Exciting, changing menus and other Brisbane, Australia Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: Picasso's Restaurant

This excellent restaurant is in the Carlton Crest Hotel - and is about my favourite place to eat! I love the changing menu, the range of eclectic dishes - the seasonal relevance of the menus - eg. the best steaks when the Ekka is on! The service has always been very very good, and it is nice and central.

Another tip is that you can actually get a meal and ticket deal with the Dendy Cinema, which is nearby in George Street - a lovely old cinema, if you like to get out of the mainstream for venue and film.

Favorite Dish: Changes often, but the desserts and pizzas are always particularly mentionable!

Leave a Comment

Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter

Restaurant Name: FIX, Velvet Room and Marble Bar

This old hotel is heritage listed, and was built in 1868, as the Shamrock Hotel. It has been the Port Office Hotel since 1909. The building and venues within today are highly contemporary, and boasts a range of choices to MEET EAT DRINK

The Fix Bar and Restaurant is where my daughter works, and, not only a wonderful place to work, with great employers, the changing menu is modern fusion - with a range of innovative approaches to popular and simple dishes. The setting is also modern and stylish, and the bill fairly reasonable. Great place for lunch and dinner.

The Velvet Room is a wraparound verandah eatery, and very intimate setting for meals.

The Marble Bar hosts an extensive range of local and international wines, and has functions featuring particular labels from time to time.

The "Porto" is a great venue for friends, couples, families, corporate and club get-togethers and functions, and has something for everyone's tastes.

There are also 2 dance floors, and plenty of nightlife if that's the desire!

Located quite close to the Botanical Gardens setting, its a great meeting place. If you eat in the Fix Restaurant, ask for Emily, the best waitress!

Favorite Dish: Steak is always a favourite, with one of the wonderful changing sauces.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Address: 38 Edward Street, Brisbane

Restaurant Name: Gilhooleys

Brisbane's oldest authentic Irish pub and bar is inner city, and always a popular place for a meal or a drink. Plenty of action here at lunch time, but the real fun is definitely in the evenings! Very close to the city mall, and a cheery welcome always to be had.

Authentic Irish food and a range of Irish ales on tap are a lure for those with a bit of the Irish in them! There are also dance shows, and always football games available on screen for those who choose to sit in the bar.

Not quite authentic craic, but I've had many lengthy, loud and happy evenings here. A venue definitely best enjoyed with a group of rowdy friends, rather than a romantic night out for two!

Favorite Dish: Beef and Guinness Pie is hard to pass up on a cool day!

Leave a Comment

Theme: Pub/Brewery
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: Cnr Albert and Charlotte Streets, Brisbane

Restaurant Name: CBD @ Rydges Hotel

This is a great little restaurant on the ground floor of Rydges Hotel, Southbank. An excellent place for a food or drink stop from lunch until late. We often walk down here after a rugby game, rather than the pubs surrounding Suncorp Stadium - where there is always plenty of postgame commiss, congratuations or good natured jibing!

A great range of beers, spirits, wines and a menu which caters to all needs - a bite to eat, full meal, late night top-up - and always friendly, efficient service from the enthusiastic staff, and excellent food quality.

Favorite Dish: Pizza!!! Beautiful and consistent!

Leave a Comment

Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Directions: Rydges Hotel Southbank

Restaurant Name: The Summit Restaurant

This is undoubtedly the restaurant with Brisbane's best view! - especially if you make your reservation early and ask for an outer table, with uninterrupted views of Brisbane city. One of the most spectacular visuals we had there was during storm weather, watching the lightning break over the city lights.

The food is usually excellent, and the menu very comprehensive. Its not the cheapest restaurant in Brisbane, and usually reserved for special occasions for our family.

Favorite Dish: Steak is a specialty - but they also have a range of beautiful oyster dishes for entree.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$41 and up  » Currency Converter
Address: Mt Coottha

Restaurant Name: Dicey Reilly's

Dicey's, as they are affectionately know, are in the city and around the suburbs. A great place to go for lunch or dinner. On the weekends, there's usually bonus Irish music being played by a passable band, the Guinness is good and the food very consistent. One of my favourite haunts as an after movie meal.

Favorite Dish: Steaks are always consistent. But, hard to go past Beef and Guinness pie with buckets of mashed potato!

Leave a Comment

Theme: Pub/Brewery
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: Garden City Shopping Centre - Mt Gravatt

Restaurant Name: River Canteen

This is a relatively expensive restaurant at Southbank, situated right beside the Maritime Museum. Winner of multiple awards for standard, its a special occasion place for us to visit.

There is plenty of seating, both inside and out on the deck, alongside the river. We've been here plenty of times, and never had a bad meal. The menu changes quite regularly, and there is always an impressive array of adventurous dishes, consistent standard, and great service.

Favorite Dish: Desserts to die for.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$41 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: 07 38461880
Address: Southern end of Southbank Parklands
Directions: At the Kangaroo Point end of Southbank - near the Goodwill Bridge.
Website: info@rivercanteen.com.au

Restaurant Name: Ahmet's

Ahmet's is a family owned and run buisiness, with a highly consistent and impeccable standard in authentic Turkish dining. The original restaurant is at Southbank, but there is a second one at Bulimba. Not only is Ahmet's the first Turkish restaurant in Brisbane, but the owner was the first to introduce Kebabs to our culinary options list.

Winner of 3 Restaurant awards over the years, Ahmet's is a must book venue, which provides excellent cuisine and a very authentic feeling ambiance. We've been there many times over many years, and never had any second best experiences at all. Its always a good sign when many of the patrons are Turkish as well.

There is a belly dancer for additional "live" entertainment on the weekends.

Favorite Dish: Apple tea is an absolute must try.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Middle Eastern
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Address: Little Stanley Street, South Brisbane
Directions: Just across from Southbank Parklands