Restaurants

25 Of The Best Restaurants In Brisbane’s CBD

By Victoria Patapan
27th Nov 2023

interior of Brisbane CBD restaurant Donna Chang

If you're chasing a post-work date night, post-shopping spree splurge, or special occasion meals, Brisbane/Meanjin's CBD offers many a mouthwatering experience for hungry patrons.

While we here at Urban List don't play favourites when it comes to 'burbs, the city centre is definitely pretty high on our 'most visited' list for dining options. With everything from fine dining to casual eateries, these are 25 of the best restaurants in the Brisbane CBD.

Donna Chang

3/171 George Street, Brisbane CBD

Trading out of a heritage-listed, neo-classical building on George Street, Donna Chang is all about the harmony between modernity and antiquity. The menu sees traditional Cantonese cuisine and Sichuan flavours executed with modern techniques, and the resultant feast makes for a fine dining experience worth writing home about. It also happens to be one of THE most stunning restaurants in Brisbane—take a group so you can be seated in one of their plush pink booths. 

Pneuma 

336 George Street, Brisbane CBD 

The Brisbane CBD’s newest restaurant comes from powerhouse hospitality duo Dan Arnold and Matt Blackwell, who have teamed up to create a pop-up restaurant ahead of something more permanent in 2024. With two such talented chefs behind it, you can expect good things from Pneuma, including, of course, a must-try chefs menu (a Dan Arnold signature). If you opt for a la carte though, the malt tart with Bay Of Fires cheddar custard is a must, as is a bottle of something special from the extensive wine list.

Boom Boom Izakaya 

49 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane CBD

a dark and moody seating area by a bar at brisbane cbd restaurant boom boom
Image credit: Boom Boom Izakaya | Facebook

Right underneath Donna Chang, Boom Boom Izakaya is a dark, sumptuous venue housed in the heritage building’s original bank vault. You can expect to find a lengthy list of Japanese-inspired bites designed to be ordered in bulk and shared with the group on offer. Think yellowfin tuna tostadas, delicate nigiri, butterflied quail yakitori, pressed pork katsu and slow roasted eggplant with fried tofu. Make sure you order something from the stellar cocktail list too.

Rothwell’s Bar & Grill

235 Edward Street, Brisbane CBD

Step into a world of luxurious surroundings and decadent food in this imposing former tailor's shop. Rothwell’s offers a timelessly designed space of cosy green leather booths, sparkling chandeliers and a massive U-shaped marble bar in the main dining area. Choose to snack on items like steak tartare with potato crisps and oysters in the bar, go for a main affair of their iconic beef wellington, or just drop in for a drink—their house martini is allegedly the best in town.

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Walter's Steakhouse

219 Alice Street, Brisbane CBD

interior of a moody restaurant in the brisbane cbd
Image credit: Walter's Steakhouse | Grace Elizabeth Smith

Walter’s Steakhouse combines sophisticated service with a New York steakhouse-style menu. Decked out with a classy and timeless fit-out that has restored Old Mineral House to its former glory, it's the closest thing to NYC steak this side of the Atlantic. The cuts are aged in house, the sides are almost as good as the steaks and the entrees include a slab of thick-cut bacon (yep, just bacon)—what more could you want in a meat temple?

Exhibition 

2/109 Edward Street, Brisbane CBD 

Hidden away in the basement level of the Metro Arts Theatre is this immersive, sensory experience from head chef and owner Tim Scott (previously of Joy). With seats for just 24 guests and a menu that changes each evening based on seasonal availability from local suppliers, Exhibition dishes up a night you won’t forget—just make sure you book well in advance. 

Phoenix

Brisbane Quarter, Brisbane CBD

A go-to for flavour-packed Chinese dining in an opulent setting, Phoenix is a gem for lunch, dinner, or weekend yum cha brunch. Start with juicy dumplings before indulging in roast duck, lobster tail or Szechuan chicken. And don't sleep on the mango pancake for dessert.

Opa Bar & Mezze

123 Eagle Street, Brisbane CBD 

opa brisbane cbd restaurants
Image credit: Opa | Facebook 

From the mouth-watering food to the dreamy interiors, Opa will have you picking your jaw up from the floor from the moment you first step foot in the venue. The arched windows, cosy white booths, and stunning river views will have you feeling like a Greek god as you wine and dine on their amazing selection of Greek delights. Indulge in pillowy pita bread and tzatziki dip, grilled octopus, fresh oysters, cheesy grilled saganaki and so much more goodness—you’ll want to order one (or five) of everything. 

Massimo 

123 Eagle Street, Brisbane CBD

Combining Italian cuisine with waterfront views and a selection of superb seafood, it’s not hard to see why Massimo is a fave Brisbane city restaurant for anyone in search of good pasta. Far from your average seaside trattoria, this spot gives traditional Italian dining a sleek modern style, served with a healthy helping of Mediterranean hospitality.

Phat Boy 

Brisbane Quarter, Brisbane CBD

Phat Boy’s cheeky attitude combined with its on-plate delights and quirky cocktails ticks all the boxes for not just dinner, but a night out. If you’re willing to get messy, their signature dish is the kung tung—a spicy seafood fry up that’s poured directly onto the table for you to dig into. As for the drinks, well, between the beer towers and cocktails like the Khao San Road, with butterfly pea infused vodka, dry martini, yuzu sake, lychee and orange bitters, you’re set. We should also mention that their sister restaurant, Phat Elephant (also in the CBD), is worth a visit too.

The Lex 

W Brisbane, 81 N Quay, Brisbane CBD 

a dining room with a view at the lex brisbane cbd
Image credit: The Lex | Facebook

This sophisticated hotel eatery is inspired by the iconic New York-style grills but has a distinctly Brisbane flavour, showcasing hyper local produce and natural cooking techniques in a terrace-style venue overlooking the Brisbane River. While the venue itself is sleek and sexy, The Lex's menu is all about familiar favourites given a playful twist—think fancy tater tots with Avruga caviar, lobster rolls, and melt-in-your-mouth steaks paired with sides of mac ‘n’ cheese and a Ceasar salad tossed right next to you at the table from a roving trolley. Make sure you leave room for dessert too—the peanut butter chocolate bombe is calling your name. 

Longtime Dining

Queens Plaza, Brisbane CBD

Nestled in the heart of the CBD, Longtime offers a sophisticated take on classic yum cha and time-honoured recipes. Sit on the balcony above the mall or pull up a seat with a group of pals at a large indoor table to fill with your selection of snacks. With over 50 dim sum items on the menu, you’ll need all the help you can get when it comes to trying everything.

Tillerman 

71 Eagle Street, Brisbane CBD

Glamorous riverside restaurant Tillerman is a relaxed, yet opulent love letter to Queensland’s spectacular produce, climate and water views from every seat in the house. What’s on the plate is just as aesthetically pleasing as the venue itself, with a menu influenced by everywhere from the Spanish coast to modern Australia. As for what to pair your meal with, the cocktail list definitely offers a few surprises, including a section dedicated entirely to very sophisticated daiquiris. 

Alba Bar & Deli

Burnett Lane, Brisbane CBD


Image credit: Alba | Instagram

While it's pitched as a low-key bar, rest assured you can dine to full satisfaction at Alba. With a Spanish focus and Brooklyn influence, start your meal with the daily croquette and a selection of imported tinned fish and accoutrements before moving on to bigger plates like meatballs, half-chicken and roasted prawns. You'd be remiss to ignore the cocktail list, too.

Madame Wu

71 Eale Street, Brisbane CBD

Asian-fusion restaurant Madame Wu boasts stunning river views and a menu that celebrates the best of Queensland produce and the best of Asian cuisine. An epic cellar, cracking cocktail list, private dining rooms, and one heck of a view of the Story Bridge make Madame Wu a no-brainer for post-work drinks and an indulgent feed.

Settimo

111 Mary Street, Brisbane CBD

A slice of the Amalfi Coast tucked away on level one of The Westin, Settimo will bring Euro summer to you. A restaurant crafted by the one and only Guy Grossi, his signature Italian dishes are a staple on the menu—scialatielli all’amalfitana, gamberoni alla mugniaia prawn, galletto al limone, and even insalata di polpo e patate. Do we know what any of that means? No. Will we happily eat all of it? Of course.

Babylon 

145 Eagle Street, Brisbane CBD

a curved booth at babylon, a brisbane cbd restaurant
Image credit: Babylon | Steven Woodburn

Before you ask, yes, Babylon is a sister venue to the Sydney restaurant with the same name, with the same focus on Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare. The Sydney location definitely doesn't have the same views of the Storey Bridge though, or the riverside bar out front. The restaurant itself is a bit of a stunner too, featuring terracotta bricks, red marble tabletops and dusty pink banquettes. You'll want to take a crew here as the menu is definitely designed for sharing—the pan-fried haloumi is a must-order. 

Persone

Brisbane Quarter, Brisbane CBD

For exquisite Mediterranean cuisine with a modern Australian twist, set your sights on the second floor of the CBD’s Brisbane Quarter. There you’ll find Persone, an Italian restaurant with panoramic views of the riverfront over to South Bank. Dine on oysters, kingfish crudo and prawn tortellini if you're into seafood, with the porchetta and one-kilogram T-bone being the other standout dishes on the menu. 

Banc Brasserie 

33 Queen Street, Brisbane CBD

Walk through the doors of the imposing old bank at the top of the Queen Street Mall and you'll find Banc Brasserie, a glam restaurant and bar thatgives of serious European bistro vibes. Perfect for a business lunch or a sophisticated dinner, start your elegant meal with duck parfait and venison tartare, before moving on to classic steak frites or the Moreton Bay bug and scallop raviolo in bisque.

Alchemy 

175 Eagle Street, Brisbane CBD 


Image credit: Alchemy | Facebook 

If your Insta feed is in dire need of some luxe dining vibes, book yourself in for a meal at Alchemy. Overlooking the Brisbane River and the Story Bridge, you’re in for some stunning shots of the city, all while indulging in an incredible meal inspired by the flavours of Italy. With a focus on wholesome, fresh and seasonal produce, you can expect meals like gnocchi alla vodka, four cheese risotto and fig tortellini cacio e pepe to grace your plate. 

Jumbo Thai

214 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane CBD

Take a long lunch and sidle on down to Jumbo Thai for some of the fanciest Thai food in the city. It’s hard enough to choose from the list of starters, but you'll want to save room for dishes like banana prawns and roasted cashews, or crispy pork belly and vegetables. If you’d prefer curry, the massaman lamb shank is a winner, and then comes the best part: dessert. Caramelised Thai egg custard pudding, chocolate-coated banana fritters, lemongrass panna cotta—the list goes on. 

Black Hide By Gambaro

Treasury Brisbane, Brisbane CBD

For a solid steak with a side of glam, Black Hide by Gambaro is your go-to. Tucked in a gorgeous heritage corner of Treasury Brisbane, the menu offers classics like oysters Kilpatrick, steak tartare and Italian meatballs and, while the main event is the steaks served with Wagyu fat roasted potatoes, there's fish, pasta and seafood options as well. Plant-based pals need not worry; there's a completely vegan menu.

The Wolf

260 Queen Street, Brisbane CBD

stunning pink interiors at the wolf, a brisbane cbd restaurant
Image credit: The Wolf | Supplied 

Combining tastes of France, Italy and Spain, The Wolf provides the European vibes you’ve been missing. But tastes aren’t the only thing being combined here. The Wolf is a delightful remix of a deli, providore, wine store, bar, and, most importantly, restaurant. Serving up dishes like braised wagyu beef cheek gnocchi with pecorino foam and flame cap mushrooms and swordfish ceviche with citrus salad and tomatillo-tigers milk sorbet in a stunning, eclectically decorated setting, you’ll feel a world away from Post Office Square outside. 

Strangers’ Restaurant

Corner Of George Street And Alice Street, Brisbane CBD

Channel your inner politician at Strangers’ Restaurant, located within Queensland Parliament House. Only opened to the public in 2019, this restaurant serves up dishes fit for a King—or the Prime Minister, we guess. Only open for lunch Wednesday to Friday, and dinner on Friday evenings, you’ll have to plan ahead to dine here, and around Parliamentary sitting days, when it’s only open to the pollies. It’s worth the trouble to see the impressive heritage dining room though, and sample one of the best value tasting menus in Brisbane, with five exquisite courses for just $105pp, which you can match with wines for $45pp. 

Blackbird

123 Eagle Street, Brisbane CBD

Like your dinner with a side of insane views? Blackbird has you covered. Perched on prime real estate overlooking the Story Bridge and winding brown snake, this classy joint serves up decadent meals cooked in their naturally fuelled wood-fired grill. A vast array of seafood options, including a whole section in their menu for iced shellfish platters, Blackbird is a fisherman’s dream—and Nemo’s nightmare.

Looking for more dinner inspiration? Head here: 

Image credit: Donna Chang | Facebook 

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