Brisbane is one of Australia’s more underrated culinary destinations, and as a result, the question “What are the best new restaurants in Brisbane?” is one we’re often asked at Boss Hunting.
In answer, we present this round-up of the best new restaurants in Brisbane — updated on a quarterly basis — so that you can stay updated about all of the must-try openings in the River City.
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Best New Restaurants In Brisbane For 2024
Naldham House
Four years in the making, Naldham House has emerged as Brisbane’s answer to the Shell House Sydney and HER Melbournes of the world. Part of local hospitality hero Dap & Co’s portfolio, this new opening is pitched at a scale and grandeur that’s basically unrivaled in the River City.
The food leans ‘non-specific European’, with much more emphasis placed on the menu’s ability to evoke “grand hotel lobbies” and “fine brasseries”. Appropriately then, everything on offer is split into four parts, and the main restaurant (located on the venue’s ground floor) always serves a handful of large, meaty specialties — such as a market fish cooked meunière-style or behemoth 800g ribeye of Kidman beef.
Up one floor, you’ll find Club Felix: a supper club-esque venue that stays open until midnight during the latter half of the week. A third, as yet undisclosed concept is set to open on the third floor later this year.
Come for the grand, multi-level ambience. Stay for the tomahawk of dry-aged pork.
Address: 33 Felix Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Phone: 07 3187 7815
Chef(s): Douglas Keyte
Opened: July 2024
Price Guide: $$$
Opening Hours: Monday — Saturday (11:30 AM — 11 PM)
Bookings: Recommended
Supernormal
The sequel to, yet decidedly not a carbon copy of, the eponymous Andrew McConnell restaurant in Melbourne, Supernormal landed riverside in Brisbane earlier this year — to considerable commercial and critical fanfare.
Precisely the sort of self-assured and sophisticated pan-Asian eatery that the Queensland capital has been lacking for the last few years, it’s hard to think of a new Brisbane restaurant that has met with more anticipation in 2024.
McConnell’s team at Trader House are obviously onto the fact that many locals will have sampled the OG location interstate; so there’s enough regional specificity here to ensure that quintessentially Queensland produce (e.g. coral trout and Stockyard beef) is given the limelight it so crucially deserves.
Of course, signature dishes from the Melbourne mothership are also available: such as the ‘New England’ lobster roll. A delightful little snackie we could easily eat multiples of. Don’t forget to order a glass of German Riesling or junmai from the restaurant’s extensive, not to mention thoughtfully curated, wine list.
Address: 443 Queen Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Phone: 07 3524 2000
Chef(s): Jason Barratt
Opened: July 2024
Price Guide: $$$
Opening Hours: Monday — Sunday (11:30 AM — 11 PM)
Bookings: Recommended
Milquetoast
Opened by James Horfall and George Curtis, two veteran drinks professionals who linked up while working at the (now-shuttered) Elska, Milquetoast is a newish wine bar in the city that specialises in small plates and distinguished beverages.
Located off of Elizabeth Street, in the same laneway occupied by late-night bourbon joint Alice, it’s an optimal spot for clever cocktails followed by a food menu that is “British-leaning” and thoroughly snackable. Case in point: a starter of cured fish & crumpet that channels the flavours of a classic British chippie, albeit with all the freshness you’d expect of advanced Australian fare.
On the pans at this diminutive, dusky establishment diners will find Solenn d’Heilly: who brings a degree of fine dining finesse to all of Milquetoast’s moreish, plonk-friendly dishes through her experiences at Bennelong.
The signature Milquetoast pudding though? That’s all comfort food.
Address: Laneway, 199 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Phone: +61 420 740 514
Chef(s): Solenn d’Heilly
Opened: July 2024
Price Guide: $$
Opening Hours: Tuesday — Thursday (4 PM — 12 AM); Friday — Saturday (1 PM — 12 AM)
Bookings: Not required
Black Hide Steak & Seafood By Gambaro
In truth, you could probably write an entire shortlist of new Brisbane restaurants focusing solely on all the planned openings in the up-and-coming Queen’s Wharf Precinct; and of these, it’s surprising that Black Hide Steak & Seafood should be one.
The largest of the three surf & turf-inspired venues operated by Gambaro Group, the main attraction here — surprise surprise — bovine cuts of the Angus and Wagyu variety, along with a handful of seafood dishes that make use of fresh daily catches sourced from within Queensland.
Plus: panoramas of Southbank and the Brisbane River. So dinner and a view.
Address: Level 4 The Terrace, The Star Brisbane, 33 William Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Phone: 07 3505 7422
Chef(s):
Opened: September 2024
Price Guide: $$$
Opening Hours: Tuesday — Thursday (4 PM — 12 AM); Friday — Saturday (1 PM — 12 AM)
Bookings: Recommended
Sokyo At The Star
Even before punters knew so much as the square footage of The Star Brisbane, diners were already speculating as to whether Sokyo (formerly led by celebrity chef Chase Kojima) would be opening up inside the eponymous group’s sprawling new hotel & casino. It’s great that we may now answer officially in the affirmative.
Serving fine Japanese cuisine with a “modern, localised touch”, the last time Brisbane-based foodies were so excited by the prospect of a new Asian eatery was when Sushi Room opened back in 2022.
Fortunately, Sokyo Brisbane boasts a powerful secret weapon in the form of Executive Chef Alex Yu: a disciple of Kojima’s best known for opening the award-winning Yugen Dining (included in our guide to Melbourne’s best Japanese restaurants) and for his artistry with raw seafood.
Hence, his culinary pro wrestler name — ‘the sashimi florist’.
Address: Level 2, 33 William Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Phone: 1800 888 899
Chef(s): Alex Yu
Opened: September 2024
Price Guide: $$$$
Opening Hours: Wednesday — Sunday (5 PM — 10 PM)
Bookings: Essential
Gum Bistro
Among Brisbane’s most recently opened restaurants is Gum Bistro, a refined 40-seat venue that has taken over the former Pasta Club space, and arrives with a menu that emphasises quality produce. Opened by chef and co-owner Lachlan Matheson, you can expect starters such as duck liver parfait and Royal Miyagi oysters, before moving onto sumptuous mains such as Brisbane Valley Quail and autumn vegetable pot pie.
As you’d hope, the drinks list is just as good as the food menu with cocktails named after songs (such as Tears Don’t Care Who Cry and Losalamitoslatinpiscolovesong), and a comprehensive wine offering with bottles from around the world. If you’re hunting for a spot to celebrate a special occasion, this should be on your list.
Address: 237 Boundary St, West End QLD 4101
Phone: 0467 060 560
Chef(s): Lachlan Matheson
Opened: April 2024
Price Guide: $$
Opening Hours: Tuesday — Thursday (5 PM — 10 PM); Friday — Saturday (5 PM — 11 PM); Sunday (11:30 AM — 4 PM)
Bookings: Essential
Longwang
With a kitchen led by head chef Jason Margaritas (the co-founder alongside Michael Tassis), Longwang arrives on the Brisbane dining scene as a pan-Asian diner that aims to introduce diners to new and exciting flavours from around Asia. Situated in a space that measures just 3m wide, the restaurant spans two levels that reach 30m in length and is tastefully contemporary in its fit-out.
On the food menu, you can expect classics such as pork belly in a green mango salad and whole-fried baby barramundi, as well as plenty of house specialities such as the Longwang chicken bao and tea smoked half duck. Come for the happy hour (from 4 PM till 6 PM every day) and stay for a meal to remember.
Address: 144 Edward St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
Phone: (07) 3211 8880
Chef(s): Jason Margaritas
Opened: May 2024
Price Guide: $$
Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday (11:30 AM – 9 PM); Friday — Saturday (11:30 AM – 10 PM); Sunday (11:30 AM – 9 PM)
Bookings: Recommended
The Lex
The Lex, positioned overlooking the stunning Brisbane River, offers a sophisticated exploration of contemporary Australian dining with inspiration taken from New York-style grills. Perfectly fit for the five-star hotel in which it’s situated, the venue has quickly become a beacon for those seeking a top-notch experience, with a welcoming atmosphere that encourages you to settle in and make an evening of it.
With a chef who more than knows his stuff thanks to a stint at the three-Michelin-starred restaurant, Noma, The Lex presents a menu that offers everything from dry-aged meats to hearty classics like mac’n’cheese. From the meticulously prepared dishes to an outstanding wine list, The Lex embodies the spirit of modern dining in Brisbane and promises an experience you’ll want to enjoy again and again.
Address: 3/F, W Brisbane, 81 N Quay, Brisbane City QLD 4000
Phone: (07) 3556 8833
Chef(s): Pawel KlodowskiÂ
Opened: July 2024
Price Guide: $$$
Opening Hours: Monday — Thursday (6:30 AM — 10 AM, 5:30 PM – 9 PM); Friday (6:30 AM — 10 AM, 5:30 PM – 10 PM); Saturday (7 AM — 10:30 AM, 5:30 PM – 10 PM); Sunday (7 AM — 10:30 AM)
Bookings: Recommended
If you’ve enjoyed this round-up of the best new restaurants in Brisbane, consider checking out some of our other city-based dining guides below:
