The round-up: Brisbane’s best Chinese restaurants
When it comes to variety, flavour and crowd-pleasing potential, you would be hard-pressed to find cuisine as beloved as the Chinese variety. From sizzling hotpots, saucy vegetables and pillowy-soft dumplings to mountains of rice and deep-fried chicken feet, Chinese food has the ability to satisfy a diner’s tastebuds and curiosity simultaneously – it just depends on what vibe you’re chasing. Forget the food-court bain-marie honey chicken – we’ve done the research and searched far and wide to find the best authentic Chinese restaurants in Brisbane. So get your chopsticks ready – there’s a Chinese restaurant nearby just waiting to feed you!
Southside, South Brisbane: Nestled in the heart of Fish Lane’s Town Square hub, this gorgeous architectural restaurant specialises in dishing up East- and Southeast-Asian cuisines with foundational footing in traditional Chinese cuisine. Fast-serve, easy-to-consume bites are mixed in with more elaborate dishes, with must-try eats including lobster and chive har gow, shiitake mushroom wontons, whole quail with red-vinegar caramel, spicy wok-fried pork belly, char siu pork with rose wine honey and king prawns with pickled green chilli.
Donna Chang, Brisbane City: Guests that cross the threshold of Donna Chang’s entry will be greeted by a stately and lavish interior, full of lush textures and light pastels. But it’s the food here that will really blow minds. Donna Chang’s menu of modern-Chinese fare is acclaimed for its mix of Sichuan flavours and authentic Cantonese flair, resulting in dishes such as kung pao tiger prawns, Chinese roast duck with Davidson’s plum, braised wagyu brisket with silken tofu and char-siu sweet roasted pork neck with rockmelon and honey.
Taste Gallery, Sunnybank: A popular choice for dim-sum lovers, Sunnybank’s Taste Gallery has all bases covered when it comes to Chinese eats. The restaurant’s yum cha offering is loaded with traditional favourites and some awesome vegetarian options. Try the Shanghainese steamed mini pork bun with crab meat and the tofu and coriander salad – you won’t be disappointed.
Stanley, Brisbane City: Inspired by the lively waterfront of Hong Kong’s Stanley Bay, this two-level restaurant blends the intoxicating aromas and tastes of traditional Cantonese cooking with moody aesthetics and Brisbane’s own maritime heritage, creating a world-class dining experience that is singularly memorable. Must-try dishes include the Peking duck pancakes, honey-glazed pork char siu, Cantonese roast duck, wok-fried pipis in XO sauce and the irresistible dim sum platters.
China Sea, Milton: One of the most highly-regarded Chinese restaurants in Brisbane has a legacy stretching back 25 years. China Sea, its restauranteur Stanley Cheung and chef Philip Cheung craft a delightful dining experience, specialising in Cantonese cuisine. From its lobster with ginger and shallot and crackling roast pork to Hokkein fried rice and chilli mud crabs, if you’re dining here you’re choosing the best.
Landmark Restaurant, Sunnybank and Chermside: Anyone that visits Sunnybank regularly will tell you that Landmark Restaurant is one of the best places to eat. Period. That being said, it is also one of Brisbane’s best spots to get your fix of authentic Chinese food. The yum cha selection here is almost unparalleled – be sure to come hungry.
Longtime Yum Cha, Brisbane City: One aspect of Chinese cuisine we adore is yum cha – the ingenious pairing of tea and dim sum. Though it’s traditionally a brunch meal, we’re partial to some yum cha for lunch and dinner, too. Longtime at Queens Plaza specialises in yum cha, offering a procession of dishes including baskets of shu mai, pork xao long bao, phoenix claws in black-bean sauce segue, molten salted egg-custard buns and baked barbecue pork buns. Beyond yum cha, Longtime also serves larger plates of jumbo tiger prawns served on a bed of squid-ink noodles, 18-hour slow-cooked pork belly, live seafood (including lobster served in two courses and coral trout) and typhoon shelter-inspired dishes (think Moreton Bay bugs, calamari and soft-shell crab served Hong Kong style).
Brisbane Phoenix, Brisbane City: A familiar name for any Sydney-based yum-cha lovers, Phoenix brought its brand of Chinese hospitality north in 2019, opening at Brisbane Quarter. Phoenix’s yum cha menu has a phenomenal array of steamed and fried morsels, including fresh crab-meat xiao long bao, king prawn and bamboo shoot dumplings and steamed pork ribs in mild chilli sauce. Larger plates include whole Peking duck, lobster tail with garlic butter, pan-fried wagyu beef in roasted-sesame sauce, jumbo king prawns in chilli bean sauce, and five spices beef shank.
Emily Yeoh Restaurant, Paddington: Born from the MasterChef alumni of the same name, Emily Yeoh Restaurant is paying homage to the chef’s culinary beginnings, bringing her Malaysian, Chinese and Cantonese roots to the fore and cross-pollinating them with elements of other Asian cuisines. Must-try dishes include the signature boneless duck and lychee red curry, Emily’s mother’s secret Hainanese chicken recipe, Malaysian-style fragrant beef-brisket curry and home-style char xiu fried rice.
Sun Sun, Aspley: The crew at this northside institution has been serving locals traditional Chinese dishes for more than 25 years. If its lengthy tenure isn’t enough to pique your interest, then have a closer look at the menu – snake beans with minced pork, duck in sweet-and-sour sauce, king prawns in black-bean sauce, Peking pork ribs and much, much more.
Happy Boy, Fortitude Valley: Happy Boy offers up regional-style Chinese food in a pared-back-yet-refined setting. The eatery sets the benchmark with dishes such as crispy bao sliders, fish slice drowned in Sichuan chilli broth and flash-fried lamb in Sichuan spiced oil. Happy Boy also boasts a neighbouring wine bar and eatery called Snack Man, which serves bite-sized Chinese eats including flame-grilled chicken skewers, open-top prawn dumplings, honey-glazed chicken buns, and more.
Little Hong Kong BBQ, Sunnybank: This Sunnybank spot is indeed little, with patrons cramming into the small space nightly to get a taste of the authentic barbecue on offer. Crispy pork belly, roast duck, barbecue pork and other meaty morsels are piled high, with a large range of other dishes available to fill the gaps.
Kingsfood, Sunnybank: This southside powerhouse is a go-to for many Market Square regulars, and it’s easy to see why! Kingsfood specialises in Taiwanese flavours, with recommended dishes including beef brisket hot-pot, crispy shredded beef in sweet-chilli sauce, mixed roast platters, roast duck noodle soup and a colourful range of milk and pearl teas.
LUCHA Kitchen + Bar, Brisbane City: LUCHA takes inspiration from several exciting trends growing in popularity in China and brings them to Brisbane diners. The offering here varies from from grab-and-go takeaway bubble teas and tea-infused cocktails to modern Chinese dishes that use various teas as a key ingredient – think roast chicken with tea leaf-infused dipping sauces, stewed tofu with jasmine tea, fried king prawns with black tea, and wok-fried beef with oyster and tea sauce. The restaurant’s Albert Lane sibling LÜCHA Black Bar and Dining ups the ante with its all-occasion offering of modern Chinese fare, including tea-flavoured roast chicken, braised pork belly with pu’er tea sauce and jasmine-tea-smoked wagyu beef.
The Little Cube, Sunnybank: Another Sunnybank spot that you must visit is The Little Cube, which specialises in spicy Sichuan-inspired cuisine. Quick service and great value can be found here, as well as a range of tasty dishes such as braised chicken pieces with mushroom, pork belly cooked in spicy bean past, garlic and tender leeks and deep-fried ice-cream for dessert.
Billy’s Pine and Bamboo Chinese Restaurant, Cannon Hill: A beloved Cannon Hill staple, Billy’s is the kind of wholesome neighbourhood restaurant that you can’t help but pick time and time again. Consistent quality and service is key, and by all reports Billy’s had both in spades. The menu is extensive, offering everything from five-space crispy duck to crab meat and sweetcorn soup – a must-try option for fans of authentic Chinese fare.
Yum Yum Duck, Stones Corner: Specialising in Chinese cuisine with some small Vietnamese twists, Yum Yum Duck plates up a fantastic array of dishes that are perfect for sharing amongst groups. As the name indicated, Peking duck is a specialty, with dishes such as whole roasted ducks, crispy duck skin on pancakes, duck-meat san choi bao and roasted duck banh mis are just a portion of what’s available.
Ben’s Chinese and Vietnamese Restaurant, Woolloongabba: Another hybrid location offers some great lively atmosphere and inexpensive but tasty fare. Dishes such as grilled marinated pork chops, Peking steak, flame pork ribs special sauce, BYO and karaoke? Sign us up!
King Tea, Paddington: After starting its life as a Spanish-inspired tapas joint, King Tea’s transition to a pan-Asian eatery has been a true stroke of genius. King Tea’s menu features a range of Asian-inspired bites designed to be eaten easily and often, ranging from Chinese pickles and cumin lamb ribs to kingfish yusheng, Chongqing chicken, crispy duck leg, broccoli lamb and coconut and lime rice pudding.
Golden Lane, Sunnybank: This 500-seater mainstay of Sunnybank’s vibrant food scene is one of the best spots in town to dine on scrumptious yum cha (including traditional Shanghai mini pork buns and beef ribs in black-bean sauce), but that’s not all. Golden Lane’s menu features congee, clay-pit rice dishes and aromatic noodle-based meals.
Fat Dumpling, Fortitude Valley and Bowen Hills: Some of the most authentic Chinese dumplings in Brisbane can be found at Fat Dumpling. Both the Fortitude Valley and Bowen Hills locations serve up plates of poached, steamed and pan-fried dumplings with a range of other meals including shredded chicken noodle soup, crispy chicken curry with rice and traditional fried rice.
Fat Noodle, Brisbane City: Luke Nguyen’s acclaimed Chinese and Vietnamese noodle bar is a great place to warm up over a bowl of broth. If slurping soup isn’t your thing, try Fat Noodle’s Hainan chicken, stir fry spicy beef, sizzling calamari plate or the duck and prawn fried rice.
Super Bowl, Fortitude Valley: Fortitude Valley revellers love kicking off their night with a sizeable feast at Super Bowl – its location and cost-effective dishes make it the ideal destination for dinner before you hit the town on an evening out. BYO is available, and if it’s your birthday expect the staff to make a bit of a fuss – ice-cream topped with sparklers and a birthday song bringing all the attention to your table.
Madame Wu, Brisbane City: Situated at Riparian Plaza, Madame Wu is a swanky 200-seater that boasts a menu of cuisine from China, Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan and Japan. Settle in for some light fare including wagyu dumplings and stir-fried mushrooms before tucking in to beef cheeks braised in rock sugar and soy, broken rice noodle with pork mince and dak bal sauce or go all in on a banquet.
Little Red Dumpling, various locations: Little Red Dumpling is a vibrant home for delicious dumplings, which has long been a symbol for happiness in Chinese culture. Pan-fried pork dumplings, pork chives, vegetarian and chicken and prawn dumplings are available in spades, plus a range of noodle and rice dishes and Chinese tea. Little Red Dumplings boasts locations in Sunnybank Hills, West End, New Market, and Victoria Point.
Enjoy Inn, Fortitude Valley and Hamilton: Whether you are wandering around Fortitude Valley or Hamilton, you have a great Chinese spot close at hand with Enjoy Inn. A beloved mainstay in the Chinese cuisine scene of Brisbane, here you can feast on baskets of dumplings and pork buns to your heart’s content or sample some of the other choice dishes on the menu.
Honourable mentions: There are almost too many excellent Chinese restaurants to list, but some worthy of a shout out include Golden Barbecue in Fortitude Valley, Uncle Wang in Petrie Terrace, Treasure Inn in Graceville, Bamboo Basket in South Bank and Hamilton, Aspley Oriental Restaurant in Aspley, and Sunnybank restaurants Zen Corner, Sunsun Delicious Chinese Restaurant, Fortune Well, Zhang Liang Malatang and Parkland Restaurant.
Know of a place you think we’ve missed? Send your Chinese restaurant recommendations to [email protected] and we’ll make sure to check it out!
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