ICML 2009: Dining
Restaurant Guide – Brisbane and Environs
As newcomers to Brisbane, we've taken the opportunity to explore the Brisbane food and wine scene over the last 12 months. I'm pleased to report that there's something for everyone here, whether you're a die-hard foodie or simply like traditional fare freshly prepared in a friendly atmosphere. All the restaurants listed below have been tested by your conference social committee and have been rated in the Queensland Food and Wine Guide with scores above 12 out of 20.
We've arranged the listing according to cuisine for your convenience.
Price guide: $ = cheap; $$ = moderate; $$$ = expensive
Aboriginal
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| Tukka | 145 Boundary Street, West End | Feast on local fauna |
| 07 3846 6333 | ||
| $$ | ||
American/ USA
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| Blue Smoke BBQ | 9/85 Merthyr Road, New Farm | Buffalo wings; Memphis ribs; Authentic fare |
| 07 3358 1922 | ||
$
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Asian
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| China Sea | 60 Park Road, Milton | Reliable and busy |
| 07 3367 0198 | ||
$$
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| Citron | 3 MacGregor Street, Wilston | Great Asian fusion |
| 07 3856 0066 | ||
$$
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| Landmark | Sunnybank Plaza, Shop 101 | Best Yum Cha |
| Mains Road, Sunnybank | ||
| 07 3344 3288 | ||
$
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| Siana | Upper Plaza, 71 Eagle Street, Brisbane | Location, location! |
| 07 3221 3887 | ||
$$
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Australian (Modern)
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| Custom’s House | 399 Queen Street, Brisbane | Owned by UQ; Historic surrounds |
| 07 3365 8921 | ||
$$
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| E’cco | 100 Boundary Street, Brisbane | Fine dining |
| 07 3831 8344 | ||
$$
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| Marco Polo | Treasury Casino, 21 Queen Street, Brisbane | Fine dining with high rollers |
| 07 3306 8744 | ||
$$
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| Restaurant Two | 2 Edward Street, Brisbane | Modern fine dining |
| 07 3210 0600 | ||
$$$
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| Urbane | 179 Mary Street, Brisbane | City chic |
| 07 3229 2271 | ||
$$$
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Bar/Café/Bistro
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| Bar Alto | Brisbane Powerhouse (upstairs), 119 Lamington Street, New Farm | Best new restaurant; On the river |
| 07 3358 1063 | ||
$
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| Watt Modern Dining | Brisbane Powerhouse (downstairs) 119 Lamington Street, New Farm | On the river |
| 07 3358 5464 | ||
$$
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| The Gunshop Cafe | 53 Mollison Street, West End | Café lifestyle |
| 07 3844 2241 | ||
$
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Breakfast
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| Alibi Room | 720 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley | All day breakfasts; Taco Tuesdays! |
| 07 3358 6133 | ||
$
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Burger
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| Grill’d | Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley | Healthy options |
| 07 3252 5822 | ||
$
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Cocktails/ Wine Bar
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| The Bowery Bar | 676 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley | Martinis with mood |
| 07 3252 0202 | ||
$
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| Cru Bar | 22 James Street, Fortitude Valley | The place to see and be seen |
| 07 3252 1744 | ||
$$
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| Emporium Hotel | 1000 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley | Sleek and modern; Spot the celebrity |
| 07 3253 6999 | ||
$$
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| The London Club | 9/38 Vernon Terrace, Teneriffe | Soho-inspired bar |
| 07 3252 8188 | ||
$
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Coffee / Tea
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| Campos Coffee | James Street Market, Fortitude Valley | Queensland roast |
| 07 3252 3612 | ||
$
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| Grinders Coffee | 875 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley | Pure Italian |
| 07 3257 4522 | ||
$
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| Merlo Coffee | 104 McLachlan St, Fortitude Valley | Anytime for a cuppa |
| 07 3257 0465 | ||
$
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| Three Monkeys | 58 Mollison Street, South Brisbane | West End institution! |
| 07 3844 6045 | ||
$
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Desserts
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| Freestyle Tout | 1000 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley | For all things sweet |
| 07 3252 0214 | ||
$
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European
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| Continental Café | 21 Barker Street, New Farm | Hearty classics; Great lamb’s fry |
| 07 3254 0377 | ||
$
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French
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| Anise | 697 Brunswick Street, New Farm | Open late |
| 07 3358 1558 | ||
$$
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| C’est Bon | 609 Stanley Street, South Brisbane | Cosy home food |
| 07 3891 2008 | ||
$
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| Montrachet | 224 Given Terrace, Paddington | Audi Restaurant of the year |
| 07 3367 0030 | ||
$$
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Indian
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| Himalayan | 640 Brunswick Street, New Farm | Sherpa chicken; Vegetarian options |
| 07 3358 4015 | ||
$
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| Mint | 394 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley | An oasis of calm |
| 07 3252 0300 | ||
$
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| Taj Mahal | 722 Brunswick Street, New Farm | Indian Cricket Team's Favorite Spot |
| 07 3254 2388 | ||
$
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| Tandoori King | 148 - 152 Merthyr Rd, New Farm | Authentice; dine in or take home |
| 07 3358 3521 | ||
$$
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Italian
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| Arriva | 84 Merthyr Road, New Farm | Best pizza in Brisbane |
| 07 3254 1599 | ||
$
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| Beccofino | 10 Vernon Terrace, Teneriffe | Italian hospitality |
| 07 3666 0207 | ||
$
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Japanese
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| Fresh Fish Co. | James Street Market, Fortitude Valley | Great sashimi |
| 07 3252 8000 | ||
$
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| Kabuki | Stamford Plaza, Brisbane | Flamboyant antics |
| 07 3221 1999 | ||
$$
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| Little Tokyo | 85 Bowen Street, Spring Hill | Australia’s oldest Japanese retaurant |
| 07 3831 7751 | ||
$$
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| Oshin | 256 Adelaide Street, Brisbane | Popular with Japanese locals |
| 07 3229 0410 | ||
$
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| Oyama | 115 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley | Always fresh |
| 07 3257 0738 | ||
$
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| Sono | Level 1 Tattersall’s Building, Queen Street, Brisbane | Extensive menu; Comfortable floor seating |
| 07 3220 1888 | ||
$$
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Middle Eastern/ Mediterranean
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| Byblos | Building 7, Shop 13, Portside Wharf, Hercules Street, Hamilton | Middle Eastern; with a river view |
| 07 3268 2223 | ||
$
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| Gianni | 12 Edward Street, Brisbane | Inspired food pairing |
| 07 3221 7655 | ||
$$
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| Mecca Bah | 1000 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley | Casual; one of a tri-city stable |
| 07 3252 5299 | ||
$
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Pub
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| Belgian Beer Café | Mary Street, Brisbane | The total experience |
| 07 3221 0199 | ||
$$
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| Regatta Hotel | 543 Coronation Drive, Toowong | Historic and popular with students |
| 07 3871 9595 | ||
$$
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| Story Bridge Hotel | 170 Main Street, Kangaroo Point | A Brisbane institution |
| 07 3391 2266 | ||
$
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Seafood
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| Fish’s | Cnr Florence & Macquarie Streets,Teneriffe | Best chips in town; Also a fish market |
| 07 3257 7180 | ||
$
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| Lure | 28 McDougall Street, Milton | Modern bistro; Fresh fine seafood |
| 07 3369 9955 | ||
$$
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Spanish
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| Miro’s | 154 Merthyr Road, New Farm | Authentic tapas; Dancers (Fri) |
| 07 3254 0788 | ||
$
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| Salon | Shop 5A, corner Macquarie and Florence Streets, Teneriffe | Tapas, dinner, or simply drinks |
| 07 3252 3911 | ||
$
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Steakhouse
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| Breakfast Creek Hotel | 2 Kingsford Smith Drive, Hamilton | Since 1889; Beer “off the wood”; Bring your appetite |
| 07 3262 5988 | ||
$$
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| Cha Cha Char | Eagle Street Pier, Brisbane | Good steak; Noisy; busy |
| 07 3211 9944 | ||
$$
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| Norman Hotel | 102 Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba | Vegetarians beware |
| 07 3391 5022 | ||
$$
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Vegetarian
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| Govinda's (Indian) | 99 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane | Cheap and cheerful |
| (07) 3210 0255 | ||
$
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| Kafe Meze (Greek) | Shop 7, 220 Melbourne Street,
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Busy and atmospheric |
| (07) 3844 1720 | ||
$
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| Ottoman Café (Turkish) | 37 Mollison St, South Brisbane | Belly Dancing Friday and Saturday nights |
| (07) 3846 3555 | ||
| $ | ||
Regional Adventures
For those who feel like exploring outside of Brisbane, there are several spots worth considering.
Noosa is a favourite locality for R&R. The shopping and beaches attract tourists all year. The quality of dining is very good. Try Ricky’s on the wharf for lunch or dinner or Bistro C on the beach. It is wise to book as these are popular.
In Yandina, on the way to Noosa, Spirit House offers award-winning Thai food. The natural surroundings add to the on-site cooking school where patrons can take classes to learn the delicate balance of Thai cooking.
Closer to Brisbane, Sirromet Winery offers reliable modern Australian cuisine with fresh seafood sourced daily. We prefer lunch because of the open mountain views and access to the wine cellar. Kangaroos can be seen on the lawns.
Witches Chase Cheese Room and Microbrewery in the Tamborine Hills is one of the best cheese rooms in the region. It’s part of the Hinterland Food and Wine Trail, close to the Gold Coast.
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