Monthly Digest: What’s New On The Foodie Scene Brisbane And Beyond
Get the scoop!
2025 is well and truly underway, and so are some of the hottest restaurant openings for this year. With Brisbane fast becoming the ultimate foodie hotspot, it’s hard to keep up with where to try next…the list just keeps growing! Not that we’re complaining. In fact, we love it so much that we’ve done all the guesswork for you and rounded up this month’s hottest new openings.
Get booking, folks!
Brisbane
Goros
If your social feed is a parade of friends living it up in Japan and you’re feeling the FOMO, we hear you. But it’s time to swap envy for excitement because Tokyo’s vibrant nightlife is landing right here in Brisbane! Introducing Goros, Fortitude Valley’s hottest new opening. Expect a lineup of classic Japanese spirits, creative cocktails, and mouthwatering street food that’ll transport your taste buds to the bustling streets of Tokyo. Add in neon-lit décor and immersive vibes, and you’ve got a venue that’s pure magic.
The Fifty Six
Brisbane’s culinary scene is about to get a major upgrade with the highly anticipated launch of The Fifty Six this February. Set within the newly revamped Naldham House, this Cantonese gem, helmed by the brilliant Chef Gerald Ong, reimagines timeless flavours with a modern flair. Think Moreton Bay bug dumplings, wok-tossed prawns, and dry-aged roast meats – elevated to new heights. Get ready for the city’s next must-visit hotspot, where history, luxury, and flavour collide.
Bubbleboy
Erewho? Meet Bubbleboy, your ultimate destination for LA-inspired smoothies and more. Our fresh, funky juices and smoothies aren’t just delicious – they’re nourishing and energising. Made with certified organic ingredients, every sip supports a vibrant lifestyle. With bold flavours, cold-pressed quality, and eco-conscious sourcing, they’re the perfect post-workout boost or summer refreshment. Fuelling both body and mind, one mindful sip at a time.
HUĀ
This Cantonese-inspired restaurant is the last venue to open in The Star’s luxury dining precinct The Terrace. HUĀ offers a traditional Cantonese dining experience, with prawn dumplings, deep-fried duck rolls, and seafood san choi bows. So many delicious options! And talk about being spoilt for choice, HUĀ is currently offering two menus! One is a dim sum menu, featuring steamed barbecue pork buns and pan-fried kimchi lamb dumplings. The other menu is a banquet menu, serving a curated selection that perfectly spotlights the star dishes.
Yozo Froyo
This cosy and aesthetic new dessert spot just opening in Kelvin Grove, serving all your favourite classic frozen yogurt flavours and toppings. Made fresh in-house, the unique yogurt flavours include chocolate, tart, vegan coconut, and taro. Yozo is really stepping up the froyo experience, with bespoke sauces and toppings such as Biscoff, salted caramel, cookies and cream, vegan chocolate, pistachio, strawberry, and matcha mousse. Not feeling the froyo? No worries – you can build your own fruit cup and top with the on-tap chocolate fountain. Late-night snack anyone?
Tinderbox Chook House
After closing during the pandemic, local favourite Tinderbox Kitchen has had a glow-up and is ready to hit the town again! Re-introducing Tinderbox Chook House, a relaxed spot for rotisserie chickens, sandos, salads, and more. Situated in James St, it was inspired by Switzerland’s mountain-top cafeterias serving hot chooks and chips for your mid-ski run snacks. Chook House gives diners the option to enjoy a low-key dine-in with the curated wine list or opt for quality takeaway.
Dark Shepherd
Wood-fired goodness from the Med? Book us in! As the name suggests, Dark Shepherd has a focus on succulent lamb, but the menu also features the freshest seafood and seasonal produce utilising traditional grilling methods over woodfire. Located on The Terrace, level four at The Star Brisbane, this gem is courtesy of Michael Tassis, the man behind two of Brisbane’s most-loved Greek hotspots, Opa Bar + Mezze and Yamas Greek & Drink. With that kind of track record, you know it’s going to be fire (or should we say woodfire?).
Evra Market
Evra Market is becoming a go-to for locally sourced, organic goodness. Part marketplace, part restaurant and café, it’s the perfect spot to grab a bite or stock up on everyday essentials. From cool and hot elixirs, smoothies, and coffee to fresh organic rotisserie proteins, salads, sandwiches, and wraps – everything is made daily from 8am. You can even build your own combo plate, priced by weight, so you can load up as much (or as little) as you like. The market also has you covered with grocery essentials, including organic wine, local dairy, deli provisions, pantry staples, condiments, and more.
Pompette Champange Bar + Restaurant
If caviar bumps and French champagne are your kind of thing, then you’ll love Pompette Champagne Bar + Restaurant – a French- inspired champagne bar and restaurant. They serve up all the classics like escargot, live rock lobster thermidor, and steak au poivre – enough to have you saying “bon appétit” before the first bite. With over 150 wines and signature cocktails on offer, there’s always a reason to clink glasses here. Whether you’re pairing oysters with bubbly at the champagne bar or lounging alfresco on the outdoor terrasse, Pompette delivers Parisian perfection.
Gold Coast
Bar Monte
In a sea of trendy, “never-seen-before” spots, Bar Monte stands proudly by the classics – and it’s a refreshing breath of Italian air. Tucked in Miami, this neighbourhood gem serves simple, authentic Italian fare – think pasta, pizza, and good times, done right. From the team behind Light Years, Bar Monte adds style and soul to the Gold Coast. With interiors by Will Rathgeber, it’s an elevated yet laid-back trattoria with serious charm. Co-owners Kim Stephen, James Sutherland, and Lorenzo Toscani are just getting started – Bar Monte is a must for great food and a genuine vibe.
Bobby Bangs
Matcha and sandos? Count me in! The co-owners of Mermaid Beach favourite Lucky Bao have opened their new daytime spot inside The Oxley at Nobby Beach. This fresh eatery serves up café classics with an Asian twist. Think breakfast ramen and Japanese-curry-topped scrambled eggs. Chef Daud has crafted a stellar all-day breakfast menu, available from 7.30am daily, along with shokupan sandos, rice bowls, salads, and noodle bowls for lunch. It’s simple science: You can’t have a bad day if it starts with Bobby’s Benny —featuring torched miso mayo, miso-glazed salmon — and a chilled iced almond matcha.
Gelato Gemelli
Sink your teeth into something a little sweeter without getting brain freeze – I dare you. That’s right, Brisbane and the Coast’s go-to Italian joint is stepping up their game this summer. Forget just pizza — this spot’s now serving up authentic Sicilian granita, creamy dairy-free gelato, zingy sorbetto, and the classic milk-based gelato you love, all made with top-tier ingredients. With 24 flavours on the roster, I know where I’ll be when the sun sets.
Norté + Sueño Rooftop
Nothing says summer like fierce Latin American flavours and a rooftop randevu! The talented teams behind Rick Shores, Brisbane’s Southside, and Central are serving up something special with two stunning concepts at The Oxley: Norté and Sueño. These Latin-inspired restaurants offer a dynamic mix of bold flavours, artisanal craft, and killer design. Meanwhile, the rooftop is the perfect spot to sip cocktails, soak up the sun, and keep the good times rolling!
Imagery: @norte.restaurant / @barmontemiami / @hua_brisbane
