Pre-flight feeds get elevated at new eatery and bar The Lord Lamington
You’ve triple checked you’ve packed the essentials, you’ve delivered your luggage to the bag drop and you’ve made it through the security stop – now you’ve got nothing but time to kill before your flight. Typically now would be the time to nab a simple cheese toastie and a grab-and-go coffee before heading to the gate, but last week Brisbane Airport welcomed a new eatery that could very well be the go-to destination for pre-flight relaxation. The Lord Lamington is looking to break the stereotypes surrounding airport dining with its brand-new restaurant, cafe and bar hybrid located in the heart of Brisbane Airport’s domestic terminal. Offering a menu of eats made from the best produce Queensland has to offer, The Lord Lamington is already making an incredible impression on travellers visiting from out of town and locals alike.
The story
Brisbane’s Airport Retail Group has been feeding travellers for close to 11 years, slowly expanding its portfolio to include venues across Brisbane Airport’s international and domestic terminals. Retail opportunities at the airport are highly prized, so when Brisbane Airport Corporation began accepting tenders for a vacant high-traffic spot situated near Jetstar’s domestic gates, George Drivas and the Airport Retail Group pulled out all the stops to craft a winning concept. The Lord Lamington is a multi-faceted venue that celebrates Queensland and its incredible abundance of world-class produce. Named and inspired by Lord Charles Lamington – a former Governor of Queensland and alleged namesake of the lamington cake – the newly open venue aims to deliver a wide-reaching menu of eats that blends Queensland’s best while shooting for a standard that sits above what is commonly expected from airport eateries.
The space
The Lord Lamington’s circular venue is the largest stand-alone food venue across both domestic and international terminals (totalling 185 seats and a 427 sqm footprint). George and his team looked to harness the space in a way that would cater to travellers throughout the morning, afternoon and evening, but also provide different vibes to suit an array of personalities. Brisbane design firm Collectivus and construction crew Unita were recruited to craft a visual style and interior fit-out that melded The Lord Lamington’s historical inspirations and functional needs. The end result boasts a split between English pub-style aesthetics and quintessential Queensland-style cafe dining, with ample nooks for relaxing, revelry and everything in between. A tribute to The Lord Lamington’s love of locality has also been incorporated via an understated Story Bridge-inspired facade circling the exterior, and the lord’s stately silhouette features prominently across the design.
The food and drink
Produce utilised at The Lord Lamington is drawn from a radius that stretches from the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast and further inland, with fruit, vegetables and protein sourced from top-flight producers such as Schulte’s Farm in Stanthorpe and Noosa’s Voodoo Bacon. The menu itself runs from breakfast through to dinner, and once again mixes English pub classics with modern-Australian winners. If you’ve got an early flight, fuel up with a specialty coffee and bubble and squeak, English fry-ups, mushroom omelettes and yoghurt and granola bowls. As the day progresses, the menu expands to offer all-day options such as Moreton Bay bug rolls, pulled lamb sausage rolls, glazed pork-belly bites, Cape York fish and chips, chicken parmigiana, smoky Longreach lamb salads and more. The Lord Lamington is making good use of its name by also offering gourmet lamingtons. In addition to two classic options, those with a serious sweet tooth can indulge in Nutella baklava and red-velvet lamingtons. Should you want to take the edge off to calm pre-flight jitters, the bar serves up a decadent liquid lamington cocktail as well as craft beer from Ballistic Beer Co, Burleigh Brewing, 4 Pines and Stone & Wood, plus a concise list of Australian wines.
The Lord Lamington is now open. Seek out more details in the Stumble Guide.
The Stumble Guide is our comprehensive Brisbane dining guide with more than 2400 places to eat, drink, shop and play.
