Restaurants
First look – James Street icon Cru Bar & Cellar has been revitalised with an eye-popping upgrade
Food & Drink

First look – James Street icon Cru Bar & Cellar has been revitalised with an eye-popping upgrade

18 Jul 2024

After a significant refurbishment, long-running James Street institution Cru Bar & Cellar is back and is better than ever. The cherished wine bar, restaurant and bottle shop softly reopened earlier this month, showing off a luxurious new look alongside a retooled menu and a bolstered cellar list weighing in at more than 2000 bottles. Though modernised and elevated, Cru Bar & Cellar's makeover maintains the service-centric spirit that has made the iconic venue a fixture of the scene for more than 20 years. Take a peek inside ... more

Restaurants
The Independent, Brisbane Airport's new elevated eatery and bar, launches with an offering shaped by Luke Mangan
Food & Drink

The Independent, Brisbane Airport’s new elevated eatery and bar, launches with an offering shaped by Luke Mangan

11 Jul 2024

Brisbane's hottest new dining destination isn't located in The City or Fortitude Valley – it can be found right near the Virgin terminals at Brisbane Domestic Airport. The Independent is a brand-new nosh spot where travellers departing from or visiting our fine city can enjoy fare from a rotating roster of some of Australia's finest chefs. The venue's first chef in residence is none other than Luke Mangan, who is putting his acclaimed talents towards a menu showcasing Queensland's finest produce. Got a flight coming up? Head to the airport a little bit earlier for seafood towers, Mooloolaba prawn rolls and tuna sashimi tacos. more

Restaurants
Mark your calendars – The Star Brisbane at Queen's Wharf has set its official opening date
Food & Drink

Mark your calendars – The Star Brisbane at Queen’s Wharf has set its official opening date

04 Jul 2024

After months of anticipation, we now finally have the official word on when Destination Brisbane Consortium's Queen's Wharf precinct will open to the public. On Thursday August 29, The Star Brisbane will cut the ribbon on its new hotel, casino and a number of dining concepts. At the same time, 7.4-ha of public space will also be unveiled. Here's what you can expect ... more

Restaurants
Brisbane City welcomes Bar Miette, Andrew McConnell’s new European-inspired terrace bar
Food & Drink

Brisbane City welcomes Bar Miette, Andrew McConnell’s new European-inspired terrace bar

27 Jun 2024

Gimlet. Supernormal. Cumulus Inc. Cutler & Co. Marion. These are some of Australia’s most lauded venues, all with two key things in common – their founders, Andrew McConnell and Jo McGann. The duo has made their mark in Melbourne with their dynamic and varied array of venues and now, luckily for us, they have set their sights on Brisbane. Their first venue, Bar Miette, is an entirely new concept for Andrew and Jo, and we were treated to a special preview ahead of its official opening. more

Restaurants
Ach Wine Bar | Brisbane's biggest food openings of the year (so far)
Food & Drink

The round-up: Brisbane’s biggest food openings of the year (so far)

27 Jun 2024

And just like that, we're in the second half of 2024. Yep, the first six months of the year were a blur, but that was to be expected with the cracking pace of new openings we were covering every week. Before we commence our sprint onwards, we'd like to catch our breath and reflect on the good things the first half of 2024 has brought us, including striking French-inspired wine bar and bistro hybrids, cosy cafes serving Korean-style eats, cornetto-slinging Italian bakeries, fetching fire-powered restaurants and Instagram-conquering cafes. Here's what we loved, in alphabetical order. more

Restaurants
South Bank heats up with the arrival of Calida, a new Argentinian-inspired steakhouse from Alemré Hospitality Group
Food & Drink

South Bank heats up with the arrival of Calida, a new Argentinian-inspired steakhouse from Alemré Hospitality Group

20 Jun 2024

On Wednesday June 19, the crew at Alemré Hospitality Group lit the coals at its brand-new concept – an Argentinian-inspired restaurant harnessing the power of fire. At Calida, guests can sit down to plates of hand-sealed empanadas, spicy chorizo, grilled octopus and succulent steaks, best enjoyed with a glass of malbec, spicy margaritas or a Fernet con coca. more

Restaurants
Lulu Ramen | Brisbane's best ramen | The Weekend Edition
Food & Drink

The round-up: Brisbane’s best ramen spots to beat the winter chill

20 Jun 2024

Once the mercury starts to drop, our craving for bone-warming broths and chewy noodles spikes. Forget all about your five-pack of instant noodles – Brisbane's ramen scene is jam-packed with a bunch of phenomenal options. ⁠We’ve compiled a list of the best spots to get your slurp on, which we reckon is worth a hearty (r)amen! Read on to see which places made the cut!⁠ more

Restaurants
Pavement Whispers: Little Provence, a neighbourhood French bistro serving home-style fare, is opening next week in Eatons Hill
Food & Drink

Pavement Whispers: Little Provence, a neighbourhood French bistro serving home-style fare, is opening next week in Eatons Hill

06 Jun 2024

The co-owner of one of Brisbane's finest French restaurants is bringing a taste of home-style French fare to the outer fringes of Brisbane. Next week, Romain Maunier, co-owner of La Cache à Vín in Spring Hill, will unveil Little Provence in Eatons Hill – an approachable bistro serving the likes of cheese souffle, beef bourguignon and Provence-style lamb shanks, with a clutch of phenomenal French wines also on the cards. Here's what we know ... more

Restaurants
Pavement Whispers: Azteca, a new Latin American-inspired concept from the Soko Rooftop team, is opening at Queen's Wharf
Food & Drink

Pavement Whispers: Azteca, a new Latin American-inspired concept from the Soko Rooftop team, is opening at Queen’s Wharf

06 Jun 2024

The grand opening of Queen's Wharf is set to be a landmark event for Brisbane as a whole, but its dining scene is shaping up to be the biggest beneficiary. Several home-grown hospitality groups will be opening new venues inside the world-class precinct, including Potentia Solutions Leisure, the brains behind glamorous venues like Soko Rooftop, Lina Rooftop and Carmen Tequileria. In August the team will cut the ribbon on its most ambitious project to date – Azteca, an intricately designed venue that will serve Latin American eats with an Asian twist. Here's what we know ... more

Restaurants
Cuisines collide at Mr Duncans, The Valley's new multi-kitchen dining destination
Food & Drink

Cuisines collide at Mr Duncans, The Valley’s new multi-kitchen dining destination

30 May 2024

Following the hugely successful debut of its brunch-slinging sibling Buttery Boy, the team behind Mr Duncans has finally pulled back the curtain on its long-awaiting multi-kitchen dining hub. Serving everything from wok-tossed Singapore chilli crab and market-fresh sashimi to potato pizzas with miso brown butter, cheeseburger gyozas and fire-licked steaks, Mr Duncans is a treat for folks with globe-trotting taste buds. more

Restaurants
Uncle Don has brought its bougie rice bowls to South City Square
Food & Drink

Uncle Don has brought its bougie rice bowls to South City Square

30 May 2024

Earlier this month, Woolloongabba was the welcome recipient of a brand-new outpost from Uncle Don. The popular Japanese-inspired eatery has brought its menu of drool-worthy donburi to South City Square, opening a sleek 100-seater site where guests can devour katsu pork sandos, teritaki-glazed wagyu dons and plates of sashimi. Come and have a look around ... more

Restaurants
Paddington welcomes Ma Chim, a new Thai-inspired eatery and bar serving snacks, salads and sizzling specialties
Food & Drink

Paddington welcomes Ma Chim, a new Thai-inspired eatery and bar serving snacks, salads and sizzling specialties

23 May 2024

Rosalie Village continues to evolve into one of the best precincts to dine in Brisbane's west. Joining the ranks of the neighbourhoods cadre of eateries is Ma Chim, a Thai-inspired chow house and micro bar from a pair of kitchen-savvy siblings. Offering everything from Esan-style sausages and Peking duck baos to wagyu Thai boat noodles and tom yum hot pots, Ma Chim's menu is well worth exploring. more

Restaurants
Tassis Group's luxe steakhouse Fatcow unveils its sleek new James Street location
Food & Drink

Tassis Group’s luxe steakhouse Fatcow unveils its sleek new James Street location

16 May 2024

If you've noticed the aroma of woodsmoke floating down James Street recently, you probably caught a whiff of Fatcow on James St – the brand-new steakhouse and seafood restaurant from Tassis Group. The super-busy restaurant crew has brought Fatcow back to life in luxe digs on James Street's northern end, pulling back the curtains on a sleek monochromatic space and debuting a spruced-up menu filled with live seafood and sublime steaks sourced from Australia's best producers. Part rebirth, part sophisticated glow-up, Fatcow on James St is now primed and ready to gun for a spot amongst Brisbane's best protein palaces. Take a look inside ... more

Restaurants
Longwang, Tassis Group's new one-of-a-kind venue, has turned an inner-city laneway into a hub of pan-Asian eats
Food & Drink

Longwang, Tassis Group’s new one-of-a-kind venue, has turned an inner-city laneway into a hub of pan-Asian eats

09 May 2024

One of Brisbane's busiest hospitality groups has kicked off a big week with the opening of Longwang, a one-of-a-kind pan-Asian restaurant located in the heart of The City. This custom-built, split-level venue – constructed in a super-slender laneway off Edward Street – has a big-name chef at the helm, who is pumping out a host of flavour-packed dishes like lamb-shoulder massaman curry, stir-fried bug-tail meat 'kung pao' and seared scallops with strange flavour sauce and macadamia. Take a peek inside ... more

Restaurants
Waterfront stunner Riva Kitchen & Events is Hamilton's new brunch-slinging hidden gem
Food & Drink

Waterfront stunner Riva Kitchen & Events is Hamilton’s new brunch-slinging hidden gem

09 May 2024

Looking for a new brunch spot to try this weekend? Hop on the ferry and take it all the way to Northshore Hamilton – that's where you'll find Riva Kitchen & Events. The riverside dining spot and functions hub has just been given a sensational overhaul, with a brand-new look and a killer menu to match. Visit in the morning for pork and fennel sausages with roasted vine tomatoes and fried free-range eggs, or come back in the arvo for chicken schnitzels and char-grilled ribeyes. Either way, with near-unbeatable river views, Riva is definitely a spot you'll want to try. more

Restaurants
ēmmē, James Street's new fire-powered knockout, is celebrating the beauty of imperfection
Food & Drink

ēmmē, James Street’s new fire-powered knockout, is celebrating the beauty of imperfection

01 May 2024

Looking around ēmmē's gorgeous interior, it's easy to make the assumption that James Street's fiery newcomer is another glitzy addition to the strip. But settle in at a table and stay a while and you'll discover that the restaurant, helmed by a rising culinary talent, isn't an intimidating fine-diner – it's an approachable, dressed-down dining option that's humble at heart. Armed with an all-day menu of woodfired fare and a world-roaming wine list, ēmmē (pronounced 'em') is shaping up to not only be one of 2024's best-looking newcomers, but also one of its most welcoming. Here's why ... more

Restaurants
Obsession, risk and heritage – a deep dive into the history of Gerard's, one of Brisbane's feel-good food stories
Food & Drink

Obsession, risk and heritage – a deep dive into the history of Gerard’s, one of Brisbane’s feel-good food stories

24 Apr 2024

Few restaurants run long enough to earn the label of ‘culinary institution’, but Gerard’s – the acclaimed Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant located on James Street – well and truly deserves the designation. But it wasn’t always a sure thing. Ask Gerard’s founders Elie and Johnny Moubarak, and they’ll tell you that opening Gerard’s back in 2012 came with a lot of risk. We sat down with the restaurateur siblings to unravel the Gerard’s story, from Elie and Johnny’s early days as cocktail-shaking young guns, the addiction to hospitality that drove them to take big swings, and the influences that shaped Gerard’s into the pioneering powerhouse it’s regarded as today. more