Brisbane’s biggest restaurant openings and closings this month

From the launch of new Mexican and tequila hangouts to the closure of a city landmark, here’s the round-up of what’s happening in hospitality.

Your guide to Brisbane’s hottest new restaurants and recent closures.

It’s been a busy month in Brisbane’s hospitality scene with a feast of new restaurant and cafe openings, as well as some sad closures.

From the launch of new Mexican and tequila hangouts to the closure of a city landmark, here’s the round-up of what’s happening across town.

OPENINGS:

GOMA Restaurant

South Brisbane

The highly acclaimed restaurant at Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art has officially closed following the departure of head chef Matt Blackwell. However, an entirely new concept is set to launch in the space this Friday.

QAGOMA’s executive chef Aaron Holt will launch a new pop-up dining experience at the river-facing spot, called GOMA Farm-to-Table, featuring a high-end set menu showcasing Queensland produce. Guests can choose from either two ($65) or three courses ($80) with the option of matched wines, with dishes such as poached lobster with gnocchi; confit suckling pig, and braised lamb shoulder with sheep labneh and carrots.

The pop-up will run from July 14 to October 1 alongside the exhibitions ‘eX de Medici: Beautiful Wickedness’ and ‘Michael Zavros: The Favourite’.

Carmen Tequileria

Fortitude Valley

From the team behind Brisbane favourites Soko and Lina Rooftop comes a swanky new modern Mexican eatery and lounge bar.

Launching in James St this Friday, the venue takes over the space formerly home to Tippler’s Tap and includes 80 seats with a Tulum-inspired interior.

On the menu will be casual eats such as kingfish ceviche, achiote salt and pepper squid, and tacos with fillings including crab, duck and lobster, alongside a huge line up of tequila and Mexican-influenced cocktails.

The Gatsby bar at the GPO in Fortitude Valley.

The GPO – Tama Dining and The Gatsby

Fortitude Valley

After its extensive $9m makeover, The GPO has finally revealed stage one of its glamorous new look. Opening last week was high end restaurant Tama downstairs, as well as 1920s-inspired cocktail bar The Gatsby upstairs.

Tama is fronted by acclaimed local chef Richard Ousby (Cru Bar and Stokehouse), with a contemporary menu stretching from luxuries like caviar tarts and seafood platters to steaks and pasta. It’s matched by a 400-500-bottle wine list with everything from the quaffable to the elite, with premium drops even able to be stored in a special private vault upstairs in the new uber glam Gatsby bar, boasting a whopping 75-page drinks list, including custom negronis.

Stage two, The Tax Office bar, is due to launch late August/early September.

Flying Colours

West End

Taking over the former site of Wandering Cooks, this new warehouse bar and eatery is the second coming of Brisbane City’s Super Whatnot. From the same crew behind the former Albert Lane cult venue, this new venture serves up a relaxed share-style menu created in collaboration between head chef Andy Birse (ex-e’cco and Long Apron) and consultant and former Gerard’s Bistro chef Adam Wolfers. Expect dishes like scallop crudo, smoked mussels with almond creme and charcuterie and cheese, alongside largely Australian-made, low-intervention wines from smaller producers. There will also be some local beers, and a few cocktails and mocktails.

Food from La De Lah in South Brisbane.

La De Lah

South Brisbane

Malaysian chef Eugene Lee will bring the flavours of his homeland to Brisbane with an elevated touch at this new Malaysian restaurant at South Bank. Expect dishes such as spanner crab tartlet with enoki, spice-fried quail, slow-cooked angus short rib and nasi goreng kerabu. La De Lah will open at the end of July.

CLOSURES:

Paella y Pa’mi

Coorparoo

Loved for its authentic paella and traditional flavours presented with a modern touch, this Spanish suburban hangout will sadly close its doors on July 23 after less than two years.

Owner Manuela Volpe struggled through Covid, staff shortages, a divorce from chef, husband and former co-owner Kevin Fredes, and two car crashes and has decided to call it quits to chase a new journey.

Paella y Pa'mi, Camp Hill.

After Dark Wine Bar

Newstead

This delightfully relaxed, unpretentious wine bar will be calling last drinks this weekend after almost two years. The pop-up bar concept, which takes over daytime venue Masters Street Coffee of an evening, will no longer be able to use the space at night, so owner Kirstie Petrie has been forced to hang up her wine glasses. The bar will go out with a bang this Friday and Saturday, but Petrie plans to return with a new and improved concept at a different location soon.

The interior at new Albion restaurant Nutmeg.

Nutmeg Indian

Albion

This contemporary Indian restaurant, known for pushing the boundaries on traditional fare, has shut up shop after three years in Brisbane’s inner north. Family reasons are behind the sad closure, with the venue now replaced by another Indian eatery, Big Belly. Big Belly will be a sister venue to its Goodna restaurant, and will be serving up a range of curry favourites including butter chicken, rogan josh and goat korma, as well as naan, biryani, and a huge range of Indian sweets and desserts.

Hellenika at The Calile will temporary close for a makeover. Picture: Sean Fennessy

Hellenika

Fortitude Valley

Thankfully for all its loyal fans, this Greek hotspot’s closure is only temporary, with the signature restaurant of The Calile hotel set to shut for a mini makeover at the end of the month.

After it’s last day of trade on July 30, Hellenika will close for two weeks to receive a refresher including removing the fence between the restaurant’s outdoor dining and the hotel pool, new glass panels for wind mitigation, new or refurbished furniture and a few other minor tweaks. It expects to be reopen to diners on August 14.

Gerard's Bistro has closed for a renovation.

Gerard’s Bistro

Fortitude Valley

Also closing for renovations this month is Queensland’s favourite Middle Eastern restaurant Gerard’s Bistro. The multi-award-winning venue shut its doors on July 1 to undergo a two-month transformation, with a fresh look to be unveiled in September.

Enoki

Stafford Heights

Northside vegan favourite Enoki cafe has closed after just two years in its Stafford Heights home. The venue was the work of Lene Ritter and Chris Allen – newbies to the hospitality industry. However, a new venue is already planned for the site, with more due to be revealed later this month.