Hugging the water’s edge in the centre of Westfield Garden City’s recently redeveloped Town Square, it is hard to believe you are in suburban Upper Mount Gravatt when you step inside The Palms Mediterranean Bar and Grill. The breezy restaurant is the latest venture from Alchemy Restaurant + Bar’s Angelica and Brad Jolly, together with head chef Josh Wilby and general manager Sam Petersen. Set amongst the palm trees by the precinct’s centrepiece, a fountained water feature, it’s easy to think you’ve been transported out of the shopping centre and into a tropical oasis.

As the name suggests, The Palms serves up Mediterranean-inspired nosh, focusing on relaxed shared dining. Ease into the morning with pastries and coffee during the week, or tuck in to a wholesome cooked breakfast from Friday through to Sunday. Come lunch and dinner, sample such delights as manchego and jamon croquetas, spiced prawns or braised beef short rib with burnt onion and orange puree. Josh has invested in an impressive Josper grill straight from Spain, and you can choose from whole fish of the day, Black Angus beef or slow-cooked lamb shoulder cooked over its Australian hardwood charcoal.

You can end your tropical getaway on a sweet note, with roasted spiced pineapple with pina colada ice-cream, or panna cotta with puffed popcorn and caramel sauce, or simply take a seat by the water and continue on into the evening with a Mediterranean-style cocktail from the bar.

Joining The Palms in the open-air resort-style precinct is the second incarnation of Moubment Group’s Hatch & Co., Chocolateria San Churro, Kin Sei Japanese Restaurant, plus a host of other venues still to come.

For contact information and trading hours, check out our Stumble Guide.