First look: Inside Qld’s most exciting restaurant openings

From leading steakhouses with some of the world’s best beef to beachfront bars, we take you inside some of the most anticipated hospitality venues launching soon. SEE THE LIST

Anooska Tucker-Evans

2 min read

November 14, 2023 - 12:37PM

First look: Inside new restaurant Establishment 203

QLD Taste

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From top-notch steak houses offering some of the best beef in the world to beautiful beachfront bars, 2023 is ending on a high for foodies, with a feast of exciting new eateries opening across the state.

One of the most anticipated of the year is Establishment 203 in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley – a luxe Italian-themed steak restaurant from acclaimed Queensland cattle producers Stanbroke, with executive chef and TV cook Ben O’Donoghue in the kitchen.

“The focus is very much on sophistication but a relaxed dining experience and excellent quality beef,” Mr O’Donoghue said.

Executive chef Ben O’Donoghue at new Fortitude Valley restaurant Establishment 203. Picture: Richard Walker

The restaurant will serve Angus, wagyu, pure wagyu and pure grass-feed beef from Stanbroke’s six cattle stations in North Queensland, with 11 cuts on the menu, including a giant tomahawk and a hard-to-find bone-on eye fillet.

Dry aged tomahawk steak at Establishment 203 by Ben O'Donoghue. Picture: Richard Walker

The venue will also act as a “test kitchen” of sorts for the beef producers to experiment with dry-ageing and trying to create the perfect steak.

“We’ll start to develop some off-menu stuff and new changes and new innovations with cuts and things like that,” Mr O’Donoghue said, with the venue to open on November 28.

New Fortitude Valley restaurant Establishment 203 by Ben O'Donoghue. Picture: Richard Walker

Meanwhile, next month will see the launch of Goodtime – a relaxed venue in Brisbane’s West End focusing on “Asian tucker and Aussie beers”.

From the restaurant team behind Longtime, in the CBD, this new venture in West Village will serve up everything from yum cha bites to flying noodles.

Goodtime restaurant will open in restaurant serving up Asian tucker and Aussie beers.

The Gold Coast is also set for three exciting hospitality openings, with the launch of Kirra Beach House and Kirra Beach Hotel and Blowfish Ocean Grill + Bar in Broadbeach, before the year’s end.

Kirra Beach Hotel at the southern end of the coast is the reopening of a Queensland icon, with the pub around since 1956. It will relaunch with a brand new look, including a family friendly bistro, kids’ area, public bar, sports bar and boutique bottle shop; while above will be the much hyped Kirra Beach House – an elevated dining, drinking and event destination with unobstructed views of the ocean.

An artist’s impression of KTQ's Kirra Point precinct development, featuring the new-look Kirra Beach Hotel and Kirra Beach House.

Operated by hospitality entrepreneur Dave Galvin from Site Hospitality, the venue has been four years in the making and will feature a wine bar, cocktail bars and event spaces serving up everything from pizzas to seafood platters.

An artist’s impression of Kirra Beach House.

Meanwhile Blowfish, from the operators of the hugely popular Moo Moo steakhouses, will launch at on December 1 specialising in seafood, with the likes of posh fish and chips, soft-shelled Moreton Bay bugs and whole sole de-boned at the table.

The launches also mark a busy few weeks of restaurant openings across the state from the highly coveted new Pneuma in Brisbane City from acclaimed chefs Matt Blackwell and Dan Arnold, to the reopening of Gerard’s in Fortitude Valley after a dramatic renovation.

There was also the launch of Bli Bli Hotel on the Sunshine Coast with a modern bistro and bar and Mediterranean-inspired rooftop terrace, plus a tropic garden events space; as well as the opening of the Calypso Club in Cairns.

Inside the Crystalbrook Riley resort, the bar is serving the likes of fish burgers, seafood rolls and trout ceviche alongside cocktails using locally brewed spirits.