Brisbane's Best New Restaurants That You Need to Try

Nothing thrills us more than a brand-new restaurant, cafe or bar opening and this year, Brisbane is chock-full of them! From supper club-inspired venues to Middle Eastern fare with a twist, there are plenty of foodie adventures to be had at the best new restaurants in Brisbane.

So, gather the gang and get cracking on this list!

Short Grain

Fortitude Valley welcomes a brand new restaurant to its ranks on Marshall Street with the arrival of Short Grain. Brought to you by the co-owner and Executive Chef behind award-winning and twice-hatted Sydney counterparts Longrain Sydney and Longrain Melbourne, Martin Boetz.

Now, Boetz has returned to his hometown to open a warm and inviting space in a heritage-listed building that once housed an Asian food store in the nineties. Take a seat at the wooden tables or along the banquette as you order places from the fragrant and exotic Thai menu to devour with your dear friends.

15 Marshall Street, Fortitude Valley

Pneuma

Sadly we said farewell to Greenglass, one of the CBD’s favoured French restaurants, but this sadness was short-lived, thanks to the arrival of Pneuma. Operating as a pop-up, until the time comes for renovations, this discreet dining destination plates up elegant dishes of smoked eel cream, heirloom beetroot, Saku tuna and roasted monkfish tail. If decision fatigue gets the better of you, opt for the short (or extended!) chef’s menu.

336 George Street, Brisbane City

Dapl

Dapl is Brisbane City’s newest modern Australian restaurant, showcasing the creative flavours of our native flora and fauna. Opening its doors in 2024 alongside the enormous, thirty million dollar refurbishment of The Amora Hotel, the diversity of Australian cuisine is showcased through over 30 native ingredients, sourced locally and seasonally. Opt to dine a la carte, or indulge in an immaculately presented three-course set menu with paired wines from their award-winning list.

200 Creek Street, Brisbane

Como Restaurant

Drawing inspiration from beloved regions throughout Italy, Como Restaurant envelops diners in the laid-back, yet refined essence of Lake Como. When you step into this new restaurant in Brisbane, you’ll instantly feel comfortable and relaxed, in the intimate booth seating or perched at the bar. Mood lighting sets the tone for a cosy date night or a catch-up with your closest confidantes. The menu offers delicate bites to share, wood-fired pizza, and pasta plates that will linger in your mind long after you leave. With meals inspired by family recipes and humble traditions, you’ll enjoy food with heart and soul when dining at Como.

119 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane

Longwang

From the foodies that never stop, comes another Tassis Group venue that we’ve been waiting for with bated breath. Tucked away down a formerly disused alleyway, Longwang is a purpose-built, modern Asian restaurant with a rooftop bar, cocktail lounge, formal dining space and flexible dining spaces.

Partnering with Chef Jason Margaritis (of sAme sAme, Donna Chang and Melbourne’s Spice Temple),  the menu blends Chinese and modern Asian cuisine to celebrate the best parts of banquet-style dining. And if you’re wondering where the name stems from, “Longwang” has roots in Chinese mythology, paying homage to a Dragon King who commanded the seas. Stay tuned for the opening, early 2024.

144 Edward Street, Brisbane

Cucina Regina

A brand new Italian dining destination fit for royalty has been unveiled as part of The Star Brisbane’s grand plan for 2024! Inspired by sister venues Cucina Vivo on the Gold Coast and Cucina Porto in Sydney, this gorgeous new restaurant will soon become your favourite new luxe, inner-city haunt. Serving up simple, honest Italian fare with old-world charm, this venue is bound to transport your tastebuds to Italy with antipasto, woodfire pizza and handmade pasta. The incredible views won’t go astray, either.

Opening 2024

The Terrace, Level 4, 33 William Street, Brisbane City

Fatcow

Carnivores rejoice, because it won’t be long before Fatcow reopens its doors in a brand new location. Finding itself in excellent company on the delightful James Street precinct, this steak restaurant favourite from Michael Tassis’ repertoire will be welcomed back with open arms after closing its doors 18 months ago, to make way for the redevelopment of Eagle Street Pier. Taking this opportunity to perform a little glow-up, Fatcow intends to return with a fresh new look and a brand new offering, to elevate their experience and delight new and returning diners alike.

10 James Street, Fortitude Valley

Chalong

The Thai word Chalong means to celebrate, and we’re certainly in a celebratory mood when it comes to this new restaurant in Brisbane! Opening their doors to Chapel Hill locals in February 2024, Chalong dishes up Southeast Asian delights inspired by traditional street food eats that you don’t find in many of the Thai restaurants around town. Chef Garfield, born and raised in Southern Thailand, is a perfectionist when it comes to crafting that perfect flavour, labouring over curry pastes and cocktail syrups from scratch to ensure a tastebud sensation that is utterly unique to this restaurant.

Sitchu Tip: The Chalong signature cocktail is hard to beat, made with Chalong cane spirit, pineapple and yuzu. For a mouthwatering dish to satiate any appetite, the Yaowaraj noodle is impossible to beat.

1/620 Moggill Road, Chapel Hill

Bosco

Inspired by the coastal and olive oil regions of France, Italy & Spain, comes a restaurant inspired by everyone’s favourite carb… bread. Bosco is a new project from the Bar Alto team, housed in their long-term baker’s bakery and warehouse. This 80-seater establishment dishes meats and fish cooked over an open flame, alongside delicate entrees and share plates, complemented by a European-leaning wine list. Wines served by the glass are changed up daily, just take a peep at the blackboard to see where your palate will be adventuring next.

8 Austin Street, Newstead

Ithaka

We have three magic little words for you… waterfront Greek restaurant. We’re betting your interest is piqued, and rightly so! Influenced by the sun-soaked shores culinary heritage of the Ionian Islands in Greece, Ithaka is one of the best new restaurants in Brisbane to try this summer! Occupying the space in South Brisbane that was once home to Aquitaine, this waterfront dining destination is the perfect venue to book for group dinners, date nights or a sunshine-filled lunch with friends. From the menu, expect a marriage of traditional and contemporary plates and preparation, with classic meals like spanakopita, smoky eggplant dip melitzanosalata and local prawns with chilli, garlic, ouzo and lemon.

River Quay, 2 Sidon Street, South Brisbane

(Image credit: Markus Ravik)

Establishment 203

An exciting new Italian steak restaurant has been unveiled in Fortitude Valley! Establishment 203 is a sophisticated new venue that will deliver an elevated, international standard of dining to the Brisbane scene. With none other than the absolute connoisseur of beef, Chef Ben O’Donoghue at the helm, expect exemplary steak offerings, Italian pasta pairings and trademark cocktails. Ben draws on his love of Italian cuisine, European travels and time spent at London’s famous River Cafe to craft the absolute best steak dining experience in the country. Using traditional techniques with modern equipment, the kitchen houses Queensland’s first Michelin-quality MKN induction cooking suite, alongside live wood-fired Mibrasa cooking stations to ensure incredible flavour with every bite. Establishment 203 opens mid-November, and you can pre-book now to ensure you’re one of the first to experience this incredible new restaurant in Brisbane.

6 Marshall Street, Fortitude Valley

Zazu Dining

East meets West at West End’s newest addition: Zazu Dining. The menu here spans Pan Asian and modern European plates, and one dish that is a Brisbane icon. Australia’s only Iron Chef, Gillian Hurst, has brought her famous sand crab lasagne to this brand-new restaurant in Brisbane. You’ll also find bao buns, pizza, yakitori and gyoza on the menu, and that’s all before you hit the mains. We’re predicting this will be your new regular when you’re booking for a group because there’s something for everyone at Zazu!

49 Mollison Street, West End

Rich & Rare

West Village has welcomed yet another exciting addition to its varied line-up of culinary offerings… and this one’s for the carnivores! Rich & Rare has entered the chat to offer premium fare without any pretentiousness. This Manhattan-inspired, 150-seat restaurant offers up a menu of fifteen different steaks, sourced from Australia and Japan, each boasting a unique flavour profile. But if you’re not craving a steak, you can dine on briny fresh oysters (opened on order), lobster or line-caught kingfish. The beverage menu brings its own bevy of delights, with whiskey, wine and spirits to choose from to wind down after a long week.

West Village Garden Pavilion, 97 Boundary Street, West End

Bar Gusto

Craving some authentic Italian? Bar Gusto is one of the best new restaurants to hit the Brisbane scene, in Bowen Hills to be specific. Blending la dolce vita with the Aussie spirit, Bar Gusto fosters a warm and welcoming ambience buzzing with laughter, conversation and the clinking of cutlery as Brisbanites tuck into hearty plates of pizza, pasta and salad. There’s a special place in our hearts (and stomachs) for the Gusto Grazing Board, an antipasto platter that is just perfect for a long lunch, dining al fresco with a wine in hand.

601 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills

TAMA

The GPO has had a full-blown glow up and we are here for it! As well as introducing two new bars, the venue has also introduced an elegant new restaurant called TAMA. Combining the culinary expertise of Richard Ousby and Alan Hunter, TAMA plates up elevated, simple dishes using the finest local ingredients procured from the state’s heavy hitters on the produce scene; namely the Scenic Rim, Granite Belt, Darling Downs and North Queensland. The menu is innovative and playful and you’ll be delighted to discover the smoky undertones imparted by the Spanish Josper oven, specially imported for the space.

740 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley

Carmen

The latest dining destination to hit James Street, Carmen Tequileria is a haven of fresh Mexican eats, sparkling zero-waste cocktails, artisanal mezcal and imminent good times. The 80-seater restaurant opened in mid-July and is already turning heads, where traditional aesthetics have been elevated to create a captivating and contemporary dining experience. The kitchen is dedicated to exploring ways to up-cycle and reduce waste at every possible point and the flavour-packed menu doesn't disappoint. Grab your bestie and book in for an afternoon of share plates at this gorgeous new restaurant in Brisbane.

70 James Street, Fortitude Valley

IPPIN Japanese Dining

The restaurant on everyone’s lips lately is IPPIN, one of the best new restaurants in Brisbane. This elevated dining destination can be found on bustling Boundary Street in West End. Showcasing the best of Japanese cuisine, the menu is packed with yakitori grill specialty dishes featuring wagyu beef or chicken. For the seafood lover, the recommendation has to be their signature toothfish or tempura cuttlefish. For the foodie who’s tried it all, we recommend the lobster popcorn for a flavour sensation. Make the most of your relaxing and romantic night out at IPPIN by ordering a cocktail from their creative menu of signature cocktails, mocktails or Japanese whiskies.

Tenancy 2, 97 Boundary Street, West End

Keen to explore even more of Brisbane? We're constantly updating our event calendar with all the good stuff. If it's more incredible venues you're after don't miss our edit of the most Instagrammable venues and the best secret bars in Brisbane.

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