The crew behind iconic modern Asian diner Light Years are finally bringing their laidback touch to Brisbane with Bar Monte—a neighbourhood Italian restaurant that will soon call the buzzing Newstead home.
Featuring the same warm hospitality and community spirit as the OG Bar Monte in Miami, co-owners Kim Stephen, James Sutherland and Lorenzo Toscani are taking it up a notch for Brisbane, literally. The Newstead venue will be bigger and bolder than its sibling, with a larger dining space, an expanded menu, and plenty of reasons why you should add the spot to your regular rotation.
Favourites from the Miami menu will be making the move up north, like Bar Monte’s signature house-made focaccia with hot honey butter and the mortadella bun with pickled green chilli and limoncello aioli. Of course, it wouldn’t be an Italian joint without top-notch pasta, so you can expect plenty to stick your fork into like the mezze maniche with pork sausage, Tuscan kale, chilli and pecorino. There’ll also be larger plates including pan-fried market fish with Jerusalem artichoke, white anchovy, and parsley salsa or the dry-aged bistecca with porcini rub, onion and marrow.
As for drinks, Bar Monte’s unique offering also doubles as a chance to squeeze in your five-a-day. “We’ve noticed a real shift towards savoury-driven cocktails, and the Caprese Martini is our playful nod to that trend,” said Stephen. “Inspired by the classic Italian salad, it layers tomato, basil, and a touch of mozzarella in a way that feels fresh, balanced, and unexpected. The Celerita—our celery juice margarita—takes that same idea further. It’s light, green, and refreshing, almost like a garden in a glass.”
Prefer grapes? Bar Monte Newstead’s thoughtful wine program is curated by sommelier Andrea Martinisi, with the 100-bottle list championing both Italian and Australian makers, as well as classic and new producers.
Bar Monte will undoubtedly fit right in with the Newstead crowd, as Studio Plenty’s Will Rathgeber has created a space that’s easy on the eyes. “Relishing the same convivial social energy as her Miami sister, our latest Bar Monte in Newstead brings greater depth and intimacy to Italian dining,” he said. “Where Miami is based on a neighbourhood concept—relaxed, light, cosy, a local regular—Newstead is slightly less innocent; set in a Brisbane laneway where you feel an urge to linger deep into the evening.”
“To us, Newstead was the obvious choice,” said Stephen. “It’s a neighbourhood that’s buzzing with a mix of trendy locals, professionals, and visitors who are looking for great food and genuine hospitality. The area has become one of Brisbane’s most exciting pockets, with a community that really appreciates good design, thoughtful menus, and restaurants with personality. We felt that Bar Monte’s blend of warm Italian hospitality would feel right at home here.”
Bar Monte is set to open early September.
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Image credit: Bar Monte | Supplied