It’s not often that a new street is created in the middle of an established suburb, but Fortitude Valley’s King Street is more than just an added thoroughfare – it’s an outright foodie destination! Sitting pretty on the edge of the entertainment precinct and the Brisbane Showgrounds, King Street connects St. Pauls Terrace and Gregory Terrace, offering a stretch of new eateries, retail spaces and residential developments. We’ve been anxiously waiting to scope out the newest dining spots, but the whole precinct itself is a marvel. King Street has maintained a strong affiliation with farmers and growers, curating a distinct paddock-to plate vibe for its retailers and adding some special touches that reflect the connection to the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association. The strip boasts several charming touches, such as planters full of herbs and vegetables, with local workers and diners encouraged to stop by to pick a few choice stems for their own kitchens. Each eatery on King Street also features its own herb planter, and makes the most out of recycled materials wherever possible.

The first cab off the rank in terms of King Street dining venues is The George Bar and Bistro and its coffee dispensary GG Espresso. Owned and operated by former Wallaby George Gregan and the Gregan Group, this new hot-spot is the younger sibling to The George Bar and Bistro and GG Espresso on Eagle Street. The King Street location has been created with a more relaxed vibe in mind, with al fresco, cafe-style dining coupled with The George’s top-notch service and flair. The menu features a selection of modern Australian eats, ranging from breakfast bites, takeaway lunch options, bar snacks and sizeable dinner dishes. Fresh ingredients are used for every meal, with menu highlights including the croque monsieur with bechamel, ham, and Dijon, the citrus-baked salmon salad and the chicken, leek and bacon pie served with chive mash. The bar stocks a concise selection of beer, wine and spirits, while GG Espresso caters to the early morning coffee crowd with Allpress Espresso’s Carmelo blend on offer in addition to muffins, cookies and other grab-and-go options.

Joining the first wave of openings on King Street is Fat Dumpling, the hugely popular dumpling operation that also operates on Brunswick Street in the centre of Fortitude Valley. This second location is slightly more spacious, with indoor and outdoor seating available. The interior is lavishly decorated, with timber panelling on the walls made from 300 year-old wood, recycled from Chinese train tracks and a central hanging installation crafted from dumpling rolling pins. As expected, Fat Dumpling features a huge range of poached, steamed and pan-fried dumplings with a few new additions including shredded chicken noodle soup, crispy chicken curry with rice and traditional fried rice. Save room for dessert, because there are a few new options here as well! Think peach spring rolls and gelato, with flavour variations including lychee, green tea and mango.

The coming months will see King Street expand its food offering further, but for more info on The George Bar and Bistro, GG Espresso and Fat Dumpling, head to the Stumble Guide.