If your idea of seafood is eating takeaway fish and chips (covered in chicken salt, of course) on the beach while looking out over the ocean, it may be time to look at expanding your palate. Don’t get us wrong—Brisbane/Meanjin has its fair share of flawless, flaky fish and chips on the go. It’s just, some of the sea’s finest delicacies are best served in a restaurant, y’know?
With everything from American-style crab doused in flavourful sauces, to luxe seafood platters guaranteed to make your tummy grumble, Brisbane's seafood scene is second-to-none—and here at Urban List, we've eat it all. Check out our top picks for the best seafood restaurants in Brisbane.
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SK Steak & Oyster
48 James Street, Fortitude Valley
Knock back oysters with a side of steak at the Calile’s exclusive bar and restaurant. SK Steak & Oyster comes to us from the crew behind Hellenika, our go-to for Greek food straight from Yiayia’s kitchen. Specialising in perfectly-cooked steaks, fresh seafood and smooth martinis, the restaurant is another James Street gem guaranteed to light up your life (and your tastebuds). Once you’ve dined on lobster, bug, and caviar to the sweet dulcet tones of a baby grand piano, you know you’re living the high life.
Tillerman
71 Eagle Street, Brisbane CBD
Image credit: Tillerman | Facebook
Cancel your travel plans—get a taste of Europe at Tillerman instead. The Brisbane River flowing below you, you can feast on dishes like crispy-skin coral barramundi fillet with caper citrus ghee, charcoal grilled snapper with burnt lemon cheek, and chilli tiger prawn linguine. Views as far as the eye can see, tables laden in white, and cocktails worth sipping—this long lunch transports you to a place you won’t want to leave.
Black Hide Steak & Seafood
Queen’s Wharf, Brisbane CBD
Black Hide is a Brisbane icon beloved by many. But at their new Queen’s Wharf location, they take their seafood chops to the next level. For a start, there is an entire menu dedicated to caviar and oysters. Yes, that includes a caviar bump. At Black Hide you can always count on finding classics done to modern perfection. Take for example their Lobster Mornay: lobster dolloped in Mornay sauce and celeriac remoulade, grilled to oozey, melty perfection and plated like a work of art. You’ll also find punches of freshness too with seafood platters piled high with fresh and grilled local prawns and bugs.
Fosh
39 Hercules Street, Hamilton
Things can get pretty fishy at Fosh. The Hamptons-inspired joint sits right on the river, serving up seafood aplenty. We’re talking caviar, oysters, dry aged fish, and even your pick of live mud crabs or lobster. Share a platter with friends in the airy restaurant, complete with elegant stone decor, greenery for days and plush seating. Tight on funds? Check out their lunch specials. We’ve heard there’s a 2-for-1 cod, prepared your way.
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The Prawnster
RiverHub, City Botanic Gardens, Brisbane CBD
Image credit: The Prawnster | Ranyhyn Laine
For a dining experience like no other, set your sights on Brisbane's most unique seafood restaurant: a 50-foot vintage prawn trawler-turned-restaurant that has dropped anchor in the CBD. The Prawnster promises its diners the best seafood on the high seas—think ocean-to-plate dining with a spritz of salty ocean air. Indulge in a mixed seafood platter packed with all your faves: we’re talking Coffin Bay oysters, Moreton Bay bugs, and even Tasmanian salmon sashimi. Fresh seafood is literally the only option here, but if you want more, you can BYO wine and beer, bread, salads and even birthday cake.
Kickin Inn
477 Boundary Street, Spring Hill
Seafood boils have a loyal fan base in the US, especially in the south. Thankfully, now us Brisbaneites can find out the hype for ourselves. At Kickin Inn, you’ll score the traditional no-cutlery seafood bags, a bib, and of course gloves. Inside your bag are pipi’s, whole fresh prawns, mussels, peeled prawns, blue swimmer crabs and potatoes, all smothered in a kajun marinade of your dreams.
Fishboi
32 Fitzgerald Avenue, Springwood
Live oysters directly from tank to the table? In Springwood? Really. Meet Fishboi. Fishboi is changing up the seafood game on the Southside. Think everything from Vietnamese prawn baguettes, traditional fish and chips with fresh and local seafood, oyster platters, grilled platters stacked high with Moreton Bay Bugs and prawns… the menu here at Fishboi is kryptonite for seafood lovers. Whatever you do, don’t skip the oyster menu. Whether it's natural, Mornay, Kilpatrick or Rockefeller, you’ll find happiness at Fishboi. Plus, if you’re on a budget you’ll find daily specials that won’t break the bank.
New Farm Seafood
85 Merthyr Road, New Farm
Image credit: New Farm Seafood | Ranyhyn Laine
New Farm Seafood promises a world of fresh, sustainably sourced seafood right in the heart of a New Farm shopping centre. Here, you’re promised only the freshest local seafood coked up to perfection, naturally. Whether you’re after a classic fish and chips for the family or something a little more fancy, a visit to New Farm Seafood will do you just right. The menu covers everything from whole baked fish and seafood platters to modern bites like Moreton Bay Bug rolls. Whether you’re up for dine in with a chilled bottle of wine or take away with a side of Netflix, you’ll find what you’re craving at New Farm Seafood.
River Quay Fish
3 Sidon Street, South Bank
Live the luxe life with premium seafood under the sparkling night sky courtesy of River Quay Fish. Its prime location on the banks of the Brisbane River is the perfect backdrop for your Insta shots, not to mention the ideal venue for knocking back a cocktail or two. The menu offers a fresh take on your usual ocean fare—we’re talking Moreton Bay bug bao buns, wok-tossed mussels and sriracha glazed salmon with a smokehouse rub. Take your Sunday sesh to the next level and book yourself a table.
Shucks Bar
459 Upper Esplanade, Manly
If you’re a Bayside local (and a fan of top-notch seafood), chances are you’re no stranger to Shucks Bar. Overlooking the shimmering blue waters of Moreton Bay, Shucks offers freshly shucked oysters from all around Australia, not to mention hiramasa kingfish and prawn ceviche with green apple and citrus vinaigrette. There’s also veggie dishes sourced straight from the local markets, so be sure to swing by for some seriously fresh fare.
Manly Boathouse
4 Trafalgar Street, Manly
Image credit: Manly Boathouse | Facebook
The Manly Boathouse definitely takes out the prize for the best looking seafood restaurant in Brisbane—this stunning venue perched on the water’s edge features an airy, all-white dining room, a sunny outdoor patio space filled with picnic tables under blue and white striped umbrellas and the icing on the cake, miniature boat houses that you can hire out for groups. And we haven’t even gotten to the food yet. Opt for fish and chips out on the patio or a proper, seafood-filled feast inside.
Reef Seafood & Sushi
76 Skyring Terrace, Newstead
For the freshest sashimi, epic seafood platters and fish anyway you want it, whether grilled, battered or on a burger, Reef Seafood and Sushi is the perfect quick lunch spot. It's not all about dining in though—Reef also does amazing fresh seafood for you to whip up at home, and will help you put together the perfect takeaway seafood platter.
Like your seafood international? Head here:
- Brisbane's Best Japanese Restaurants
- Brisbane's Best Italian Restaurants
- Brisbane's Best Greek Restaurants
Image credit: SK Steak & Oyster | Sophie Spencer
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