18 Of Brisbane’s Best New Restaurants And Bars Of 2025
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 fine dining spots by hospo heavyweights to intimate Korean omakase restaurants changing everything you thought you knew about food, Brisbane's best new restaurants and bars are already making a name for themselves.
Here are the best new openings of 2025 in Brisbane you need a reservation at ASAP:
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Marlowe
105 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane
Image credit: Marlowe | Jessie Prince
Transforming a heritage-listed 1938 apartment block into an elegant Australian bistro, we had no doubts Marlowe was going to be hit—you'd expect nothing less from the sibling venue of Rick Shores, Southside and Central. The menu here draws inspiration from vintage Australian cookbooks to serve up dishes that are both elevated and deeply comforting, like prawn cocktail tartlets, coral trout Wellington finished with a rich caviar butter sauce, and trifle worthy of a visit all on its own.
Layla
Cnr Montague Road & Raven St, West End
Image credit: Layla | Supplied
Acclaimed Melbourne chef Shane Delia opened his first Queensland restaurant with Layla, bringing a flavourful collision of Middle Eastern influences and local produce to the Thomas Dixon Centre. Inspired by ancient spice trails, the vibrant offering is a true feast for the senses—served in an elegant yet playful dining room that extends the creativity abundant in the home of Queensland Ballet. It’s a good thing the menu is designed to be shared, because you’ll want to try it all.
Golden Avenue
67 Edward Street, Brisbane CBD
Image credit: Golden Avenue | Jessie Prince
Golden Avenue was highly anticipated and now we can officially say it was worth the wait. Marking the first foray into the CBD from Anyday Group (Agnes, sAme sAme, hôntô, Biànca), the lush Middle Eastern restaurant is a true feast for the senses with smoky grills, towering palms and brutalist details spotlighted by concrete skylights. Across the nooks and crannies scattered throughout the multi-level venue, you'll find guests enjoying the likes of housemade breads, blistered prawns, spiced lamb shoulder and the best falafel in town.
Clarence Restaurant
51 Fish Lane, South Brisbane
Image credit: Clarence | Instagram
In a bold move, one of Brisbane's most beloved dining rooms Clarence relocated from its little corner of Woolloongabba to the sought-after Fish Lane. The result? A green-hued brasserie-inspired destination for hyper-seasonal cooking, inventive takes and their signature warm hospitality. The approachable atmosphere only helps their creative offering shine in Nashville-style rock lobster on white bread, caviar gnocchi with dashi cream, and dry aged duck with cumquat yuzu kosho. Pro tip: pre-order the apple tarte tartin for dessert.
Death & Co Brisbane
543 Coronation Drive, Toowong
Image credit: Death & Co | Supplied
One of the most influential cocktail bars on the planet opened a Brisbane outpost this year, transforming a basement cellar bar under Regatta Hotel into the place to be for boundary-pushing cocktails and their signature NYC flair. Dark, intimate and honing expert craftsmanship into every glass, Death & Co’s bar snacks are also worth a visit on their own—from blistered shishito peppers to buttermilk fried chicken skewers and their staple Uncle Wes drunken cookies.
Birria Boy Taqueria
617 Stanley Street, Woolloongabba
Image credit: Birria Boy Taqueria | Supplied
From the team behind C’est Bon came Birria Boy: a spice-filled ode to Mexico’s beloved birria tacos housed in a heritage corner of Woolloongabba. Their signature? 15-hour wagyu beef with salsa jalapeno, served with housemade yellow corn tortilla and a smoky consomme for dipping. It’s a nod to the spirit of true Mexican street food, pairing effortlessly with side dishes like roasted corn ribs or tuna belly tostada and an impressive collection of tequilas, mezcals and agave spirits.
Evra Restaurant
18A Longland Street, Newstead
Image credit: Evra | Supplied
Evra is the neighbourhood farm-to-table restaurant extending the Evra Marketplace ethos with its primitive tribute to the beauty of Australian ingredients. With a seasonal approach led by the produce growing in the restaurant's rooftop garden, the menu here embraces modern Australian cuisine with classical Italian influences—think spanner crab pasta with XO butter, crown-roasted Bresse chicken in a vibrant vin jaune sauce, and organic ice cream for dessert.
Fellini's
5 Boundary Street, Brisbane CBD
Image credit: Fellini's | Instagram
Naturally a newcomer to Howard Smith Wharves' ever-popular dining lineup is going to make front-page news—especially when we found out it was going to be Italian. Don't fret, Ciao Papi is safe; instead, Fellini's is a laid-back trattoria inspired by the authentic flavours of coastal Italy, boasting alfresco dining along the river walk. Dishing up a wide range of small plates, mains, pizza, handmade pasta, and dessert, we're personally obsessed with the paccheri al granchio with local crab bisque, chilli and garlic.
The Summit Restaurant
1/1012 Sir Samuel Griffith Dr, Mount Coot-tha
Image credit: The Summit | Supplied
A heritage-listed venue perched on the top of Mt Coot-tha got a new lease on life with a multi-million dollar revitalisation, pairing world-class dining with one of Brisbane’s most iconic views. The Summit Restaurant serves a bold and produce-driven offering designed to seamlessly complement the surrounding natural bushland. It’s modern Australian cuisine with a distinctly Queensland heart, experienced best in one of the three tasting menus at a table by a window on a day without a cloud in sight.
Wild Legs Wine Room
1/22 Wyandra Street, Newstead
Image credit: Wild Legs | Samantha Wooller
Turning the spotlight on natural, organic and biodynamic wines from around the world, Wild Legs Wine Room is the unpretentious watering hole made for laidback sips, shared plates, and expanding your palate. The Euro-style spot is named after the ‘legs’ created in a glass of wine, and the curated list on offer certainly showcases the care and expertise honed into every bottle. Plus, their cheese souffle is worth a visit all on its own.
The Fifty Six
33 Felix Street, Brisbane CBD
Image credit: The Fifty Six | Instagram
With colourful digs straight out of a Pinterest board lit by arch windows overlooking the CBD, The Fifty Six brought vibrant Cantonese cuisine to the heritage-listed Naldham House—and we couldn’t be more obsessed. Their contemporary takes on traditional dishes merge authentic flavours with locally sourced produce, resulting in crowd favourites like their sweet and sour Bangalow pork or the signature roast duck with Davidson plum sauce. Come hungry because their extensive dim sum offering means you’ll want plate after plate heading your way.
Idle
84 Merthyr Road, New Farm
Image credit: Idle | Supplied
The heartbreak of Agnes Bakery closing was very quickly remedied with the arrival of its successor Idle: an all-day bakery, market and neighbourhood kitchen with lines snaking down Merthy Road. Accepting walk-ins only, Idle is the bridge between house-baked breads, pastries, and generous breakfast dishes, as well as made-to-order savoury dishes, coal fired rotisserie chickens, handmade salads, and a curation of artisanal provisions for home.
Winnifred's
34 Arthur Street, Fortitude Valley
Image credit: Winnifred's | Supplied
Arguably the bubbliest spot in town, Winnifred's brings all things Champagne to Arthur Street, across a gorgeous bar, bistro and garden with over 360 cuvees and a rotating list of Champagnes by the glass—curated by a team whose exceptional knowledge is only matched by their passion for true hospitality. While the charming spot is worth a visit for the sips alone, the produce-driven menu is equally impressive with its contemporary twist on French classics.
Bar Monte
17 Longland Street, Newstead
Image credit: Bar Monte | Instagram
From the crew behind iconic modern Asian diner Light Years comes Bar Monte: a neighbourhood Italian restaurant with great food, genuine hospitality, and digs that are very easy on the eyes. Whether you're posted up in the laneway or getting cosy in a booth, the menu is a delight to explore from the mortadella bun with pickled green chilli and limoncello aioli to the prawn linguine with chilli, garlic and lemon pangrattato.
SUUM
119 Charlotte Street, Brisbane CBD
Image credit: SUUM | Instagram
Proving how far the Brisbane dining scene has evolved, SUUM is a 16-seat Korean omakase restaurant blending traditional and contemporary cuisine in a curated showcase of molecular gastronomy. The carefully curated chef's counter experience asks you to hand over the reins to chef and owner Andy Choi, who channels his years of Michelin experience and modern Korean expertise into a dynamic offering that changes often and will blow you away.
Stilts Dining
147E Alice Street, Brisbane CBD
Image credit: Stilts | Instagram
Upscale takes on a new meaning at Stilts, perched on top of the Kangaroo Point bridge. With epic views of the water enjoyed from an airy open setting, it’s a quintessentially Queensland experience—from the live Moreton Bay bug tank to the Story Bridge serving as your backdrop. Offering the best from land and sea, its casual sophistication makes this Queenslander-inspired restaurant a winner no matter the occasion.
Stickybeak Wine Bar
2 Logan Road, Woolloongabba
Image credit: Stickybeak | Instagram
More than a novelty, Stickybeak is Woolloongabba’s new self-pour wine bar that doubles as the perfect way to figure out what you like—drop by drop. Leaning on cutting-edge technology that allows you to try a glass (or two) without the wine losing its quality, you can sip on premium pours from an extensive collection and really understand the difference between a riesling and a savvy b. Throw in the charcuterie on the side and you have the recipe for a perfect sesh.
Chargrill Charlie's
92 Merthyr Road, New Farm
Image credit: Chargrill Charlie's | Supplied
Chargrill Charlie's—the home of award-winning chargrilled chicken, fresh salads, burgers, and rolls—officially made its Brisbane debut, quickly cementing itself as a go-to for home-style cooking and quick service that doesn't miss the spot. Slinging their famous chooks, schnitzels and BBQ drumsticks alongside rotating favourites in the salad bar and hearty finger foods, you'll often find us swinging by for the mac and cheese—it's heaven.
Looking for more dining and drinking inspiration? Head here:
Image credit: The Summit | Markus Ravik
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