Developments spark restaurant boom on Brisbane’s bayside

A rush of new restaurants and eateries has followed new residential and commercial developments on Brisbane’s bayside.

Bradley Edwards in front of his restaurant Groundhog Social. Picture: AAP/Sarah Marshall

NEW residential and commercial developments around Brisbane’s bayside have helped attract a number of new restaurants and eateries.

Lamond Real Estate sales manager Kevin Stewart recently leased two venues for new restaurant launches.

Vietnam Eat Alley has now officially opened on Wynnum’s Bay Tce, while Groundhog Social will open at the old site of Cuttlefish Cafe on The Esplanade at Manly in the coming weeks.

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The new businesses are just two of many new eateries expected to appear in the local area as Brisbane City Council assesses several other development applications – with a microbrewery and hotel on the drawing board.

Real estate agent Kevin Stewart at his office. Picture: AAP/Sarah Marshall

Mr Stewart said the many new residential and commercial projects which had been developed across Wynnum and Many in recent years had helped attract more restaurateurs to the area.

“People see that there’s things happening here and they believe now is a great opportunity to have a business in an area that is rising and rising quickly,” he said.

“There’s the construction of the new cinema happening and a lot of new residential complexes.

“So I think it’s a great time to get involved on the bayside.

“I think businesses can really have success here now.”

Ngoc Phan poses with his sister Le Tran at his new restaurant Vietnam Eat Alley. Picture: AAP/Sarah Marshall

Ngoc Phan, who last month opened Vietnam Eat Alley after more than a decade working at restaurants owned by his family, said he was excited to have launched his restaurant in such a great area.

General manager of Wynnum Business David Bateson echoed Mr Stewart’s comments and believed it was a trend that would continue in the area.

“I do think the developments that are happening around Wynnum are definitely attracting more business owners to the area, especially the cinema, I think the impact that development will have will be huge,” he said.

“I think what you’ve kind of seen is that traditional retail may struggle but turning these spaces into entertainment precincts as far as restaurants and those sorts of things is the way to go, which is what is happening on the bayside now.

New restaurant Groundhog Social. Picture: AAP/Sarah Marshall

“These restaurants seem to be doing well as well, there’s the Vietnamese restaurant then there’s Mates in Wynnum which has been open for a little bit now and business seems to be good. I think, apart from obviously having a good product, they are addressing the needs of the community they are in.”

Mr Bateson said he believed there would be more and more eateries and developments closer to the cinema on Berrima St as completion draws closer.

He also said there was another cafe or restaurant opening on the horizon in Wynnum in the near future.