The city:
Guide to work lunches
In an office lunchtime rut? Tired of boring lunch meetings in the boardroom? Take your working lunches and team meetings off-site for a change of scenery and a delicious menu that will inspire creativity and productivity. Here’s our favourite spots to break up your workday with a delish lunch in The City.
For business meetings
Blackbird Bar & Grill
Follow the smoky scent wafting from Blackbird Bar & Grill’s open wood-fired grill and you’ll uncover a stunning two-storey venue with sweeping river views. Blackbird has long been a favourite spot to celebrate a Saturday night, but don’t be fooled into thinking it’s just a bar; their restaurant menu is a real treat, featuring a plethora of perfectly plated dishes loaded with local Queensland and seasonal ingredients.
Isles Lane
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and with a raft of daily specials, Isles Lane is a prime choice for a weekday bite. With a menu that boasts handmade bread, pizza and pasta, you’re guaranteed to leave satisfied. Never fear if carbs aren’t your thing – there are plenty of lighter options including fresh fish, salads and small plates.
Fat Noodle
Step into Treasury Casino’s best-kept secret – Fat Noodle – an exotic hideaway in the stunning sandstone building at the top of Queen Street Mall. Here you will be treated to an Asian-fusion feast created by celebrity chef Luke Nguyen. You can’t go past Luke’s signature Vietnamese chicken salad – and the dumplings are top notch too!
Goldfinch
Glamorous Goldfinch is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city streets. The menu takes inspiration from the seaside bistros of the Mediterranean, with sourdough pizzas, antipasto platters, fresh seafood, and hearty mains. Choose from individual meals or a selection of their share plates, and don’t forget to check out the cocktail menu too.
Rothwell’s
Enjoy timeless cuisine under a canopy of crystal chandeliers at Rothwell’s on Edward St. It’s arguably the classiest grill restaurant you’ll find! The menu features a number of classic meals, dialled up a notch and plated to perfection. Cosy up in a leather booth or settle in for a long lunch; you're in for a treat regardless.
Stanton Brisbane
With a luxe fit-out overlooking Queen Street Mall, Stanton offers a classic menu of traditional café favourites. This is the place to impress, but not at the expense of the company account. Sink into stuffed armchairs inside or grab a table outside and choose from tapas-inspired share plates, pizzas fresh from the pizza oven, and club classics.
Fun with friends
Beach House Bar & Grill
With a view over the Albert and Elizabeth St intersection, Beach House has the ideal gastropub menu and a sizeable venue to cater for any size working lunch. Bring a friend or bring the whole office; there’s plenty of room. Meet here for hearty helpings and a moreish menu, with burgers, pasta, seafood and schnitties.
Comuna Cantina
Soak up the Insta-worthy décor and down some tacos at this lively Latin-inspired bar and street eatery. Comuna Cantina’s cocktails are somewhat famous but beware if you’re dashing back to the office afterwards as you may struggle to stop at just one!
Hellcat Maggie
Another of The City’s hidden gems is Hellcat Maggie, tucked away behind Rich Lane. With a menu laden with a-little-bit-fancy and filling pub-style meals, there is almost certainly something for everyone. At last count their menu featured almost as many types of fries as it did burgers, so this is one not to miss if you’re chipper for a chippie.
New Shanghai
With a cosy ambience and an extensive menu of Shanghainese specialties and delicious dumplings, New Shanghai QueensPlaza has round banquet tables for a fun and interactive lunch. Don’t be daunted by the queue, which moves quickly at lunchtime, or be sure to book ahead to accommodate larger groups.
Santa Monica
If it’s atmosphere you’re looking for, check out Santa Monica. With a California vibe and beer-garden-style outdoor seating, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy Brisbane’s stunning weather. Their large booths are perfect for groups and the menu is loaded with all the crowd-pleasers including pizzas, burgers, tacos and plenty of share plates.
Budget bites
Cheeky Poké Bar
Cheeky Poké Bar is not just cool, but also cost-effective, especially if you visit on a Tuesday for $6 tacos. They offer healthy meals of fresh ingredients topped with tasty sauces that promise your best self in a bowl. It’s also a great option for a quick takeaway lunch if you’re simply too busy to sit down and enjoy life in the slow lane.
Grill’d
It’s hard to beat the view from the top level Grill’d of the Wintergarden overlooking Queen Street Mall. Take the team for stacked burgers that’ll satisfy, plus popular sides such as sweet potato chips to share. (Sharing is caring, team.)
Hakataya Ramen
This slurptastic ramen joint in Uptown is a go-to for traditional Japanese noodle soups and team bonding. Split some gyoza for starters and follow up with a big bowl of Hakataya Ramen’s famous ramen with fresh house-made broth. FYI: paper aprons are available on request so you can all return to the office in pristine condition.
Som Tum Bar
Fresh and flavoursome, Som Tum Bar will provide a different perspective for casual business lunches. Situated off George St in Brisbane Quarter, Brisbane’s first som tum bar dishes up its namesake Thai green papaya salad (aka som tum) with an array of toppings that will appeal to all palates.
Vapiano
A two-level Italian restaurant tucked into Albert Lane, Vapiano is a fresh-and-fast casual affair. Tuck into a $15 lunch combo available Monday to Friday with a choice of pastas and pizzas plus a soft drink. Or for an extra $4 you can upgrade to a house beer, wine or sparkling. We guarantee some fresh, house-made carbs will help everyone power through those spreadsheets in the afternoon.
In a hurry? Check out our list of cheap eats in The City for lunch to- go!