Best Restaurants in Brisbane CBD

Aloria is a stunning rooftop dining destination and hero of The Star Brisbane’s Sky Deck trio, which includes open-air bar, Cicada Blu and bustling all-day dining experience, Babblers, perched 100m above the ground in the Queens Wharf Precinct.

Boasting a quintessential subtropical Queensland vibe with jaw-dropping views across the entire city, Aloria is the jewel in the crown of Brisbane City dining. 

Longwang is a unique Hong-Kong inspired restaurant and bar that is just three metres wide, occupying a stunning multi-level space in a converted Brisbane City laneway.

Located on bustling Edward Street. Longwang has been custom-built for purpose, with a myriad of dining nooks and crannies and two bars spread over two-and-a-half levels.

Tillerman is a stunning tropical Queensland-themed restaurant with a seafood focus, overlooking the river and Story Bridge from its first floor perch at Riperian Plaza in Brisbane CBD.

The dress circle location is a match for the splendid decor, with a sizeable outdoor terrace featuring chic patio furniture to enjoy the sweeping views and a stunning indoor dining room with timber ceilings and trimmings. 

Stilts Dining is Brisbane's stunning overwater restaurant, perched 10m above the river at the end of The Kangaroo Point Bridge. 

Located above the bridge deck on the approach to the city landing, Stilts Dining boasts panoramic views of the CBD, Brisbane River, Story Bridge and Kangaroo Point.

The restaurant and bar, by the Tassis Group, pays homage to its overwater location with its name, Stilts Dining, inspired by Queenslanders, traditionally built high upon stilts.

Hideki is an exquisite Japanese restaurant specializing in yakitori, hidden away behind a lit-up cherry blossom tree in Burnett Lane, Brisbane CBD.

Located behind the all-black facde next door to glamorous whisky bar Death & Taxes, Hideki is well worth seeking out, adding a new level of dining to Brisbane's oldest laneway, 

Step through the sliding door into another world of beautiful old world-meets contemporary design, where the only lighting comes from the backlit bar, tiny table lamps and wall lamps.

Patina is a splendid contemporary restaurant nestled within the heritage-listed surrounds of Brisbane’s iconic Customs House.

Boasting a prime dress circle position on the Brisbane river with spectacular views of the Story Bridge, Patina is the in-place to enjoy some of Brisbane’s finest cuisine made from fresh seasonal produce and local seafood that is sourced daily by the kitchen brigade.

The gorgeous interior features a stunning light installation in the main dining room and earthy-toned plates are paired with matte black cutlery while outside diners can enjoy their meals on the terrace overlooking the river.

Greca is a modern Greek taverna that brings the very best of Greek cuisine to Brisbane's Howard Smith Wharves, where it occupies an historic shed with stunning city views, and a dining terrace with retractable roof.

Honouring Greek tradition, everything at Greca is designed to share, with a menu that offers a delectable range of classic dishes prepared with the freshest of locally sourced produce and given a creative contemporary twist.

Jumbo Thai is an exquisite piece of Thailand hidden away upstairs in the city's historic Embassy Chambers - a must visit for the most outstanding Thai dining experience to be had in Brisbane.

The sense that this is something special starts with the entrance, a doorway off Elizabeth St into a marble foyer with a lift that whisks customers upstairs away from the streets of Brisbane then through a glass door and down a corridor into a stunning Thai oasis.

On the way are some dining nooks and crannies, a bustling open kitchen where Thai chefs are busy chopping herbs and prepping food (you can also grab a bite to eat here) and a glassed-off wine room before reaching the main splendid dining room and bar.

Stanley is a stunning waterfront 2-level Cantonese restaurant in the landmark heritage-listed Howard Smith Wharves building that was built in 1931 as the Howard Smith offices and has also been home to the water police.

Featuring a covered dining terrace out front with sweeping river, Story Bridge and city skyline vistas, inside The Stanley are 3 bars and opulent dining rooms with colonial-oriental-inspired decor.

With the interior designed by Samantha Leigh Interiors in collaboration with Katie Cameron Interiors, Stanley is one of Brisbane's most gorgeous restaurants, featuring deep jade-toned walls, an original grand staircase with a mural of Hong Kong's Stanley Bay leading to the upper dining level, with pendant lights and wall lamps, old world paintings, plantation shutters and a curved bar decorated with Chinese art in the centre.

Walter’s Steakhouse serves up premium, dry-aged sizzling steak in their charming, old-world restaurant in Brisbane’s Old Mineral House.

The expansive restaurant has a warm and inviting bar room, as well as three dining rooms. These are laden with booths, long tables and intimate tables for two. The quaint décor involves overfilled bookcases, floor-to-ceiling curtains and artistic wall murals.

Izakaya Publico is Brisbane's best kept dining secret - a stunning contemporary Japanese restaurant located off the beaten track via a hidden entrance in the boutique Hotel Indigo.

Getting to Izakaya Publico is part of the adventure - enter the lobby of Hotel Indigo, which is tucked away near the Turbot St offramp and take the lift or stairs to the second floor where there's a speakeasy Japanese lounge bar - 1603-  overlooking the street. From here a set of winding stairs leads down to the jaw-dropping restaurant which is like stumbling into a real slice of Japan that has just landed in Brisbane.

Rothwell's is a glamorous old world bar and grill located in the ground floor of heritage-listed Rothwells building (circa 1885) on Edward St Brisbane.

Taking its name from tailor and outfitter Thomas James Rothwell who once owned the building, Rothwell's takes inspiration from classic grill restaurants around the world such as The Savoy Grill in London and The Musso & Frank Grill in Los Angeles.

Persone is an upmarket Italian restaurant and bar in Brisbane Quarter, with stunning dress circle views of QPAC and South Bank.

The luxurious bespoke venue is the Gambaro family’s flagship Italian restaurant, adding to their stable of impressive eateries including award-winning Black Hide Steakhouse & the iconic Gambaro Seafood Restaurant.

Entry to the restaurant is via the dazzling foyer of The W ( where diners take a lift to the first-class dining precinct on the 2nd floor) or via the George St entrance to Brisabne Quarter. 

Yoko Dining is a stunning, two-level, waterfront Japanese restaurant and bar in the Howard Smith Wharves precinct in Brisbane CBD.

Inspired by the lively izakayas and music bars in Tokyo, Yoko Dining is a well-priced, laidback, Japanese bistro-style restaurant for everyone from families to friends and couples, by the owners of neighbouring Greek bar and eatery Greca.

Diners can take their choice of seating on the outside terrace with retractable roof and stunning Story Bridge and city views, or inside the massive, split-level, corrugated iron shed-like building where there's an open kitchen featuring a hibachi charcoal grill.

Babylon Brisbane is a riverside dining and drinking oasis inspired by the once-thriving ancient metropolis of Babylon, located in the heart of Brisbane City.

The massive 120 seater restaurant is the first of a multi-level cascading group of bars, terraces and dining spaces, with the rest due to be completed in early 2023.

The restaurant  is separated into four stunning dining areas, with lush red marble tabletops, a 10-metre sleek green marble bar, rich mahogany chairs and dusty pink banquettes evoking the opulence of the bygone ancient era.

Nestled along the riverfront at Eagle Street Pier in Brisbane's CBD, Massimo Restaurant & Bar invites patrons to embark on a culinary journey through the flavours of Amalfi while enjoying breathtaking views. 

Massimo's menu is inspired by the traditional flavours of Italy with a prominent focus on seafood. The venue even has a live seafood tank. This unique feature offers fresh lobster and marron, caught and prepared to order for an unparalleled dining experience.

Azteca is a stunning restaurant and bar where Latin America meets South East Asia on the Terrace (Level 4) of The Star Brisbane's new entertainment and dining hub at Queens Wharf.

The 126 seater venue, which is inspired by Latin America with touches of Asian fusion, boasts  full length water features in- built into the restaurant walls, opulent full fabrics and mosaic tiles and Aztec artwork throughout.

The Prawnster is the most unique dining experience to be had in Brisbane - a floating fresh seafood restaurant onboard two vintage prawn trawlers docked at Riverhub in the City Botanic Gardens.

The Prawnster and The Princess Prawnster are the real deal, having worked the Queensland waters since being built at Cabbage Tree Creek in the 1970s. Now, thanks to the owner Martin and his wife, they have a new life moored at the stunning CBD location, where it offers a rustic dine-in experience for seafood lovers.

Step aboard and take a seat at one of the boat's carved wooden benches to enjoy some of the best fresh seafood in the city or pick some prawns up to take home. The concise dine-in menu is strictly seafood and includes prawns of various sizes and varieties, oysters, Moreton Bay Bugs, salmon and lobster. If you want bread rolls or salads as a side, you are welcome to bring your own. 

Opa Bar & Mezze is a stunning waterfront Greek bar and restaurant with sweeping views, in prime position at Riverside Centre in Brisbane CBD.

Looking as if it's just been beamed in from Greece, Opa is a dreamy vision of white and pastel, with Mediterranean arches, glamorous curved leather and timber booths, hanging plants, potted trees and stone floors.

To the left side is the bar area with its own entrance, and a separate dining section with entry foyer to the right. The restaurant is open 7 days for lunch and dinner, while the bar is open from 11am until late.

Donna Chang is a stunningly beautiful fine dining Chinese restaurant inside one of Brisbane’s most magnificent heritage buildings, the old Queensland Government Savings Bank circa 1914.

Like a grand old world ballroom with a Hong Kong alley along one side, the dining hall features 2 storey high ornate ceilings, wood-panelled walls, exquisite chandeliers, pale parquetry floors, marble tables, potted plants and padded chairs.

Cucina Regina is an exquisite Italian restaurant offering a dining experience fit for royalty, located on The Terrace at The Star Brisbane.

Transporting guests to Italy’s trattorias with time-honoured recipes from the heart, Cucina Regina is the go-to for elevated Italian dining in the heart of Brisbane’s newest dining destination, Queens Wharf.

Sokyo is a stunning culinary destination where ritual meets art at The Star Brisbane. Having prevailed as one of Sydney's most beloved Japanese restaurants for the past ten years, Sokyo is as excitingly modern as it is beautifully traditional.

Renowned for its traditional Japanese cooking techniques, Sokyo delivers unexpected twists to the dining experience, taking the ordinary to extraordinary. The creative collision of Ritual Meets Art brings theatre to the entire sensory experience, whilst incorporating the finest Queensland produce to infuse a modern, localised touch.

Settimo, within The Westin Brisbane, is a gathering place for lovers of authentic Italian flavours enjoyed with relaxed sophistication in the heart of the CBD.

Each detail of the beautiful restaurant is pointed to the Amalfi Coast with artisan craftsmanship.   

The menu, crafted by Guy Grossi, celebrates both Italian and Australian food culture - drawing on the abundance of local produce and some international hero ingredients, carefully crafted under the tutelage of Grossi.