Babylon

Just when you thought 2022 had delivered its last incredible foodie opening to Brisbane, along comes a massive, three-level riverside restaurant and bar that’s bound to be the talk of the town well into 2023. Babylon Brisbane is the second Babylon venue from Mantle Group Hospitality, their first having opened in Sydney back in 2019. Brisbane’s Hogg and Lamb are the architects behind both, which is probably why it's such a stunner, with terracotta bricks that separate the restaurant into separate dining areas featuring red marble tabletops, a lengthy sleek green marble bar, mahogany chairs and dusty pink banquettes

Only the restaurant is currently open, with several outdoor bars and terraces still to come in early 2023. But if you're keen to check it out already, you'll definitely want to take a crew for the shared menu of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare. Split into flora, fauna and ocean, most of the dishes here are cooked over wood and charcoal, like the wood-fired pumpkin kebab, wood-grilled Fraser Coast squid with muhammara, yoghurt, dill and lime and the whole wood-roasted chicken with preserved lemon yoghurt. A must-order side dish is the house-made bread with za’atar spiced butter, and leave room for their house-made baklava at the end. 

While the actual bar section might be yet to open, there’s still plenty of libations on the menu to ensure you won’t be thirsty. Signature cocktails included the Rosey Lokum with vanilla vodka, Gordon’s Sicilian lemon gin, rose and lemon, or the decadent Turkish Espresso Martini, and there’s a lengthy list of wines as well. They’re currently taking bookings for lunch and dinner seven days a week, and stay tuned for when we have updates on the two-level outdoor bar that’s still to come. 

Image credit: Steven Woodburn/Supplied