If your Instagram feed needs a dose of luxe, splurge at this Modern European eatery overlooking the Brisbane River and Story Bridge. Dine on classics like escargots en cocotte, bouillabaisse and steak.
Sydney restaurateur Jonathan Barthelmess set up Greca in 2018, a freewheeling 210-seat taverna that sets authentic Greek eats against winsome riverside views at Howard Smith Wharves. Here are some best eateries besides The Brisbane Club to enjoy exotic dishes.
Aria Restaurant
Aria Restaurant is a top spot for lunch or dinner. It features excellent seafood and sushi, and the menu is designed to highlight Queensland ingredients. The restaurant also has a fantastic selection of wines. The service at Aria is impeccable, and guests love the atmosphere of the restaurant.
The dining world outside may have embraced sharing plates and artful insouciance, but at Aria, fine-dining finesse is still paramount. The staff at this sophisticated restaurant are a study in etiquette, from the hostesses who materialise out of nowhere to the waiters who quietly glide around your table with an operatic display of grace. Plates from executive chef Thomas Gorring exemplify the level of precision and execution for which Aria has become famous.
The review-journal has learned that a new food hall is taking shape at the resort this winter. Proper Eats, curated by Clique Hospitality, will feature a handful of restaurants including the first Seoul Bird outside London for bowls of steaming tonkatsu pork ramen. Laughing Buddha adds snarls of steamed bao with eggplant and pork belly; Lola’s Burger Bar returns to Aria for its signature meaty fare; and Easy Donuts delivers craft coffee and specialty doughnuts, like the glazed frosted pumpkin. In addition to these new spots, Proper Bar will frame the Aria pool through soaring windows. Mixologists will fashion cocktails that are as cool as they are tasty, such as the Kosher-Style (vodka, iced tea, lemonade), and the Gin-Z.
Masa Art
The best restaurants in Brisbane feature food from many different cultures. They also include restaurants that specialize in specific cuisines, such as Italian, Turkish, and Indian. These restaurants are often set up in a quaint location and serve delicious food. Many of these restaurants also offer great service. The odour of their food is tantalizing and will leave your taste buds craving for more.
Located in West End, Comuna Cantina is a must-visit for Mexican food lovers. Their signature tacos, fajitas, burritos, and salads are salivation worthy. They also have a wide variety of beers and cocktails that are perfect for any occasion.
MASA (Museum of Contemporary Art, Design and Architecture) is a place for experimentation and conversation about Mexico's art and design scene. The founders Age Salajoe and Brian Thoreen are passionate about giving Mexican collectible design a global platform. They opened their first show in an abandoned 1970s home and have since relocated to a former post office.
There are tons of cool graffiti hot spots throughout the city – down secret lanes and high up above everyday busy thoroughfares. You'll find new murals and street art all the time, but it's always a good idea to have a guide to point you in the right direction. The Brisbane Greeters can be a great option, especially if you want to avoid the crowds and go on a more personal tour.
Bisou Bisou
When Bisou Bisou (literally, a kiss kiss) opened in 2021 as the feature restaurant in Brunswick Street’s Hotel X, it was a Parisian ode that let diners escape to the other side of the world. Now, two years later, owner Ghanem Group has tweaked the focus, reworking the menu and sprucing up the decor for a more casual experience. Sit at the aperitivo bar, with its long row of plush red leather stools beneath pendant lights or in the main dining room, where cosy booths and marble-topped tables are accented by white washed brick features and patterned and textured finishes.
From the seafood bouillabaisse with saffron rouille to whole roasted free-range chicken and confit duck or suckling pork cassoulet, the menu heroes classic French fare with local twists. A cheese trolley and freestanding rotisserie are also available.
The beverage list finds a happy medium between diversity and accessibility, with an impressive 200-strong wine selection served via enomatic dispensers. A wide variety of drops are showcased, including Alsace, Loire Valley, Chablis and Bordeaux, as well as regions from this side of the world like Barossa Valley and Yarra Valley. Desserts are worth the indulgence, too, with reworked classics like tarte tatin and strawberry meringue.
Paw Paw Cafe
Pawpaw Cafe is a cozy and comfortable place to have a quick meal. This eatery is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. It has a great menu that offers both Australian and Thai dishes. Its well-cooked beef massaman curry and mushrooms are excellent. It also serves good blueberry pancakes, sundaes, and doughnuts. In addition, it has a good selection of wines. The staff is friendly and helpful in making reservations. The venue also offers takeout options for those on the go.
Located in a white weatherboard cottage on Stanley Street East in Woolloongabba, this Venzin Group establishment is a little slice of South-East Asia. High ceilings, a large open floor plan and walls painted with palm fronds make the interior seem like a million miles away from the surrounding busy city streets.
This modern Asian restaurant has a strong Thai focus and is open for breakfast and lunch daily, with a dinner menu available Wednesday-Sunday from 5pm. The evening menu features steamed pork belly bao, pineapple fried rice, and ginger stir-fry as well as signature dishes such as eggplant and sweet potato curry scrambled eggs. There is also a weekend bakery that slings homemade doughnuts and double-baked croissants.
For a quick and healthy meal, you can head to Pawpaw Cafe in Brisbane. Here, you can enjoy delicious fusion cuisine, made with local produce. They also have a wide range of coffee and tea beverages to choose from.
