From Eagle Street Pier to South Bank and beyond, here’s 13 of Brisbane’s best restaurants on the river to dine for and savour the waterfront views.
Brisbane City
Alchemy Restaurant & Bar
175 Eagle Street, Brisbane City
Alchemy defines the transformative experience where impeccable food and equally ravishing views meet. The Brisbane fine diner is an iconic venue to impress – whether that’s for business or pleasure – thanks to its enviable waterfront location and elevated cuisine.
Enjoy an inspired modern Australian-Italian menu by acclaimed chef Brad Jolly where expansive windows showcase sparkling views of the Story Bridge and water by day and night. Or feel in your element with alfresco dining for a front-row seat on Brisbane River.
Blackbird Bar & Grill
Photo by: Markus Ravik
123 Eagle Street, Brisbane City
Boasting wraparound waterfront views of the Brisbane River from the Story Bridge to Kangaroo Point cliffs, Blackbird Bar & Grill knows how to make the most of its location. The two-level venue makes the river the main character, showcasing a sumptuous steak and seafood menu supported by 1920s-inspired interiors.
Snack on the bar menu with sweeping views on tap, or enjoy the signature Great Gatsby-era elegance in the relaxed fine dining restaurant paired with wines from the award-winning 600-plus list of drops and backlit by the city’s night-time light display and river reflections.
Tillerman
71 Eagle Street, Brisbane City
The new kid on the kitchen block is turning heads with its coastal-chic style and seafood-forward menu, not to mention those waterfront views. Tillerman is the latest edition to the riverside dining precinct and has discerning diners hooked on its fresh seafood dishes and cocktails by the water.
Dine alfresco on the deck to take in the panoramic views of the Story Bridge and surrounds, or soak up the warm ambience indoors with a scenic outlook – either way you’ll always have the best seat at this Brisbane riverside restaurant.
Patina at Customs House
399 Queen Street, Brisbane City
This elegant restaurant on the river is one of Brisbane’s hidden gems – a heritage-listed building on absolute waterfront with a modern take on paddock-to-plate dining. Customs House also hosts a seasonal pop-up bar so you can really drink in the spectacular views.
Like the menu made for sharing that highlights regional ingredients sourced from the garden to the bay, including mushrooms grown in an onsite cellar, the shiny views from Patina are best savoured as a group.
Howard Smith Wharves
Greca
Photo by: Markus Ravik
3/5 Boundary Street, Howard Smith Wharves
Greek eateries and waterfront locations go together like seafood with a slice of lemon – it’s the perfect panoramic pairing. Greca brings the sun-drenched vibes of the Mediterranean to Brisbane’s lively Howard Smith Wharves lifestyle precinct featuring an airy open outlook in a spectacular riverside setting.
The relaxed taverna ambience, delectable share plates and generous Greek hospitality by the water make this riverfront restaurant a favourite location for all kinds of celebrations – big or small, lunch or dinner, any day of the week.
Stanley
5 Boundary Street, Howard Smith Wharves
Located right under the iconic arch of the Story Bridge, the two-level Stanley restaurant serves refined Cantonese cuisine with unadulterated outdoor views of the twinkling city lights and mirrored water reflections.
Delight in bite-size dim sum with flowing Champagne for Yum Cha Sundays, long lunches with Chinese banquets and a la carte dinners, with cocktails, of course, and those always enchanting waterfront views.
Ciao Papi
5 Boundary Street, Howard Smith Wharves
At the New Farm end on the Rivershed Deck, Ciao Papi’s Italian rustic kitchen is an inviting informal space to dine alfresco. Chow down on antipasti and secondi plates that feature market-fresh seafood and produce, al dente pastas and Napoli-style and crispy-thin pizzas.
Check out the scenic outlook of the Howard Smith Wharves precinct, cityscape and Brisbane River within the waterfront Glass House space or at the outdoor bar seating on the Front Deck where every diner shares the fantastic food and views, family-style.
Yoko Dining
Photo by: Nikki To
2/5 Boundary Street, Howard Smith Wharves
A split-level Japanese izakaya infused with Tokyo’s energetic music and pop culture style, Yoko Dining is more fun dining than fine diner. The Brisbane riverside restaurant promotes a buzzy atmosphere that wouldn’t be out of place in Harajuku with alfresco wooden booths and sundowners under the Story Bridge.
Sample the raw bar selection, nosh on izakaya plates and turn up the heat with the hibachi grill feasts. Make sure to leave space for Japanese-inspired cocktails with neon hues and signature slushies to cheers the wharf-front views.
South Bank
Otto Brisbane
Sidon Street, South Bank
An absolute riverside restaurant in the South Bank Parklands, OTTO Brisbane compliments its seasonally inspired menu with city views and bold pops of primary colour than channel the Italian Riviera. Graze on OTTO Osteria’s Northern Italian aperitivo menu at the outdoors bar or take a window seat for fine dining and people-watching at OTTO Ristorante.
Whether you’re keen for a casual cacio e pepe or a multi-course a la carte experience, OTTO and head chef Will Cowper have you covered with all-day dining against that glorious waterfront backdrop.
Aquitaine Brasserie
River Quay, South Bank
Aquitaine Brasserie sets the scene for romantic, riverside dining in Brisbane, taking diners on a so-Frenchy, so-chic culinary journey to the L’Aquitaine region of southwest France paired with a robust selection of French and local wines, European-inspired cocktails and craft and imported beers on tap.
Savour an intimate French fine dining affair with cuisine classics such as bouillabaisse, gooey goat cheese soufflé and confit lamb in a sweeping waterfront setting. Or, opt for a bottomless lunch served with French wines and craft beer on tap to drink in those effervescent views on a sunny day.
Popolo
Sidon Street, South Bank
Local fave Popolo is beloved for its delectable dining with a view. The South Bank riverside establishment dishes up Italian feasts of pasta and pizza plus inspired mains and desserts with sun-drenched views of the shimmering Brisbane cityscape by day and night.
Shaded by greenery and overlooking River Quay Green, Popolo invites the outdoors in with breezy views and natural light that makes everything look amazing, especially your woodfired margherita pizza and garlicky chilli prawns served with an Aperol spritz.
Portside Wharf
Byblos Bar & Restaurant
Photo by: Markus Ravik
39 Hercules Street, Hamilton
Set within Portside Wharf on the northern bend of the Brisbane River, Byblos takes the flavours of Lebanon and Mediterranean classic cuisines and translates them into moreish dishes that are designed to be shared.
With million-dollar views of the stylish suburb of Bulimba, the cityscape and out to Moreton Bay, a seat on the Riverside Boardwalk is definitely the place to be. Catch the golden hour and toast to glorious sunsets with a selection of share plates and light bites plus refreshing cocktails, local wines and beer.
Sono Japanese Restaurant
39 Hercules Street, Hamilton
Sono updates the traditions of Japanese fine dining with a decidedly Brisbane outlook. One of Brisbane’s best restaurants on the river, book a private tatami room for uninterrupted views from floor-to-ceiling windows – BYO stylish socks – and relish the delicate cuisine and intricate presentation.
From gravity-defying cocktails to the 10-course authentic Zen set meal, you’ll dine out on the sensory memory of Sono until your next visit. The attention to detail is superlative and the waterfront location – simply sublime.