South Brisbane’s Best Restaurants For Your Next Night Out

South Brisbane has become one of Brisbane’s best hotspots for incredible food, excellent wine and brand-new experiences. This vibrant urban hub is bursting with intimate bars, upscale dining and restaurants tucked into cosy nooks and lanes. Whether you’re seeking something moody for a date night, or need a roomy table to spread out and share a meal with your nearest and dearest, there’s a venue waiting in South Brisbane for you to discover.

From casual bistros to high-end restaurants redefining the art of dining, these are the best restaurants to book in South Brisbane.

Southside

An absolute must-do on South Brisbane’s dining scene is Southside. An urban oasis, tucked beneath the train bridges of South Brisbane and surrounded by greenery, this is easily one of the best restaurants to visit in Brisbane for an elevated meal. Their menu features East-Asian cuisine, heavily influenced by Chinese tradition, and the sommelier is at hand to provide top-notch wine recommendations from local producers. Southside is a feast for all the senses, so we recommend making a booking and treating yourself to a special night here.

Fish Lane Town Square, 63 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane

Chu The Phat

Everyone loves a night out at Chu The Phat! Easily one of the best restaurants in South Brisbane (and perhaps the coolest), this Asian restaurant is a stunning two-storey building enclosed in glass so you can enjoy the view. Backing onto the foodie trail of Fish Lane, this industrial chic venue stirs up images of bustling Asian streets, gatherings of hawkers and old-world Oriental energy with its decor and thoughtful design, placing the kitchen at the heart of the restaurant.

The menu here is split into starters, mains, noodles and rice, and desserts. The varied dishes take inspiration from the chef’s travels around Taiwan, Korea, central China and Hong Kong, and there are additional menus that cater to vegan and gluten-free dietaries as well. So it’s safe to say that Chu The Phat is the best restaurant to book in South Brisbane for a big group, as everyone is more than catered for!

111 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane

Maeve

The project of three friends with experience in hospitality garnered from around the nation (and the world), Maeve Wine Bar offers a European-inspired menu from shared plates to substantial meals. They’ve ensured the wine list is approachable for all, with wines available by the glass so that you can try a few new drops, or a celebratory reserve wine list in case of special occasions. The wine list is ever-changing and focuses on local growers who maintain integrity throughout the entire wine-making process. Located within a heritage-listed building, simply ascend the deep burgundy steps into a wine bar like no other.

Sitchu Tip: Check out the Coravin menu for corked wines by the glass that are usually only served by the bottle.

Elevator access is also available.

39 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane

Lina Rooftop

Searching for the best restaurant in South Brisbane for a lunch or bottomless brunch? Lina Rooftop should be your go-to. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped out of Brisbane and into the Mediterranean when you arrive at Lina. You can dine indoors, bathed in natural light and crisp white decor, or take your long lunch outdoors under an umbrella and soak up the views. This luxe and spacious open rooftop bar also features a stunning infinity pool to elevate your visit to vacay vibes immediately. Recline on a day bed with rosè in hand and gourmet bites at the ready, while you enjoy the incredible view over the Brisbane city skyline.

74-80 Tribune Street, South Brisbane

Takashiya

Discover a tiny pocket of Japan on a jaunt to one of the best restaurants in South Brisbane. Takashiya is a total hidden gem, tucked underneath the Emporium Hotel. This omakase, whisky and sake bar is a must-do for anyone who loves traditional Japanese cuisine. Let the chef take control with an omakase (chef’s choice) experience. You’re in the safest of hands here, as the media have rated Chef Takashi Nami’s restaurant as “the ultimate gourmet Japanese dining experience”. You’ll love the stunning bar, hanging cherry blossom decorations and charming sake bottles filled with light. There are three levels of omakase to choose from - mini, standard and premium (premium has 19 courses!) but you can also opt to order a la carte if you’re looking for a quicker bite to eat. Enjoy the artful plates whilst sipping on premium sake or a handful of selected wines when enjoying one of South Brisbane’s best dining destinations.

Shop T03 Emporium Hotel, 267 Grey Street, South Brisbane

El Planta

Authentic Mexican eats, made from scratch. That’s what you can expect when you visit this veg-heavy restaurant in South Brisbane! El Planta plates up plant-based Mexican dishes, lovingly crafted in their bustling and energetic kitchen. Even the tortillas are made in-house, so you can rest assured that El Planta has ensured you’re getting the freshest and most flavourful experience every time you visit. Their all-vegan menu of tacos, snacks and sides might be tiny but it packs a punch when it comes to flavour. That’s what keeps Brisbanites coming back to this hole-in-the-wall Mexican joint near Fish Lane.

58 Hope Street, South Brisbane

OTTO Ristorante

For an experience steeped in excellence, OTTO is the one. Meals are minimalistic yet perfectly balanced, allowing the quality of the ingredients to shine through. The staff are attentive and dedicated to ensuring a positive experience, which has created a loyal following of regulars and rave reviews for this gorgeous, waterfront Italian restaurant.

A no-brainer for our guide to the best restaurants in South Brisbane, OTTO has recently relocated to a gorgeous waterfront location that makes for dreamy afternoon dining. Dine a la carte on Sydney rock oysters, pickled cucumber, apple, and finger lime to begin, followed by spaghettini served with Champagne lobster, garlic, chilli, white wine, lemon butter and bottarga.

Sidon Street, South Brisbane

Now that you’ve dined your way through the best restaurants in South Brisbane, it’s only a hop, skip and a jump to continue the culinary pleasures at some of South Bank’s best restaurants. Or perhaps if you need to walk off your food coma, take a stroll along one of the best walking trails around Brisbane.