Byblos

It’s rare to find a Brisbane venue that’s been around for as long as Byblós. Having opened in 2006, this Hamilton icon was the first restaurant of Lebanese brothers Adonis and Nehme Ghanem, who went on to establish the Ghanem Group—and have been killing it ever since. While they are now preparing to open yet another stellar spot inside Queen’s Wharf, Lúc Lắc, the team have also turned their appraising eyes on the venue that started at all, and decided it’s high time Byblós got a fresh new look. 

With a full renovation currently underway, Spaced Cubed Design Studio has designed a stunning new open dining and bar space that features plush seating, dining booths and private nooks, with bi-fold glass doors that open out to a weather-proof, riverfront alfresco space. Inspired by the rich heritage of Lebanese culture and the ancient city of Byblós, the final fit-out will be adorned in sand-like textural rendered walls, marble slabs atop a monolithic bar, stepped arches and sculptural dining booths, all coming together to create a luxe setting for a long lunch. 

And with a whole new menu to sample, lunch you shall. While they’re keeping quiet on what you can expect from the line-up of dishes for now, we do know it will be all about vibrant, contemporary Lebanese cuisine, with both Adonis and Nehme having undertaken a research trip to their home country together with Ghanem Group Executive Chef Jake Nicolson last year. Of course, you can expect a vivacious drinks offering too—after all, it’s not Byblos without plenty of creative cocktails to sip your way through. 

The all new Byblós Brisbane is set to open in October—stay tuned for an opening date and a look inside when it does. 

Image credit: Supplied