The Best Restaurants In South Bank For Every Foodie’s Mood
Make date night a breeze by booking in at one of the best restaurants in South Bank! Feast on fine fare before taking an evening stroll by the water – it’s one of the best ways to spend a night in Brisbane.
The go-to locale for date night or for a family outing, South Bank offers Brisbane locals plenty of variety in cuisine. No matter what flavour you’re craving, 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 has it all when it comes to the dining scene. There’s so much to do and see in this part of town, so we’ve narrowed down the list to the best restaurants in South Bank to make your dining decisions oh-so-easy.
Prepare to travel around the world via your tastebuds with our scintillating selections below!
Calida Argentinian
A fiery new Argentinian restaurant has entered the chat! From the group behind long-term South Bank favourites Ole, Mucho Mexicano & Vici Italian, comes a brand new restaurant to spice up the South Bank scene.
Calida Argentinian is the perfect place for meat lovers, with local grain-fed beef from Australia’s most respected and successful beef producer since 1899. 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, and showcase the best of Argentinian flavours.
1/164 Grey Street, South Brisbane
OTTO Ristorante
After relocating across the river from the CBD to South Bank, OTTO Ristorante has landed to up 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 at one of the best restaurants in South Bank.
Shop 1, River Quay, Sidon Street, South Bank
Signature
Described as the ‘pinnacle of the Emporium Hotel’s culinary collection’, Signature is the shining jewel of the precinct, perfect for any special occasion. Celebrating innovation with a menu that shifts with the seasons, and championing inclusivity with a variety of dietary needs catered to, Signature is a must-try from our list of the best restaurants in South Bank!
A rare claim on the elevated dining scene, Signature’s chefs cater to any dietary requirement, making this venue ideal for groups that are usually harder to accommodate.
Sitchu Tip: The Signature Experience set menu with paired wines is our pick for a culinary adventure that will linger in your mind long after you experience it!
Level 1 Emporium Hotel, South Brisbane
Baba Ganouj
Family-owned and operated since 2015, Baba Ganouj brings their fine Lebanese fare to the heart of South Bank on Little Stanley Street. Combining fresh, modern spins with traditional dishes and cooking methods, Baba Ganouj is one of the best restaurants in South Bank to visit for a unique new experience that is best shared with friends.
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. Ideal for an intimate date night or an exceptional location for a catch-up with your best friends, this restaurant is a definite must-try from our edit of the best restaurants in South Bank.
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
The burger bar that’s on everyone’s lips and with good reason! 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
Mucho Mexicano
If you have Mexican food on your mind, head to Mucho! Offering a bright and flavourful menu they claim is Mucho more polished than other casual Mexican joints in the area, we recommend visiting this South Bank restaurant for tasty tacos, marvellous margaritas and endless good times.
The Mucho team are pros at making the little moments special with their fun events and offerings, our personal favourites are Margarita Mondays and Trombas & Tacos (their version of weekend bottomless brunch!). Dine in for an authentic Mexican experience and don’t skimp on the margaritas.
Shop 15, Little Stanley Street, South Bank
Tai Tai
Beginning from 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. In the restaurant’s own words: live to eat, don’t eat to live.
114 Grey Street, South Brisbane
Ole Spanish Restaurant
Ole has been serving up authentic Spanish dishes to delight Brisbane crowds for years, so it’s not surprising that they have earned a reputation as one of the best restaurants in South Bank.
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.
