Brisbane’s most in-demand restaurants of 2021

Waiting lists for weeks, reservation systems jammed, and queues out the door – Brisbane’s most popular eateries of 2021 have been revealed.

Waiting lists for weeks, reservation systems jammed, and queues out the door – Brisbane’s top eateries are proving harder to secure a booking at than getting into a pair of skinny jeans after a Christmas feast.

With overseas travel off limits so far this year, Queenslanders have become desperate to dine out, making reservation procurement now an exercise of speed and expert planning – especially for weekend visits.

So which of the city’s eateries are in the hottest demand?

From fancy French bistros to laid-back Italian trattorias, here are the venues diners are loving.

Maya Mexican, Fortitude Valley. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

MAYA

757 Ann St, Fortitude Valley

Maya-Mexican.com.au

A hot spot on weekends with the well-heeled crowds of Brisbane, this Mexican restaurant and rooftop bar is booked out on Saturday nights weeks in advance.

However, weekday reservations are easier to come by if it’s the uninterrupted city views, street-style Mexican fare and tequila-heavy cocktails you crave.

JOY

7/690 Ann St, Fortitude Valley

joyrestaurant.com.au

Only operating three days a week and with just 10 seats, this refined Fortitude Valley degustation restaurant is a mission to get into.

Firstly you’ll need to book four months in advance and stay up to midnight to secure your seat, with reservations only released at 12am on the first of each month.

Agnes Restaurant, Fortitude Valley. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

AGNES

22 Agnes St, Fortitude Valley

agnesrestaurant.com.au

Brisbane’s first entirely fire-fuelled restaurant has set hearts alight with its elevated flame-licked fare. From the must-order malt bread with smoked butter, to the cucumber-topped chicken tails that deliver a sweet, salty, sour, spicy explosion, this is considered and clever cooking, all on display in the sprawling open kitchen built around a magnificent wood-stoked oven.

JULIUS

77 Grey St, South Brisbane

juliuspizzeria.com.au

Only taking bookings for 20 seats, with the remaining 60 for walk-ins, this Italian pizzeria is more difficult to get into than a hairdresser after lockdown.

But it’s well worth reserving a table early, with the Fish Lane venue serving up arguably Brisbane’s best authentic pizzas, alongside pastas, antipasti, classic mains and a terrific tiramisu for dessert.

Elska restaurant, New Farm. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

ELSKA

148 Merthyr Rd, New Farm

elska.com.au

With no reservations available on Friday and Saturday nights for the rest of the year, this cosy, degustation restaurant combines the best of Australian ingredients, delivered with classic and Nordic techniques.

The work of chef/owner Nathan Dunnell, the food is thoughtful, creative and left of centre, making for an exploratory and engaging dining experience.

BIANCA

Ada Lane, 46 James St, Fortitude Valley

biancarestaurant.com.au

From the talented team behind hit restaurants Agnes, Honto and Same Same comes this casual and accessible Italian built around fun, frivolity and humble fare.

Scoring a table for groups on weekends requires a booking weeks in advance, but for those happy to eat at the counter, there is often room early in the evening for diners to fill up on fabulous wood-fired breads teamed with top-notch charcuterie, handcrafted pastas and hearty Italian mains, all paired with a glass of wine or cocktail from the cleverly curated list.

SK STEAK & OYSTER

The Calile Hotel, 48 James St,
Fortitude Valley

sk-so.com

Despite recently moving to seven-day trading, this up-market steak and seafood restaurant can’t keep up with customer demand. Weekend bookings are often filled more than a month in advance, with the elite crowd desperate to enjoy the broad grill-style menu that moves from prawn cocktails through pastas and salads to steaks and seafood platters; all paired with wines from an 18-page list.

RESTAURANT DAN ARNOLD

959 Ann St, Fortitude Valley

restaurantdanarnold.com

Booked out until the end of the year on a Saturday night, this fine dining, set menu-only restaurant serves up Brisbane’s most elegant French fare, with each plate a work of art.

Leaning on his Michelin training, chef/owner Dan Arnold delivers plate after plate of ethereally light and thoughtful cuisine, all at terrific value.

Restaurant Dan Arnold in Fortitude Valley.

KID CURRY

East St, Fortitude Valley

kidcurry.com.au

The newest addition to the Votan brothers’ East St restaurant empire, Kid Curry is already proving enormously popular taking diners on a journey throughout Asia.

While its name alludes to a focus on curries (everything from a Sri Lankan fish curry to a Thai beef massaman); there are also plenty of street-style snacks that pair brilliantly with the venue’s wine list, which pushes diners to something new, without being esoteric.

MONTRACHET

1/30 King St, Bowen Hills

montrachet.com.au

If it’s traditional French cuisine executed with elegance you crave, then you’ll need to reserve a spot weeks in advance for Brisbane’s Montrachet.

Award-winning chef Shannon Kellam rolls out all the classics at this brick and brass-heavy fine diner, including double-baked souffle with crabmeat and gruyère cheese, bouillabaisse and steak frites.

Montrachet restaurant in Bowen Hills. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

SAME SAME

Ada Lane, 46 James St, Fortitude Valley

samesamerestaurant.com.au

Buzzing, lively and just a little rowdy, this fun and easygoing Thai-inspired eatery has become a hugely popular hangout for casual catch-ups over terrific curries and street-style snacks.

With effortless, knowledgeable service, an on-trend drinks list and a whole lot of ambience in the Richards + Spence architecturally designed space, this is a venue that attracts bookings months in advance.