Dine out in the Valley’s favourite restaurants & eateries
Calling food lovers – The Valley is home to a host of fabulous dining options. From old faves reimagined and pop-up eateries to fine diners and modern classics, it's time to tuck into all the deliciousness.
Agnes Restaurant
Agnes, a woodfire restaurant from the team behind Honto and sAme sAme, is located on its namesake Agnes Street and in 2023 was named Australia's restaurant of the year at Gourmet Traveller's annual awards, becoming only the second Queensland venue to claim the title. The restaurant’s seasonal menu is based on woodfired cooking and smoky cocktails with the best local products available. Bookings via the website.
Baja Modern Mexican
Taking classic regional flavours and mixing them with modern cooking techniques, fresh produce, bold spices and a kick of chilli, Baja Modern Mexican channels the easy, breezy ambience of a SoCal Mexican diner. Visit the Brunswick Street restaurant for tasty tostadas, tacos, ceviche and more plus a spicy signature cocktail list. Bookings via the website.
Bisou Bisou
French for “kiss kiss”, it’s time to get cosy with Brisbane’s newest French brasserie and aperitivo bar, Bisou Bisou. Located on the ground floor of the new 5-star Hotel X on Brunswick Street, the modern Parisian-style bistro serves classics such as bouillabaisse and confit duck alongside house-made rotisserie chicken and a fromage trolley of French and Australian cheeses. Bookings via the website.
Establishment 203
Celebrity chef Ben O’Donohue has teamed up with family-owned beef producer Stanbroke to offer a ‘paddock to plate’ style steak restaurant. Paying homage to the Italian heritage of the Stanbroke family, the menu features handmade pasta, gelato stuffed brioche and wood-fired vegetables alongside some incredible beef and seafood offerings, including Southern Rock Lobster with lemon and fresh garlic butter. The bar space offers a quick menu perfect for the pre and post-concert crew, with antipasti and crafted burgers.
Gung Ho! Dumpling
Tucked into Bakery Lane, Gung Ho! Dumpling is a dumpling den with a delish array of handmade morsels on offer. From pan-fried gyozas to dumplings in soup, it’s a bite-size bonanza! Try the lamb coriander dumplings for a fresh take on dim sum, or chow down on plump vegan versions. Yum!
Hey Chica!
This Latin American restaurant is inspired by the vibrant flavours and fiesta vibes of a barrio street party. With influences from Havana to Santiago, visit Hey Chica! on Brunswick Street Mall for Cuban street food such as shared plates, classic Cubano sandwiches and grilled steaks with a side of dancing and delish drinks.
Honto
This dark and moody fine diner on Alden Street is synonymous with elevated Japanese cuisine and rare whiskeys and sake. Honto's menu is designed to share with a sushi and sashimi selection and izakaya-style bites to start as well as more substantial and flavoursome meals balanced by fresh salads and greens. Book via the website.
Iris Rooftop
Also housed within the new Hotel X, Iris Rooftop is a Mediterranean-flavoured rooftop bar and restaurant, serving up sweeping cityscape views alongside a delectable gourmet menu of eats and drinks inspired by the coastline from Beirut to Barcelona. The latest opening from the Ghanem Group (Bisou Bisou, Donna Chang and Blackbird) is the place to be.
Joy Restaurant
Tiny fine diner Joy Restaurant in Bakery Lane has reopened as a 10-seat restaurant with reservations released on the first of each month three months in advance. Get in quick to sample the acclaimed multi-course menu and wine experience from chef-owner Sarah Scott. To get on the waitlist for last-minute cancellations, follow Joy on Instagram.
La Costa Restaurant
Channelling effortless Italian Rivera style through a coastal-inspired Mediterranean menu with seafood as the star, La Costa is the newest dining destination on the upper Brunswick Street block. The latest venture from Salt Meats Cheese Group with award-winning Sydney bar Maybe Sammy promises a delicious escape from the everyday.
MAYA Mexican
With easy, breezy coastal style and fresh regional Mexican, MAYA rooftop pop-up bar and restaurant is a welcome ray of year-round summer vibes. Come for the Riviera Maya-inspired menu of street food, tacos, bar snacks and extensive drinks list (including four styles of margarita) and stay for the stunning views and ambience.
Magnolia
Modern Chinese not as you know it. That’s the promise from this chic restaurant located on St Paul’s Terrace. Offering a degustation delight, the Southern Chinese chef has perfectly curated each dish as a work of art. Traditional techniques meet modern flavours - MS Wagyu Sirloin with seasonal vegetables and homemade oyster sauce, Line-Caught Coral Trout over chicken broth with chinese pickle and Ramon infused with bamboo shoot and shallots. Mouth watering.
Perspective Dining
A modern gastronomic experience in an old-world setting. Perspective Dining in heritage-listed TC Beirne & Co offers a closed-door 12-seat chef table dining experience with an exquisite tasting menu.
Rosmarino Ristorante & Wine Bar
Located within the revamped Stewart & Hemmant heritage building on Marshall Street, Rosmarino promises a casual Italian-style fine dining experience. Helmed by head chef Dario Manca and hospo heavyweights Lauren Smith and Andrea Gatti (ex-Hellenika), the menu is full of authentic flavours and modern twists in a reimagined space. Book via the website with walk-ins welcome for the wine bar.
Short Grain by Martin Boetz
Martin Boetz of Longrain (Sydney and Melbourne) fame, has established another delectable thai-inspired eatery with dishes such as the khao man gai (braised chicken and rice); steamed duck and winter melon soup; salt and pepper cuttlefish; and fried whole fish with green chilli nam jim. Located in a heritage-listed former clothing factory and one-time Asian food store in Fortitude Valley, it’s got all the character without the pretension. If you are keen for a night in but want the fine dining experience, there’s some pre-prepared curries that you just need to finish off by popping to the attached thai grocer for some fresh produce and imported products.
