Brisbane’s Best New Restaurants That You Need to Try

Nothing thrills us more than a brand-new restaurant, cafe or bar opening and this year, Brisbane has started off strong with a $450 per person omakase and a soon to drop Asian banquet destination.

Ready to feast? gather the gang and get cracking on this list!

Best New Restaurants Brisbane: April

Ruma Rooftop

Designed with local architecture as inspiration, this exquisite rooftop kitchen and bar is set to be your new favourite place for a sunset sip.

Ruma‘s kitchen is helmed by Chef Felipe Oliveira, serving up flavours inspired by the topics and our abundant island.

We recommended popping by on a Sunday for your first visit to make the most of Ruma’s two long lunch set menus. Start with local bakery Idle’s iconic sourdough, with black garlic butter and native pepper berry salt. From there, expect the likes of oysters with finger lime, braised pork belly and grilled prawns doused in coastal herbs.

As for the drinks? Tropical pours reign supreme. We’re channelling the coconut-washed Ketel One with pandan, banana, ginger and citrus.

Little Lane, New Farm

Best New Restaurants Brisbane: February

NIIWA

There’s a new late-night dining destination in town tucked conveniently in the heart of James Street. NIIWA is the name and modern Japanese garden dining is the game. Head on in for elevated late-night eats (we’re talking elite prawn toast) and jazzy Japanese-inspired cocktails, whilst soaking up the atmosphere of the curated dining room.

James Street, Brisbane

Venner

Venner is the type of restaurant that will see you off with a full heart as well as a full tummy. Danish for friends, even the name of this welcoming eatery embodies the ethos of connection — from chef to supplier, guest to guest and diner to food.

Venner’s creed is ‘Australian bones, Scandinavian heart’. Distilled into a menu, this means a commitment to the Nordic philosophy of sustainability, seasonality and minimalism, via a larder of exquisite Australian produce, sourced from supplies they know by name. Ingredients are used at their peak, whether fresh of via housemade misos and ferments. Think BBQ deer loin with warrigal green sauce and pickled rosella and kangaroo pastrami with cultured cream.

As for the space, expect a pared-back dining room, hand-thrown plates and an intimate chef’s table counter.

237 Boundary Street, West End

Best New Restaurants Brisbane: January

Aunty

Early Feb will see The Tassis Group (Longwang, Fat Cow, Stilts) drop their 12th venue in a stellar start to the year. Aunty will be serving up elegant, considered and warm interiors, alongside a generous modern Asian menu designed to be shared.

Despite seating up to 100 guests, the space has been designed to host intimate moments, with dining areas spread across multiple levels with booths and curtains contributing to the mood.

As for the menu, you’ll find a dedicated dim sum selection, alongside signature dishes like chilli mud crab and half duck cooked two ways. A huge offering of over 250 complements the food offering, alongside creative Asian-inspired cocktails.

You’ll find us at the daily happy hour (3pm to 5pm), snacking on $12 lobster rolls and spritz.

11 Wandoo Street, Fortitude Valley

+81 Sushi Kappo

Slated to open in early February, this 12-seat omakase restaurant is destined to be the hottest ticket in town. Helmed by Tokyo-trained chef Ikuo Kobayashi, Brisbane is in for a treat.

The intimate dining experience will explore a connection with the diner and the chef, with each course prepared at the counter. Across multiple courses, guests will journey through micro seasons via hyper seasonal ingredients as well as speciality ingredients imported from Japan.

The dining room will complement the experience, with a minimalist and refined palette and style.

The experience is rounded out with a selection of artisanal sake, rare Japanese whiskies and a selection of premium wines.

From $450 per person

259 Montague Road, West End

Keen to explore even more of Brisbane? We’re constantly updating our event calendar with all the good stuff. If it’s more incredible venues you’re after, don’t miss our edit of the most Instagrammable venues and the best secret bars in Brisbane.

Writer

Olivia Storrie

27 March 2026

Armed with an Arts Degree in History and Psychology from the University of Sydney, a natural curiosity and a ravenous appetite, Olivia is your go-to for restaurant recommendations across the city. She also has a keen interest in hiking, patting other people’s dogs, travelling, curating her maximalist home and reading every book she can get her hands on.