Book A Table At Brisbane’s Best Restaurants

An ode to the art of the long lunching, SK Steak & Oyster sits pretty on the ground floor of The Calile Hotel with intimate booths and structural design. Priding itself on exemplary service and warm hospitality, the interior is central to its appeal – with concrete pillars, lofty ceilings, ambient lighting and a baby grand piano helping to set the glamorous yet welcoming scene. As for the food, it’s all in the name, where fresh seafood and red meat reign supreme, alongside an array of tasty pastas, soups, and a potato menu. Renowned for their seafood platters with prawns, bugs, scallops, baked fish, and crumbed anchovies, they’re also arguably the home of the best martini in Brisbane. One spoonful of their Moreton bay bug mash potato and you’ll see why SK Steak & Oyster makes our list of the best restaurants in Brisbane!

This 2021 newcomer has almost immediately climbed the ranks to become one of the best restaurants in the Brisbane dining scene. An Italian trattoria executed in Aperol Spritz-hued accents, the James Street resident has perfected simple, classic Italian dishes while honouring fresh produce and seasonality. The menu of house-made-from-scratch dishes includes delicious antipasti like kingfish carpaccio, drool-worthy mains like the lasagnette lamb ragu, and sweet treats to finish like the gelato served in a frozen lemon. P.S. Do yourself a favour and order the bread – all of it!

Sizzling with spice and southeast Asian cooking at its finest, this modern Thai restaurant will have you feasting like royalty. The balmy and chic dining room offers an elegant take on street food, by throwing in dynamism and intricate flavours that highlight the cuisine’s many quirks. Using authentic ingredients cooked over coals and in searing-hot woks, the tropical tiger prawns in curry butter and roasted chilli oil, yellow spiced cauliflower curry or wagyu brisket larb are just some of the few dishes that make up the incredible and extensive menu, paired with Thai-inspired cocktails and Riesling, rosé, and Rhône. 

Opening its doors on the tail end of 2021, it certainly didn’t take long for Brisbanites to realise that Rothwell’s is truly something to behold. The swanky restaurant in the Brisbane CBD takes notes from the world’s most iconic dining rooms to deliver produce-driven cooking, championing the freshest local seafood, the best cuts of Aussie beef, and handmade pasta. Plus, deep underneath the sparkling chandeliers, Rothwell’s cellar houses more than 2,000 bottles of wine, encapsulating Australia’s best-known producers and smaller, promising names.

As pleasing for the eyes as it is for the palate, Hellenika is the dream destination for gathering, sharing, and enjoying. Located at The Pool Deck of The Calile Hotel, we think this Greek stalwart is one of the best restaurants in Brisbane for lunch, championing fresh produce in a mix of classic and innovative dishes in sublime, breeze-filled surroundings. Snap-happy diners will have plenty of fodder to capture, from their signature zucchini chips, taramasalata, Moreton Bay Bug spaghetti, and the absolute-must kolokithia. Wash down with an Ouzo cocktail or two and some honey puffs, and you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re living it up in Old Town Mykonos. 

An old brick warehouse might not seem like the home of contemporary hospitality and phenomenal wood-fired cooking, but if anyone can do it, it would be Agnes. In a celebration of the drama, spectacle, and ancient skill of cooking over fire, the freshest meat, seafood, poultry, and vegetables are transformed over a custom-made stone hearth. Honourable mention to Agnes Bakery in New Farm – the pandemic-pivot-turned-local-favourite that often sports a line down the street for its incredible baked goods.

There’s never been a better time to be vegetarian, and this soulful Tel Aviv kitchen proves it. Blending Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, the eclectic Za Za Ta is a melting pot of fragrant flavours and exotic dishes, utilising market-fresh local producers and ingredients. Alongside a curated collection of colonial-inspired rums and bespoke cocktails, the spice-filled vego and plant-based dishes are served on a backdrop of jungle charm and culture to transport your tastes a world away.

Japanese in nature, you won’t be seeing California rolls and plain ol’ miso here! Contemporary nuance and local ingredients see an interpretative menu that’s approachable while packing a punch. The raw menu is made for seafood lovers, while the entrees offer cheeky flavours sure to leave you wanting more. But no biggie; the main menu will be quick to satiate your hunger with plates from the grill as well as fresh and light greens.

Designed to share, this is an experience you’ll want to have with your nearest and dearest. The award-winning Gerard’s Bistro combines the flavours of the Maghreb and Middle East to create modern versions of classic dishes – think Albrolhos Island scallops, Longreach lamb collar with zucchini mechoui and garlic yoghurt, or sugarloaf cabbage with with macadamia and tabil tahini. Each served with a signature twist, the suave interiors and prime James Street location make it one for the books.

For a meal with unexpected flavours around every corner, the raw interiors of Essa are where you need to be. In collaboration with local farmers, hunters, and providores,  Essa makes our list of the best restaurants in Brisbane for its environmentally conscious menu, featuring harvest-driven dishes that push the creative and culinary boundaries. With a particular focus on raw, pickled, smoked, and wood-fired fare, classic technique meets a contemporary spin with an added layer of indulgence to finish.

As the newest face on this list, The Lodge Bar & Dining comes from Queenstown to Queensland in a memorable fusion of fashion, frivolity, and flavour. Embodying the rich heritage Rodd & Gunn is known for in a magnificent Queenslander, The Lodge serves delectable dishes and hand-picked beverages amongst wool rugs, tan leather, and opulent brass accents. Plus, with a Master Sommelier behind the wine list – one of 300 in the world – every aspect of this revolutionary dining experience is designed to be like no other.

Don’t let the size fool you – this tiny restaurant has cemented itself as a huge player at the top of the Brisbane dining scene! Joy is an intimate, 10-seat omakase-inspired restaurant, where two people will cook for you, pour your drinks, and do the washing up after. The ever-changing menu holds flavours you’ll soon be talking about to anyone who’ll listen, reflecting the freshly available produce and current inspiration. Throw in the artful decor and charismatic characters, and you have the formula for an experience you’ll treasure for a long time to come.

When it comes to the best of Brisbane – think gorgeous views, delicious food, and electric ambience – no place embodies it all as well as Bar Pacino. Dedicated to impeccable service and creating a memorable occasion for all its guests, Bar Pacino’s Italian-inspired cuisine makes for a hearty meal with shared plates, pizza, burgers, pastas, and more. Their drinks also remain on the forefront of their offering, from delicious house cocktails to their global wine list and iconic Nutella shots. Pull up a seat on their expansive outdoor balcony and soak in the open-air atmosphere, or enjoy the intimate indoor tables alongside floor-to-ceiling glass windows – either way, your visit will be paired with incredible riverside views of the Story Bridge and beyond.

Guy Grossi’s multi-award-winning love letter to the Amalfi Coast, Settimo serves up simple flavours, friendly hospitality, and vibrant energy to have you feeling like you’re on a Euro vacay – without stepping foot outside Brisbane City. On the menu, you’ll find a celebration of both Italian and Australian food culture that leans on the abundance of local produce in combination with curated international hero ingredients. From the pasta al limone to the slow-cooked lamb shoulder with breadcrumbs, Parmigiano, and sage, each dish showcases the masterful art of Italian cuisine. The Westin Brisbane’s signature restaurant also boasts an extensive selection of Australian and Italian wine, and is open for breakfast daily. Just do yourself a flavour, and don’t forget to order the tiramisu!

With an extraordinary history now honed into this charming restaurant and bar, Lennons Restaurant and Bar embraces a timeless state of mind to deliver an experience that celebrates incredible local flair and service. Set in the heart of Brisbane City with picturesque views of Queen Street Mall below, Lennons Restaurant and Bar serves up an all-day bistro menu, all week long. From a wholesome a la carte and buffet breakfast to lunch specials and an elevated dinner, the menu showcases a modern spin on familiar classics, while emphasising sustainable local produce and innovative techniques (trust us, the honey-chilli glazed Toowoomba duck breast is a must-try!). Book in on a Sunday to savour their roast special for only $29 with all the trimmings, or take advantage of their $35 lunch specials from 11.30am.   

Plating up contemporary paddock-to-plate fare inside the iconic and heritage-listed Customs House, Patina is stunning in both flavour and style. Regal yet relaxed, the unique shared dining experience here celebrates fresh seasonal produce and local seafood sourced daily – resulting in a selection of entrees and mains designed to be enjoyed between guests. The a la carte menu is brimming with elevated dishes, such as freshly shucked oysters with an Asian pear mignonette, wagyu beef tartare in smoked bone marrow, and a Levantine-style 12-hour lamb shoulder served with labneh, za’atar, and mint chimichurri. The curated wine list showcases an array of exquisite drops handpicked for their standout flavours and aromas, or indulge in their cocktails with both timeless classics and avant-garde creations on the cards. 

Relax in utter sophistication with good food, good wine, and the best company at Establishment 203. Tucked away from the flurry of the Valley on Marshall Street, this refined steakhouse showcases the finest Australian beef with a traditionally Italian flair in a farm-to-table concept that emphasises high quality in every detail. Indulge in a long lunch of exceptional drops, handmade pasta, and perfectly cooked steaks, served family-style inside the tasteful space. 

This Tokyo-inspired izakaya on the waterfront is a cult-favourite, and for good reason. Boasting an electric energy across the split-level bistro, Yoko’s seafood-leaning menu dishes up abundant bar snacks and bites from the hibachi charcoal grill to the tune of funky vinyls on deck. Just do yourself a favour and don’t forget to order the miso-glazed eggplant and a mandarin slushie to wash it down!

Inspired by the moody waterfront of Hong Kong’s picturesque Stanley Bay, traditional Cantonese flavours are brought to life using the freshest local produce at Stanley. Led by Head Chef Louis Tikaram’s out-of-the-box perspective, the menu celebrates fishermen and farmers in share plates and their signature yum cha. Honouring flavours that have been cherished for generations, Stanley’s steamed Queensland coral trout with white soy, ginger, and shallot is a definite must-try.

Howard Smith Wharves’ contemporary Greek taverna takes cues from the Mediterranean way of life in a menu that celebrates simplicity through the best produce from land and sea. When you pull up a seat, you’re officially part of the family, which lets you dig into generational recipes designed to be passed around the table beneath the Story Bridge. From sizzling saganaki to spiced chargrilled lamb cutlets, this is one feast where sharing comes in handy so you can take a bite from as many plates as possible, while relishing the generous hospitality.