Food Collective touches down at Brisbane Airport’s Domestic Terminal
It’s been a banner year for Brisbane Airport’s dining scene, especially at the Domestic Terminal! Following hot on the heels of the arrival of The Lord Lamington, Brisbane Airport Corporation has linked up with seasoned food and beverage operator SSP Group to open and operate Food Collective down at the terminal’s northern end. This food hall-style dining hub is a first-of-its-kind operation in Australia, with five styles of cuisine represented for travellers seeking some variety in their pre-flight fuel-up.
The story
With operations spanning 33 countries, SSP Group is entirely qualified to hold the title of food travel experts. Known for operating countless culinary outlets across some of the world’s biggest airports, SSP Group works to elevate airport fare across quick-service and sit-down dining concepts. Earlier this year, it was announced that SSP Group had signed on to bring an Australian-first food hub to Brisbane Airport’s Domestic Terminal – signing a seven-year deal to operate the newly open Food Collective at the terminal’s northern end (towards the Qantas lounge precinct). Inspired by bustling hawker-style street-food markets, Food Collective is a multi-cuisine operation that boasts five different and enticing fast-casual kiosks. While most conventional food courts will house multiple operators, Food Collective’s offering is technically one retailer – a culinary caucus that serves up fresh and satisfying fare with a singular approach to quality. Food Collective’s arrival also marks an aesthetic overhaul for the entire northern dining hub, with changes implemented to improve travellers experience while they wait for their boarding call.
The space
Over the past couple of months, hoarding has hidden extensive refurbishment works to the northern Cafe Court. The resulting overhaul has upped the ante in terms of comfort, starting with new skylights overhead that filter in more natural light and a sizeable light fixture that shifts hue and radiance throughout the day and night, maintaining a consistent ambience. The Cafe Court’s main dining space now boasts blonde timber furnishings with orange leather banquettes and couch spaces for relaxed reclining, while travellers seeking some solitude can snag a spot in a new nook shaded by hanging bougainvilleas. Food Collective’s space itself features low and high-table seating, with power and USB outlets installed at every table. It’s the kiosks themselves that will draw much attention – vendors vie for your patronage with strong visual identities that reflect each brand’s personality and menu. Guests are spoiled for choice, but thankfully there’s no wrong answer as far as Food Collective’s array of eats and drinks is concerned.
The food and drink
When it came to Food Collective’s selection of cuisines, SSP Group sought to offer a mix of local names and established concepts to headline its debut line-up. Five foodie brands call Food Collective home, including local burger-bar concept Ze Pickle, New York-inspired sandwich and bagel dispensary Upper West Side Deli, sushi, sashimi and Japanese culinary concept YO! Sushi, noodle-soup hotspot Nippon Ramen, and Mexican eatery Mi Casa Burritos. Food Collective opens before the first flight departs every day and closes after the last flight leaves, so each kiosk is equipped to handle breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Ze Pickle crew has created a few new menu items for its Food Collective outpost, including a selection of breakfast burgers (The Morning Glory boasts a sage and sausage patty piled with an American-cheese omelette, crispy hash brown and maple-smoked bacon) and loaded tots. Over at YO! Sushi, folks can snack on freshly made rolls or opt for heartier plates like katsu curry or a fresh poke bowl. Nippon Ramen is Brisbane Airport’s first ramen outlet, and noodle fiends will be stoked to know that the menu offers four kinds to slurp (classic tonkotsu, spicy beef, spicy pork and vegetarian), as well as several kinds of bento box featuring chicken teriyaki, karaage chicken and chasu don. Fans of classic bagels with a schmear can get a taste of the Big Apple’s deli fare at Upper West Side Deli – a huge range of bagels and sandwiches can be topped with your preferred filling, from cream cheese and salmon to a bacon-loaded breakfast bagel. Finally, Mi Casa Burritos has got you covered when it comes to Mexican eats – think nachos, tacos, guac and, of course, burritos! Those looking to take the edge off pre-flight jitters can sip on mainstream and craft beers as well as wines, too. Each of Food Collective’s vendors can be accessed via self-order kiosks, adding an extra express element if you don’t have time to wait in line. Although not included as part of Food Collective’s array of eats, the greater food court area also boasts Vietnamese eats at Roll’d, acai bowls from Seeds By Bruno Loubet and cocktails and caffeine at Coffee Royal, while a forthcoming Greek concept will soon add tasty yiros to the mix.
Food Collective is now open at Brisbane’s Domestic Terminal. For opening hours, click over to the Stumble Guide.
The Stumble Guide is our comprehensive Brisbane dining guide with more than 2400 places to eat, drink, shop and play.