Brisbane’s Best Restaurants You Need A Reservation At Now

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 mind-blowing Japanese-inspired cuisine, no one does it better than Izakaya Publico. Located inside Hotel Indigo, this is a restaurant that serves up food that looks and tastes incredible. Whether you’re trying their Kaki oysters with tosazu jelly, their Hokke Japanese Atka mackerel with miso butter, or just grabbing a quick bento box for lunch, the expert chefs at Izakaya Publico will make sure your meal looks just as mouth-watering as it tastes.

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.

Saunter into a world of quality and excellence at The Wolf – Brisbane City’s latest food offering unlike any other. Catering to a range of clients, you’ll experience fine dining alongside a deli, bar, and retail options with a distinctly European flair. With a design that is strongly inspired by the 1960s Louis Vuitton era, a visit to The Wolf feels like a trip to Europe, with furnishing, fixtures, and fittings imported from Spain, Italy, and France. Owned by Fabian Rebelo – aka the man behind Stanton Brasserie & Bar – The Wolf offers the opportunity to experience fine dining in a unique way, and with a menu featuring strong European traits such as amuse bouche, a decadent cheese trolley, and foie gras, you’ll be dining in style, feeling like a world away from the bustling city streets outside.https://wolf260queen.com.au/

Tucked within The Westin Brisbane, Settimo is a gathering place for lovers of authentic Italian flavours in the heart of the CBD. Exuding relaxed sophistication, each detail of the restaurant points to the vibrant energy of the Amalfi Coast through artisan craftsmanship, playful dishes, and an inventive spirit. The menu – crafted by the renowned Guy Grossi – celebrates both Italian and Australian food culture, drawing on the abundance of local produce and some international hero ingredients. From the delightfully zesty pasta al limone to the famous tiramisu, a visit to Settimo will have you whisked away, complete with aquamarine hues, Fibonacci stone, and custom-designed terracotta.

Soak in the good times when you decide to dine at Carmen Tequileria – James Street’s newest foodie destination. Adding fiesta flair to the precinct, this 80-seater Mexican bar and restaurant takes on the tones of Tulum with distinctive curved archways and whitewashed walls. With a deliberate focus on the freshest and most sustainably sourced seafood, expect to dine on an elevated menu of poached lobster tacos, kingfish ceviche, and Sydney rock oysters as well as beef short rib rangdang and Mexican popcorn chicken. Of course, there’s also crowd faves like guacamole, Mexican halloumi, and charred corn rillettes, alongside Carmen’s secret crumb and ice cream dish. As for the sips, you’ll find tequila and mezcals from some of the most environmentally sound distilleries from Mexico, making that second round of margaritas all the more justified.