Just you and the crew? Private dining rooms are the way to go. Still giving you that restaurant quality feel and taste (but without interruption), Brisbane/Meanjin’s private dining rooms are a great option when it comes to group bookings.
Whether it’s just a casual get together or something big worth celebrating, we at Urban List have rounded up local restaurants with a secret—and it’s time you got in on the action.
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Southside
63 Melbourne St, South Brisbane
Nestled beneath the train line and amongst the urban oasis of Fish Lane, Southside’s East-Asian cuisine tastes better in their private dining room on level 2. A decadent space that can fit up to 24 seated, securing a booking here gives you access to VIP treatment and multiple banquet options.
Gerard’s
15 James St, Fortitude Valley
Hidden at the back of Gerard’s and separated from the main floor by flowing curtains is their private dining room, where up to 30 of your closest can come together for modern Middle Eastern fare. A space filled with natural tones and earthy textures, mixed with the white fabrics make this a warm yet sleek and elegant space for your next celebration. Ag
Supernormal
443 Queen St, Brisbane CBD
Image credit: Supernormal | Instagram
Pass through the restaurant and up the staircase to find Supernormal’s private dining space, the Bridge Room. An elegant light-filled space that can host up to 70, you and your guests can enjoy views of the Story Bridge from your own private terrace. Swanky. Turn your event into a night to remember with the help of their karaoke system and done on their extensive banquet menu that features all their most requested dishes.
Penelope
15 James St, Fortitude Valley
A classic bistro by day and supper club by night, Penelope certainly has it going on, and their private dining room is worth booking for your next night out. An intimate space that can seat up to 8, the space has its own private entrance, wet bar, and dedicated sound system. Choose from their a la carte or banquet menu options, and get set to settle in for a night of wicked fun.
Walter’s Steakhouse
219 Alice St, Brisbane CBD
At Walter’s, your private dining area is the perfect place to load up on their signature tomahawk, plenty of sides, and everything on their potato menu. With two rooms and enough space to fit up to 50 across both, it’s worth noting a minimum spend is required to secure this exclusive city spot.
Biànca
Shop AM5 Ada Lane, 46 James St, Fortitude Valley
If simple, tasty, Italian food with a bubbly atmosphere is what you’re craving, make your way to Biànca’s private dining room. An outdoor terrace space overlooking Ada Lane in The Calile Hotel precinct, you and 35 of your closest can eat your way through their share-style menu, all while people watching from your own private balcony.
sAme sAme
Shop AM3 Ada Lane, 46 James St, Fortitude Valley
Image credit: sAme sAme | Instagram
Just a hop, skip, and a jump from sister restaurant Biànca, sAme sAme promises an unforgettable Southeast Asian dining experience, no matter what table you’re seated at. But for those looking to turn up the heat, their private dining options are scorching. Choose from their 30-person private dining room, LOS cocktail bar for up to 70, or exclusive use of the entire restaurant for bigger affairs. It’s time to spice things up.
Rosmarino
6 McLachlan St, Fortitude Valley
In a hidden laneway that connects Rosmarino with its sister venue, Etna, you’ll find a private dining room that seats up to 14 guests. With exposed brick walls and arched windows looking out into the courtyard, this Tuscan-vibe setting takes you a world away from the Valley streets outside. Depending on appetite, there are two banquet options to choose from, though both offer up delightful plates across Rosmarino’s entrees, pastas, mains, sides, and dessert.
Rothwell’s Bar and Grill
235 Edward St, Brisbane CBD
Hidden beneath Rothwell’s glamorous dining floor scene, you’ll find private dining room options to suit all celebrations and sizes. From their cellar, which can fit 40 seated guests (or 65 for those after a cocktail-style gathering), to their intimate 12-seater wine room, Rothwell’s brooding decor featuring walls filled with rare and premium wines dating back to the 1920s sets the tone. There’s also luxe food and beverage packages that really take the experience to a whole new level.
Stanley Restaurant
5 Boundary St, Brisbane CBD
Image credit: Stanley | Instagram
With its dark green and walnut timber walls, parquetry inlay flooring and curved bar, Stanley at Howard Smith Wharves is one of the most stunning restaurants in Brisbane—and it’s got the private dining room to match. Tucked away on the upper level, this hidden room adorned in hand painted murals is big enough for 10. Traditional red lanterns hanging from overhead will light your banquet of scrumptious Cantonese-inspired feeds, with dedicated staff to cater to your every need. Talk about luxe.
Boom Boom Izakaya
49 Elizabeth St, Brisbane CBC
Down below Donna Chang, Boom Boom Izakaya is housed in what used to be a bank’s basement, and they’ve made good use of the old vaults by turning them into private dining rooms. Take your pick from their two options—the Trumpet Room, which seats up to seven in red velvet chairs around a stunning glass table, or The Vaults, which still has its original steel doors and can seat 10 to 18 guests. History, atmosphere, and a menu of Japanese bites and cocktails? Say less.
1889 Enoteca
10-12 Logan Rd, Woolloongabba
Step into your own world with 1889 Enoteca’s private dining room. A basement level wine cellar complete with chandeliers and wrought-iron gates, this is where you and up to 42 of your nearest and dearest can indulge in Enoteca's modern Roman fare away from prying eyes. Need something a little more intimate? Why not book out their wine store, which can seat up to 12 guests, and dine in the pleasant surrounds of the wine-lined walls. With two, three, and four-course menus on offer, and private dining available for lunch and dinner, there's hardly a function this Italian favourite can't cover.
Agnes
22 Agnes St, Fortitude Valley
Image credit: Agnes | Instagram
A booking at Agnes is hard to come by, but get enough people together and you can nab yourself a prime spot in their upstairs private dining room. Equally as good-looking as the rest of the venue, the room seats up to 22 hungry bellies, and you’ll get your own dedicated floor staff. A booking here comes with a set menu, but don’t worry—all their best dishes are on it.
Donna Chang
3/171 George St, Brisbane CBD
Donna Chang’s plush pink booths might be calling your name, but if you’ve got more friends than can possibly squeeze into one of those curved bench seats, the glam Chinese restaurant also has three luxe private dining rooms. Take the curving stairs to the upper level, where decadent chandelier-lit rooms can be booked separately or opened up to create one large event space for both seated and standing events. Either way, you’ll be chowing down on Donna Chang’s delicious Sichuan and Cantonese-inspired menu.
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C’est Bon
609/611 Stanley St, Woolloongabba
Just a few steps down below their glamorous wine bar is where you’ll find C’est Bon’s cellar and private dining room. With a large share table overlooked by the hundreds of wine bottles lining the walls, you can sit down to the French spot’s famous Bouillabaisse, quickly followed by a few sunset drinks up on the rooftop terrace.
Settimo
111 Mary St, Brisbane CBD
Image credit: Settimo | Instagram
Featuring what has to be a contender for one of the biggest tables, Settimo's private dining room is a custom-designed stunner, boasting lashings of natural light streaming in through floor-to-ceiling windows with views over Mary Street. Handcrafted furnishings accent the space, transporting you with its coastal Italian atmosphere. That huge table seats up to 20 for sit-down lunches or dinners where you can feast on shared Italian feasts and more than a few bottles of wine— just like a proper family affair.
TAMA
740 Ann St, Fortitude Valley
If the stunning green velvet booths downstairs aren't quite private enough for you, TAMA is also home to two different private dining areas on their mezzanine level—one that sits 6-10 and the other 20-36. With an adjoining private bar area, you can start your experience with a drink before taking a seat in either of the swanky dining areas for chef Richard Ousby's carefully curated set menu.
Firma Italian
267 Grey St, South Brisbane
Welcome to Nonna’s Table— a private dining room nestled beside Firma’s main restaurant, that offers an intimate setting for up to 14 friends in the mood for Italian. Enclosed by a 150 year old European stained glass window, you’ll feast on homemade pastas, locally sourced Wagyu beef, and spoonful after spoonful of tiramisu. You can also bring your favourite drop for a $10 corkage fee.
Nostimo
29 Edmondstone St, South Brisbane
When it comes to shared feasting, Greek fare is some of the best to enjoy with a big group, and Nostimo is the place to do it if you’re looking for privacy. Their private dining space will have you feeling like you’ve escaped to the Mediterranean, while the banquet options ensure no one leaves hungry.
Jumbo Thai
1/214 Elizabeth St, Brisbane CBD
Escape to Thailand in the middle of the city at Jumbo Thai, who happen to have a private dining room adorned in vibrant artworks. Their menu of truly authentic Thai feeds will ensure no one walks out feeling anything less than full to bursting, and there’s a lengthy wine list to match. For something different, you can also book their chef’s table alongside the bustling kitchen—it won’t be private, but the opportunity to watch the chefs in action and chat to them about what’s on your plate is a pretty good alternative.
Prefer to get amongst the crowd? Check out Brisbane’s best restaurants here.
Main image credit: Southside | Instagram
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