10 restaurants with the best tasting menus in Brisbane to satisfy your inner foodie
When time and budget allow, everyone dines out with a purpose—locals chase the newest spot in town, tourists hunt for iconic dishes, and foodies crave variety and adventure. And of course, some are simply marking a special occasion with a meal to remember.
No matter the reason, the question after paying the bill is always the same: “Was the food good?” Some places are overhyped, leaving you wishing you’d gone elsewhere, while others impress so much that you’re already planning your return.
Let’s stick with the latter—after all, these are the best tasting menus in Brisbane, crafted to satisfy even the most curious foodie. You have the following restaurants to consider for an unforgettable multi-course experience, and they’re ready to serve you next!
1. Exhibition Restaurant
Media credit: exhibitionrestaurant
Website: https://www.exhibitionrestaurant.com/
Address: Basement 2/109 Edward St
Contact details: [email protected]
Operating hours: Tuesday to Saturday – 5 PM – 10 PM
Rating: 4.9
Pricing: $$$$
Don’t expect a menu at Exhibition Restaurant, as they won’t hand you one. The excitement lies in the chef’s curations for each evening, inspired by Japanese-style omakase with a focus on live seafood, premium meats, and fresh produce sourced from small farms.
You can choose from two omakase experiences: the Shortened Experience, available only on Tuesdays, serves a shorter version of the full menu at $187 per person. The $247 Exhibition Experience, on the other hand, is a more indulgent option showcasing luxury ingredients.
Drink pairings come in four styles: Sober (non-alcoholic), Unorthodox (alcoholic), Traditional, and Premium—the latter two featuring Australian and international wines. You can also visit the wine bar for juices, cocktails, and spirits, paired with bites like Hokkaido scallops and caviar.
Let’s not forget that Exhibition is an intimate 24-seat restaurant built deep underground in the Metro Arts Theatre of Brisbane. So, expect to eat under dim lighting, using custom handmade cutlery and ceramics made by local and Japanese artists.
Pro tips:
- Make early reservations: Bookings open three months in advance, and spots fill up quickly. If you miss out, you’ll need to wait until the first Tuesday of the next month at 1:00 PM to secure a reservation.
- Limited allergy/dietary considerations: Due to the nature of omakase, the Exhibition is unable to cater to vegetarians, vegans, coeliacs, and dairy-free diets. Still, they can provide a wheat-free menu with sufficient notice.
2. Alchemy Restaurant and Bar
Media credit: alchemy_bris
Website: https://www.alchemyrestaurant.com.au/
Address: 175 Eagle St
Contact details: +61 7 3229 3175
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 12 PM – 3 PM; 5:30 PM – 11 PM
- Saturday – 5:30 PM – 10 PM
Rating: 4.6
Price range: $$$$
You can’t fight the alchemy at Alchemy Restaurant and Bar—where creative, modern Australian tasting menus and riverside ambiance work their quiet magic. Consider it an answer to your search for a romantic dinner spot or a special occasion destination.
For $89, you’ll get two courses; for $110, three—both include their fan-favorite house-made focaccia bread. If you’d like to add more courses, the attentive waitstaff will happily discuss pricing with you.
Alchemy’s signature starter is the oysters, which you can have naturally or with a sweet palm sugar and tangy coriander dressing. Follow with the house-made gnocchi in Gorgonzola cream, then finish strong with the wagyu striploin with boulangère potatoes.
That’s not all—you can top it off with tiramisu or a chocolate and caramel tart. To wash it down, take your pick from their vintage wines, sparkling selections, champagne, or beers—just check the list!
Pro tips:
- Regularly updated menu: Alchemy’s menu changes with the seasons, ingredient availability, and the best produce on hand. So, don’t be surprised if prices or dishes change without notice.
- Peak times deposit: Friday and Saturday evenings are Alchemy’s busiest and require a $30 deposit (plus a 1.8% credit card fee), which is credited to your bill upon dining. To avoid this, consider booking a quieter weekday lunch or dinner.
- Special table arrangements: Window tables and complimentary celebration plates aren’t guaranteed, but extras can be arranged for an added cost. Flowers, a bottle of champagne, or house-made chocolates can be waiting at your table.
3. Malt Dining & Bar
Media credit: maltdining
Website: https://www.maltdining.com.au/
Address: 28 Market St
Contact details: +61 7 3236 4855
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM
- Friday – 11:30 AM – 11:30 PM
- Saturday – 3 PM – 11:30 PM
Rating: 4.5
Pricing: $$$
Book now:
At Malt Dining & Bar, lunch or dinner is served across three levels of a converted market building. No matter where you’re seated, expect rustic-chic fine dining and a diverse menu divided into four sections: Attic Dinner, Lunch Set, Beverage, and Lunch & Bar.
There’s a lot to choose from, but you can request the Brisbane Valley Quail served with peanut curry and smoked lychee. And if you’re eyeing the Charred Beef with roasted carrot, green wheat, and pickled mushroom—go for it!
You won’t want to miss the Malt Brownie for dessert either—it’s made with malted milk and pecan for a rich, indulgent finish to your meal. On the drink front, a wide selection of reds, whites, and sparkling wines, plus whisky and spirits are ready to be poured.
Pro tip:
Consider booking a table in the Attic—don’t miss the chance to dine in the restaurant’s elegant upstairs space featuring heritage architecture and a cozy ambiance. For more privacy, opt for a Cellar table for a tasting surrounded by an extensive wine collection.
4. Montrachet
Media credit: bestof_brisbane
Website: https://www.montrachet.com.au/
Address: Shop 1/30 King St, Bowen Hills
Contact details: [email protected]
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday – 5:30 PM – 9 PM
- Thursday to Saturday – 12 PM – 2 PM
Rating: 4.7
Pricing: $$$$
Montrachet ranked third in Brisbane’s Top Restaurants People’s Choice 2021, and one bite of their six-course tasting menu—packed with artisan produce and French classics—will show you why. You might even leave feeling a little bit French, adding “la” and “le” to everything you say.
The seasons decide the menu, but their Tartelette of Smoked Trout Mousse, Cured Sliced Kingfish, and Passionfruit Soufflé are one for the books. Not to mention the wine list, a collection of rare vintages, silky pinots, and bold Bordeaux—all curated to suit every palate.
Bistro is the setting of Montrachet, with white tablecloths, warm lighting, and classic Parisian touches. Their Saturday Lunch turns things up by bringing French kitchen traditions to life, as the chef often presents each dish and shares its story.
Pro tips:
- 15-minute grace period: Montrachet’s wait staff will hold your table for 15 minutes past your reservation time. Just be sure to notify them if you’re running late.
- 72-hour dietary notice: When making your booking, remember to mention any dietary requirements. If you forget, still let them know within 72 hours to allow for a vegetarian chef’s menu.
- Booking rules: Montrachet doesn’t accept reservations via social media, and your booking won’t be confirmed without credit card details. Additionally, contact the restaurant directly at +61 7 3367 0030 if you don’t receive a confirmation email.
5. C’est Bon Restaurant & Le Bon Bar
Media credit: cestbonrestaurantandlebonbar
Website: https://cestbon.com.au/
Address: 609/611 Stanley St, Woolloongabba
Contact details: +61 7 3891 2008
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 8:30 AM – 12 PM; 4 PM – 11 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 8:30 AM – 11 PM
Rating: 4.5
Pricing: $$$
The seven-course tasting menu at C’est Bon is only available on Friday and Saturday nights—and the catch is you won’t know what’s on it until the very end. It’s a mystery from start to finish, but you can count on classic French flavors throughout.
What makes it even more special is the collaborative spirit behind it—each course is crafted with seasonal ingredients supplied by local farmers, wineries, cheesemakers, and fisheries. At $135 per person, it’s a true taste of the region.
C’est Bon’s charming, intimate spaces are great for special occasions or corporate functions, too. Le Bon Bar, in particular, which translates to ‘The Good Bar,’ lives up to its name with an abundance of wine and drinks from morning to night.
Pro tip:
Even if your reservation is for the evening, you can drop by in the morning for homemade bagels and a strong espresso from the breakfast menu. Stick around for lunch and try the beloved Wollemi Spiced Duck Leg and Chickpea Panisse.
6. Bacchus
Media credit: bacchusbrisbane
Website: https://www.bacchussouthbank.com.au/
Address: Podium Level Rydges South Bank Glenelg St & Grey St
Contact details: +61 7 3364 0870
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 6:30 AM – 10 AM
- Wednesday and Thursday – 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 5:30 PM – 9 PM
- Saturday – 1 PM – 2 PM
Rating: 4.5
Pricing: $$$$
Bacchus’s tasting menu is a seasonal lineup of the chef’s favorites—which might just become yours, too. While the dishes rotate, the house-made focaccia with preserved tomatoes and Hiramasa kingfish have left a lasting impression on diners.
Named after the Roman god of wine, Bacchus naturally boasts a wine list of over 700 selections to complement your meal. Fifty of them are available by the glass—including dessert and fortified wines—but it’s the Barossa Valley Grenache that truly steals the show.
By the way, it’s $140 per person—or $219 with paired wine. And if you’re celebrating a special occasion with 14 of your loved ones, you can book their private dining room and have your tasting menu there.
Pro tip:
Be sure not to overlook Bacchus’s elegant high tea service for an afternoon treat or special celebration. For $69 per adult and $45 per child, you can enjoy gourmet sandwiches, scones, and more—all served with continuous Harney & Sons fine teas or barista coffee.
7. Deer Buck Bistro
Media credit: brisbanefoodadventure
Website: https://deerduckbistro.com.au/
Address: 396 Milton Rd, Auchenflower
Contact details: +61 433 808 981
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 5 PM – 10 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 12 PM – 2:30 PM; 5 PM – 11 PM
Rating: 4.4
Pricing: $$$$
You’ll step into Deer Buck Bistro through a not-so-hidden antique painting door and find yourself surrounded by moody lighting, French Renaissance furniture, and old silver cutlery.
It’s so cozy and clandestine that Urban List Brisbane named it one of the city’s most romantic restaurants.
Deer Buck’s tasting menu leans into modern European cuisine, with three options to suit your appetite—a five-course for $105, seven for $140, or go all out with the nine-course at $165. Wine pairings cost a bit extra, depending on how many courses you choose.
Vegetarians are covered, too—with mushroom and cabbage instead of pork, or asparagus swapped in for salmon sashimi. Either way, their bottles of sparkling, whites, reds, and more pair beautifully with all dishes.
Pro tip:
For a less busy and crowded environment, consider booking on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening rather than the more popular Friday and Saturday nights. An early dinner around 5:30 PM offers the same experience.
Meanwhile, if you’re interested in a daytime option, Deer Buck has lunch services every Friday and Saturday from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Book for lunch periods, also for a more relaxed atmosphere.
8. Joy Restaurant
Media credit: thegourmetblonde
Website: https://www.joyrestaurant.com.au/
Address: Shop 7/690 Ann St, Fortitude Valley
Contact details: +61 412 425 626
Operating hours: Wednesday to Friday – 6 PM – 11 PM
Rating: 4.7
Pricing: $$$$
At Joy Restaurant, you won’t know what’s on the menu until you’re seated. So if you’ve got dietary needs, give them a heads-up early so they can prepare low-gluten and pescatarian alternatives if needed.
Like most tasting menus, Joy’s dishes are driven by creativity and seasonal ingredients. If their meat supplier delivers that land-raised lamb with 200 years of Tassie farming history in time, you can bet it’ll be on the menu.
Other guest favorites that have made repeat appearances include the sherbet, manchego croissant, and the Chawanmushi—a spanner crab and corn custard. At $205 (subject to change), you can go for the paired beverages or choose your own.
And just so you know, there are no walls between the kitchen and diners’ tables at Joy. Head chef Sarah says this setup encourages conversation as she and her team prepare the food—feel free to ask her what her favorite vegetable is!
Pro tip:
Due to Joy’s small size and team, it’s ideal to book early, as they often get booked up four to six months in advance—with no waitlists and occasional reschedules. Each reservation lasts two hours, with seatings at 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM, to accommodate all guests.
9. Rogue Bistro
Media credit: roguebistro
Website: https://www.roguebistro.com/
Address: 14 Austin St, Newstead
Contact details: +61 476 764 833
Operating hours:
- Wednesday and Thursday – 5:45 PM – 11 PM
- Friday – 5:30 PM – 11 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 5 PM – 11 PM
Rating: 4.8
Pricing: $$
To find Rogue Bistro, you’d have to look in an unassuming street in Newstead—there it is, hidden behind a blacked-out facade. Once you enter the sliding gate, you’ll be welcomed by a moody yet relaxed vibe, a calm open kitchen, and indoor, upstairs, or outdoor seating.
Rogue Bistro switches things up each month with five fresh courses and seven dietary menus to cater to vegetarians, vegans, pescetarians, and more. You might not know what’s coming, but expect a wild ride of modern Aussie and international flavors.
Say it’s May and the weather’s cooler—chances are, you’ll get grilled local king prawns. For $120, that includes four other courses, often ending with their signature brûléed basque cheesecake, and maybe a matching wine by the glass or bottle.
Pro tip:
Rogue Bistro has a strict two-hour sitting time for all reservations and allows a maximum of 8 guests per group, with a minimum age requirement of five years old. Cancellations made within 48 hours and no-shows incur a $60 fee per person.
10. Black Fire Restaurant Brisbane
Media credit: tingko.eatz
Website: https://blackfirerestaurant.com/
Address: 80 Albert St
Contact details: +61 7 3013 0058
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 6:30 AM – 3 PM; 5 PM – 9:30 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 7:30 AM – 3 PM; 5 PM – 9:30 PM
Rating: 4.4
Pricing: $$
You can choose from two tasting menus at Black Fire: the Chef’s Tasting for $69 and the Butcher Selection for $75. Both have six courses of Spanish and Mediterranean flavors that hit differently with their Flamingo Dancer and Cuban Mojito chilled cocktails.
What makes the Chef’s menu special, though, is the six-hour slow-roasted suckling lamb. On the Butcher’s side, it’s all about the wagyu brisket and Berkshire pork belly with crackling, served in a delicious apple martini sauce.
I think you’ll love the open kitchen, too, watching the chefs prepare your meal right before your eyes. Plus, the earthy tones, wooden accents, and soft lighting of the place make it easy to relax and savor every bite.
Pro tip:
If you prefer a less crowded space on weekdays, try taking your tasting menu at lunch between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Or, if you’re planning dinner, booking a 5:30 slot can help you dodge the peak-hour buzz.