South Brisbane Just Got A Cosy Bar & Grill By One Of Melbourne’s Top Hospo Groups
By Olivia Middleton | 30th October 2026The Mulberry Group is making its Queensland debut, putting local produce on centre stage with a bar and grill that’ll make you feel right at home.
As a prominent hospo group with a long-standing reputation across Melbourne, The Mulberry Group has officially arrived in the Sunshine State with a celebration of all things Queensland. High Road Bar & Grill officially opened on Friday 23 October in South Brisbane, serving up a menu that is built around fire, flavour, and provenance.
The result is a dining experience that feels instantly nostalgic. Think long summer afternoons, enjoying family dinner out on the veranda, with food designed to bring people together.
All fired up
A wood-fired grill and custom-designed wood-fired ovens sit at the heart of High Road, with fire influencing every bite. It brings together beef cuts from Toowoomba and pork from Kingaroy, alongside locally grown vegetables, to create meals that are quintessentially Queensland.
Among the menu highlights is the house-made yogurt flatbread with Mount Zero olive oil and chargrilled Chinchilla tiger prawns with miso butter.
“The number one focus is flavour. The produce, technique, and provenance all matter, but ultimately the dish still has to taste great,” Woolcock says, explaining the creative process behind the menu.
Australian nostalgia is woven throughout the menu, which is best captured by their signature potato scallop topped with crème fraîche, black caviar, and finger lime. This dish is the perfect balance of familiarity, confidence, and elevation – without losing the simple charm that makes a potato scallop so beloved in the first place.
Queensland is central to the restaurant’s identity, with ingredients sourced from Mooloolaba to the Southern Downs. This brings an element of flexibility to the menu, which will be able to evolve with seasonal produce, ensuring there’s always something new and exciting to discover.
At the bar
The drinks menu was developed collaboratively by The Mulberry Group and the Novotel team, putting Australian-produced wines firmly in the spotlight. Expect Granite Belt labels alongside wines from the Yarra Valley and Tasmania that are sure to leave you wanting more.
Their signature cocktail list follows the same philosophy, blending fresh Australian ingredients with the High Road fire-led approach, resulting in a delicious Lemon Myrtle Gimlet, Watermelon Paloma, and even a Macadamia Espresso Martini featuring vodka, Brookie’s macadamia, toasted coconut, and espresso.
Not planning a full meal? The bar welcomes walk-ins for a drink and a casual meal, with oysters, prawn rolls, and charcuterie on offer for those wanting something a bit simpler.
A distinctly Queensland identity
Inspired by Queensland summers, the interior is warm, textured, and moody. You’ll dine surrounded by dark timber finishes, with rich burgundy and cream accents that create a space that feels welcoming from the moment you walk in. By day, natural light spills into the restaurant, making it the ideal spot for a leisurely long lunch in the lounge. By nightfall, the bar is illuminated in a soft amber glow that brings an intimate ambiance to the setting.
The space is divided into distinct zones for different styles of dining, with the main restaurant seating up to 100 people, not including seats at the bar, a private dining room, and quieter lounge areas for guests wanting a more relaxed meal. An open kitchen brings the restaurant together, creating a strong sense of connection between the room and the grill.
Every detail is unique, down to custom tableware, embroidered cotton napkins and uniforms by Cargo Crew – an Australian brand contributing to High Road’s distinct visual identity.
High Road is inspired by its location on Cordelia Street and embraces its neighbourhood positioning. Set within Novotel Brisbane Southbank, this collaboration brings together the very best of hospitality to establish itself as an iconic dining destination for locals and visitors alike.
Your next go-to spot
After a very successful opening night on October 23, High Road Bar & Grill is shaping up to be one of Brisbane’s most exciting new venues. The restaurant is open seven days a week for lunch from 12-3pm and dinner from 5pm until late, with bookings available on their website.
For a delicious meal that’s comforting, produce-driven, and uniquely Queensland, High Road deserves a spot at the top of your must-try list.
Images: Supplied (High Road Bar & Grill)
