Magnolia Modern Chinese

Newly relaunched from its previous life as Private Dining, Magnolia is dishing up Chinese cuisine with a diffence. Chef and owner Hao Zhou is determined to elevate the profile of authentic Southern Chinese cuisine in Brisbane, and get the city's diners and their Western tastes to eat more than just sweet and sour pork when they get a craving for Chineses. And he's doing it by dishing up creative degustations that will surely convert even the least adventurous eater. 

Don't let the unpolished surrounds fool you—the food here is nothing short of exquisite. While the dining options include a five and seven-course feed, the nine-course degustation is the way to go. Dishes like melt-in-your-mouth M6 wagyu sirloin, dry-aged Grimaud duck breast and crisp pork loin with bok choy risotto will have you thinking that you don't know Chinese food at all. 

While they do have a short list of wines available by the glass and bottle, Private Dining is also BYO, with a $30 corkage for a bottle, wo we suggest hitting the bottle-o before you visit. Bookings are essential (those nine courses take some serious prep), and you can make one here. 

Image credit: Supplied