These Are Brisbane’s Best New Restaurants And Bars Of 2026 So Far
Dinushka Gunasekara
Brisbane Editor | Urban List
While we can never go past the usual reasons to love Brisbane (read: sun-soaked days and strolls by the river), the restaurant scene is constantly giving us new players to have us falling for the city all over again. From swanky cocktail bars by hospo heavyweights to intimate 12-seat omakase restaurants changing everything you thought you knew about food and Australian firsts, Brisbane's best new restaurants and bars are already making a name for themselves.
Here are the best new openings of 2026 so far in Brisbane you need a reservation at ASAP:
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Bubba Gump Shrimp Co
94 Rainbow Street, Sandgate
Image credit: Bubba Gump Shrimp Co | Facebook
Australia’s first Bubba Gump Shrimp Co is an immersive multi-level ode to Forrest Gump. With ping pong tables and nostalgic memorabilia covering every nook and cranny there’s plenty to explore before you settle at your table. The playful menu exclusively serves locally sourced seafood across dishes famed around the world including the Shrimper’s Heaven plate with coconut shrimp and plenty of Cajun flavours.
Bistro Tino
164C Arthur Street, Fortitude Valley
Image credit: Bistro Tino | Supplied
The Mosconi crew’s new all-day bistro goes back to basics. Bistro Tino captures the warmth of European home-style cooking in seasonal dishes like potato and zucchini frittata with blue swimmer crab and creme fraiche and simmered pastina minestrone from midday. Swing by for your morning espresso at the breakfast bar or settle in as the vinyl speakers set the tone.
Never Enough
690 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
Image credit: Never Enough | Instagram
It’s no secret the team behind Crowbar know their way around a good time, and their charming two-level restaurant in the Valley’s heritage Apothecary Hall is no exception. Never Enough is a more elevated offering than their usual smashed burgers, with Euro-inspired snack plates and heartier mains. Naturally the music will have you sticking around for another round, with a top-notch mix of cocktails to do the trick and prime people watching of the Valley’s comings and goings from the balconies on the second floor.
San Telmo
60 Edward Street, Brisbane CBD
Image credit: San Telmo | Supplied
Argentinian steakhouse San Telmo brought the heat to Brisbane with a suave new dining room on Edward Street built around the open charcoal parrilla. Push past the imported solid timber door sourced directly from Argentina and let the warm atmosphere take over (literally, just watch the chefs at work with theatrical live-fire cooking). Besides the premium cuts, the grilled corn empanadas signature flan are a must-order.
Sancho Taqueria & Tequileria
1/240 Stafford Central, Stafford
Image credit: Sancho | Instagram
The ‘burbs vibrant new eatery is dedicated to authenticity. Sancho comes from the team behind Farmhouse and Oh Boy, Bok Choy, and is a nod to the family’s roots in New Mexico. Charred and smoked flavours hero the menu, across small plates, tacos and larger bowls, while ordering one of the seven margaritas is always the right idea.
Hotel Terminus
73 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane
Image credit: Hotel Terminus | Website
The Fox Hotel’s new era is well and truly underway as Hotel Terminus. Choose your own adventure with an all-day gastropub on the ground floor, the buzzing Fox Rooftop staking its claim on top and late-night lounge Vixen Room in the middle for live music with a cocktail in hand.
Aunty
11 Wandoo Street, Fortitude Valley
Image credit: Aunty | Supplied
Decked out in deep greens and rich timbers, Aunty is a stunner and she knows it. The sophisticated modern Asian restaurant is unassuming on arrival with its laidback bar. But behind the mirrored door lies an elegant dining room inspired by Cantonese teahouses where you’ll enjoy generous dishes that respect traditional techniques while throwing in clever twists—from the signature chilli crab to the Dan Dan ragu.
Fountainhead Winehouse
54 Doggett Street, Newstead
Image credit: Fountainhead Winehouse | Supplied
With a fitout that makes you feel like you’re settled into your most stylish friend’s living room and an approach to wine that’s delightfully without pressure, Fountainhead Winehouse has quickly cemented itself as the place to be for knock-offs and catch ups. The basement winehouse prides itself on being the ultimate matchmaker—with the right sip for every moment.
Venner
237 Boundary Street, West End
Image credit: Venner | Instagram
What do you get when the local legends behind Milquetoast and Blume put their heads together? Venner: a Ne0-Nordic restaurant with a tight and thoughtful menu testing the boundaries within a small dining room. From the set brunch menu to the seasonal dishes that come together in the careful layering of flavours, your meal at Venner often begins long before you made the reservation with preservation and fermentation a staple in their offering.
Le Royale
169 Mary Street, Brisbane CBD
Image credit: Le Royale | Supplied
Le Royale is the CBD cocktail bar made for nightcaps and visits that linger just a little longer. The latest feather in the culinary cap of Anyday Group draws you in with its moody lighting and cosy booths, but it's the live music that will make you stay—with three rotating house bands heightening the swanky atmosphere. They also serve fries late into the evening because what else do you really want with your filthy martini?
+81 Sushi Kappo
259 Montague Road, West End
Image credit: +81 Sushi Kappo | Supplied
With only 12 seats and a meticulous approach to Japanese dining, +81 Sushi Kappo is serving a dining experience to cherish for a lifetime. Take your place at the intimate chef’s counter and let the multi-course seafood-focussed omakase show you the delicate balance between seasonality, texture and form—led by Tokyo-trained chef Ikuo Kobayashi. You’ll also want to save time afterwards to relax in the adjoining whisky lounge available exclusively for Kappo guests.
Ruma Rooftop
84 Merthyr Road, New Farm
Image credit: Ruma | Supplied
It’s an undisputable fact: Brisbane loves a rooftop bar and Ruma has proven to be an excellent addition to the stable. The New Farm haven is easy on the eyes with terracotta tones and draped linens that roll in the breeze, between the dappled shadows of the palm trees. We recommend dropping by during golden hour for vibrant cocktails and considered plates influenced by island cuisines—your Instagram will thank you.
Looking for more dining and drinking inspiration? Head here:
Image credit: Aunty | Markus Ravik
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