This Punchy New Restaurant Is Giving Vietnamese Cuisine A Modern Makeover

Dig in

By Natalie McGowan | 19th March 2026

There’s no denying Australians love Vietnamese food, but beyond the beloved staples of banh mi and pho lies a whole world of lesser-known, equally delicious dishes just waiting to be discovered and subsequently demolished. Enter Rừng Brisbane: the city’s latest Vietnamese restaurant, dishing up regional flavours and reimagined classics with serious style.

A new venture from Tuan Nguyen, the restaurateur behind Paddington’s Ngon and Newport’s Quê Dining, Rừng (translating to “forest” or “jungle” in Vietnamese) is bringing punchy, fresh flavours to Fortitude Valley. Set within a formerly abandoned, multi-level warehouse on Alfred Street, the space contrasts against the interiors: industrial bones softened by warm, jungle-inspired furniture, most of which was handmade in Vietnam. With room for up to 110 diners, it’s a dining experience somewhere between Brisbane and Hanoi.

On the menu, Rừng celebrates traditional Vietnamese ingredients and techniques, elevated through a modern cooking lens and vibrant presentation. Designed for sharing and anchored by charcoal grilling, bright aromatics, and bold dressings, the menu is an exciting combination of Vietnamese flavours. Highlights include Chả Cá Hà Nội (turmeric barramundi with noodles and aromatics); Bún bò Huê (an aromatic spicy beef broth with beef cuts, herb slaw, and rice noodles); and chargrilled king prawns with coconut broth, green chilli, and herb oil. “Rừng is about bold flavours and energy,” says Tuan. “Fresh, smoky dishes that bring Vietnamese traditions into a modern setting.”

The beverage program is equally considered, leaning into Vietnamese vodka and gin, a 40-strong wine list, and a lineup of Vietnamese-inspired cocktails that are as inventive as the food. Take the Midnight Phin for example: a concoction bringing together vodka, coffee liqueur, Vietnamese coffee, and condensed milk in a nod to the country’s legendary café culture. Other notable mentions include the Charred Canopy (smoky mezcal, cold brew tea, citrus, palm sugar, and salt) and the Bloom & Shade (Lady Triêu gin, matcha orange blossom house syrup, lemon, and aqua faba).

But Rừng offers more than a great meal. Upstairs, two private function spaces take the experience up a notch, complete with karaoke gear and poker tables for those who aren’t ready for the night to end. It’s a full evening sorted, from first drink to last song.

Now open on Alfred Street in Fortitude Valley, book a table, bring friends, and come hungry.