Andrew McConnell to open new restaurant in Brisbane

The chef behind some of the country’s best and most-awarded eateries has his sights on Queensland, bringing one of his favourite restaurant brands to the Sunshine State.

Top Australian restaurateur Andrew McConnell is set to expand his hospitality empire north, opening a new venue in Brisbane.

The chef behind some of the country’s best and most-awarded eateries, including Gimlet at Cavendish House, Cutler & Co., and Cumulus Inc. will open a copy of his signature Melbourne restaurant Supernormal in the River City next year, taking a site at the under-construction residential tower 443 Queen St in the CBD.

This will be McConnell’s first restaurant in Queensland, and a sign the state’s food scene has really come into its own.

“We look forward to contributing to Brisbane’s already growing and vibrant food scene,” said McConnell, whose Gimlet at Cavendish House restaurant was just named No.84 in The World’s Best Restaurants annual longlist.

“There’s also a bounty of some of the country’s best produce available. What a thrill to be able to explore this as we refine our offering.”

The restaurant is still in the early conceptual stages, but will feature seating for about 120 guests, with the addition of al fresco and private dining.

The menu will be contemporary Australian taking influences from Shanghai and Hong Kong using the best of Queensland produce. It will include a combination of classic Supernormal dishes and new dishes exclusively to the Brisbane operation.

Supernormal is due to open here in late 2023, when the Cbus building is completed.