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Brisbane's Best New Restaurants

2021

Updated: Mar 10, 2026

From an Argentinian and wood-fired restaurants, a tiny paella bar and Indonesian rooftop to stunning new Greek and a seafood boathouse, 25+ of the best restaurants to open in Brisbane in 2021:

La Costa

A glamorous Italian Riviera-inspired restaurant and bar behind the heritage facade of the Valley's first picture theatre

Manly Boathouse

This stunning white seafront restaurant and bar features a chic beach resort-inspired interior with views of Manly harbour and the bay

Evita

Brisbane's only Argentinian restaurant, Evita inhabits the heritage-listed century old McDonald's Bakery

Rothwell's Bar & Grill

The glamorous old-world bar and grill oozes vintage charm and style, located on the ground floor of heritage-listed Rothwells building

Pilgrim by Fogata

A stunning rustic Latin American restaurant and bar has made its home in heritage-listed The Barracks

Melrose Restaurant

A stunning Pan Asian restaurant on a rooftop at the river end of Oxford St in Bulimba

Bisou Bisou

This stunning contemporary Mediterranean brasserie and bar is found in the base of the glamorous X-Hotel

Rosmarino Ristorante & Wine Bar

This stunning split-level Italian bar and restaurant occupies the refurbished 1890's Hemmant Merchants building

Paella Y Pa'Mi

A chic little Spanish bistro and wine bar specializing in paella, located in the Martha Street precinct

Uncle Wang

A chic contemporary Chinese restaurant and bar nestled within Petrie Terrace's stunning heritage-listed The Barracks.

Banc Brasserie & Bar

A splendid, old-world, European-style brasserie and wine bar in the grand, heritage-listed Bank of New South Wales

Kasina

This rustic Balkan restaurant whisks you straight off the streets of suburban Brisbane to Eastern Europe

ESSA Restaurant & Bar

Open Kitchen in Essa Restaurant Fortitude Valley

ESSA has opened its doors to a luxe new level of bespoke dining

Gemelli James Street

This slick contemporary Italian dining oasis brings delectable Italian cuisine to a prominent Valley corner

Opa Bar & Mezze

This stunning Greek restaurant and bar sits in prime position on the Brisbane River with stunning Story Bridge views

The Arsonist

A dark moodily-lit restaurant and luxe bar where food is cooked over a fire-pit

Ma Pa Me

The cool restaurant and bar raises the dining bar at South Bank with its exquisite Indonesian, Thai, Japanese & Chinese fusion menu

Sasso Italiano

A neighbourhood trattoria and bar serving up old school Italian food from a chic contemporary space

Aji Spice House

A convivial cafe, bar and kitchen serving outstanding Pan Asian cuisine and cocktails

Oh Boy, Bok Choy!

A slick contemporary Pan Asian eatery and bar tucked away in a Stafford shopping strip

Santorini Restaurant Grill Bar

Tables and chairs with white tablecloths and mural on wall inside Santorini Restaurant, Newstead

Take a trip to the famed Greek island at this authentic restaurant and bar tucked away in a Newstead side street

Dos Manos

A ground-breaking Mexican-Japanese fusion restaurant unlike anything else in Brisbane

Elementi

This chic contemporary Italian eatery and bar serves up some of the best pasta and pizzas in Brisbane.

Rita's Tequila & Taqueria

A cool contemporary taco and tequila bar nestled in the base of the historic woolstores

Mr Wabi

A funky Pan Asian street food eatery and bar nestled in Brisbane's oldest laneway

Melbourne Cup Day at Riverland

Nov 3

Melbourne Cup at Bar Pacino

Swap the racetrack for riverside glamour

Nov 3

Melbourne Cup at Haig Rd. Bistro

Celebrate the race that stops the nation with a French twist

Nov 3

Melbourne Cup at Howard Smith Wharves

Nov 3

Melbourne Cup at The Prince Consort

Nov 3

West End Shoe Sale

Brisbane's biggest & best ladies shoe sale is back!

Nov 4 - 6

SHOW ME LOVE BY CIRCA

Circa is back with a world premiere performance!

NOV 5–7

Supanova Comic Con & Gaming 2026

Dust off your costumes! Supanova Comic Con is returning to Brisbane

Nov 6-8

The Big Bounce

The world's biggest inflatable fun park has landed on the Gold Coast

7-8 Nov

2026 Let’s Go Explore Caravan and RV Expo

The 2026 Let’s Go Explore Caravan and RV Expo is rolling back into Brisbane Showgrounds bringing four days of caravans, motorhomes, outdoor gear and everything you need for your next great escape

2026 Let’s Go Explore Caravan and RV Expo

MUST DO

Don Juan & Manfred

Join the Queensland Symphony Orchestra for their epic 2026 Season Finale at the Concert Hall QPAC, Don Juan & Manfred

Don Juan & Manfred

THIS WEEKEND

Top Things to Do Oct 30-Nov 1

An Australia-first, year-round cabana club, a massive four-day caravan and RV sale, spooky Halloween events, World Series Wrestling hits Brisbane and a sprawling 800sqm Italian-inspired restaurant opens its doors

This Weekend Oct 31-Nov 1

COMING UP

What's on in November in & around Brisbane

From Spring Carnival racing and Melbourne Cup events to Supanova Comic-Con, blockbuster theatre, world-first exhibitions and adults-only arts and crafts parties, what's on in November

What's On in November 2026

HOT TICKET

Into The Woods

Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel heading into the woods! Stephen Sondheim’s much-loved Into the Woods is coming to Brisbane this November!

Into The Woods

HALLOWEEN

Halloween Spooktacular

Westfield Chermside is throwing a Halloween Spooktacular with trick-or-treating, a spooky disco, free face painting and plenty of family-friendly fun

Halloween Spooktacular

BEST OF BRISBANE

50+ Best Restaurants in Brisbane

Looking for the best restaurants in Brisbane? Then check out this guide for the must-do dining experiences from the city to the suburbs

Best Restaurants in Brisbane

Best Of Brisbane

Brisbane's Best 50 Bars

Whether you're after breezy drinks by the river, a stiff whiskey in an underground bar, a cosy laneway hideaway or a rooftop with views, here's 50 of Brisbane's best bars

Best Bars in Brisbane

A brand-new Nutcracker is coming to Brisbane