If you are looking for some of the best restaurants in Brisbane, you’ve come to the right place. If you’re looking for an outstanding dinner, consider trying Donna Chang, Gerard’s Bistro, Southside, or Nota. They’ll all blow you away! But which one is the best?
Gerard’s Bistro
The ambience at Gerard’s Bistro is minimalist and laidback. Northern Africa and the Middle East inspire the food. Its head chef is of Jewish and Eastern European heritage. As a result, the food is superb, and the wine list is perfect.
This stylish laneway restaurant located in the prestigious James Street Precinct. It is the place to go for modern Middle Eastern cuisine in Brisbane. It serves dishes such as coal-roasted octopus with green almonds, fried cauliflower with ras el hanout, and whole-smoked eggplant with turmeric. The wine list is well curated, and the service is warm.
Greca, opened by chef Jonathan Barthelmess, is another excellent option. Greca offers traditional Greek eats in a modern atmosphere. The food is flavourful and vibrant, cooked on wood and charcoal grills. The restaurant also serves a smashed filo and semolina cream dessert, which inspired by Barthelmess’ ancestral home in Greece. The share-style menu makes eating at Greca feel like eating at home.
Southside
For a taste of authentic Chinese cuisine, head chef Simon Hanmer and senior sous chef Benny Lam have crafted a menu that seamlessly blends fast-serve bites with elaborate, flavour-packed dishes. Their cuisine draws inspiration from traditional Chinese cooking, while also incorporating cross-pollination of Asian flavors and European cooking techniques. The result is a menu that is as exciting as it is unique.
In the Southside, guests will be able to find everything from Sichuan fried chicken to seafood. The multi-storey restaurant is a great place to go for a special evening out, especially if you’re looking for a unique dining experience. It also boasts a design worthy of Architectural Digest.
You can also order Southside Bistro food via the Uber Eats app or website. The app offers you the chance to browse the menu, add items to your cart, and track your order.
Nota
This unfussy suburban eatery is regularly ranked as one of the best restaurants in Brisbane. Its owners have invested in hiring top-notch Thai chefs. The restaurant serves a range of classic noodle dishes, salads, and curries. The beef cheek massaman curry is a popular choice among locals.
This modern European bistro is situated on the Given Terrace, and offers a seasonal menu of small plates, alongside locally sourced wines. The chefs have shied away from trendier dishes and focus instead on classic European dishes. The menu is also affordable, with dinners starting at under $50. Nota is the brainchild of two young chefs who’ve worked in kitchens from Glasgow to Brisbane. Chef Kevin Docherty has extensive experience working in top restaurants, and Sebastiaan de Kort studied at the renowned MODA. The new head chef Matt Pisanu combines the skills of both chefs, and has a flair for creating innovative dishes that are both tasty and healthy.
The city’s vibrant riverside dining scene complemented by a growing foodie scene. From sophisticated degustation experiences to fresh takes on comfort food classics, Brisbane offers something for every taste bud.
Ortiga
Ortiga is a highly regarded restaurant in Brisbane. It has received numerous accolades, including one of the country’s best wine lists and being one of the top 30 restaurants in Australia. Its owner, Simon Hill, was the owner of Isis, one of the best restaurants in Brisbane for many years. Chef Jason Peppler was previously at Isis, and now works at Confit Bistro in the city. It took two years for Ortiga to come to fruition.
Ortiga’s food is exceptional, and its staff is extremely attentive. Although the cuisine at Ortiga is mainly Spanish, the restaurant maintains a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. The chef serves dishes in whatever order he sees fit, and waiters offer background on the meats and wines that served. For starters, try the jamones platter, which cured meats aged for varying amounts of time. It’s a treat and well worth the price.
Montrachet
If you’re in the mood for some French fine dining, Montrachet is one of the best places in Brisbane to go. Located in Paddington, Montrachet is known for its refined French cuisine, flawless service, and sophisticated interiors. Its red leather banquettes and wood and brass panelling accented with fresh flowers. A large mirror hangs from the wall. Shannon Kellam and Clare Wallace own the restaurant.
The restaurant is open Monday to Friday for dinner and closed on weekends. They also have a supper club every Friday. The cost is $99 per person. If you’re looking for a special occasion, Montrachet is a great choice.
With a dazzling view of the city, La Belle Vie is one of the most beautiful restaurants in Brisbane. It’s located at the top of Bardon, which means that it’s a beautiful spot to watch the sunset. The menu is a mix of traditional French classics and modern interpretations.
Mary Mae’s
The relaxed, laidback atmosphere of Mary Mae’s Restaurant reflected in its vibrant, colourful decor. The restaurant features patio dining with uninterrupted views of the Brisbane River. The all-day menu includes European classics with a locally-sourced twist, and there’s a great selection of local beers. The space is also ideal for brunch and aperitifs.
Located in New Farm, this elegant restaurant sits right on the edge of the Brisbane River. The restaurant’s expansive waterfront deck offers sweeping views of the river and the nearby park. Guests can enjoy the restaurant’s signature brunch menu and enjoy a classic croque madame or a refreshing, creamy sorbet. The restaurant also welcomes dogs in its outdoor seating areas.
The venue also features poolside cabanas and a three-hour lunch buffet. Guests can savor dishes ranging from seafood to Asian inspired dishes. They can also indulge in desserts that would shock Willy Wonka.
Opa Bar & Mezze
Located on Eagle Street, Opa Bar & Mezze is a new Greek restaurant by chef Michael Tassis. Its Mediterranean-style vibe will make you feel like you’re dining in a Mediterranean beer garden. The menu features a selection of mezze dishes and lamb. It also boasts over 30 bottles of high-end pinot noir. It’s Tassis’ fifth restaurant, and his first Greek one. He also owns George’s Paragon, Rico, Fatcow and Massimo.
The menu at Opa is massive, with a 21-strong mezzedes list that accompanied by a wine list and a cocktail list. It has a dedicated mezze hour each day and a soul-food night every Friday. There are also Greek wines on tap and Greek-style cocktails named after Greek gods. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, so you can plan your lunch or dinner around it.
Opa Bar & Mezze is located at Eagle Street, where you can find a range of new restaurants. The owners of Massimo have opened this restaurant, which is situated in the heart of the city. The bar also has water views. Another great spot is the Stock Exchange Hotel, which run by RAWGroup and serves classic pub food.
Essa
For a taste of modern Australian cuisine, head to Essa, a restaurant from the head chef of Gauge in South Brisbane. This moody restaurant filled with exposed brick walls and large windows overlooking lush greenery. Its menu highlights local producers and seasonal produce. The dishes here range from traditional Australian dishes to inventive twists on international classics. One of the signature dishes is the Jerusalem artichoke cream bun.
The ‘Leave it to us’ degustation menu offers seven courses. One of these is’sourdough and ‘nduja’, a spicy sausage meat from Calabria in southern Italy. It can be spread on bread or served in little blobs on pizza. But here, it served as a huge disc of nutty, deliciousness. Chef Lettie calls it an ‘umami bomb.’
In addition to the omakase-inspired dishes, Essa’s wines and cocktails are also outstanding. This neighbourhood wine bar located in Paddington, near the heart of the city. It opened in the former Montrachet fine-diner. Since opening, it has evolved and expanded.
