Malt Pier

MALT PIER IS REBRANDING TO THE FOX'S HOLLOW in 2023 AND AWAITS A NEW REVIEW.

Malt Pier is a cool little café bar that brings top notch food, drinks and a touch of Scandinavian chic to the waterfront at Newstead.

Brought to this contemporary ex-industrial precinct by the creative brains behind Malt Bar and Dining in Brisbane CBD, Malt Pier is, as with its forebears, a class act. It is also one that wears many hats, from breakfast hub, to coffee lounge, lunch destination, cocktail, boutique beer and wine bar or whisky den.

Punters can park their dog or bike in the ample space out front and drop in for anything from takeaway coffee and pastries to scrumptious breakfasts, light or full lunches, share plate and wine, whiskeys, beers and house cocktails.

Breakfast here is a real treat, served until 11am and worth a trip here for, with recommended choices including House Cured Salmon, Pulled Pork and Eggs, Wild Mushroom Bruschetta, Eggs Benedict and waffle or Brioche French Toast. Or for something light, try the Cacao and Black Tahini Granolaor ham and cheese croissant with honey mustard glaze.

From 11.30 right through until 5pm, diners can partake in lighter lunch dishes to share, such as the Pier Charcuterie Board, Buttermilk Chicken with southern spices and chipotle sauce or Duo of Chef’s Dips.

Up until 3pm the Reload menu is the go, and includes options like the highly recommended Steak Sandwich and fries, Roasted Harissa Cauliflower salad, Braised Beef with Creamy Mash, Broccolini, Roast Field Mushrooms and Malt Sauce or Grilled Scallops with pea pure sauce, vege salad and chorizo oil.

At the same time the more substantial Nourish menu offerings include Market Fish of the Day and Pork Shoulder and Loin Sous Vide with Thyme Pea Mash and Baby Carrots.

For some sweet Indulgence, there’s a small tempting menu including Malt Brownie, Vanilla and Apricot Brulee, Blueberry tart and plate of 2 or 3 cheeses.

The drink selection is every bit as good as the food menu, starting with the special Breakfast Cocktails available from 110am and including Spiced Rum Espresso, the Bloody mare (a Gin Mare-based take on the Bloody Mary) and Breakast@Pier – gin, triple sec, marmalade, orange bitters, lemon and honey.

Other cocktails through the day include Pimms and Elderflower Fizz, Alpine Spice and Pink Flamingo, with Wyborowa Vodka featuring as a base for many.

In the spirit vein, Malt Pier, true to its name, is a destination for whisky aficionados, with a whole menu page devoted to Single Malt Scotch Whisky and divided into Speyside, The Highlands, The Lowlands and The Islands, and Whisky Blends. In addition there’s a short neat list of American Whiskeys and Japanese and Australian whisky. There’s also a cracking compact list of gins, vodka, rums, tequila and fortified wines.

Meanwhile beer fans will find plenty of top craft beers to pick from, including some locally brewed labels like Green Beacon’s  ‘3 Bolt’ Pale Ale and Newstead Brewing Co’s ‘Two to the Valley’ IPA.

And for wine drinkers there’s a snappy selection of boutique whites, reds, roses and sparkling, along with a couple of French champagnes.

Last but not least Malt Pier’s sensational coffee comes from Melbourne's Locale roasters (with bags of beans available to purchase).

Need to know – There’s free on-street parking in surrounding streets on weekends. Along the low wall out front there’s a line-up of metal latches to secure dog leashes to.

The menu may have changed since our visit.