Brisbane Square has been long overdue for a shake-up. As a major inner-city hub location for students and professionals, the precinct has been yearning for a greater selection of lunchtime and evening eateries. The four new venues that are opening their doors this week offer casual dining, post work drinks and grab-and-go grub.

The Communal Bar & Eat House is a gastro-pub styled venue that seats a hefty 200 patrons on long shared tables. The kitchen, headed by Ben Limpus, specialises in share plates, burgers, woodfired pizzas and meals cooked on the flame grill. The bar stocks 24 beers, 20 cocktails and eight cocktail jugs plus all the other tipples one could want. Communal Bar & Eat House emphasises the shared nature of eating and drinking, promoting mealtime as a social occasion.

Brisbane Square’s second new venue celebrates the city around it. Café Brisbane is located on the corner of George and Queen Streets, with decor that incorporates greens, browns and yellows, copper light fixtures and open street frontage. Paying homage to Brisbane and its surrounds, Café Brisbane’s menu includes produce sourced from around the state. The restaurant will regularly showcase seasonal specials that communicate thematic elements from Brisbane’s culture.

The culinary minds behind The Cutting Board on George Street have claimed one of the new venue spots at Brisbane Square. Meat & Eat is an eat-in and takeaway joint offering healthy breakfast and lunch items, such as sandwiches, burgers, salads, coffee and juices. As its name suggests, Meat & Eat dishes up a great selection of fare fit for a carnivore, including generous servings of slow-cooked meats.

Last but certainly not least is Chow Down, an eatery adorned with street art that celebrates the fusion style of Asian street food. Tuan Nyugen commands the kitchen, which puts forth copious amounts of dumplings, sashimi and the signature XO crab fried rice. Chow Down serves six tap beers and a tidy list of wine and sake.