only thing missing is a beach at Sea Fuel, one of Brisbane's best fish-and-chip pedlars. It's a polished, modern spot, with distressed timber…

  • Les Bubbles exterior

    Les Bubbles

    Fortitude Valley

    From the red-neon declaration – 'Quality meat has been served here since 1982' – to the photos of crooks and cops, this sassy steakhouse relishes its…

  • Kettle & Tin interior

    Kettle & Tin

    Brisbane

    Behind its picket fence, homey Kettle & Tin serves up tasty cafe grub. Breakfast standards like smashed avo share the spotlight with less ubiquitous…

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    Strauss

    Brisbane

    Strauss shrugs off its corporate surrounds with low-key, Brooklyn-esque cool and a neighbourly vibe. Head in for quick-fix banana bread, or settle in for…

  • Watt riverview

    Mary Mae's

    Brisbane

    Squint and the Brisbane River becomes the Mississippi at this airy waterfront eatery. Pine for NOLA over lighter versions of buttermilk fried chicken,…

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    Super Bowl

    Fortitude Valley

    Not only is Super Bowl a Valley institution, it's a retro paradise, a place where wood panels, televised sports and the odd Lazy Susan conjure a Gen-X…

  • Ben's Burgers exterior

    Ben's Burgers

    Fortitude Valley

    Top-notch ingredients drive Ben's, a tiny bolthole in a laneway off Ann St. The menu is an uncomplicated affair: three brioche-bun burgers, among them a…

  • Little Loco interior

    Little Loco

    Brisbane

    This little New Farm local keeps peeps healthy with dishes such as the Green Bowl, a tasty, feel-great combo of kale, spinach, broccolini, feta,…

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    Miel Container

    Brisbane

    Miel flips delicious, rustic burgers from its red shipping-container locale. Options span the globe, with everything from tandoori-chicken and mozzarella…

  • The Smoke BBQ patio

    Smoke BBQ

    Brisbane

    The smell of hickory hangs heavy in the air at this US-style BBQ joint. Lust over tender short ribs, pulled pork, brisket, chicken and lamb, all smoked…

  • Chouquette exterior

    Chouquette

    Brisbane

    The best patisserie this side of Toulouse? Something to think about as you grab a coffee and a bag of the namesake chouquettes (small choux pastries…

  • Beach Burrito exterior

    Beach Burrito Company

    Fortitude Valley

    An open-fronted, shack-style Mexican chain pumping out all the street-food standards, from tacos, chimichangas and quesadillas, to burritos and churros…

  • Siam Square Thai exterior

    Siam Square Thai

    Brisbane

    Straight-up Thai classics in a prominent corner location in New Farm. Watch the eclectic local parade of gay guys, shuffling winos and the odd Italian…

  • Vue exterior

    Vue

    Brisbane

    Equal parts cafe, bistro and burger joint, Vue covers a lot of bases well. Start the day on a tropical note with mango and coconut chia pudding, live a…

  • Varias

    Brisbane & Around

    Stanthorpe's finest restaurant by a country mile, Varias sees student chefs from the adjunct Queensland College of Wine Tourism (QCWT) hone their culinary…

  • Sofra

    Brisbane & Around

    Toowoomba's favourite Turk draws the crowds with its cosy, homely vibe and gorgeous Ottoman flavours. Feast on generous mezze-style peynirli sigara böreği…

  • Phatburgers

    Brisbane & Around

    Using local, grass-fed beef, chipper Phat plates up brilliant, juicy burgers like the Morning Glory, packed with 110g of succulent rump, bacon, egg,…

  • Tinderbox

    Fortitude Valley

    Straddling a leafy laneway by the Palace Centro cinemas, this smart-casual bistro puts its wood-fired oven to good use, charring pizzas with a style…

  • La Macelleria

    Brisbane

    After opening their first gelateria in an old butcher's shop in Bologna (La Macelleria means 'The Butchery'), Italians Matteo Zini and Matteo Casone…

  • E'cco

    Brisbane

    Years on, E’cco remains one of the state's gastronomic highlights. Polished yet personable staff deliver beautifully balanced, visually arresting dishes,…

  • Il Posto

    Brisbane

    Plot your next Italian adventure at this neighbourhood stalwart, known for its soulful pasta dishes and thin-crust pizzas. Pizzas come either rosse or…

  • Tide Wine Bar

    Brisbane & Around

    Right over the water, modern, breezy Tide will have you sipping lattes, vino, beer or a peach Bellini while gazing out at envy-inducing yachts. Food…

  • Byblós

    Brisbane

    A slice of contemporary Beirut by the Brisbane River, Byblós specialises in Lebanese and Mediterranean edibles. While service can be a little hit-and-miss…

  • Felix for Goodness

    Brisbane

    Spruced-up Felix channels Melbourne with its laneway locale, industrial fit-out and effortlessly cool vibe. Produce-driven, all-day-brunch dishes might…

  • Double Shot

    Brisbane

    With its button-cute porch and manicured hedge, laid-back Double Shot is a hit with the locals. Join the New Farm crew for good coffee, homemade coconut…

  • Lefkas Taverna

    Brisbane

    Sage Brisbanites snub Brisbane's hipper, pricier Greek hotspots for this suburban stalwart. Light-filled and refreshingly unpretentious, its classic…