BRIS EATS: Places we've eaten and loved
I am the type of person who could having the worst day ever, at home in my trackies, crying, couch rotting and hanging by a thread but if someone texts me saying “wanna go to lunch?” I’ll be dressed, composed and ready to go within twenty minutes, including the kids.
I love to eat and I love to experience new spots from rinky dinky (our word for fancy) to pubs (especially if there’s a playground). Lunch is my favourite meal and I love getting out of the house for it when I can.
Here’s a few spots we’ve been to that we’ve loved if you’re looking for a spot to give a go whether it be a date, lunch with the girls or take a crack at taking the kids (yes I was nervous for the ones they came to but we must have done something right these days, haha).
Rich + Rare
West End
Nestled in the newest and happening spot in West Village, this was one spot we were waiting on to open because of not only the fun location, but because the menu looked insane - and it did not disappoint.
First of all, MAC AND CHEESE, possibly the best in Brisbane (and we order it at any resturant we go to). Secondly, the service was incredible and absolutely on point and because we’re all friends here, I’ll let you in on a little secret that our waiter definitely saw happen and picked up on which is why I rate the service so highly.
Ok, so I was really excited to eat the steak because I love steak and I should have cut this particular piece a little smaller, however I didn’t and I began choking. I was trying so hard to cover it up but I couldn’t breathe, trying to work out what the heck to do because I didn’t want to be sick or cough up a lung in the middle of a beautiful restaurant. Anyway, after about what felt like forever but was probably about 4 minutes, I managed to release it into the napkin that had been covering my mouth through that time and yes, I survived. Within minutes I had a brand new napkin.
Great food, great service and the steak was worth choking on. I definitely learnt my lesson that day. Totally recommend.
Gemelli’s Italian
Fortitude Valley
The first time I came here it was for my sister’s Hen’s party and while I was talking to someone she ate half my meal because we got the same thing and it was so delicious that she nicked the rest of mine, so had to come back.
I absolutely love the location of this spot because there’s never a dull moment in James St. My favourite table is right back in the corner by the window, completely sunlit at lunch lunch time and just a complete vibe.
This is the type of place where I know in advance to wear elastic waisted pants or a flowy dress, because the food is just epic.
We started with the bruschetta and carpaccio, which was absolutely delicious and required a little break until the next course. To be honest we forgot we even ordered the arancini because we got them to come out with our mains which were the ragu and ravioli. Our eyes were definitely bigger than our heads that day but we powered through and enjoyed every single bite.
Shoutout to the arancini, they were so fresh, crunchy on the outside and absolutely huge too.
Next time we’re taking the kids back, we just know they’ll love it!
Nonda
Newstead
My sister had been raving about this spot for absolute yonks so the other week we took our boys (yes, children between the ages of 1-5) for some lunch and you know what, as much as I don’t really take my four year old to these types of places, the spot was so perfect on a sunny Saturday as our table was outdoors and the boys could run around right next to the table to have a little play.
We started off with the ceviche and salmon tacos which were so fresh and delicious, and we followed that up with prawn toast, wagyu tartare, charred corn with some rice and lotus chips for the kiddos. YUM.
There was so much flavour and definitely the most incredible prawn toast I’ve ever eaten, I don’t know how I’ll go back to little triangles straight from a frozen box ever again.
Also I have to mention that I am someone who will not go near avocado (I just cannot do it, I’ve never been able to) and after a couple of bites into my salmon taco, saw there was avocado in it, I still ate it. There’s a first for everything aye!
If you’re looking for some fresh Japanese cuisine in an epic spot (we went on a beautiful sunny but I feel like the sunset ambience would also be also be absolutely incredible too), plus a space you can feel comfy bringing your kids too, this needs to go on your bucket list.
Another shout out to the fact that there was a toilet really close by, because as soon as the food comes out, the kids need to go.
Oh and service was super friendly too.
It’s an all rounder!
Massimo
Brisbane CBD
I had seen wonderful things, so I knew that this would be good from the get go. First of all, you’re right next to the Brisbane river, you’re eating Italian food and I’ll say it again, views of the Story Bridge.
I’m a lunch girl so of course we went for lunch, so on a beautiful sunny day this place is a wonderful spot to be.
We started with something we order everywhere - tartare (we order this EVERYWHERE we go) along with the kingfish ceviche and both were absolutely divine.
Mains I of course ordered the crab pasta (the menu has since changed from when we went) and Chris absolutely loved the ragu.
I’ve now been here twice and have loved it each time, now planning to take family back there for as my daughter has requested eating pasta made from a cheese wheel at the table and this is pretty much the only spot in Brisbane where it’s done anyway of the week as part of their a la carte menu.
So yeah, safe to say that we like it here.
Fosh
Portside Wharf
Views, food and vibes - I bloody love Portside Wharf and Fosh was the restaurant that it needed because not only is the spot such a beautiful one at that, it is a place that I love so much and seeing it change and grow over the years.
This place gives you the feels of the Hamptons and I’ve never been to the Hamptons but if I went to the Hamptons, I’d probably feel like I was at Fosh.
The service - sensational.
The food - by golly gosh, I’ll eat everything on the menu (except oysters, textural thing).
The vibes - like I could sit there all arvo and drink cold rosè.
The first time I went, I took my toddler and was nervous AF as to how it would be, but he slept the whole time in his stroller and woke up to eat some chips. Win. We as adults enjoyed the scallops, ceviche and the salmon with mushroom sauce (AMAZING). I dream about it at night.
Second time, my request for my birthday because it’s definitely one of my favourite places in Brisbane to eat and if someone asked where they can shout me for a long lunch, it’s here.
One for the girls lunch for sure or of course, any other reason. I’d bring my big kids here for sure because they LOVE this type of cuisine.
Dark Shepherd
Queens Wharf
This is our most recent food experience after taking the kids for a little city staycay for their big birthdays coming up and it did not disappoint! Located in the new Star casino, it’s a great spot to chow down and head up to the sky deck for a gander afterwards. Honestly, taking the 3 kids to a place like this is risky and I don’t really do it ever, but this was close to where we were staying and thought we’d give it a go. Apart from Max who had the shits because he just wanted to chill in the room after his basketball game (which was fair enough), Madi and Coop were tucking into the food and having a good ol’ time so 2 out of 3 ain’t bad!
The vibe of Dark Shepherd is cosy, especially if you get yourself a booth. The kids loved having the live seafood tank right behind them and I also appreciate when the staff read my booking notes, so they were quick to wish the kids a happy birthday and make them feel special from the get go (the kids were shocked that they knew, I told them it was just magic).
Let’s get to the food and if you love your Greek/Mediterranean feasts, make sure you wear those elastic pants. We started with the kingfish, scallops and saganaki and honestly, as someone who grew up eating the same seven meals every week for the first 20 years of my life to now enjoying so many types of foods these days, seeing my kids giving these types of dishes a go and enjoying them is such a cool thing to see.
I promised Madi her first rinky dink restaurant steak so that was essential and by golly gosh, it melted in our mouths so safe to say that Madi will compare any steak I make at home in the future might not seem as good. We paired that with some chippies and pastisio and we all agreed that we could all happily eat pastisio for every meal in the future. I had heard good things about that dish from a wonderful Greek friend of mine and she wasn’t lying, it’s insanely delish.
Whether you’re going on a date, heading out with the girls or taking the whole family out, this place is all about sharing amazing dishes so whack this one on your list for the next time you’re in the city.