Aussie Diners Voted For Their Top 50 Restaurants: These 14 QLD Venues Made The Cut
The People Have Spoken
OpenTable’s annual Awards Night has officially crowned Australia’s favourite restaurants – and this year, the real power rested with the people. Celebrating the country’s favourite restaurants as voted entirely by you, the diners, the 2025 Top 50 list proves that public opinion matters most in the world of dining. Among the national standouts, 14 Queensland venues earned a coveted spot, capturing the hearts (and appetites) of locals and visitors alike.
The results reveal a year of dining like no other: Aussies are eating out more than ever, averaging five meals a month, while “happy hours” sell out faster than ever. Gen Z has emerged as the biggest spending diners, driving trends in experimental menus, bold flavour pairings, and inventive drinks — with sake becoming the season’s unexpected favourite. This year’s awards showcase a culinary landscape that’s energetic, creative, and unapologetically booked out, and Queensland’s 14 venues are among those leading the charge.
With two North Queensland entries – A Touch of Salt in Townsville and Bam Pow in Port Douglas – here are the 12 South East Queensland restaurants that made the cut.
Brisbane
Wynnum’s Adelita is the kind of neighbourhood hangout that feels instantly familiar yet effortlessly sophisticated. Its menu blends Mediterranean inspiration with a distinctly Queensland soul – think charred seasonal vegetables, silky burrata with muhammara and walnuts, woodfired proteins, and sustainably sourced seafood. The real star, however, is their extensive wine list, offering everything from bold, punchy glasses to elegant old-world vintages. Add a low-lit, European-inspired interior, and you’ve got a local wine bar that punches well above its weight.
Stepping into Deer Duck Bistro in Auchenflower is like entering a Victorian dreamscape – antique furniture, ornate lighting, and velvet drapes set the stage for one of Brisbane’s most whimsical degustations. The menu is heavily French-inspired, with each dish plated to artistic perfection by the chefs. Highlights include salmon with burnt orange purée, fennel, broad beans and citrus, and a watermelon gazpacho with elderflower-compressed green apple. Multi-course menus shift with the seasons, ensuring every visit feels fresh and unique. Part theatrical, part indulgent, Deer Duck Bistro is a romantic favourite for good reason.
Hikari in Teneriffe serves decadent contemporary Japanese with a finesse that lives up to its name – light. The menu features fresh sashimi, charcoal-grilled teriyaki chicken thigh, buttery miso-glazed fish, and other dishes that showcase technique and restraint. Each plate is carefully balanced, with clean flavours, thoughtful textures, and a focus on purity over waste. Combined with a sleek interior and warm, polished service, Hikari has cemented itself as a must-visit dinner destination in the ever-evolving suburb of Teneriffe.
Queensland’s most acclaimed French restaurant, Montrachet, delivers an experience that’s both elegant and indulgent in the heart of Bowen Hills. The menu celebrates French classics done to perfection: escargots bathed in garlic and parsley butter, doubled-baked soufflés that rise to perfection, and steak frites straight out of a Parisian dream. Each dish embodies the pinnacle of French gastronomy, honouring tradition with every bite. Paired with one of Brisbane’s most opulent wine lists – a love letter to the world’s great vineyards – Montrachet remains the benchmark for celebratory French fine dining in the city.
Gold Coast
Eddy + Wolff is a beloved Gold Coast gem, specialising in modern pan-Asian cuisine that celebrates bold flavours and fire-driven cooking. Shared menu highlights include Pacific oysters with tom yum and finger lime, lap yuk belly with orange master stock, taro crisp, leek and shiso, and crumbed soft-shell bay lobster that packs a punch. Drinks are equally curated, from natural wines to Asian-inspired cocktails and an enviable sake collection. Dimly lit and effortlessly cool, Eddy + Wolff is the kind of place where every table feels like the best seat in the house.
Behind big barn doors, Etsu Izakaya in Mermaid Beach offers modern Japanese izakaya-style dining with a playful sense of drama. Inside, lanterns glow, chopsticks clink, and plates arrive quickly, keeping the energy lively. Highlights include pork belly yakitori, melt-in-your-mouth sashimi from an extensive raw bar, and truffle wagyu gyozas that are as addictive as they sound. The atmosphere is buzzy yet intimate, perfect for date nights or group feasts. Complemented by an extensive wine, sake, and whisky selection, along with cocktails featuring lychee, yuzu, and ginger, Etsu remains a must-visit Gold Coast dining destination.
Restaurant Labart offers contemporary European-inspired bistro dining pared back to its most honest form. Tucked away in Burleigh Heads, the menu celebrates pristine local produce — from cured King Ora salmon to roasted heirloom vegetables and a selection of hearty, flavourful proteins. Each dish is crafted around smoke, acidity, and seasonality, ensuring every visit feels unique. The minimalist, Scandinavian-leaning interior keeps the focus on the food, while warm, intuitive service completes the experience. Named Queensland’s Best Restaurant by Gourmet Traveller in 2024, Labart is a dining destination you won’t want to miss.
Sunshine Coast
Rickys River Bar and Restaurant
Perched along the Noosa River, Rickys exudes coastal elegance, with dishes that let the region’s finest produce take centre stage. Expect sparkling-fresh seafood — oysters, blue swimmer crab, and reef fish — paired with Mediterranean-inspired flavours, punchy mains, and a dessert menu as decadent as it sounds. Long lunches effortlessly stretch into sunset, thanks to an award-winning selection of crisp white wines and textured rosés. With an event space perfect for weddings, birthdays, and work functions, Rickys remains Noosa’s iconic waterfront dining destination for your next stay-cay.
Beachfront dining doesn’t get more quintessentially Noosa than Sails. Overlooking Laguna Bay, it serves refined coastal classics paired with an award-winning wine list drawn from one of Australia’s largest collections. From grilled local seafood and vibrant salads to tender, flavourful meats, Sails showcases modern Australian dining that values simplicity over fuss. The setting is pure Sunshine State luxury, with crisp linens, white timber, and sweeping 180-degree views of Noosa’s shoreline, making every meal feel like a holiday.
Tucked away in Yandina and proudly earning its reputation as the Sunshine Coast’s best-kept secret, Bar Deco is a Belgian beer and wine garden with intimate, moody vibes. The menu features expertly crafted cocktails from a mixologist with 25 years’ experience, self-imported Belgian beers, and European-inspired dishes, making it a must-visit. Ideal for a date night or a cosy catch-up with friends, Bar Deco effortlessly combines atmosphere and flavour for an unforgettable dining experience.
Humble on Duke, opened in 2020 by Stacey and Jade, is a wholesome Sunshine Beach dining room built on hospitality, seasonal produce, and making guests feel at home. The menu celebrates local and international flavours, often inspired by Middle Eastern cuisine, with dishes designed to share and evolve with the seasons. It’s approachable, creative, and never stuffy. Cooking alongside Stacey, Dave brings fun and expertise, while Tash rounds out the small, passionate team. Whether you choose the menu, Chef’s Choice, or “Feed Me,” every meal is a journey of flavour and heart.
Welcome to Sopra, Bli Bli’s riverside spot where Italian dining gets a serious upgrade. Upstairs, you’ll find authentic Italian dishes paired with a hand-picked selection of fine wines, all served with a side of river views. Whether it’s a date night, a celebration, or just a reason to get out, Sopra is all about good food, good wine, and a relaxed yet special vibe. It’s not just a meal – it’s an Italian dining adventure that makes you want to linger over every bite.
From Brisbane’s refined French classics to the Gold Coast’s modern Asian-fusion faves and Noosa’s coastal dining retreats, these top Queensland restaurants reflect exactly what Australia is craving now and into the future: connection, creativity, and a dining scene that simply refuses to slow down.
Imagery: @rickys_noosa, @adelitawinebar, @restaurantlabart
