Lokal + Co
West End
Lokal + Co is an inviting oasis of Nordic cool tucked away in a West End side street, and the only place in Brisbane to offer mod Norwegian-inspired cuisine.
Both the menu and decor in this eatery and bar are a seamless fusion of Norway and Oz, with owners Helge from Norway and Corey a local Brisbane lad bringing the best of both countries to the table.
Occupying one half of a Queenslander, Lokal + Co features a split level front yard with al fresco seating on astroturf level or on timber decking while inside is a spacious Scandinavian-chic dining area.
Breakfast offerings range from the Light, such as Sour Cherry Loaf with vanilla whipped ricotta or Chia Seed Coconut Pudding with seasonal fruit salsa to the Substantial, such as Green Olive Tapenade on Toast and poached eggs with salad of zucchini, currants and Persian feta, House Cured Gravlax with rye soldiers, goats curd, pickled baby beets, cherry tomatoes and fresh herbs and the must try Gingerbread Waffles, which are made to order with a Norwegian waffle press and served with chocolate hazelnut sauce, whipped ricotta and house-made honeycomb.
For Lunch, the Light options include Danish Open Rye with sardines, egg, fennel, radish and iceberg lettuce or Ricotta Stuffed Mushrooms with salsa verde, grilled haloumi, radicchio and asparagus salad while for something Substantial, don’t miss the Grilled House Cured (for 72 hours) Gravlax with warm potato and braised fennel salad with mustard seed aioli dressing.
Coffee at Lokal + Co is an excellent Allpress brew and tea is loose leaf organic from West End Tea Co in a variety of flavours. Also available are fresh juices - orange, green or seasonal mix.
Lokal + Co is also on Friday and Saturday evenings until 8pm at which time customers can rock up and enjoy a craft beer, boutique wine, spirits and Nordic-inspired bar food or dinner as well as Sundays for a late lunch ahd afternoon drinks.
Beers on tap include Asahi, Cricketers Arms, Estrella and a Guest Beer, while Asahi Soukai or Black and Cricketers IPA or Scorcher are available by the bottle (and look out for a future Norwegian addition).
A small punchy selection of wines include Chevalier Blanc de Blanc NV sparkling and Mum Champagne, whites from Italy, Vic and the Barossa Valley and Reds from Argentina, the Barossa Valley and Victoria’s Goulburn Valley.
Food-wise, tuck into delicious Bar Snacks like Lokal + Co’s own Lefse (a traditional Norwegian flatbread) with eggplant/tahini and yoghurt; Roasted Sardines with brioche crumbs and cucumber salsa or Sweet Potato; Cured Gravlax Croquettes with seeded mustard sauce or Lokal + Ko Kjottkaker (handmade traditional meatballs) with pickled red cabbage and house chutney.
Meanwhile expect dinner offerings such as Whole Baby Butterflied Barramundi with rich red curry sauce or baby Beets and Quinoa plate with hazelnut salsa verde, asparagus and goats cheese.
Need to know – Lokal + Co is dog-friendly, with dogs welcome to be parked outside in the courtyard garden.
Nice to know – Almost everything at Lokal + Co – including sauces, chutneys and some breads are made in-house from locally sourced ingredients where available.
The menu may have changed since our visit
