Brisbane’s hospitality scene is booming right now. Not much time passes in the River City without a hot new restaurant, bar or cafe opening up – and it can feel overwhelming knowing which one to try next. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of the best new restaurants in and near Brisbane, if you need some inspo for your next dining date.
1. The Fifty-Six
With the foundational pillars of Cantonese cuisine — freshness, balance and elegance — as their guiding compass, The Fifty Six is navigating uncharted territory in the realm of authentic Cantonese gastronomy made with seasonal Australian products. They have designed their dishes to be served with their intended condiments and sauces, paying true homage to evolving Chinese tradition and to the very first 56 Chinese labourers who arrived in Brisbane in 1848.
📍Level 2, 33 Felix St, Brisbane CBD
2. CHERN
Its name as inviting as its atmosphere — “chern” means to invite — this bold Asian-fusion restaurant goes beyond traditional Thai and ventures into creative combos and surprising textures, with offerings like soft, fluffy baos, crispy-bottomed dumplings, flavour-packed noodles, and sides you’ll be thinking about long after you leave!
📍Level 4, Terrace, 33 William St, Brisbane CBD
3. Seoul Garden
If you’re on the lookout for food that’ll nourish your very s(e)oul, Sunnybank’s newest all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ and hotpot is what you’re looking for! Bringing their tried and true formula over from Melbourne, their tables are equipped with both a BBQ and a hot plate for their over 30 meat options and over 50 hotpot variations, plus hot food, salad, gimbap and raw bars, so you better bring your appetite!
📍Market Square, Shop 9, Level 2, 341 Mains Rd, Sunnybank
4. Hideki
Hideki’s sleek dark décor and curated selection of high-end spirits and cocktails exudes elegance, but their menu is as unfussy as it is delicious, a concept they describe as “fine casual” dining, with their specialty being yakitori skewers straight from the charcoal grill. And they’re poised for more, with a second location set to open on James St later this year.
📍34 Burnett Ln, Brisbane CBD
5. Mademoiselle
The pastry geniuses behind Rise Bakery are behind this classic French bistro that’ll take you straight to the City of Lights, with exquisite entrées, undeniable mains like steak frites and a half or full rôtisserie chicken and, of course, decadent desserts that you can’t miss, like cake slices direct from Rise Bakery or that ol’ reliable, crème brûlée.
📍39 Hercules St, Hamilton
SEE MORE: Best Brunch Spots In Brisbane For A Hearty Feast
6. Pompette
The spotlight might be on the bubbly at this champagne bar, it’d be a mistake to miss out on their food. Haute cuisine awaits foodies and those who want to splurge once in a while, with the likes of escargots and sand crab salad, canard à l’orange and boeuf filet en croûte. And, for dessert, go even more extra with their crêpes suzette.
📍The Star Brisbane, The Terrace, Level 4, 33 William St, Brisbane CBD
7. August
August will have you wanting to wear your Sunday best every day. Housed within the old Hill End Methodist Church, the light, airy eatery has a well-defined menu that focuses on European-inspired plates and prioritises seasonality. With inventive twists, like with their brioche-stuffed chicken crown with peas a la Française or their blue cheese cheesecake with Pedro Ximenez jelly, their dishes will have you saying “Amen!”
📍19 Dornoch Terrace, West End
8. Poca Madre
With a name like that — poca madre means cool or awesome in Mexico — this restaurant couldn’t be anything less than amazing. And their tried-and-true menu of Mexican staples, think ceviche, birria and chorizo queso fundido, plus incredible, often tequila-centric weekly offers, will have you coming back for más.
📍14 Little Stanley St, Brisbane CBD
9. Dark Shepherd
For a baa-bsolutely unforgettable dining experience, grab a table at Dark Shepherd, The Star’s lamb house. The Mediterranean-inspired menu includes White Pyrenees Lamb, known as the ‘wagyu of lamb’, arnaki (a type of Greek sausage), woodfired cabbage with garlic, tahini and pistachio, not to mention an extensive wine list and signature cocktails.
📍The Star Brisbane, The Terrace, Level 4, 33 William St, Brisbane CBD
10. Hizola’s Kitchen & Bar
Thanks to their long-running success in the Gold Coast, Hizola’s Kitchen & Bar has come to Fortitude Valley. With a moody aesthetic, this is an elevated version of their other location, and their décor is not the only reason. Their outstanding roasted duck pancakes with orange and plum sauce and dedicated bao menu alone are enough to merit the new venue.
📍100 McLachlan St, Fortitude Valley
11. Warisan
Get your taste buds ready for some sambal, because this Indonesian spot is heating things up! They’ve got plenty of vegan and non-vegan options, like crispy chicken skin and stuffed fried tofu plus tonnes of curries, stir-fries and traditional Indonesian dishes, guaranteeing happy hearts and full bellies all around.
📍4 Hynes St, Fortitude Valley
12. Mulga Bill’s
Located at the Landing Plaza, where the new Kangaroo Point Bridge meets the entry of the Botanic Gardens on Alice Street, Mulga Bill’s caters to everyone from early birds to night owls, opening every day from 6am until late, offering delicious food and stunning views throughout the whole day. With everything from brekky pizza and woodfired pizza, to paella, Mulga Bill’s is bound to become a destination in itself, thanks to its inviting interiors and casual, welcoming vibe.
📍155 Alice St, Brisbane CBD
13. Stilts Dining
The second of Kangaroo Point Bridge’s dining venues, Stilts Dining offers world-class dining and a new vantage point to experience Brisbane City — literally, with a traditional Queenslander exterior perched high upon the river, awarding diners with 180-degree views of iconic Brisbane landmarks. The menu showcases the finest Australian steak and seafood with premium, locally sourced ingredients, and they have a wine list of over 180 options!
📍147E Alice St, Brisbane CBD
14. Kiku
At Kiku, authenticity is the name of them game. Having run a food stall with the same name for years, owners Anzu Tanaka and Yuma Iwami definitely know their way around sushi, yakitori and Japanese curry, not to mention fluffy fruit sandos and to-die-for mochi cheesecake!
📍892 Stanley St E, East Brisbane
15. Marble Korean Steakhouse
Marble Korean Steakhouse brings a bold new dining experience to Portside Wharf, offering an interactive, high-end take on Korean BBQ that blends the rich flavours of Seoul with modern steakhouse sophistication.
📍39 Hercules St, Hamilton
16. Layla
New from celebrity chef Shane Delia, Layla opened its doors very recently, with a menu heavily featuring aromatic Middle Eastern-inspired dishes. With small plates that bring more flavour per bite than most and outstanding seafood creations, Delia once again exceeds expectations.
📍Thomas Dixon Centre, 406 Montague Rd, West End
17. Penelope
This inviting, cosy bistro “where dancing is an encouraged digestif” will first lure you in with its warm lighting and welcoming vibes, but you’ll stay for the simple, quality dishes, like devilled eggs, club sandwiches, and pasta alla vodka. You can make your reservation here.
📍15 James St, Fortitude Valley
Coming later in this year
18. Taboo
Coming later this month, this glamourous new Thai spot will be serving flavour-packed dishes and cocktails and gorgeous rooftop views you won’t want to miss out on. You can sign up for the waitlist here.
📍18-20 Constance Street, Fortitude Valley