Inside Queensland’s delicious. 100 winner Restaurant Dan Arnold

The work of a young husband and wife, this Brisbane restaurant has being awarded the best in the state in the delicious. 100. Find out what makes it so great.

It began as just the dream of a young husband and wife; built with no bank loan or investors – only their savings and a little help from mum and dad.

Now Restaurant Dan Arnold in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley has taken out No. 1 spot in Queensland’s delicious. 100.

The eponymous venue of chef Dan Arnold, who has worked in French Michelin-starred restaurants and was ranked the eighth chef in the world in the prestigious Bocuse d’Or culinary Olympics, and wife Amelie, who handles the business’s finances, wowed critics in their search for the state’s 100 most delicious eateries – inside today’s Qweekend.

“It’s a great honour for us as restaurant owners but this is as much for the team to compensate them for their hard work,” Dan said.

Lauren Kinne, Dan Arnold and Stuart Chant at Restaurant Dan Arnold in Fortitude Valley. Picture: Nigel Hallett

The French-themed, set menu-only restaurant stood out from the pack for exemplifying what true hospitality is about.

It offers warm and engaging service, food unlike anything else in the state, a drinks list that has you thirsty for more, and unbelievable generosity, which also resulted in the venue being awarded “Best Value”.

Dinner starts at $100pp for three courses – which in itself has become a good price these days – but is packed with bonus courses from an avalanche of stunning snacks to a trio of terrific breads, pre-desserts and petit fours.

“We’re very smart about the produce we work with,” explained Dan on how the restaurant offers such fabulous value for money.

Restaurant Dan Arnold prides itself on affordable fine dining. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“We work with great produce but not always premium cuts. Because we are a technique-based kitchen, we’ll work with a secondary product and really highlight what can be done with something like that rather than always going for the easier first cuts, as I call them.”

That may mean diners could be eating everything from rabbit and venison to lamb saddle and beef rib cap that are just as delicious, if not more so, than their primary equivalent, but much more affordable.

Joining Restaurant Dan Arnold on the list this year is a feast of dining options across all price points and styles from cheap and cheerful pizza spots and loud and lively family hangouts to up-market sushi restaurants and underground, degustation-only experiences.

See the full list in Qweekend and vote online in the People’s Choice competition for your favourite restaurant to go in the draw to win a $2000 dining experience at Restaurant Dan Arnold.