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.
Essa Is Serving Up Fancy Fried Chicken And Free Wine Once A Month
Fried chicken is good, but fancy fried chicken is better—and that’s just what you’ll find on the menu at Essa one Saturday a month starting from 1 March. Even better, it comes with free wine (tastings)—sounds like the perfect afternoon to us. From 12pm-4pm you can sample some funky wines, order up low cost wines by the glass if you want more than just a sip and feast on fried chicken burgers, wings, and potato gems, with the addition of a little caviar to make things real fancy. Bookings aren’t necessary but they are recommended, and you can find out what else to expect on their Instagram here.
Yo-Chi Is Bringing Their Self-Serve Fro-Yo To West End Later This Year
You’re never far from a Yo-Chi these days, but West End locals are soon going to be closer to the cult-favourite fro-yo spot than ever, with another location opening in the ‘burb within the next three months. While they are keeping the exact location and opening date under wraps right now (any keen eyes out there who can tell us where?), you can definitely expect to find their signature fro-yo flavours and self-serve topping bar in residence when it arrives. Yo-Chi date, anyone?
Pawpaw Cafe (And It’s Sibling Venues) Is Dishing Up Pistachio Everything This Month
Image credit: Pawpaw Cafe | Supplied
Pistachio lovers, this one’s for you. Coming to Pawpaw Cafe—and sister venues Darvella Patisserie, Citron Bayside and Monocle Coffee—in March is a limited-time pistachio menu featuring some truly indulgent treats. Every weekend at Pawpaw you’ll be able to get your hands on pistachio cinnamon buns that you can get served warm with soft serve, as well as pistachio French toast and iced pistachio chocolate. Those cinnamon buns are also on the weekend menu at Darvella, with iced matcha pistachio and pistachio cookie lids available every day. And at Citron? Tuck into a decadent breakfast of baklava fritelle—or just head to Monocle Coffee for an iced white chocolate pistachio or mocha. Check out the full menu and details here and hit one or all before the end of the month.
Lune’s March Specials Menu Is A Mic-Drop Of Decadent Treats
Image credit: Peter Dillon | Supplied
Know what a Semla is? Neither did we until we saw Lune’s menu of March specials—and now we need one daily. The Swedish pastry filled with cardamom-spiced almond paste and whipped cream then topped with shortbread and dusted with icing sugar is just one of the pastries calling our name, available at all Lune locations until the end of March. There’s also a coconut pandan twice-baked croissant, mushroom and blue cheese savoury wheel, peanut pretzel pain au chocolat and toasted marshmallow cruffin on the line up—so which one are you trying first?
Detour Is Popping Up In Fortitude Valley For Three Months
If you've been missing Detour's iconic Kentucky fried duck since the Woolloongabba restaurant closed late last year, you're in luck, because they're back, this time with a limited-seat pop-up residency in Fortitude Valley. Taking over the former home of Kid Curry on East Street, the three-month pop-up will serve up three different five-course set menus, featuring both omnivore and herbivore options of course. Some of Detour's most famed dishes are of course on the menu, including that KFD, their emu tartare and fossilized carrots with dukkha and curry. Open for bookings from Wenesday to Saturday, it's your chance to get a taste of Chef Damon Amos's creativity before Detour opens its new permanent location later in the year—nab your table here.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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: Peter Dillon | Supplied