The Best Restaurants In South Bank For Every Foodie’s Mood

The go-to locale for date night or a family outing, South Bank offers Brisbane locals plenty of variety in cuisine. No matter what vibe you’re feeling, there’s a cafe or restaurant offering an ambience that is just right.

From bustling tapas-style share plates to waterfront fine dining, South Bank is serving. Ready to explore? Book one of the best restaurants in South Bank from the edit below.

Calida Argentinian

Calida Argentinian is the perfect place for meat lovers, with grills piled with local grain-fed beef from Australia’s most respected and successful beef producers. If meat’s not your thing, you’ll find a mix of seafood and vegetarian options on the menu, too! You’ll find a diverse mix of signature cocktails that look as good as they taste with a smattering of Argentinian flavours.

1/164 Grey Street, South Brisbane

Naga Thai

All the things you loved about Naga Thai have returned at this new location— bold Thai flavours, high-energy hospitality, and a drinks list that should be framed. The menu heroes local ingredients, served with the signature Thai flavour combination of sweet, salty, sour and spicy. 

Try Moreton Bay Bug pad thai, royal flower dim sims, 180-day Jack’s Creek Black Angus pad see ew and a DIY papaya salad.

R2 Sidon Street, River Quay, South Bank

OTTO Ristorante

After relocating across the river from the CBD to South Bank, OTTO Ristorante has upped the ante on the South Bank dining scene. Celebrating people, places and la dolce vita, OTTO has prime riverfront real estate to call its own nowadays.

Something we love about OTTO is the award-winning wine list inspired by adoration for Italian varietals, so the wine-lovers among your dining party can taste their way around the wine regions of Italy during the sitting. As for the menu, seasonal and produce-driven Mediterranean dishes bursting with colour and flavour await you.

Shop 1, River Quay, Sidon Street, South Bank

Baba Ganouj

Baba Ganouj combines fresh ingredients with modern spins on traditional dishes. We love their warm and tasty saj bread, cooked on a hot plate instead of baked in an oven, and brought to your table cooked with your choice of toppings. The soujouk spicy beef sausages are also a must, pan-fried and served with rice and salad.

6A Little Stanley Street, South Brisbane

Popolo

Welcome to Brisbane’s favourite riverside Italian restaurant! We all love a restaurant with a view, and Popolo is ready to please with its stunning North Quay location. We highly recommend trying Chef Francesco’s signature dish; linguine with Moreton Bay Bug, spanner crab and lobster bisque.

R3 Sidon Street, South Brisbane

Ahmet’s

A long-running favourite, Ahmet’s offers a vibrant dining experience and the very best Turkish food in Brisbane.

An easy call when it comes to making a shortlist of the best restaurants in South Bank, as Ahmet’s has been here for decades and won’t be going anywhere anytime soon! From casual date nights to big group birthday dinners or special events, Ahmet’s does it all. Be transported by the authentic food, live music and belly dancing performances.

Shop 10/168 Grey Street, South Bank

Brooklyn Depot

Brooklyn Depot serves up Old Brooklyn-style grub a la handcrafted burgers, hot dogs and deep-fried…  everything. The Depot is one of the best restaurants to hit for casual eats and New York diner energy.

Stacked burgers steal the show here, with the “Smash Up” Burger making a dramatic entrance with a grass-fed beef patty, Southern fried chicken thigh, hickory-smoked bacon AND American cheese. Not for the faint of heart, head here with a roaring appetite.

172 Grey Street, South Brisbane

Tai Tai

Fuelled by a rich family history and tradition, Tai Tai brings top-notch Southeast Asian meals to the table that will tantalise your tastebuds. Named after the family’s grandmother, the menu features recipes that have been passed down through the generations and they definitely stand the test of time.

We love the Taste banquet menu, which begins with dim sum and then follows with hearty dishes of meats, seafood and greens. With plates designed to share, this is the perfect restaurant for your weekly date night outing.

114 Grey Street, South Brisbane

Ole Spanish Restaurant

Come to Ole when you’re craving a mix of flavours because their tapas plate share-style menu is perfect for sampling a mix of authentic dishes that are bursting with fun, fresh twists. Ideal for your next family get-together, order a paella to share and thank us later.

Shop B12, Little Stanley Street, South Bank

Now that you’ve tasted your way around the best restaurants in South Bank, it might be time to walk off your full belly. South Bank is a great starting point for many of the best walks in Brisbane, with views of the river and the glittering city skyline. If you’re still searching for the perfect date night location, you’ll find our guide to the best of them here.

Writer

Lexie Mamo

30 December 2025

Lexie is the Brisbane Editor at Sitchu and has been part of the team since October 2020. Her background lies in fashion eCommerce and content marketing, having worked in digital roles across brands like Lorna Jane, Black Milk Clothing and dk active. A Brisbane native, Lexie covers food, lifestyle, events, and travel guides for the Sunshine State. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her reading, visiting coffee spots or snapping shots of her rescue cat for his Instagram account.