50 Brisbane cafes, restaurants that opened or closed in 2022 | List
It was another turbulent year for the Brisbane hospitality industry as we look at the dozens of cafes and restaurants which folded and the exciting newbies who opened. SEE THE LIST
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In another year of ups and downs for the Brisbane hospitality industry, dozens of cafes and restaurants folded under the pressure of staff shortages, inflation, rising rents, or the end of leases.
But some owners bowed out of their own volition, choosing to move on after making their mark.
Dozens more hopefuls threw open their doors across the city with the hallmark optimism that comes with the industry.
We take a look at 50 notable openings and closings, from pop-up coffee carts to one of the city’s last Pizza Hut franchises and from fine dining restaurants to little suburban eateries.
ALBION
Herve’s Restaurant and Bar
Restaurant identity Herve Dudognon opened his latest, self-named venue in May.
He has previously worked as a sommelier at the Hotel De Crillon in Paris and as general manager of Australia’s Merivale Group and served luminaries such as Michael Jackson, Tina Turner and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The eatery, near a burgeoning microbrewery, cafe and restaurant hub in the inner-north suburb of Albion, has a sophisticated yet relaxed dining experience.
“I wanted to make a destination for people to come in Brisbane to relax in,” he said.
AUCHENFLOWER
Frog N Toad Cafe
Opened in September, this Greek-style cafe is on the go-ahead Lang Pde in Auchenflower, a strip flagged for high-density development.
Lang Pde was badly hit in the February flood but after a long renovation, Tass Maniatis threw open the doors to cheers from locals keen on new eating-out options.
The business was previously owned, for more than 30 years, by another Greek family who owned some of the best Greek restaurants in Brisbane.
BULIMBA
Melrose
This Thai-fusion eatery has a glamorous rooftop area in the bustling Bulimba retail hub.
There’s a bar serving cocktails and food-friendly wines, as well as an open kitchen under a retractable roof.
It’s run by ex-Longrain chef Arte Assavakavinvong.
BRISBANE CBD
Madtongsan II
The budget-but-brilliant restaurant set the standard for Korean food in Brisbane for many years but closed several months ago after two decades.
Until recent times it was always packed, mostly with young Asian students living in nearby CBD office towers converted into highrise accommodation in the past five years.
Owners Hans and Tang closed due to Covid, which devastated the overseas student market and saw office workers boycott the CBD.
“Ever since the Covid pandemic, Hans and I have been struggling to keep the restaurant afloat,” they posted on the restaurant’s Facebook page.
Exhibition
Chef Tim Scott, formerly of hugely busy Valley restaurant Joy, opened Exhibition mid-year in a basement space.
The cosy 24-seater, in the old Metro Arts building, is inspired by the Japanese kaiseki format, featuring masses of courses, very fresh, top-shelf ingredients and hibachi charcoal grilling.
BOS
TV chef Adrian Richardson, hospo guru Chris Higgins and Enyo Lawyers managing director Liam McMahon opened BOS in Queen St in October.
It includes everything from a steak and seafood restaurant and an alfresco bar to a rooftop function space, all with Story Bridge views at the former site of upmarket Italian joint Otto.
“We wanted to do something big and beautiful in Brisbane and take advantage of the outside and Adrian has always wanted to come to Brisbane,” Mr McMahon said.
Botero House
Adelaide St cafe and restaurant Botero House closed in August, although liquidators sought expressions of interest to reopen the space.
It launched in early 2016 to rave reviews for its unique menu, featuring outstanding coffee and a masterful fitout.
The Boteros concept was founded in Maclean in New South Wales by husband-and-wife duo Bonnie Duyker and Quentin Le Naour.
They worked with builders for a year to bring the historic, three-level 1920s space into the modern era but sadly the Covid-induced downturn in the CBD spelled the end.
RothwellsBar & Grill
This new, upmarket Edward St offering also pays homage to its circa-1885 heritage surrounds, with huge mirrors, chandeliers, marble-topped tables, green and curved banquettes.
Lots of steaks, lots of seafood, huge 350-bottle wine list and service by grey-uniformed staff.
Goodwill Bridge coffee outlet
In February Brendan Harris lost the lease on his beloved Goodwill Bridge coffee outlet, popular with QUT students and CBD office workers, who liked to drink on the hoof en route from South Bank train station, changed hands.
Mr Harris said he was devastated to say goodbye to his 1500 regulars, although the business has been a boon for homeless charity Micah which was awarded the current lease.
Mr Harris had run the business for nine years.
Longtime Dining
Serving contemporary Chinese food, Longtime Dining opened in the luxury Queens Plaza retail centre earlier this year.
It focuses on yum cha as flashy as the designer stores surrounding it.
The fit-out is modern, with a stunning moulded bar at the entry, dining room of grey banquettes, teal and rattan chairs, white-clothed tables and curved booths under individual arbours.
Top-notch signature cocktail menu and local and Asian beer, plus wine, is available too.
Tillerman
Andrew and Jaimee Baturo of Libertine and Naga Thai fame, alongside head chef Suwisa Phoonsang and general manager Gizem Temizkan, launch Tillerman at Riparian Plaza in September.
“I thought it would be great to do something that really honours and celebrates Australian seafood,” Andrew Baturo said.
“We want to get some of the best seafood we can from different fisheries and make sure everything is ethically sourced and sustainable.”
CHERMSIDE
Karen’s Diner
With a promise of 100 per cent rude staff as well as “kick-arse’’ burgers, Karen’s diner sure created a stir when it opened in May at Westfield Chermside.
The restaurant brand had initially been planned for South Bank and followed the opening of Karen’s Diners outlets in Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast.
“It’s amazing … lots of keen interest and booking rates are going off,” Karen’s Diner manager Aden Levin said.
“It’s obviously a niche trade market for having rude, unfriendly, abrasive staff but while also providing a really fun and engaging dining experience.”
FORTITUDE VALLEY
Berlusca’s Pizza and Pasta
Berlusca’s Pizza and Pasta promises to serve up good wine, food and a fantastic time with giant yard pizzas, plenty of cocktails, singing waiters, meatball competitions and food fights.
Although due to open early next year, it held a soft launch last month.
Kid Curry
Kid Curry opened in Fortitude Valley earlier this year beside its siblings Snack Man and Happy Boy.
As its name suggests, it serves curries such as butter chicken, confit duck rendang and rogan josh but has a broad pan-Asian offering.
The decor is laid-back with timber-lined walls, concrete floors and bare tables and service is welcoming and efficient, with dishes arriving quickly.
Sushi Room
This newcomer at the stylish Calile Hotel on James St is a 60-seater with vertical blinds, textured domed ceiling and a sushi bar that acts as a central stage, plus bar, booth and table seating.
Dishes range from $8 right up to $320 for a whole lobster. Set menus and omakase are also on offer and there’s a small private dining room.
1st Edition
Mates Marc Grey and Steve Maiden opened this fun 22-seater bar-restaurant where diners sit on stools along an L-shaped counter laminated with cartoon strips.
There’s a cracking cocktail menu, Mexican and Asian fare with French techniques.
Italia Lane
This playful all-day eatery opened in October and serves up Italian with a twist.
Owners James Griffiths and Marc Kimmich, along with head chef Stuart Smith, planned to run it from morning to night, with grab-and-go breakfasts and coffee morphing into lunches and a share-style dinner menu.
The spacious site will be split into three zones, with a business-style area for local corporates with room for meetings and working on laptops, a restaurant and an outdoor area.
COORPAROO
KFC
Coorparoo locals hit local Facebook in recent months after the iconic KFC sign was seen being trucked into place at this new outlet at 200-208 Old Cleveland Rd.
It opened on December 5, while KFC Windsor launched four days later at 143 Newmarket Rd.
Although a long way from fine dining, both will undoubtedly become the most popular eateries for miles around.
HAMILTON
Belvedere Bar N Grill
Fans of Belvedere Bar and Grill were devastated earlier this year when the owners announced it would close.
Part-owner Cosimo Carvignese originally said they planned to move to a smaller spot within the same precinct but later posted that they would move away from the Portside precinct.
Michael Tassis is due to open Fosh seafood restaurant in March at the site.
Northshore Harbour Cafe
Management of the popular and scenic riverfront cafe and wedding venue said they were left angry and shocked after being told in June their Council lease would not be renewed.
The news came just after nearby Belvedere Bar N Grill shut.
Manager Kelly Harrison said they had built up a loyal following since opening in 2014, serving one million cups of coffee and hosting more than 1000 weddings.
In some good news, the venue reopened in recent weeks under a new lessee. Great food but more pricey than Northshore Harbour’s tasty offerings.
HENDRA
The Common
This luxury cocktail bar opened at Brisbane Airport only in May but already is gaining a reputation as one of the most Instagrammable airport restaurants in Australia.
It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
With fantastic views out to the runway, travellers can sit back, relax and enjoy a vast selection of tapas, share plates, all-day breakfast and brunch, tapas, baked goods, the airport’s largest cocktail menu and local and imported beers and wines.
INDOOROOPILLY
Jamaica Blue Cafe
Regulars were dismayed when this franchise suddenly closed in August at Indooroopilly Shopping Centre (ISC) after almost a decade.
“That place is a haven for so many people, including myself. I see so many people, regulars, who make Jammie (sic) Blue a hub of the community,” JB regular Susie posted.
“That’s because Shane, Linda (the owners) and the wonderful staff give their customers their hearts.”
A spokeswoman for ISC said it was “unable to reach a commercial agreement” with the cafe.
Andrews
In better news at ISC, beloved butchery Andrews opened a grill-style cafe in July next to its shop on the lower level, in a new-ish addition catering to Asian eateries and other goodies.
The family-owned butchery serves up a large range of high-quality meats.
JINDALEE
Guzman Y Gomez
GYG has been expanding like crazy across southeast Queensland this year, including a new Tex Mex outlet at 721 Seventeen Mile Rocks Rd, which started trading in November.
Before that the nearest GYGs were next to Indooroopilly Shopping Centre and at Toowong Village.
Franchisee Gayle Hancock, who owns both those restaurants, knows a lot about Jindalee after buying her first house there.
She hired 60 staff but last month was still looking for more cooks, baristas, sales and food prep crew.
KANGAROO POINT
Medley
Back in May, customers were shocked to read the “we are closed’’ sign out the front of this riverfront venue, a former Dockside Apartments display village.
The cafe, bar and restaurant shut due to a post-Covid staffing crisis so bad it could not fill 15 positions, from head chef to casual wait staff.
Owner and manager Nick Pavlakis did not receive a single applicant for the head chef role despite offering $85,000 to $90,000 a year, plus superannuation.
But in great news, it reopened only a month later with a new head chef of Malaysian heritage, who has brought his distinctive take to the Mediterranean-focused menu.
KENMORE
On It Burgers & Bar
A hit from the moment it opened in the thick of the restaurant hub near Kenmore roundabout, On It Burgers & Bar last month announced it had added a bar serving cocktails, wine, craft beer on tap, cheese platters and a range of spirits.
Happy hour is 2-4pm, Fridays and Saturdays.
On It won a Westside News Facebook reader poll for best westside burger joint, just two weeks after opening mid last year.
Pizza Hut
One of the last of the iconic franchise’s outlets in Brisbane served up its final pizzas at Kenmore Plaza shopping centre in October.
The chain still has a stronghold interstate but intense competition from independents and other pizza franchises have eaten into its business since it arrived in Brisbane in the late ’70s.
Plum Cafe Bistro
Plum Cafe Bistro owners Lance and Christine Zhou retired in June to the dismay of their loyal customers at Kenmore Plaza Shopping Centre.
The couple and their children (when they were younger) ran the popular eatery for 14 years.
Burger giant Grill’d has replaced them at the site.
Mr Zhou’s decision to retire capped an amazing 33-year career in hospitality, starting at Jimmy’s On The Mall, where he landed a job on his first day in Australia in 1988 after emigrating from Shanghai.
Mrs Zhou, who is also of Chinese heritage but moved from the Philippines with her parents as a child, said she might still keep on going in hospitality.
“Hospitality is not easy. We work hard, seven days a week starting at 5.30am getting ready and closing at 5pm,’’ Mr Zhou said.
MOGGIL
Moggill Cafe & Espresso Bar
Another addition to the bustling new shopping centre site in Moggill, developed by Consolidated Properties Group, it has been packed since opening.
Indeed, trade at the Coles and nearby retailers, including an award-winning butchery, is so brisk on a Saturday the only real drawback is trying to find a parking space.
It turned on the espresso machine in October.
NEW FARM
The Lodge Bar & Dining
New Zealand fashion label Rodd Gunn branched out into hospitality this year in the Valley with The Lodge Bar Dining at a beautifully converted two-level Queenslander.
Michelin-backed executive chef Matt Lambert and head chef James Evangelinos serve up treats such as oysters served four ways and prawns cooked in eucalyptus.
Piranha Fish Cafe
One of New Farm’s most popular cafes, it went to the wall in early December owing the taxman a six-figure sum.
Liquidator Andrew Weatherley was appointed after severe staff shortages meant it was not feasible for the eatery to continue operating.
According to documents lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, the cafe owed the tax office $190,000 with smaller amounts owed to other creditors.
Located in Merthyr Village, the cafe was a popular haunt for locals wanting a feed of battered whiting, green fish curry or barbecue baby octopus.
NEWSTEAD
Allonda
With a similar look to sister venue, Same Same, it opened in November.
Allonda is the second venture for the team behind Paddington’s popular wine bar and eatery Nota.
Sebastiaan de Kort, Kevin Docherty and Yanika Sittisuntorn were hand-picked by development company Dibcorp to take on the space, in Dibcorp’s apartment building Dwell.
RED HILL
Little Italy Cafe
It was a sad day for inner-west coffee lovers in April when this fave served its last latte at Red Hill Community Sports Club.
A much-loved dog and child-friendly hangout, it will be missed.
ROSALIE
Rosalie Gourmet Market
This terrific deli has been a Rosalie landmark since Norris and Marcia Lewis founded it in 1997.
Luxe deli offerings, including amazing cakes, fresh bread, flowers and herb seedlings, it celebrated its 25th birthday in October with new outside artwork by local talent Matt Stewart.
Last month, it was revealed current owner Rae Gough would double the space after taking over the next-door Foodstore owned by Delong Londrid. Ms Gough bought the deli in 2016.
SOUTH BRISBANE
Wandering Cooks
After a decade helping launch dozens of Brisbane foodie operations, game-changing South Brisbane restaurant Wandering Cooks permanently closed in May.
It started out as a casual cafe/bar and incubator for culinary entrepreneurs, renting them a commercial kitchen to try to turn their food dream into a reality.
Owner Angela Hirst said it had been forced to shut due to a lack of patronage.
“It is time to accept that the market has made this decision an obvious, if not extremely difficult, one,” she said in a heartfelt Instagram post.
GOMA Restaurant
The highly-acclaimed signature restaurant at Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art was another hospitality venue to close, in May, due to staff shortages sparked by Covid.
Cafes and restaurants across the state have been struggling with skilled workforce shortages since the pandemic began, not to mention rising food and energy costs and spiralling rents.
Thankfully, the restaurant reopened on June 15 in time for the gallery’s major exhibition Chiharu Shiota: The Soul Trembles.
Chef Matt Blackwell used the break to reshape the menu.
Gauge
South Brisbane’s award-winning Gauge restaurant – once named “the most exciting place to eat” in Brisbane — shut in March after seven years.
The compact casual fine diner along Grey St became one of Queensland’s best restaurants, regularly appearing in the top 10 in the state thanks to its boundary-pushing cuisine.
But it had been struggling for two years during Covid, initially closing its doors when the pandemic hit and then running gourmet takeaway, on and off, in between sporadic trading.
Owner Jerome Batten, who is also behind acclaimed bar Maker around the corner in Fish Lane, had been trying to find a buyer for the business.
SPRINGFIELD
D Star Restaurant
A hit since itopened in May, this Italian-influenced eatery is run by Shivani Dutta and her husband Deepak Kumar.
The bar and restaurant is on a site near the Springfield Lakes Hotel previously occupied by Fusion Bar and Grill.
Ms Dutta said they focused on the basics — tasty food at reasonable prices.
Mr Kumar, a qualified chef, runs the kitchen while Ms Dutta looks after service.
TOOWONG
Gangnam Style Korean restaurant
One of a bunch of new retailers to open at the new-look Toowong Village shopping centre in recent months, it complemented Asian groceries Fresco and Hanaromart and a Sushi Hub, which all catered to the large local overseas student market.
The industrial, cafeteria-vibe venue serves authentic eats such as jjajangmyeon, a popular pork and noodle dish, Korean favourite tteokbokki featuring rice cakes and fish cakes and classics like kimchi pancakes.
Two Brothers Cafe
Brothers Mustapha and Adam Habbouchi opened Indooroopilly eatery Two Brothers Cafe in March and followed up with another venue last month in the Valley, near the new Valley Metro train station.
The 150-seater tenancy has booth seating and serves the signature breakfast and lunch offerings made popular at Indooroopilly, plus dinner for the first time.
Josie North
In November this longtime Toowong fave expanded to include a wine bar, operating from 5pm Thursdays to Saturdays.
Josie North has been going great guns since opening in 2016.
Riserbread
Riserbread served its first loaves and coffees in early December at 85 Miskin St, the location of the iconic restaurant of the same name run by Brent Farrell and Kylie Hawkins.
They closed in April after 17 years.
“I’m shutting the restaurant on my terms, the business has been going well and there’s no financial strain and I’m really excited about what’s happening next,” Mr Farrell said.
Riserbread started in lockdown selling loaves under a “subscription’’ model — customers ordered online and picked up from restaurants/cafes twice a week.
It closed last year but has now reopened in the relaxed, albeit noisy, Queenslander to a busy opening week as locals queued for crispy, unique pastries and its signature bread.
WEST END
Three Monkeys Coffee & Teahouse
One of the pioneers of coffee and cakes in Brisbane, in February West End’s Three Monkeys Coffee & Teahouse became another Covid-19 victim, closing its doors after more than three decades.
Three Monkeys billed itself as the city’s “most atmospheric eatery” and was in the vanguard of the development of Brisbane’s cafe culture after Expo 88.
“It is a Brisbane icon well known for its rustic charm and unique decor,” Worrells liquidator Nikhil Khatri said.
“It has been a staple meeting spot for decades with many locals and tourists over the years and was one of the few cafes in Brisbane which stayed open late into the night.”
The cafe originally started to serve the students living in three units above the premises and people in surrounding boarding homes.
Plenty
The Brisbane cafe, which had focused on local produce and sustainability, served its final meals in July.
Owner Karyn Hodges said business had been declining since Covid-19 hit and they had not been able to turn a profit.
“We haven’t been able to make rent. It was either close or modify,” Ms Hodges said.
Staff shortages and the February flood, which caused $11,000 damage, also contributed.
“For nine years we have prided ourselves on making everything from scratch. That requires lots of staff, we just could not get enough in,” Ms Hodges said.
WOOLLOONGABBA
Thai Rose
Thai Rose Bar and Cafe was a local landmark on a prominent corner site at Logan Rd, next to The Gabba stadium, for 22 years until it closed earlier this year.
Fans such as Rosie Brooks, a business owner from nearby BA Creative, said the restaurant would be dearly missed after she had been eating there since 2000.
Despite the growth in popularity at the strip at Woolloongabba, it was also one of three restaurants to close over the past 18 months, including The Mac From Way Back and The Pearl Cafe.
Clarence
Clarence opened this year as a 35-seat bistro in an 1865-built shopfront, with polished floors, naked wooden tables and black ladder-backed chairs under a row of dangling light bulbs.
It’s the creation of chef Ben McShane and Franklin Heaney.
Cocktails, wine, beer and a great but clipped menu in atmospheric surroundings.
WYNNUM
Hajime
Sitting at the ground level of one of Wynnum’s newest residential developments, Enclave, Hajime opened recently.
One of the bayside’s few Japanese restaurants, the sushi bar and izakaya on the corner of Charlotte St and Bay Tce has indoor and al fresco dining spaces.
Owner Ken Hu, who bought the site in May, said he wanted to give the area an authentic Japanese restaurant which would give the bayside more variety in the cuisine.
“Hajime means ‘beginning’ in Japanese. This is our first shop, so a new beginning for us,’’ he said.
Munja Pizza
This venue opened about the same time, replacing the former home of Pizza Capers on Bay Tce in the CBD.
Started by couple, John and Paulina Barbato, it also has internal and outdoor dining spaces.
The couple’s journey towards their new bayside venue started more than two decades ago.
“Many years ago, approximately 25 years ago, an Italian baker friend of John’s family, who is also from an Italian background, passed on his recipe to John for an artisan pizza dough,” Mrs Barbato said.
Adelita Wine Bar
This cosy wine bar opened last month near Wynnum Creek at the site of the former Wynnum Point Hotel, or Fishers Hotel as it was known to locals.
Owned by Chris Hollingsworth, he named the boutique wine bar named after his grandmother.
It offered share-style tapas plates of modern Australian food with a “contemporary twist”.
“We’ll be showcasing a global selection of wines, including some of Australia’s up and coming winemakers,” Mr Hollingsworth said.
The venue manager is Cooper Lawton and the chef is Esca Khoo, who trained under the likes of Rene Redzepi and Heston Blumenthal.
D&W REPUBLIC
He’s owned nightclubs and restaurants in regional Queensland but now Grant Long has become the latest business owner to join one of the hottest and fastest growing entertainment scenes in Brisbane.
Mr Long opened D&W Republic, new modern lounge bar, in Edith St at Wynnum in late October.
“The main concept is a lounge bar, serving nice cocktails, craft beers and a good range of spirits while having a little bit of a dancefloor with a DJ playing remixed house,” Mr Long said.
“A bit of a modern spin to give the younger demographic somewhere to go in the growing Wynnum entertainment hub.”
The venue also a bar menu with a burgers and wings theme.
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