Brisbane/Meanjin is well known for its top-notch foodie scene, with new restaurants, cafes and impressive menus constantly popping up across the city. It’s almost impossible to keep up to date on it all.
To make it easier, we’ve introduced The Feed, your best place for finding Brisbane’s latest updates in the world of food and drink every Thursday. Hope you're hungry, because here’s all the news you might have missed over the past week or two.
Lune Has Brought Back Some Of Their Greatest Hits For January
2025 is already off to a good start with Lune bringing back a few of their greatest hits to kick off the year. It's greatest hits time at Lune. Six of their most popular pastries as voted by fans have been inducted into the Hall Of Fame Class of 2024, and will be on the menu for all of January only. The lineup includes the savory Everything Croissant, filled with chive cream cheese and topped with everything bagel seasoning, and the indulgent Birthday Cake Croissant, packed with “birthday cake” frangipane, vanilla buttercream, and sprinkles. Sweet tooths can dive into the Banoffee Pie Danish or the Tiramisu Pastry, while fans of tart flavors will love the Yuzu Cheesecake Cruffin and don’t miss the nostalgic Choc Chip Cookie Croissant, a twice-baked treat topped with cookie chunks and whipped dulcey ganache. Grab them until the end of the month at all Lune locations.
Messina Is Dropping A Loved Up Limited Edition Gelato Tub Just In Time For Valentine’s Day
Image credit: Gelato Messina | Supplied
It’s been a while since we had news of one of Gelato Messina’s epic gelato tubs to share, but with Valentine’s Day on the way, the dessert legends have just dropped their latest creation, and this one’s a doozy. Featuring decadent layers of salted caramel gelato with dark choc chips, baked cheesecake chunks, passionfruit curd, crème brûlée mousse and caramel swirls, The Love Tub comes topped with a red chocolate shell adorned in love hearts (of course). Who even needs a date when going solo means you could have this bad boy all to yourself? Pre-orders open on 28 January, get all the details on how to order here.
Jocelyn's Provisions Is Serving Up Fairy Bread Lamingtons For The Next Two Weekends
.jpg)
Image credit: Jocelyn's Provisions | Instagram
There's only one bakery treat we like better than lamingtons, and that's Jocelyn's Provisions fairy bread lamingtons, made with vanilla tea cake, white chocolate ganache and lashings of 100s & 1000s. For all the fellow fans out there, we're in luck, because the bakery is bringing them back for the next two weekends only. From 16-19 and 24-27 January you can find them in all stores, Fortitude Valley, Camp Hill and Albion, but you better get in early because these bad boys always sell out.
Rogue Bistro Is Bringing Back Their Brunch Menu For One Weekend Only
Image credit: Rogue Bistro | Instagram
Long-time fans of Newstead's Rogue Bistro will know that once upon a time, they used to be as well known for their weekend breakfasts as they are for their incredible degustations. While their savoury waffles and peanut butter chip pancakes now only usually live on in our memories, once or twice a year they like to bring back the OG brunch menu for takeaway—and they’re doing so next weekend. Available on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 January only, you can pre-order four of their most loved brunch dishes, those pancakes and waffles we mentioned plus a BBQ pork belly omelette with mushrooms and crackling and avocado salsa and truffle verde on toasted baguette. Limited numbers are available, so scope out the menu and get your orders in here quick.
Cartel Del Taco Is Opening A Second Location In New Farm Soon
Image credit: Cartel Del Taco | Instagram
Renowned for dishing up tacos so good you have to book a table well in advance to dine on them, Hawthrone's Cartel Del Taco is kicking off the year with some massive news—they're opening a second location on the other side of the river soon. Landing on the corner of Brunswick Street and Methyr Road in New Farm, the new venue is still under construction, but there's no missing the massive Cartel Del Taco sign announcing their forthcoming arrival. The team are keeping all the details under wraps for now, but stay tuned for when we know more and can tell you what to expect inside...
Viral Japanese Omurice Chef Kichi Kichi Is Returning To Brisbane In 2025
Yes it’s true—viral Japanese omurice chef and all round icon Kichi Kichi is gracing Brisbane with his presence for a third time, so if you missed out the last two times he was here, you’ve got another chance to be entertained by his antics. Popping up at Harajuku Gyoza in South Bank for three days in March 2025, the hilariously over-the-top chef will be whipping up guests his famous omurice dish of fried rice topped with an oozy omelette. And yes, of course there’ll be a rendition of the Happy Omurice song. Tickets are $150pp which includes a Kichi Kichi prepared omurice, a few of Harajuku Gyoza’s signature dishes, dessert and a welcome drink with multiple sessions available from Sunday 23 to Tuesday 25 March. They will sell out, so make sure you grab yours here asap.
A Luxe Korean Steakhouse Is Opening At Portside Wharf Early Next Year
Image credit: Lowry Group | Facebook
2024 was a big year for Hamilton’s Portside Wharf, with a slew of new openings hitting the waterside precinct, including Dumbo, The Ballpark and Mademoiselle. They’re not slowing down just yet though, with still more fresh venues set to land in the new year, one of which will be Marble Korean Steakhouse. With the fitout currently underway by Lowry Group, the Clui Design designed spot will be as luxe as they come, with a dark and moody interior that boasts multiple dining areas and bars. That’s all we know for now, but stay tuned for now, and for an official opening date early next year.
A Multi-Level Izakaya-Style Karaoke Bar Is Opening In The Valley
Start warming up your vocal chords, because a vibrant, multi-level Japanese bar is opening in the Valley next year, and it comes from one of Sydney’s biggest hospitality groups. Solotel, who are also behind Riverbar & Kitchen here in Brisbane, is the team behind Goros, Surrey Hills’ iconic izakaya cross nightclub—and next year, they’re bringing it to us. Spread across multiple levels with room for up to 500 patrons, the Brissie spin-off will feature crazy karaoke rooms and a menu of Japanese spirits, sake shots and cocktails, as well as izakaya-style eats. Doors will be opening sometime in early 2025, so stay tuned.
A Wine Bar Where You Can Pour Your Own Wine Is Opening In Woolloongabba
Image credit: Stickybeak | Supplied
With venue wine lists growing ever more complex (and lengthy), choosing which drop you want to sip is getting harder and harder. No longer is it just champagne, sav blancs and malbecs—now you’ve got oranges, pet nats, chilled reds, qewurztraminers and wines you’ve probably never even heard of. While sommeliers are doing the lord’s work in advising us on what to order, sometimes you just want to try a few and see what you like—which is exactly what Woolloongabba’s new bar will be all about.
Brisbane’s second self-serve wine bar, Stickybeak, will feature cutting-edge wine dispensing technology where you can pour a 25ml, 75ml or 150ml pour of some seriously fine vinos without breaking the bank. If you like one, you can go back for a bigger pour—or just keep sampling your way through the 80 wines on offer over two levels, alongside a food menu of snacks and accompaniments and craft beers for the non-wine drinkers. Stickybeak opens in early December, stay tuned for an official date.
This Riverside Bar Is Dishing Up Gin Soft Serve And Christmas-Themed Cocktails
In order to keep spirits high throughout the festive season, Riverbar & Kitchen is giving their riverside venue a tinsel-heavy makeover from 30 November, complete with a line up of Bombay Sapphire Christmas cocktails to sip your way through. Personally though, we’ll be heading right in for their Merry Meringue Soft Serve—a frozen treat crafted with Bombay Sapphire, limoncello, passionfruit and meringue, so it’s basically gin ice cream. You can enjoy it alongside a menu of on-theme bites like gin-cured salmon bruschetta with creme fraiche, capers and dill right up until 24 December, get all the details here.
Melbourne’s Shane Delia Is Opening A Brisbane Restaurant Inside The Thomas Dixon Centre
Image credit: Shane Delia | Supplied
If you haven’t heard of Shane Delia, you will soon. The Melbourne-based chef and restauranteur is behind some of the city’s most loved venues, with Maha, Maha North, Maha East and Jayda all under his belt at Delia Group—and in the first half of next year, he’s bringing his passion for bold flavours, rich spices and diverse culinary traditions to Brisbane. The group’s very first venture north, the new restaurant will be located inside the Thomas Dixon Centre, West End’s state-of-the-art performance centre. Currently home to Queensland Ballet, the centre is set to become a vibrant cultural destination blending events and dining across nine different events and activation spaces, with Delia’s restaurant just one delicious element. More details are coming soon, but for now Delia has said, "I'm excited to be launching a restaurant in Brisbane. It's long been a desire of mine to open a venue in this city - what is continually proving to be a vibrant new culinary destination in Australia." Stay tuned.
Nodo Is Baking Up Giant Neapolitan Donut Cakes For November
We’ve got to be honest, if we were given a choice between getting a cake for our birthday or a dozen Nodo donuts, we’d choose Nodo every time—but this month, we don’t have to. The gluten-free donut specialists have just dropped a giant version of their Neapolitan celebration donut in honour of their 10th birthday—a massive, cake-sized edition that feeds 10-12 people and would be a showstopper at any shindig. If you aren’t intimately acquainted with the donut it was inspired by, this indulgent treat features a classic strawberry donut drizzled in milk chocolate and topped with creamy Neapolitan Swiss meringue buttercream. And yes, of course it’s gluten-free. You will need to pre-order this bad boy though, which you can do here.
Gelato Messina Just Dropped Their Monster Annual Christmas Trifle For This Year
Image credit: Gelato Messina | Supplied
Tell mum not to make a Christmas pudding this year, because Gelato Messina just dropped the details for their 2024 Christmas Coma and it one monster of a dessert. If you don’t salivate over this treat every year when it drops, it’s basically Messina’s take on a Christmas trifle—and like everything they do, it’s taken to the next level. This year, they’ve layered strawberry marsala jelly, lemon curd, strawberry gel, strawberry roulade, cream cheese chantilly, lemon custard gelato, strawberry sorbet and vanilla meringue. Phew. Now this thing is hefty, and is designed to serve 20-30, though you’re always welcome to give it a crack with less, and comes with a litre of Messina brandy custard for good measure. They’ll be going on sale here on 12 November, for pick up just before Christmas, so set your calendar alert and lay out your most festive stretchy pants.
Tamborine Cheese Is Opening An Artisanal Deli On Brisbane’s North Side
No trip to Tamborine is complete with a visit to Tamborine Cheese, whether it’s to get a morning snack or pick up a bag full of cheesy goodies to take home. If you find yourself craving their creamy wedges between road trips though, you’re in luck, because the cheese makers are coming to Brisbane, opening an artisanal deli at Portside Wharf. Offering up more than 40 varieties of locally crafted cheese as well as cured meats and customisable cheese boards, the deli will feature seating inside and out with room for up to 50 people, and serve up a selection of wines and cocktails to compliment those cheese boards. It's set to open in early 2025, and you’ll catch us there scoffing brie when it does, so stay tuned.
Lune’s November Drop Is Here With Twice-Baked Pain Au Chocolat S’mores And Sticky Peacan Pies
Image credit: Lune | Pete Dillon
Boy, is it a bad day to be a Lune croissant. This month, the famed croissantarie is giving us number after number—but let’s start with the s’mores. The foundation of this rendition is a pain au chocolat (twice baked, no less) before it’s loaded with marie biscuit frangipane, dark chocolate, and marshmallow, before it’s topped with melted chocolate, torched vanilla meringue, and biscuit crumb.
You can also secure a tiramisu-made-croissiant, and a pecan pie with sticky maple syrup, pecan frangipane, and a decent dollop of maple bourbon cream. The token cruffin gets extra bonus points for nostalgia because it’s inspired from an Aussie primary school classic, and the savoury number is the OG margarita pizza. Bonus, there's a secret Brisbane-only menu time this month, a mango ginger Danish. Get one or all before they leave the menu at the end of November.
Gelato Messina Has Just Dropped Their Annual Chocolate Advent Calendar
You know Messina for their gelato goodness, but did you also know they make some seriously good chocolate? And every year you can get them in an uber fancy advent calendar—which this year is dropping on Monday 28 October. Filled with 25 different handcrafted chocolates, the calendar will have you working your way through treats like cone crunch, messinatella, gingerbread and Gaytime crumble, all decadently coated in rich milk, dark or white chocolate. 1 December can’t come soon enough—find out how to pre-order them here.
You Can Now Get Messina Tubs And Cakes At Your Local Woollies
Image credit: Gelato Messina | Instagram
Your Gelato Messina addiction just got a whole lot easier to feed. The gelato legends have dropped the huge news that you can now get their tubs and cakes in your local Woolies—cue everyone clearing out the freezer in readiness. Available at select Woolworths stores Australia-wide will be a range of six gelato tub flavours of Pistachio Praline, Robert Brownie Jr., Super Vanilla, Dulce de Leche, Hazelnut Praline and Tiramisu, as well three different semi-freddo cakes—Iced Coco Bavarian, Choc Malt Bavarian and Tiramisu. The full range will be available at about 300 stores, while everywhere else will just get Pistachio Praline and Super Vanilla, so here’s hoping you’re in one of the chosen ‘burbs. We defo recommend checking online for stock first, because the Messina fandom is real, and we reckon they’re going to be on the shelves for all of a hot minute. However we’re promised the supermarket range is permanent, so keep checking until you can get your hands on them—may the odds be ever in your flavour.
East Brisbane’s Iconic Lord Stanley Hotel Is Undergoing A $15 Million Refurbishment
At over 130 years old, East Brisbane’s Lord Stanley Hotel sure has seen a lot of pints—and it’s going to see a lot more in the future, with a massive refurbishment currently underway of the historic pub. The $15 million transformation will restore it to its former glory, restoring heritage elements of the original building while also adding some slick new features. In the plans are a new restaurant and bar expansion (with a fresh new menu of course), an enclosed and air conditioned play area, an outdoor beer garden, a sports bar and a first floor function space, deck and bar with views over to the Gabba. Basically, you won’t recognise the place. Hakfoort Group, who also own a slew of other pubs across the state, are aiming for an early 2025 opening, and you can follow along for updates on the build here.
The Team Behind Sandstone Point Hotel Have Just Dropped Their Jaw-Dropping Plans For Dakabin Hotel
Image credit: Dakabin hotel | Supplied
Moreton Bay residents, you are in for a treat next year. Comiskey Group, the team behind iconic pubs and hotels like Bribie’s Sandstone Point Hotel, Noosa’s The Doonan and Eumundi’s The Imperial Hotel, have just dropped a sneak peek at their plans for Dakabin Hotel and our mouths are open. Set to open in early 2025, the landmark pub will feature a restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining and a huge statement fireplace surrounded by sunken lounges, a sports room, a kids room and more, all of it so stunningly designed we might be willing to take a road trip north. Stay tuned for more details or follow along for updates here.
Beefy’s Has Finally Returned To Brisbane, Bringing Their Iconic Pies Back To Cannon Hill
When Beefy’s closed their Cannon Hill store in 2021, their only location in the inner city, Brisbane’s pie lovers were understandably devastated—with the next nearest store in Mango Hill, getting a Beefy’s fix was suddenly a whole lot harder. Well, as of today, that changes, with Cannon Hill once again home to the iconic (and award-winning) Sunshine Coast pie brand. Returning to its original location at 1233 Wynnum Road, the reborn store will dish up their signature range of pies, sausage rolls, sweets and coffee, including a range of gluten-free items, and their ever-popular pie toppers (mashed potato is a must). Even better on Friday 25 October you can head along for ‘buy one get one free’ steak pies—see you there.
Pawpaw Is Serving Up Their Iconic Massaman Curry For Just $20 All October Long
Image credit: Pawpaw | Supplied
If you asked us to name our favourite dish in Brisbane, it would have to be Pawpaw’s massaman beef cheek curry. Rich massaman sauce, melt-in-your-mouth beef cheek and pillowy potato? It’s no wonder it has been on the menu since almost the day they opened over 14 years ago. And whether you’ve yet to try it or it’s a staple on your dining out menu, here’s a little incentive to dig in—to celebrate Pawpaw being named the Best Thai in Brisbane at the recent Restaurant and Catering Awards, they’re dishing up the incredible curry for just $20, all October long. To score the deal, all you need to do is dine in at either the OG Pawpaw Cafe in Woolloongabba, Papaw Asian Kitchen in Balmoral or sister venue Mons Thai in Camp Hill, chuck ‘em a Google review and show your review at the till. See you there, we’ll be the ones licking the bowl clean.
After 70 Years, Iconic Brisbane Seafood Restaurant Gambaro Is Closing Its Doors
We know saying it’s the end of an era is cliche, but for the closure of Caxton Street’s Gambaro Seafood Restaurant, the phrase rings true. After opening as a humble fish and chips shop back in 1953 and eventually becoming one of Brisbane’s best-known (and loved) restaurants, the family-run destination has announced that it is closing its doors, with 31 October to be their last day of trade. Of course, with four other Gambaro venues dotted around Brisbane and the Gold Coast, including the recently opened Black Hide Steak & Seafood at Queen’s Wharf, it’s not really goodbye, and Black Hide Steakhouse on Caxton Street will also soon be adding seafood to their offering so Paddington locals can still get their fix. However if you hold fond memories of the OG, make sure you book in before the end of the month for a hit of nostalgia.
Plans For A Massive Refurbishment Of The Victory Hotel Have Been Submitted To Council
Image credit: The Victory | Bureau Proberts
Let’s be honest, we’ve all had a drunken night at The Vic, but it’s probably not at the top of your list for a post-work drink these days. That could all be about to change, however, with the iconic city pub set to undergo a multi-million redevelopment according to the new development plans just submitted to the council. If approved, the ageing hotel will get a whole new look inside and out, with four distinct new areas, including a rooftop bar, a sports bar and beer garen, a steak restaurant and a basement speakeasy. Frankly, it looks like somewhere we want to hang out after work—and maybe even on the weekends. Of course, it’s still in the application stage so it will be a while before we see the final result, but Precision Group, who are behind the redevelopment, are hoping to kick things off in 2025, so stay tuned.
The Zoo Is Reopening As Crowbar, Brisbane’s Iconic Alternative, Punk And Heavy Music Bar
Huge news for Brisbane’s live music fans (so, everyone?)—one of Brisbane’s most beloved live music joints is returning to the city, and they’re doing it by reviving another. Crowbar, whose closure back in 2020 was a blow to the city’s alternative, punk and heavy music scene, is taking over The Zoo, the beloved music institution which closed earlier this year. Basically, the Valley is healing, and we love to see it. Trad Nathan, co-owner of Crowbar together with Tyla Dombroski, said “The Zoo has been an institution in Brisbane for over three decades, Crowbar intends to honour the amazing path laid before us and continue offering great events for years to come.” As well as a space for live music, Crowbar’s new digs will be home to Ultimate Pig, an American-inspired kitchen dishing up smash burgers, BBQ, fried chicken and more. While we don’t have an exact opening date yet, we are told it will be before the end of the year so stay tuned.
Birdees Is Set To Be Your New Favourite Bar Again After A $7 Million Refurb
There's few bars in Brisbane as iconic as Birdees—even if you can't remember a single night you spent there (that was after all, the Birdees appeal). Well, the Valley nightlife spot is gearing up to be a favourite of the nightlife scene once again with a $7 million refurb currently underway. Reopening at the end of the year with a whole new lease on life, the new Birdees will feature a redesigned beer garden with a new pool and an open kitchen serving up gastro-pub style meals from day to night, while inside on level one you'll find plush curved booths wrapped in red curtains. Basically, it will be nothing like the Birdees that you don't remember—stay tuned for more details when we have them.
The Gold Coast’s Paddock Bakery Has Come To Brisbane
Image credit: Paddock Bakery | Instagram
A stop at Burleigh’s Paddock Bakery for one of their famed creme brulee doughnuts, cookies, croissants or cakes is essential to any Gold Coast road trip—but it's no longer necessary. With Justin Lane, another Burleigh icon, having opened in Brisbane (read all about that here), they’ve decided to team up and come along for the ride, taking over Justin’s Takeaway Shop on Alfred Street in the Valley every Monday to Friday from 6am to 3pm. While there isn’t quite enough bench space for Paddock Bakery’s entire offering, they’ll be bringing a varied selection along each week, which will include plenty of fan favourites. Even better, they’ve designed a sandwich and toastie menu just for us, with a Southern fried chicken sandwich, French onion and gruyere cheese toastie, and a veggie wrap on the line up alongside their famous Reuben and smoked salmon bagel.
Suttons Beach In Redcliffe Is Getting A Stunning New Pavilion With Three Hospitality Spaces
Image credit: lahznimmo architects | Instagram
Anyone who grew up or still resides in Redcliffe will be familiar with the Suttons Beach Pavilion, an iconic art deco bathing pavilion on the waterfront which recently had to be demolished due to structural issues. If so, you’ll be pleased to know that the space it left behind won’t be empty for long, with a new pavilion design just announced for the seaside precinct. Created by lahznimmo architects with Plummer & Smith, the new ‘pavilion’ will be sleek and modern, but take a few queues from the original building and also the surrounding native flora, and feature plenty of public spaces across two levels, including a deck. Best of all, there’ll be three different hospitality spaces involved, and while we’ll definitely have to wait a while to find out what they’ll be (construction won’t start until mid-2025), we’re pretty confident there’ll be fish and chips involved. You can read up on the entire project here.
Harajuku Gyoza Is Doing Sumo-Sized Sushi Tacos
Image Credit: Harajuku Gyoza | Supplied
Love sushi and tacos? Well at Harajuku Gyoza you can now combine your two loves thanks to their mega-loaded new sushi tacos. Hitting the menu once again for a limited time, the huge handfuls come in six finger-licking flavours: crispy chicken karaage, salmon, panko prawns, teriyaki chicken, vegetarian and beef tataki, with fillings wrapped in house-made crispy nori and rice paper taco-like shells. They sound like the ideal lunch to us, but you can also get them for dinner at Harajuku's CBD and South Bank locations.
Donna Chang Is Now Doing Takeaway So You Can Dig Into Their Signature Dishes At Home
Image credit: Donna Chang | Supplied
If you love eating out but not the whole dressing up and leaving the house part, we have some incredible news for you. Donna Chang, the city’s swanky modern Chinese restaurant from the Ghanem Group, is now offering takeaway, so you can order your fave Szechuan and Cantonese dishes to eat from the comfort of your couch. Available through an online ordering system, the menu features a selection of their most loved dishes, including scallop and prawn wontons, spiced lamb buns, dan dan noodles and char siu pork neck with honey glaze. Just pick out your starters, mains and sides, and you’ll be able to pick it up in 30 minutes. Takeaway is available seven days a week for lunch and dinner, so you can even order it for a swanky office lunch with your work wife that will make everyone else in the building jealous. Find out more and put your order in here.
Got some tasty news you think we should know about? Drop our editor an email at editorbne@theurbanlist.com.
Image credit: Goros | Supplied