Brisbane is one of Australia’s more underrated culinary scenes, and as a result, the question “What are the best new restaurants in Brisbane?” is a question we’re often asked at Boss Hunting.
To answer, we refresh this round-up of the best new restaurants in Brisbane — updated quarterly — to keep you in the know about where you should be eating.
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Best New Restaurants In Brisbane For 2024
Pneuma
Nestled in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD, Pneuma (the ancient Greek word for soul or spirit) is one of the city’s most exciting new restaurants, offering a dining experience that transcends the ordinary. Something of a hotspot for culinary innovation, the new venue is deeply committed to showcasing local ingredients creatively and has quickly become a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts.
Blending the flavours of Queensland’s bounty with global culinary techniques, the menu is as diverse as it is coherent. With a modern ambience and undeniably warm hospitality, the wine list is just as good as the menu, offering a strong range of Australian and French bottles that nicely complement the food.
Address: 336 George St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
Phone: 0430 371 302
Chef(s): Dan Arnold and Matt Blackwell
Opened: November 2023 (currently operating as a pop-up while renovations are taking place)
Price Guide: $$$
Opening Hours: Monday – Wednesday (12 PM – 3 PM); Thursday — Friday (12 PM — 3 PM, 5:30 PM — 10:30 PM)
Bookings: Essential
Bosco
Bosco, a gem tucked away in Brisbane’s suburb of Newstead, offers a refreshing take on Italian cuisine that invites guests into a world where tradition meets contemporary flair. Like almost all great Italian restaurants, there’s a focus on simplicity and high-quality ingredients with dishes that blend the best of Italian cooking while embracing the local produce of Queensland.
With an atmosphere in the 80-seat venue that combines rustic charm with a touch of modern sophistication, you can expect a menu filled with hand-crafted pasta and artisanal pizzas, as well as plenty of excellent nibbling options. If you love Italian cuisine, Bosco is a testament to the artistry of the country’s cooking with authentic meals that’ll leave you satisfied to your core.
Address: 8 Austin St, Newstead QLD 4006
Phone: (07) 3319 7708
Chef(s): Sajith Vengateri and Mimmo Miceli
Opened: September 2023
Price Guide: $$$
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Thursday (5:30 PM – 11:30 PM); Friday — Saturday (12 PM – 11:30 PM); Sunday (11:30 AM — 10 PM)
Bookings: Essential
Short Grain
Short Grain is the latest venue to be opened by Martin Boetz, one of the finest Thai cuisine chefs in Australia and the man behind Melbourne’s Longrain, as well as two cookbooks focusing on the cuisine. Located in the charming heritage-listed Stewart & Hemmant building, the 60-seat restaurant thoughtfully integrates Queensland’s seasonal produce into a mouthwatering menu of traditional Thai dishes with contemporary flair.
Short Grain’s commitment to classic Thai dishes made with locally sourced ingredients makes it a must-visit for anyone lusting for authentic flavours. If you love Thai food, you’ll enjoy Short Grain’s offer of a dining experience that’s equal parts familiar and refreshingly modern.
Address: 15 Marshall St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006 0448 677 378
Phone: 0448 677 378
Chef(s): Martin Boetz
Opened: November 2023
Price Guide: $$$
Opening Hours: Wednesday (5 PM – 10 PM); Thursday (12 PM — 3 PM, 5 PM — 10 PM); Friday — Saturday (12 PM — 3 PM, 5 PM — 10:30 PM); Sunday (12 PM — 3 PM)
Bookings: Essential
The Lex
The Lex, positioned overlooking the stunning Brisbane River, offers a sophisticated exploration of contemporary Australian dining with inspiration taken from New York-style grills. Perfectly fit for the five-star hotel in which it’s situated, the venue has quickly become a beacon for those seeking a top-notch experience, with a welcoming atmosphere that encourages you to settle in and make an evening of it.
With a chef who more than knows his stuff thanks to a stint at the three-Michelin-starred restaurant, Noma, The Lex presents a menu that offers everything from dry-aged meats to hearty classics like mac’n’cheese. From the meticulously prepared dishes to an outstanding wine list, The Lex embodies the spirit of modern dining in Brisbane and promises an experience you’ll want to enjoy again and again.
Address: Level Three in W Brisbane, 81 N Quay, Brisbane City QLD 4000
Phone: (07) 3556 8833
Chef(s): Pawel Klodowski
Opened: July 2024
Price Guide: $$$
Opening Hours: Monday — Thursday (6:30 AM — 10 AM, 5:30 PM – 9 PM); Friday (6:30 AM — 10 AM, 5:30 PM – 10 PM); Saturday (7 AM — 10:30 AM, 5:30 PM – 10 PM); Sunday (7 AM — 10:30 AM)
Bookings: Recommended
La De Lah
If you love the rich flavours of Malaysian cooking, La De Lah is Brisbane’s newest spot to enjoy the famous cuisine. The 100-seater venue brings plenty of contemporary flair to its menu, combining traditional flavours with modern techniques to create standout dishes such as crab tartlets, Massaman beef short ribs, and more.
The entire wine list has been filled with locally sourced bottles, while the cocktail menu offers another platform to explore distinctly Malaysian flavours with drinks such as the Jungle Lah Bird and the coconut martini. A delightful dining experience from start to finish.
Address: 6a Little Stanley St, South Brisbane QLD 4101
Phone: (07) 3519 9133
Chef(s): Eugene Lee
Opened: July 2023
Price Guide: $$$
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday (6 PM – 10 PM)
Bookings: Recommended
New Farm Seafood
New Farm Seafood is the latest destination for those who love what the Northeast coast of Australia has to offer, with some of the freshest seafood you’ll ever eat. The venue offers a fresh seafood market for those who prefer to cook at home, as well as a restaurant where you can sit back and let the experts prepare your food for you.
There aren’t many places in Brisbane that can serve you fish and chips with fish that’s been filleted that very morning, but that’s exactly what New Farm Seafood brings to Brisbane’s dining scene. With a dedication to quality and sustainability (the fish is ethically sourced), it’s quickly established itself as a perfect place to enjoy truly fresh seafood.
Address: Merthyr Village, Shop 8, 85 Merthyr Road, New Farm QLD 4005
Phone: (07) 3358 1676
Opened: March 2024
Price Guide: $$
Opening Hours: Tuesday — Sunday (8 AM – 9 PM)
Bookings: Recommended
Pilloni
While Italy is celebrated around the world for the quality of its cuisine, Pilloni opens with a specific focus on Sardinian wood-fired charcoal grilling. You can expect a warm and welcoming environment to enjoy the carefully thought-out menu, which boasts regionally-specific traditional pasta and plenty of locally sourced meats.
Highlights from the menu include the roasted suckling pig, Tasmanian lobster, and more, while the wine list celebrates bottles from (you guessed it) Sardinia and the rest of Italy. There’s nothing that leaves you feeling satisfied in the same way as a wood-fired Italian meal, which is exactly what Pilloni promises to deliver.
Address: 166 Hardgrave Rd, West End QLD 4101 (07) 3846 2745
Phone: (07) 3846 2745
Chef(s): Mimmo Miceli
Opened: February 2024
Price Guide: $$$
Opening Hours: Wednesday — Thursday (12 PM — 2:30 PM, 5 PM — 9 PM); Friday — Saturday (12 PM — 2:30 PM, 5 PM — 9:30 PM); Sunday (12 PM — 2:30 PM, 5 PM — 9 PM)
Bookings: Essential
Chalong
Another new Brisbane dining gem is Chalong, presenting a menu that captures the essence of traditional Thai recipes with a modern flair. As you might expect from truly traditional restaurants, the owners proudly use family recipes for several dishes on the menu, promising authentic flavours regardless of what you order.
The robust Thai flavours extend into the cocktail list too, with plenty of lemongrass, makrut lime leaf, and pineapple tinctures and infusions, resulting in a list you’ll want to explore from top to bottom. As far as wine, the list is approachable in its construction to keep prices reasonable, and if you’re thirsty for a classic Southeast Asian brew, you’ll always have the option of Singha and Tiger beer.
Address: 1/620 Moggill Rd, Chapel Hill QLD 4068
Phone: (07) 3878 1566
Chef(s): Garfield Pachnoi
Opened: February 2024
Price Guide: $$$
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday (6 PM – 10 PM)
Bookings: Essential
If you’ve enjoyed this round-up of the best new restaurants in Brisbane, consider checking out these other locally-based dining guides below:
