Fatcow on James St

Fatcow on James St is a top-tier steak and seafood restaurant bringing a world of sophistication, timeless glamour and exemplary service to a prominent corner of Fortitude Valley's James Street precinct.  

At the entrance, diners are given a visual glimpse of what's on the menu, with live oyster and lobster tanks and cabinets of premium dry-aged beef.

Once inside, the interior is a splendid vision of black and white, with sleek black leather chairs, booths and banquetttes, black table lamps, sheer white curtains, a striking backlit stone tiled wall and to one side, a marble backlit bar. 

Like the decor, the menu is a feast for the senses, created from the best produce available, including the freshest seafood award-winning meats, complemented by a superb wine list and premium whiskey collection.

Must-try are the live oysters, which come straight from the oyster tank (Fatcow is the only restaurant in Brisbane to have one), shucked just before serving and are better than those you'll find in any other restaurant.

Other starters include Oscietra Sturia or Kaviari caviar, foie gras rougie and wagyu beef & brle cheese croquettes, while entrees include raw scallops or kingfish; beetroot or beef tenderloin tartare; seared scallops with smoked celeriac purée, pea tendrils and bresaola; and (highly recommended) chargrilled prawns with creamy bisque, piment d’espelette and finger lime.

Mains range from dishes such as wagyu burger; baked patagonian toothfish with parsley puree and pickled turnips or chargrilled Brisbane Valley Quail to live lobster from the tank (chargrilled or tagliatelle) and the divine signature steaks.

The steak menu features a selection of Black Angus and Wagyu from the woodfired grill staring with 180g Black Angus eye fillet and ranging up to the absolute premium 150G Wagyu Eye Fillet A5 MB12+ (650+ days grain fed, 100% full blood A5 Japanese Black Wagyu). Diners can also take it to the next level with the bespoke Wagyu Tasting Experience or the House Signatures such as Steak & Lobster. 

Steaks are served with a complimentary side of choice such as mash potato; mixed vegetables; garden salad or fries with truffle aioli, while a selection of sauces includes red wine jus, woodfired mushroom, garlic & peppercorn or chimichurri.

For dessert, there's chocolate tart, Basque cheesecake or lime sorbet and a selection of artisan cheeses from South Australia, Victoria, UK, Switzerland and Italy, served with accompaniments.

Good to know - Fatcow has a private dining room which can cater for up to 8 guests and a semi-private dining room for up to 36 guests. 

Need to know - There is limited free onsite parking in the carpark adjacent to Fatcow otherwise on-street parking nearby.

The menu may have changed since our visit.

Check out our guide to the best restaurants in Fortitude Valley

Still hungry for more suggestions on where to eat out in Brisbane, head to our comprehensive Eat & Drink section HERE! Happy grazing!