The City:
Fine dining

18 JANUARY 2023

Be it a special occasion or an excuse to treat yourself, The City has an enviably high concentration of award-winning fine-dining restaurants. From the best Italian to exquisite Asian to contemporary Australian cuisine, you’ll find no shortage of sophisticated venues throughout The City.  

Donna Chang, George St

Glamorous modern Chinese restaurant Donna Chang has taken over a 1920s-era former bank and revived it with a luxe fit-out like no other. An extensive menu heavy on Sichuan flavours and fresh local seafood includes the likes of grilled octopus with native tamarind, sea herbs and chilli and Moreton Bay bugs with salted duck egg, through to big plates of shredded pork, dim sum and southern rock lobster or mud crab from the fish tank.

Persone, Brisbane Quarter, George St   

When the family-run Gambaro Group opens a smart casual Italian bar and bistro, you know it will be delizioso. Add those river views and big balconies and you have a hit on your hands. An embodiment of la dolce vita, Persone is a place to indulge, with entrees of arancini and prosciutto with melon to share plates like the 1kg Bistecca alla Fiorentina.  

Black Hide, Treasury Casino, William St   

The Gambaro Group also runs its wildly popular Black Hide Steakhouse at Treasury Casino. The restaurant features marbled stone tabletops with moody lighting to treat diners to a luxe experience. The menu champions succulent Queensland-raised Stanbroke beef as well as a selection of mouth-watering seafood dishes.   

Patina, Customs House, Queen St  

Brisbane's iconic heritage-listed Customs House is home to the glorious Patina restaurant. Expect to enjoy fresh seasonal produce and local seafood that is sourced daily, along with mushrooms grown in an onsite cellar. Menu highlights include the eye fillet with smoked potato and a salad of spring beets and baby leek as well as wines sourced from small producers and family-owned wineries. This restaurant is sure to have you coming back for more.   

Alchemy, Eagle St 

Picture this: stunning, uninterrupted views of the Story Bridge and the Brisbane River before your eyes, a European-inspired degustation on your table. Alchemy is heralded as one of Brisbane’s best French restaurants and it’s easy to see why after sampling the multi-course menu. If you’d prefer to go a la carte, the chef creates daily specials including fresh seafood dishes and decadent desserts.  

Moo Moo The Wine Bar + Grill, Edward St   

Moo Moo can be found in the heart of The City as part of the Stamford Plaza Brisbane Hotel complex. Exuding heritage charm, Moo Moo prides itself on sourcing the best beef from all regions of Australia and offers a wide range of specialty steaks. Catering to all tastes and needs, Moo Moo also serves vegetarian, gluten-free and halal options.   

Blackbird Bar and Grill, Eagle St   

Blackbird is committed to sustainability, using locally sourced, seasonal produce in its sweet and savoury dishes. Meat is the hero here, cooked on a specially imported Infierno 96 wood grill. Pair each dish with the long wine list and sink back into the opulent, Prohibition-inspired space.  

Madame Wu, Eagle St  

Madame Wu is an exciting and elegant riverfront restaurant where spice and flavour are kings. How decadent do Moreton Bay bug-filled dumplings sound? This dish is a must-order at the Asian fusion restaurant. Find a friend or three and lock in the $35 lunch banquet – it’s worth every cent.  

Walter’s Steakhouse and Wine Bar, Alice St 

Take a step back in time at Walter's Steakhouse, overlooking the iconic City Botanic Gardens in Old Mineral House. It provides the ultimate experience for steak lovers, serving a 270-day grain-fed, in-house dry-aged porterhouse, prepared and cooked with secret methods. Arrive early and order a drink at Walter's enticing bar and enjoy the old-fashioned service.   

Malt Dining, Market St  

Malt Dining offers fine and casual dining from its charming rustic venue located in Brisbane’s iconic Wenley House. Over three storeys, you’ll find a restaurant, a whiskey-centric bar and a speakeasy-style underground cellar for private dining events. The menu changes with the seasons but you’ll be sure to find something with options for all dietary requirements.  

Exhibition, Edward St  

Escape to Exhibition, an intimate underground restaurant offering those lucky enough to snag a reservation a rare multi-sensory dining experience. Head chef and owner Tim Scott, along with his team, aims to bring you a menu that takes inspiration from a Japanese-style Omakase for a truly unique dining experience.  

Tillerman, Eagle St  

The vibrant, warm, and inviting design of Tillerman will catch your eye before you even pick up the menu. A premium seafood restaurant, the menu is filled with fresh quality produce and ingredients, our favourite being the crispy-skinned Hiramasa kingfish crêpes garnished with saffron pickled radish.  

Rothwell’s, Edward St

Eat well and drink well at Rothwell’s. A timeless bar and grill located in a heritage-listed building, this glamorous eatery is made for long lunches, evening cocktails and intimate dining moments. Be transported back in time, not only through the ambience but also the vintage-feel menu. The succulent beef wellington with red wine sauce would be our top pick. 

Settimo, The Westin Brisbane

Settimo is a restaurant situated in The Westin Brisbane, helmed by acclaimed chef and media personality, Guy Grossi. Drawing inspiration from the sun-kissed Amalfi Coast, the menu showcases a fusion of Italian and Australian cuisine that highlights locally-sourced ingredients. With a seating capacity of 150, Settimo offers a delightful dining experience in The City.

Friends enjoying a drink at Riverbar.