Brisbane
Asian street food gets sexy at sleek, split-level Chu the Phat. Here, broth-bathed dumplings burst with smoked trout, while mung bean pancakes find their…
Must-see restaurants in Queensland
Fortitude Valley
An unmarked door at the end of an alley ushers you into Hôntô's dramatic universe of charred-timber panels and glittering chandeliers. One of Brisbane's…
Brisbane
'Little Sister' offers the pizzeria 2.0 experience: chianti bottles are ditched for organic and biodynamic wines, and Napoli posters for Bowie portraits…
Brisbane
'Happiness never decreases by being shared.' So said the Buddha. The hordes at this casual, cavernous stalwart concur, sharing bowls of flavour-packed,…
Brisbane
The Gallery of Modern Art's luminous, fine-dining restaurant showcases native ingredients in a sophisticated, contemporary menu that might begin with raw…
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,…
Gold Coast
This collaboration between Michelin-starred chef Mural and Sridhar Penumechu of the Saffron restaurant brings an exciting Indian-Asian fusion to Palazzo…
Brisbane
Polished, contemporary Chinese in a converted 1920s bank? Count us in. Paste hued and chandelier pimped, Donna Chang peddles superbly nuanced dishes like…
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…
Noosa
Lunching ladies adore this casually chic, alfresco eatery. It's run by locally renowned chef David Rayner, whose vibrant, beautifully plated creations…
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…
Brisbane
Behind French-lattice windows, Catbird Seat runs an intimate, soulful affair, its bentwood chairs, blackboard specials and petite bar paging a somewhat…
Brisbane
Sydney's cult-status artisanal gelateria keeps Brisbanites cool with its extensive, rotating repertoire of freshly churned flavours. The emphasis is on…
Noosa
Down an easy-to-miss path and up some stairs is one of Noosa's best pizzerias, a hip spot with bar seating, louvred windows and marine-themed street art…
Hervey Bay
Dan and Steph, winners of a TV cooking show, do a lip-smacking all-day menu covering breakfast (perhaps house-made sausage with spinach croquette, poached…
Fortitude Valley
In a barrel-vaulted former warehouse off James St, this neighbourhood favourite serves gorgeous coffee (including batch brew), just-baked goods and…
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…
Brisbane
An idiosyncratic mix of midcentury design, antiques and Australian-themed street art, affable, homely Pablo is a brunch favourite among New Farmers. Local…
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…
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…
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,…
Gold Coast
Sandwiched between a Hog's Breath Cafe and a betting agency, Greenhouse Canteen is a breath of fresh air with its recycled hardwood furniture, pressed…
Cairns
The exceptional, authentic Thai food here has induced more than a few swoons from delighted diners. Beautifully presented dishes such as hot-and-sour…
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…
Cairns
This unmissable cafe, attached to the Cairns Art Gallery, tempts you onto its covered deck with splendid gourmet breakfasts (6.30am to 3pm), fresh juices,…
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…
Magnetic Island
With a devoted local following, the Early Bird well deserves its place along the popular Horseshoe Bay cafe strip. There is a certain echo of paradise in…
Sunshine Coast
Unable to find ramen that pleased her Japanese palate, Tokyo expat Ayumi Koga opened her own ramen joint. Light filled and casual, it's never short of…
Wayne & Adele's Garden of Eating
Townsville
There's irreverence at every turn in this husband-and-wife-run gourmet restaurant situated in an Aussie backyard (well, courtyard at least). Those who…
Sunshine Coast
Neon signs, red lanterns and aerosol art collide to hip effect at loud, buzzing, riverside Riceboi. The izakaya-inspired menu peddles mouth-watering pan…
Noosa
Dark, glossy and buzzing, upmarket Locale takes Manhattan glamour and gives it a lush tropical twist. In our opinion, the best seat is at the bar, where…
Cairns
One of Cairns' best restaurants isn't along the waterfront or in the lobby of a flash hotel, but attached to a midrange apartment complex. The Balinese…
Sunshine Coast
Off the main drag, this relaxed cafe has pleasant, shaded seating and whips up creative, feel-good fare. The menu is always changing, but expect veg and…
Magnetic Island
A fun, licensed cafe in Arcadia that pumps out massive breakfasts and the finest burgers on Maggie. The owners have a Gilligan's Island thing going on –…
Townsville & Mission Beach
A hotspot in Mission with the 20-something set, the Garage is famous for its delicious sliders (miniburgers) and free-pour cocktails ($14). The hard…
Port Douglas
One of the best-value nights out is the local yacht club, where well-crafted meals, from kangaroo spring rolls or cauliflower arancini to dukkah-spiced…
Townsville & Mission Beach
Traditional pizza and pasta are the staples at this evening haunt set inside a corrugated-iron beach shack; it also makes its own gelato and sorbet…
Townsville & Mission Beach
This beachfront venue has the best beach views in Mission Beach (get here early for a front-row table). It serves up a small range of mains from tiger…
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…
Brisbane
Behind its picket fence, homey Kettle & Tin serves up tasty cafe grub. Breakfast standards like smashed avo share the spotlight with less ubiquitous…
