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James St, Fortitude Valley

Brisbane's Best Eat Streets

Updated: Jun 30, 2025

One of Brisbane's best and most elegant eat streets, James Street, Fortitude Valley is home to some of Brisbane's finest and most renowned restaurants (including Greek, Thai, Middle Eastern, Italian, steak and seafood) and bars, as well as top notch casual eats. Here's the pick of where to drink and dine:

Fatcow on James St

The top-tier steak and seafood restaurant brings a world of sophistication, timeless glamour and exemplary service

Carmen Tequileria

A chic resort-style Mexican restaurant and boutique tequila bar located on James Street

The Lodge Bar & Dining

Lit-up exterior of Rodd & Gunn's The Lodge Fortitude Valley

An exquisite 2-storey restaurant and bar housed in a stunning heritage-listed Queenslander

sAme sAme

sAme sAme is a stunning contemporary 2-level Thai restaurant and bar in the Valley's chic Ada Lane

SK Steak and Oyster

Vie of dining room from top floor at SK Steak & Oyster

Mad Men meets James Bond at Ada Lane's stunning world class restaurant and bar

Penelope Bistro + Bar

Penelope Bistro & Bar is a glamorous dining, drinking and dancing den which is reminiscent of a chic European supper club

Gemelli James Street

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

Hideki Izakaya

Hideki Izakaya is a chic al fresco Japanese restaurant occupying a covered pavilion-style terrace with a stunning lit up cherry tree

Sunshine Mediterranean Eatery

Sunshine is a unique vegetarian Mediterranean eatery with the option to dine in or take away

Cru Bar

Since the day it first drew open its sheer curtains, Cru Bar and Cellar has been a magnet for drinkers of all ages

At Sixes & Sevens

People drinking outside At Sixes and Sevens Bar in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley

At Sixes and Sevens is a gorgeous public house come gastro pub inhabiting one of the area's oldest surviving buildings

The Green

A Middle Eastern inspired urban oasis serving breakfast and lunch daily from its leafy plant-filled home

Harvey's Bar & Bistro

Harvey's Bistro, Fortitude Valley, James Street, Brisbane

This upmarket bistro in a cool summerhouse style setting has become something of a James Street institution

ēmmē

ēmmē is a stunning light-filled diner dishing up an ever-evolving menu, breathtaking interiors and exceptional brews on James Street

ESSA Restaurant & Bar

Open Kitchen in Essa Restaurant Fortitude Valley

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

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