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 is chock-full of them! From supper club-inspired venues to Middle Eastern fare with a twist, there are plenty of foodie adventures to be had at the best new restaurants in Brisbane.

So, gather the gang and get cracking on this list!

Azteca

The same team who brought you Brissie venues such as Carmen Tequileria, Lina Rooftop, Soko Rooftop and more have announced their next venture, and it’s a big one. 

Located within the $3.6 billion Queens Wharf precinct, Azteca is set to become your new favourite dining destination.

With a kitchen helmed by Chef Zac Sykes, diners can expect a Latin American atmosphere with Asian fusion dining, complete with polished interiors that transport you, with live greenery, semi-private dining pods and a secret private dining room, concealed behind a handcrafted Aztec wooden door. 

You can expect dishes like Elgin Valley free-range chicken covered in dark chocolate mole sauce, dry-aged Gooralie free-range pork served with grilled pineapple and fermented jalapeno and so much more. 

The Terrace (Level 4), The Star Brisbane

YOKO x B-Side

Japanese izakaya meets record bar, upstairs at Yoko on Howard Smith Wharves. Reimagining its upstairs dining area into its own unique space, B-Side is a place to eat, drink and play in your downtime. 

Opening to the public on Monday 14th October, the first 50 patrons will score a free bowl of chicken miso ramen as a delicious welcome gift.  Mondays at B-Side are the retro vinyl sessions, where you can kick back with a cocktail and some delicious Japanese eats to ease your way into the week. Hospo pals can score a special combo on Sundays, just by flashing your RSA card. 

B-Side will be your new favourite place to unwind after a long day or await your meal downstairs at Yoko with an appetiser and a cocktail to wet your whistle, with resident DJs playing seven nights a week.

Upstairs at Yoko, 2/5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City

(Image credit Nikki To & Dexter Kim)

Portside Social

Portside is cementing itself as a foodie and lifestyle hub with the arrival of a new, yet familiar, gastropub by the name of Portside Social.

The venue is the latest venture from the team behind Newstead Social, Melt Brothers, Wonderland BNE and more, and they’re bringing cold brews and good times to Portside Wharf. 

This roomy and airy pub is perfect for a game of pool, trivia night, drag bingo night or just a casual dinner date outing with your besties or your beau. 

Portside Wharf, Shop 4 10/39 Hercules Street, Hamilton

Poca Madre

Poca madre translates to awesome, or impressive, and that’s what this new Mexican restaurant promises to deliver. On the menu at Poca Madre, you’ll find traditional Mexican flavours, served with a contemporary edge. 

Within the expansive 200-seater venue resides a roomy dining space, a private dining room and a margarita bar, where you can sample an exclusive pink tequila, Teremana Agaves. The venue itself is beautiful, with a pink desert oasis aesthetic, and a mural painted by local graphic artist Lisa-Marie Vecchio.

So if you’re craving a tasty tostada or two, make a reservation at this new restaurant in Brisbane ASAP!

Shop 15, Little Stanley Street, South Brisbane

Naldham House Brasserie & Terrace

The ground level of Naldham House is finally open after the building has spent a long hiatus uninhabited. Created as a new world of elegance, charm and endless possibilities, Naldham House is set to become the city’s new favourite social club.

The Brasserie & Terrace takes inspiration from grand hotel lobbies around the world and European culinary delights, to craft an experience that Brisbane has been begging for. Once you’ve finished dining, you can also pop up to Club Felix, their brand new bar, for a late-night champagne or cocktail.

33 Felix Street, Brisbane City

(Image credit: Dexter Kim)

Vela

New to the popular West End dining precinct is a Thai restaurant by the name of Vela. Brought to you by the team behind Kinn+Derm, Kinn Thai, Pochana and more, this new addition promises to deliver authentic Thai food with an inventive twist.

The first thing you’ll notice about Vela is the incredible interiors - we’re particularly obsessed with the moon suspended behind the bar and the fun LED wall art. Once you get past the beautiful fit-out, it’s time to gape at the incredible cocktails and perfectly plated dishes spanning skewers, noodles, curries, salads and fried rice.

West Village Factory 2, 97 Boundary Street, West End

FIRMA

The Emporium Hotel’s Signature Restaurant transforms into FIRMA this August, offering a fresh take on traditional Italian dining helmed by chef Alba Rizzo.

Evoking memories of Southern Italy, FIRMA uses freshly sourced and local ingredients to craft elevated comfort food, Mediterranean style. Inclusive of any dietary requirements, the Emporium continues its commitment to top-tier hospitality with this authentic new iteration of its principal dining destination.

Dine a la carte on slow-cooked ossobucco, risotto Milanese, pork agnolotti and soft polenta, or opt for the $60 or $120 set shared menus.

The tiramisu dessert trolley is a must-try part of the experience, as are the martini and negroni drinks trolleys.

Emporium Hotel, 267 Grey Street, South Brisbane

Supernormal

Melbourne restauranteur royalty Andrew McConnell and Jo McGann have brought the highly anticipated Supernormal to Brisbane’s riverfront at long last!

Whilst the menu shares a lineage with the Melbourne flagship, offering appetisers, raw bar, dumplings and large share dishes, this Asian-influenced restaurant has adapted its menu to reflect local produce, and the interior design cues hint at the Queensland landscape and climate.

Expect delicious dishes like clay pot sticky pork rib dumplings, ginger and prawn dumplings, baked abalone pastries, hand-rolled Shanxi noodles and whole mud crab with black pepper sauce.

443 Queen Street, Brisbane

Uncle Don

South City Square has just unveiled its latest addition. Promising to redefine casual Asian dining, Uncle Don is the brainchild of the Eastern Culinary Collective (other venues include Nonda, Soka, Jango Korean BBQ and Choo Choo Sushi).

With two established locations in Brisbane already (Paddington and West End), this new restaurant in Brisbane is the perfect place to grab a bowl on the go, or a quick bite before watching a movie at the Angelika Cinema.

Specialising in donburi, choose from over twenty bowls on the menu, from a savoury grilled eel, to a warming beef and onion option.

South City Square, G4.12, South City, 148 Logan Road, Woolloongabba

Longwang

From the foodies that never stop, comes another Tassis Group venue that we’ve been waiting for with bated breath. Tucked away down a formerly disused alleyway, Longwang is a purpose-built, modern Asian restaurant with a rooftop bar, cocktail lounge, formal dining space and flexible dining spaces.

Partnering with Chef Jason Margaritis (of sAme sAme, Donna Chang and Melbourne’s Spice Temple),  the menu blends Chinese and modern Asian cuisine to celebrate the best parts of banquet-style dining. And if you’re wondering where the name stems from, “Longwang” has roots in Chinese mythology, paying homage to a Dragon King who commanded the seas.

144 Edward Street, Brisbane

Fatcow

Carnivores rejoice, because it won’t be long before Fatcow reopens its doors in a brand-new location.

Finding itself in excellent company on the delightful James Street precinct, this steak restaurant favourite from Michael Tassis’ repertoire will be welcomed back with open arms after closing its doors 18 months ago, to make way for the redevelopment of Eagle Street Pier.

Taking this opportunity to perform a little glow-up, Fatcow intends to return with a fresh new look and offering, to elevate their experience and delight new and returning diners alike.

Sitchu Tip: If you like your oysters fresher than fresh, you'll be pleased to know that Fatcow lays claim to the only live oyster tank in the city.

10 James Street, Fortitude Valley

Short Grain

Fortitude Valley welcomes a brand new restaurant to its ranks on Marshall Street with the arrival of Short Grain. Brought to you by the co-owner and Executive Chef behind award-winning and twice-hatted Sydney counterparts Longrain Sydney and Longrain Melbourne, Martin Boetz.

Now, Boetz has returned to his hometown to open a warm and inviting space in a heritage-listed building that once housed an Asian food store in the nineties. Take a seat at the wooden tables or along the banquette as you order places from the fragrant and exotic Thai menu to devour with your dear friends.

15 Marshall Street, Fortitude Valley

Pneuma

Sadly we said farewell to Greenglass, one of the CBD’s favoured French restaurants, but this sadness was short-lived, thanks to the arrival of Pneuma. Operating as a pop-up, until the time comes for renovations, this discreet dining destination plates up elegant dishes of smoked eel cream, heirloom beetroot, Saku tuna and roasted monkfish tail. If decision fatigue gets the better of you, opt for the short (or extended!) chef’s menu.

336 George Street, Brisbane City

Dapl

Dapl is Brisbane City’s newest modern Australian restaurant, showcasing the creative flavours of our native flora and fauna. Opening its doors in 2024 alongside the enormous, thirty million dollar refurbishment of The Amora Hotel, the diversity of Australian cuisine is showcased through over 30 native ingredients, sourced locally and seasonally. Opt to dine a la carte, or indulge in an immaculately presented three-course set menu with paired wines from their award-winning list.

200 Creek Street, Brisbane

Como Restaurant

Drawing inspiration from beloved regions throughout Italy, Como Restaurant envelops diners in the laid-back, yet refined essence of Lake Como. When you step into this new restaurant in Brisbane, you’ll instantly feel comfortable and relaxed, in the intimate booth seating or perched at the bar. Mood lighting sets the tone for a cosy date night or a catch-up with your closest confidantes. The menu offers delicate bites to share, wood-fired pizza, and pasta plates that will linger in your mind long after you leave. With meals inspired by family recipes and humble traditions, you’ll enjoy food with heart and soul when dining at Como.

119 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane

Chalong

The Thai word Chalong means to celebrate, and we’re certainly in a celebratory mood when it comes to this new restaurant in Brisbane! Opening their doors to Chapel Hill locals in February 2024, Chalong dishes up Southeast Asian delights inspired by traditional street food eats that you don’t find in many of the Thai restaurants around town. Chef Garfield, born and raised in Southern Thailand, is a perfectionist when it comes to crafting that perfect flavour, labouring over curry pastes and cocktail syrups from scratch to ensure a tastebud sensation that is utterly unique to this restaurant.

Sitchu Tip: The Chalong signature cocktail is hard to beat, made with Chalong cane spirit, pineapple and yuzu. For a mouthwatering dish to satiate any appetite, the Yaowaraj noodle is impossible to beat.

1/620 Moggill Road, Chapel Hill

Pompette

The second of two new venues to be announced for the new Queens Wharf dining precinct from the Tassis Group is Pompette.

Positioned at the end of the Neville Bonner pedestrian bridge, this Parisian-inspired venue will boast spectacular views of the Brisbane River from its vantage point overlooking the South Bank Parklands.

With interiors by Clui Design, Pompette will feature a champagne and oyster bar, leafy alfresco area and three private dining rooms. Set to offer all-day dining, this new restaurant will serve modern interpretations of traditional French dishes, including escargot, steak au poivre and more.

The Terrace, Level 4, 33 William Street, Brisbane City

(Image credit: Markus Ravik)

Black Hide Steak & Seafood by Gambaro

Brisbane’s best-known seafood restaurant is launching something new! Black Hide Steak & Seafood has been added to the growing line-up of top tier dining institutions, coming soon the The Star Brisbane.

With indoor and outdoor seating for up to 240 diners, this new steakhouse is set to be the biggest restaurant on The Terrace, with views across the Brisbane River.

Gambaro Group Director John Gambaro is thrilled to be announcing the latest venture from the group in their expanding portfolio. “We have made significant enhancements to our menu with the addition of a variety of delicious seafood dishes, featuring fresh Queensland catches to perfectly complement our renowned steak offerings, as well as introducing a stylish cocktail lounge bar, where guests can indulge in small plates from our menu while enjoying panoramic views of the river.”

Brisbane’s dining scene is about to be seriously levelled up! Stay tuned for opening dates.

Level 1, Treasury Casino Building William Street Corner Top of Queen Street, Brisbane City

Sokyo

Brisbane’s culinary scene is soaring to new heights this year, with an exciting announcement from the new Star Brisbane precinct in the CBD. One of Australia’s most iconic Japanese restaurants will open its doors later this year to serve locals and visitors with sumptuous sashimi bouquets and ornate dishes.

Chef Alex Yu will lead the kitchen, after beginning his career at Sokyo Sydney, before then assuming the role of Head Chef at Yugen Melbourne and earning two hats within one month of opening. Often referred to as the ‘sashimi florist’, we’re champing at the bit to get a reservation at this stunning new restaurant in Brisbane.

33 William Street, Brisbane

Cucina Regina

A brand new Italian dining destination fit for royalty has been unveiled as part of The Star Brisbane’s grand plan for 2024! Inspired by sister venues Cucina Vivo on the Gold Coast and Cucina Porto in Sydney, this gorgeous new restaurant will soon become your favourite new luxe, inner-city haunt. Serving up simple, honest Italian fare with old-world charm, this venue is bound to transport your tastebuds to Italy with antipasto, woodfire pizza and handmade pasta. The incredible views won’t go astray, either.

Opening 2024

The Terrace, Level 4, 33 William Street, Brisbane City

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.

Don’t forget to share your adventures exploring our gorgeous city by tagging us @sitchu.brisbane and #sositchu.