Pfft. Who said private dining was just for celebs and suits? Next time you want to feel totally ballin’, call on one of the best private dining rooms in Brisbane. Some come with an extra price tag (and are worth the wee splurge!), others are just dependent on whoever is more organised to snap up that exclusive table reservation the fastest. Either way, not having to share your special occasion with an entire restaurant full of people sounds like a pretty good deal to us.
Rosmarino
Fortitude Valley
Tucked away behind Rosmarino, in the hidden laneway that connects the Italian restaurant with its sister venue, Etna, is an intimate private dining room that sits up 14 guests. With exposed brick walls and arched windows looking out into the courtyard, you’ll feel like you’ve taken over your own private restaurant. There’s two shared banquet options to choose from depending on your guests appetite, both of which will take you on a delicious journey through Rosmarino’s entrees, pastas, mains, sides and Chef Dario Manca’s famous take on tiramisu for dessert.
Rothwell’s
Brisbane CBD
Hidden underneath Rothwell’s glamorous dining room is an atmospheric basement level where you’ll find a private, 12-guest dining room. Featuring a marble dining table edged by dark wood, vintage table lamps and the heritage building’s original artwork from George Johnson, the room is also lined by walls filled with rare and premium wines, some of which date back to the 1920s. Here you can either tuck into a selection of options from Rothwell’s a la carte menu or go all out with the luxe Experience Menu—a wine-matched four-course feast of dishes only available for private bookings. Specially curated by Chef Ben Russell, who'll pop in to serve up dishes like the signature salmon wellington and whole rum baba cake himself, this one is a meal and a half, and we can tell you from personal experience, well worth booking.
Boom Boom Izakaya
Brisbane CBD
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. There’s two to choose from—the Trumpet Room, which seats up to seven in red velvet chairs around a stunning glass table, or The Vaults, which still have their original steel doors and can seat 10 to 18 guests. History, atmosphere and a menu of Japanese bites and cocktails? Yes please.
1889 Enoteca
Woolloongabba
The private dining at 1889 Enoteca is all about location, location, location. And in Enoteca's case, the location is their private, basement level wine cellar, complete with chandeliers and wrought-iron gates, where you and up to 42 guests can indulge in Enoteca's modern Roman fare in total privacy. They also offer private dining in their wine store, which can seat up to 12 guests, where you can 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.
Donna Chang
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. Up the curving stairs to the upper level, the decadent chandelier-lit rooms can be booked separately or opened up to create one large event space for both seated and standing events. And of course, you’ll get to chow down on Donna Chang’s delicious Sichuan and Cantonese-inspired menu whatever you choose.
Settimo
Brisbane CBD
Image credit: Settimo | Facebook
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, evoking a romantic 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 a like a proper family affair.
TAMA
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.
Signature At Emporium
South Brisbane
Pretty much all of the private dining rooms on our list have pretty unique features, but Signature’s is definitely the only one enclosed by a 150 year-old Parisian stained glass shop front. Seating up to 12 around an oval table, it’s just the spot to wine and dine in total luxury. Since you’re going all out, you should definitely opt for the four-course Signature Experience—and get the matched wines.
ZA ZA TA
Fortitude Valley
Inside ZA ZA TA’s many vibrant sprawling drinking and dining spaces are multiple private dining rooms, including one, The Grand Hall, which can be split into two small rooms for more intimate groups. Best of all, you don’t need to worry about catering for the vegetarians amongst the group here—the entire menu is dedicated to vegetarian Middle Eastern fare. Not that you’ll get any complaints from the meat-eaters—just put one of the soft, buttery breads in front of them if they do.
C’est Bon
Woolloongabba
C’est Bon’s many levels are somewhat maze-like, with staircases ascending to multiple hidden outdoor spaces and intimate dining rooms. Just a few steps down below their glamorous wine bar is where you’ll find the cellar. 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—hopefully after a drink up on the rooftop terrace.
Walter’s Steakhouse
Brisbane CBD
At Walter’s, your private dining area will be hidden behind a floral curtain chosen by iconic interior designer Anna Spiro—not that you’ll be looking at the curtain with their signature tomahawk steak in front of you. Perfect for a long table dinner, the rooms here seat up to 30, and your best bet is to just load the table up with a few of those steaks, plenty of sides and everything on their potato menu.
Nostimo
West End
When it comes to shared feasting, Greek fare is some of the best to enjoy with a big group (especially since everyone will end up too full to steal the last piece of spanakopita) 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, with a ceiling of over 10, 000 cascading koumboli (worry beads) above.
Jumbo Thai
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 Thai 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 substitution.
Agnes
Fortitude Valley
You might not be able to get a table booking at Agnes for love or money, but get enough people together and you might just be able to 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 and you’ll get your own dedicated floor staff. You will have to dine off the set menu rather than the regular menu, but don’t worry, all their best dishes are on there.
Stanley
Howard Smith Wharves
With it’s dark green and walnut timber walls, parquetry inlay flooring and curved bar, Stanley 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 just 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. If you want to take things up a notch, with at least 24 hours notice you can even order your choice of live seafood to have served in a delicious style alongside your banquet. Talk about luxe.
Prefer a boozy brunch session? Check out Brisbane’s best here.
Image credit: Individual venues