Iconic Gambaro Seafood restaurant set for dramatic change

It’s been a stalwart on Brisbane’s Caxton St for more than 60 years, now this beloved seafood eatery is in for a shake-up.

Brisbane’s epochal Gambaro Seafood Restaurant is in for a dramatic shake-up, with the beloved venue undergoing a stunning makeover.

The Caxton St icon, which has been around for more than 60 years, will close for almost three weeks, with the entire space refreshed by interior designerLisa Henderson of S.SHYNE.

“We thought this was a nice chance to freshen it up and reinvigorate it … and it was time to give back to the customers who have been so loyal,” said co-owner John Gambaro, who runs the operation with brothers Donny and Frank.

An artist’s impression of the new-look Gambaro Seafood Restaurant on Caxton Street.

The refurbishment will see the restaurant brightened up, with the navy colour scheme replaced by light coastal hues channelling the ocean fare that graces the venue’s plates. There’ll be new cushion-lined banquette seating atop fresh timber floors, pops of greenery and a relaxed Mediterranean vibe.

The restaurant’s bar will also be treated to a revitalised look, removing the dark charcoal tones in favour of light creams, whites and terracotta, complementing lush plantings that will be dotted around new cosy seating inside and on the covered outdoor balcony overlooking Caxton St.

But it’s not just the pescetarian favourite and its bar the famous hospitality family is waving a renovation wand over. Their hugely popular steakhouse across the road, Black Hide, is also getting a makeover.

An artist’s impression of the new-look Black Hide Caxton Street.

The meat mecca will remain a warm and moody epicentre of steak, but will be updated for years to come with fresh furniture and fixtures and a new green and grey colour palette.

“We don’t want to spoil it with too much change but at the same time, we have to give it a fresh look,” John Gambaro said, with construction crews already on site.

Gambaro Seafood will reopen with its glam fresh fit-out on January 27, while Black Hide Caxton St will return to serving steaks from its new interiors on January 16.