Come May 1 to 29, 65 of Brisbane’s best bars and restaurants will be coming together under the umbrella of Dine BNE City. The month-long food and drink program is packed with 100 exclusive offers, from cheap lunches to multi-course degustations, street-food bites to fine-dining experiences, wine walks to the favourite Bug and Oyster Trail. It’s going to be one full month of food.
Choosing just ten to feature was no easy feat, and honestly, you’d probably choose an entirely different 10 offers and experiences for Dine BNE City because it’s no secret we all have different tastes. In any case, we’ve tried to choose a representative sample of what’s on offer at venues like 4 Pines, Bar Pacino, Corbett & Claude, Madame Wu, Mr Wabi, Toscano Bar & Kitchen and Walter’s Steakhouse & Wine Bar.
Find below our top picks. Also, no we couldn’t have made a top 10 list of burgers because there are seven. Take note that you should mention “Dine BNE City” on arrival or when booking.
1. Triple Threat
What is it: The Triple Threat is pretty simple. Choose three dishes from the exquisite tasting menu at Embassy and they will be paired expertly with three matching brews by the team.
When is it: All BNE month
Where is it: Embassy Bar and Kitchen
How much is it: $30
More info2. Chicken Bao and Beer
What is it: One chicken bao and one beer. We don’t know if there’ll be a limit to how many you can order, but a limit might be a good thing.
When is it: All BNE month
Where is it: Botero House
How much is it: $15
More infoAnother option at Botero House is the Pumpkin Gnocchi and Wine.
3. Oysters and Champagne
What is it: One glass of Perrier-Jouet Blason de France Rose Champagne served with six freshly shucked Rock oysters. Simple and classy.
When is it: All BNE month, but Lobby Bar or Marble Bar only.
Where is it: Rothwell’s Bar & Grill
How much is it: $45
More info4. Martini Dinner
What is it: Two courses from the The Incholm’s seasonal menu plus a martini. Keep in mind that the bar also does a daily Martini Hour – 5:30pm-6:30pm.
When is it: From Sunday to Wednesday
Where is it: The Inchcolm By Ovolo
How much is it: $69
More infoAnother option at The Inchcolm By Ovolo is the Charcuterie and Martini.
5. 7 Courses and Cocktail
What is it: Osaka-born Head Chef Daisuke Sakai is serving up an “Osaka Omakase” degustation. That’s seven courses of dishes including snapper usuzukuri, hako sushi, and Yakininku-style wagyu. There’s dessert too as well as a cocktail on arrival.
When is it: All BNE month
Where is it: Saké Restaurant & Bar
How much is it: $99
More info6. Chef’s Sharing Experience
What is it: Designed for two, this is meat, meat, and meat. Specifically the chef’s selection of three types of meat—grilled, carved and served with a choice of mustards. You also get three side dishes and your choice of dessert from the a la carte menu.
When is it: Fridays and Saturdays 6pm to 9pm
Where is it: Vintaged Bar & Grill
How much is it: $100
More infoAnother option at Vintaged is the Charcuterie for Two.
7. “Feed Me”
What is it: You don’t get to decide, but you will get to eat your fill of starters, salads, pasta and pizzas. That’s right, eat until you can eat no more.
When is it: All BNE month
Where is it: Corbett & Claude
How much is it: $45
More infoAnother option at Corbett & Claude is the Pizza and Drink.
8. Express Degustation
What is it: Five satiating dishes from The Gresham’s sister venue, Walter’s, and five exquisite drinks paired to perfection. The menu includes Oysters and Talisker married with a black velvet, an emu fillet paired with a Red Hill Brewery Scotch Ale and a lamb loin with a 2020 Yangarra Estate King’s Wood Shiraz.
When is it: 6pm, 28 May
Where is it: The Gresham
How much is it: $220
More info
The Gresham is also taking part in the Urban Cocktail Trail.
9. 12-Course Banquet and Drink
What is it: One drink, either a glass of wine, schooner of beer or cocktail, plus 12 sumptuous courses that will have your mouth-watering for more. They include Kingfish sashimi, Wagyu dumplings, Hong Kong Portuguese chicken and Wu’s Special Fried Rice.
When is it: All BNE month
Where is it: Madame Wu
How much is it: $95
More info10. Four Pillars Gin Dinner
What is it: Join Four Pillars co-founder Stuart Gregor at Banc for a welcome gin cocktail and canapes plus four-course menu with matched Four Pillars cocktails. The evening includes a limited-edition Four Pillars release plus Tasmanian wallaby, a Coral Trout ceviche, and Mud Crab.
When is it: 6pm, 18 May
Where is it: Banc Brasserie & Wine Bar
How much is it: $145
More info11. 12-Hour Pork Belly & Wine
What is it: Sit by the river and tuck into a 12-hour South Burnett pork belly served with confit potatoes, peas, salsa verde, sugar snap peas, and radish. Wash it down with a glass of Atè Pinot Grigio or Cabernet Sauvignon.
When is it: Tuesday to Sunday
Where is it: Patina at Customs House
How much is it: $35
More info12. 3 Course Street Food
What is it: Choose from either a crispy chicken bao or slow-cooked beef for your first course before you move on to Korean fried chicken or tofu duck pancakes as your second. Dessert is deep-fried ice cream.
When is it: 12-9pm, Monday to Thursday
Where is it: Mr Wabi
How much is it: $45
More infoFor an extra $30pp, you can tack on a two drinks package.
13. Walter’s Lunch Experience
What is it: A tasty set menu has been created at Walter’s for BNE where you can select from Walter’s original crab cakes, herb-crusted scallops or Pierogi as your appetiser before moving on to your main, a speciality dry-aged Porterhouse Steak.
When is it: 12-3pm, 2-28 May
Where is it: Walter’s Steakhouse & Wine Bar
How much is it: $90
More infoInclude dessert for an extra $10.