Bbq Tonight

BBQ Tonight is Brisbane’s first Pakistani restaurant, the go-to for traditional Pakistani food and a side of culture tucked away in Upper Mt Gravatt’s Palmdale Shopping Centre.

The spacious spotlessly clean restaurant offers a mix of western and Pakistani style seating, with a raised traditional area of cushions and rugs set aside for those who wish to eat on the floor as is custom.

On one wall Pakistani music clips are projected, adding to the ambience, while diners tuck into the delicious generously-portioned food.

The extensive menu encompasses breakfast (served on weekends a la carte or as a buffet) and from there is divided into Starters, Salads, Kebabs, BBQ Grills & Grill Platters, Curries, a Vegetarian Corner, the signature Karahi (Chef’s Special), Rice Mania and an Arabic Corner as well as a small Pakistani-meets-Oz Kids menu.

While some of the menu will be familiar – starters of Samosa and Pakora, Seekh kebabs, curries such as Chicken Korma and Palak Paneer (chose from mild/medium/hot/extra hot), salads of Foul Mudammas and Naan, this is the place to tuck into authentic Pakistani cuisine that you won’t find anywhere else (and where chicken, goat, lamb, rice and vegetarian are staples).

If unsure ask for help from the waitress or stick to the Chef’s Specials, of which there are plenty. Highly recommended is the Rice Mania Chef’s Special Platter (at $24* and feeds 2), a trio of Briyani, Bukhari and Pulao Rice with a half chicken Charga and Half Lyall Puri Chicken.

Or try one of the restaurant’s signature Kahari dishes, which take 30-40 minutes to prepare from scratch and for which it is advised to order ahead when booking. Diners can choose from Chicken or Goat (with bone or boneless), prepared with a special Pakistani mix of spices.

Then for dessert there’s traditional rice and milk-based sweets like Ras Malai (like a rich cheesecake), Kheer (rice pudding) and Kulfa.

On the breakfast front, this would have to be one of the most interesting places in town, with options ranging from French toast and Omelette with tomato, green onion and chillies, to Paratha or Naan Lachey Dar - traditional Pakistani bread cooked in oil, plain or stuffed with potatoes and Nihari – a chef’s special curry cooked with tender layered meat.

And for little ones there’re high chairs and a small menu of Butter Chicken Fries, Chicken Nuggets, Fish and Chips or Fries with Cheese.

While BBQ Tonight adheres to tradition, with no alcohol served or allowed on premises, there’s a delicious range of drinks in lieu on offer, such as Kashmiri tea, the chef’s special Doodh Soda (like a milk soft drink) and a range of lassi including the house signature strawberry lassi, made from pressed fresh strawberries.

Need to know – The weekend breakfast buffet runs from 9.30 on Saturday and Sunday mornings and at $18pp* is an absolute steal. Or drop by for one of the delicious and generous lunch specials like Bukhari Rice with Broast Chicken or Goat for $10. Takeaway is also available.

Nice to know - BBQ Tonight is possibly the only non-fast food restaurant in Brisbane's south where you can pop in for a feed after 11pm at night. Free off-street parking is available onsite.

*Prices and opening hours correct at time of writing in March 2015.