The Best Restaurants In Brisbane

James Moore

Famous for its striking skyline of stupendous skyscrapers, Brisbane is a city of business, culture and great food. From the finest examples of French dining par excellence to beautiful views and small, local restaurants, the city boasts a dining scene to match those of Melbourne and Sydney. We revisit Brisbane with an updated selection of the top restaurants in the city.

Montrachet

Tumble into the effortlessly elegant Montrachet, Brisbane’s French restaurant par excellence. This exquisite eatery was founded by Lyon-born Thierry Galichet and is the perfect location for Francophilian diners to sample high-end cuisine. Although at the more expensive end of the dining spectrum, with plats principaux costing around $42, the quality of the food and the opulence of the interior confer inestimable value to the establishment. Imbibe a finely concocted cocktail or a glass of piquant French wine while you decide what to select from the broad menu. For your main course, try the divine canard aux deux façons, succulent confit duck leg set against roasted duck breast and serving with crispy fried Brussels sprouts and smothered in a Jerusalem artichoke and blueberry sauce. The restaurant is not open at the weekend so book over the phone well in advance to ensure a table.
Montrachet, 224 Given Terrace, Paddington, Australia, +61 7 3367 0030

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Image courtesy of 1889 Enoteca

1889 Enoteca

Inspired by the Italian wine repositories or enoteca, 1889 Enoteca is the choice destination for connoisseurs of the Italian culinary persuasion. Snuggled in the shell of the 19th century, heritage listed Moreton Rubber Works building, this establishment is both an excellent eatery and wine repository, inspired by its namesake. Slurp one of the restaurant’s many fine wines whilst choosing what to consume on the delightfully broad menu. Try the famed bucatini all’amatriciana, hollow spaghetti tossed in a fresh tomato sauce with cured pork cheek, chilli, and Pecorino Romano. To secure a seat at one of the fine wooden tables in this eatery, ensure you book in advance over the phone.
1889 Enoteca, 10-12 Logan Rd, Woolloongabba, Australia, +61 7 3392 4315

Image courtesy of 1889 Enoteca

Sono

Sequestered away right in the heart of Brisbane’s central business district is Sono, a sanctuary of Japanese cuisine and culture. The interior is swathed in an aesthetic cloak of traditional Japanese interior design lending authenticity to the dining experience, while many of the eatery’s chefs were trained in Kaiseki, the highest level of authentic Japanese cooking. The menu is extensive and offers a range of food, including sashimi, sushi, and a multitude of traditional Japanese dishes. Highly recommended is the soft shell crab kara-age with shiso sauce, deliciously crispy deep-fried soft shell crab served with shiso leaves, salsa, and a tangy vinegar sauce. Diners can book a private room or booth should they wish to indulge in an evening of clandestine romancing, or covert consumption.
SONO Japanese Restaurant, Level 1, Tattersalls Building/Edward St, Brisbane, Australia, +61 7 3220 1888

Sono Interior

Malt

Resting peacefully in the venerable Wenley House building is eclectic Australian restaurant, Malt. Wenley House, constructed in 1865, used to serve as a municipal and its current owners have fastidiously imbued the interior of the restaurant with rustic, working-class charm. The establishment is divided in two parts, a bar and the Attic Restaurant. Sample the fresh market oysters that echo the building’s practical past; these come in a variety of guises including natural with shisho and delectable pickled melon. If seafood is your bent then the menu at Malt offers some of the best, including the ‘tastes of ocean trout’ dish, which consists of the eponymous fish served with gin and tonic gel, pickled beetroot, and avocado cream. This restaurant caters for groups of all sizes, from amorous couples to roistering event bookings.
Malt Dining, 28 Market St, Brisbane, Australia, +61 7 3236 4855

Public

For an evening of generous dining, sharing and laughter, totter down to Brisbane restaurant Public. This excellent eatery specializes in the concoction of delicate small plates that easily be shared enabling frequenters to sample all manner of taste sensation. The menu offers a tantalizing range of these plates to select from, including the smoked pumpkin, served with macadamia and mustard, and fresh octopus with eggplant and pomegranate. The restaurant has been the esteemed recipient of a number of awards including the Best New Restaurant and One Chefs Hat awards from the Queensland Good Food Guide Awards 2012/13.
Public Restaurant & Bar, Upper Level 1, 400 George Street, Brisbane, Australia, +61 7 3210 2288

Moda

Sniff a whiff of the Mediterranean Sea in Brisbane restaurant Moda. With a prime location right in the center of Brisbane’s central business district, this restaurant offers food inspired by a startling variety of traditions and cultures. Head Chef Javier Codina supplies diners with diverse and beguiling menus suffused with influences from France, Italy, and Codina’s native Barcelona. Quaff heartily on one of Moda’s many enticing wines while scanning the enthralling menu, then tuck into the heavenly wagyu beef cheek, which is finished with fluffy truffle mash and saturated in elegant, luxurious red wine. The restaurant’s interior is sleek and understated, with cosy corners allowing diners the opportunity to engage in coquettish colloquy while they munch.
Moda Restaurant, 12 Edward St, Brisbane, Australia, +61 7 3221 7655

Chef at The Spice Avenue

The Spice Avenue

For the best British Indian cuisine in the whole of Brisbane, slink along to The Spice Avenue restaurant. This eatery specializes in cooking in the Balti style that originates from the northern region of Pakistan, from where it subsequently traveled the world over, stopping off in Birmingham in the United Kingdom before winging over to Brisbane. This restaurant is the ideal destination for raucous revelers or relaxed recliners alike, as the diners can choose to either eat in-house or take-away. A highly recommended signature dish is the chicken sharagama: chicken tikka slung in with fresh mushrooms, chopped onion, zingy ginger, cabbage, and spiced with fenugreek and coriander, before being served perched on a sizzler.
The Spice Avenue Balti Restaurant, 190 Birkdale Rd, Birkdale, Australia, +61 7 3822 9822

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