Lara Allegra Lange has worked in a number of kitchens throughout her extensive hospitality journey. From five-star hotels in Dubai to overseeing a German coffee-shop chain as executive chef, the culinary talent has ticked a lot of boxes in her career so far. But it was not until very recently did Lara start a venture of her own – one that drew inspiration from her upbringing in Bavaria.

The Bavarian Sizzle story traces its beginnings back to 2022, when Lara launched Allegra’s Artisan Cakes – a dark-kitchen concept that earned a cult following thanks to its range of sweets. Over time, Lara began to add a few savoury items to the menu, including some German staples like bratwurst, which immediately started to sell like hotcakes.

“It was kind of an instant success,” Lara recalls. “It picked up so well because there’s not really much around like that – and it’s the perfect comfort food, yet not that unhealthy.”

After operating the dark kitchen for more than a year, Lara started casting her eye towards securing a bricks-and-mortar space from which to house her burgeoning concept. She found it in Coorparoo in the cafe space previously home to Ninebar + Kitchen on Old Cleveland Road. Enamoured with the light and bright aesthetic (crafted by interior designers Peddle + Potter), Lara jumped at the chance to take it over, leaving the main dining space as is while refitting the kitchen with a new char grill, freezers, fryers, an orange juicer and a kegerator. Once installed, Lara was ready to open the doors to her new restaurant, Bavarian Sizzle.

“First of all, quality is king,” says Lara. “That’s playing a major role here at Bavarian Sizzle, starting with the cakes – we only use real butter. And then with the savoury cuisine, we use the same approach. We fry in tallow, which makes the flavour much more supreme.”

The fun starts at breakfast, with Lara’s signature handmade pretzels the bona fide star of Bavarian Sizzle’s morning offering. These buttery beauties are available on their own, or as part of a pretzel sandwich stuffed with the likes of pastrami, smoked salmon and cream cheese, or ham and cheese. From there, brunch hunters can opt for German-style waffles that come with your choice of mixed-berry compote, cheese and bacon, or cinnamon apple. Those with an appetite to conquer should look to the German breakfast platter – brotzeit (or ‘bread-time’) – a Bavarian-style ploughman’s board piled high with sliced meats, cheeses and obatzda (a form of cheese spread), served with an accompanying bread basket.

Later in the day, Bavarian Sizzle’s lunch and dinner menu comes online. If you thought the portion sizes were big before, you haven’t seen anything yet. Guests can chomp on an assortment of classics, including leberkäse (a form of Bavarian meatloaf), char-grilled bratwurst, bockwurst and currywurst, as well as plate-sized, double-crumb schnitzels (which can be upgraded to a parmy, if desired), burgers and sides. Lara is also showcasing her famous sweets, with Bavarian Sizzle’s cake cabinet filled with slices, walnut brownies, apple strudel and the quintessential Bavarian favourite, Black Forest cake.

On the drinks front, Lara has gone to great lengths to source a range of German beers and wines to match the fare. You’ll spy a Bayreuther lager alongside Maisel Weisse’s Original, Dark, and non-alcoholic beers. The wine list features a number of German varietals, plus there’s also hazelnut and pear schnapps, and apple cider on offer. Not a drinker? No problem – try the Apfelschorle, a refreshing non-alcoholic apple spritzer. Coffee has been supplied by Coast Coffee Roasters.

Bavarian Sizzle is now open to the public. For operating hours, contact details and online ordering services, head to the Stumble Guide.