A sandwich from home can make for a tasty and economical lunch. Sometimes, though, that “Vegemite sanger with a piece of fruit” just isn’t going to make your taste buds tingle. When gastronomic boredom strikes, it’s time to venture out for a culinary experience that doesn’t include cling wrap.
If you work (or live) in Brisbane’s city centre, the culinary offerings are as varied as they are numerous. Whether you’re having a get-together with your girlfriends, wining and dining a client, meeting the new love in your life or just looking for a quick but delicious “grab and go” morsel, you’ll find a lunch spot to delight your palette – and fit your budget.
Here’s our selection of some top city lunch spots. Bon appetit!
And be sure to add your own suggestions below. Come on, let everyone in on your best lunch secrets.
1. Criterion Tavern
Heading up the list of great inner-city pub lunch spots is the recently refurbished Criterion Tavern, on George Street. The décor is comfortable and contemporary, the vibe friendly, and the clientele diverse, with a mix of artists, backpackers, sporting groups, students and office workers. This vibrant tavern offers a range of tasty, value-for-money meals (a steak will set you back just $10), fast service, individual billing (great for large groups) and an extensive range of beers and wines. Those not content with just spending their money on good food and drinks can place bets at the TAB facilities.
Address: 239 George Street, Brisbane QLD 4000 Phone: (07) 3221 7411
2. Jo Jo’s
Feel like feasting in a room with a view? Take a seat at Jo Jo’s, a Brisbane icon and a lively eatery and bar in the heart of the city. Located in the Pavilion Building, with balconies overlooking the Queen Street Mall, Jo Jo’s offers an array of cuisines inspired by ethnic dishes from around the world.
From the award-winning char-grill, fresh seafood, wood-fired pizza, hand-made pasta, authentic Thai stir-fry, and curries and noodles to the baked-on-the-premises cakes and pastries – there is something for every palette and pocket. Best of all, you can make a group booking online, but pay individually, so there are no end-of-lunch bill dramas.
One caveat: the emphasis here is on leisurely lunching, so those observing a strict lunch hour might do better choosing faster food venue.
Address: 1st Floor, Corner Queen Street Mall and Albert Streets, Brisbane QLD 4000 Phone: (07) 32212113
3. Cerello’s
Opposite the Dendy cinema on George Street, Cerello's offers fabulous food and speedy service. With a range of dishes to suit most taste buds, this popular lunch spot utilises fresh local produce to create meals that are full of flavour. With indoor and alfresco dining areas, a superb wine list and draught beer (made in the traditional European style of brewing) from the award-winning St Arnou, Cerello's is the place to go for casual and relaxed dining. If you’re planning a big group lunch, take advantage of the restaurant’s pre-ordering facility - but bring a calculator (or someone with a head for figures). Only one bill is provided.
Address: 325 George Street, Brisbane QLD 4000 Phone: (07) 3308 0736
4. Brother Espresso
This slick café, housed in an old warehouse-style space on Margaret Street, is a great place to enjoy a quick lunch while drinking some of the best coffee in town. Brother Espresso is a family owned and operated specialty coffee house that provides a tasty choice of Turkish pockets, toasties, salads, cakes and biscuits to enjoy with your caffeine. The stand-out dish here is the lemon pepper prawn salad with king prawns, avocado and soba noodles.
The café offers all the usual (tea and coffee) suspects, including spring/summer favourites such as affogato (30ml from a single shot in 25–30 seconds, poured over ice cream), as well as catering to special requests. (Ever tried a decaf soy mocha mellocino? It’s a single shot of decaf coffee in soy milk hot chocolate, topped with grated chocolate and marsh mellow. Only for the brave.) However, what keeps people coming back is Brother Espresso’s use of specialty grade Arabica coffee, which is freshly small-batch roasted using state-of-the-art airflow coffee roasting technology.
Address: 127 Margaret Street, Brisbane QLD 4000 Phone: (07) 3003 1346
5. King of Kings
Brave the escalators of the Myer Centre and surface near the cinemas to reach King of Kings. This regally named café/restaurant comprises two levels – the lower is a smart little café offering cheap Cantonese dishes and a lunch special, while upstairs is a restaurant with a more elegant setting and a rush of lunchtime yum cha trolleys.
After more than 20 years of serving yum cha in Brisbane, it's safe to assume the crew behind King of Kings knows what they’re doing. Aside from yum cha, there's an extensive à la carte menu. Takeaway is also available.
Address: Myer Centre, Level 3, 91 Queen Street, Brisbane QLD 4000 Phone: (07) 3012 8898
6. Jorge
Housed in a heritage-listed building, this stylish three-level cocktail lounge on George Street draws a chic crowd. Along with the signature dish – minted lamb cutlets on baby spinach, lemon and brie risotto with lamb jus – there is tapas to share (tempura prawns with tomato chutney and soy ginger calamari are two favourites) as well as burgers, pizza and chicken, beef, seafood and veggie mains.
There are several function rooms, so larger groups are not a problem. The Mezzanine, suitable for 20-40 guests, features low-slung rounded polished steel tables as well as views of the bar and guests on the lower level. For a really fancy lunch, book the Sugar Suite. This restored ballroom is an eclectic mix of classic elegance and funky lounge furniture, including a disco ball lit with candles. Fabulously over-the-top and très chic!
Address: 183 George Street, Brisbane QLD 4000 Phone: (07) 3012 9121
7. AJ Vietnamese Noodle House
Lecturers at the nearby Queensland University of Technology as well as Asian students looking for a taste of home recommend this “grab ‘n’ go” (or quick eat-in) noodle house as an excellent, cheap and authentic Vietnamese eatery. Dishes include crispy pork chop rice, wanton mee, and a particular favourite, Hainanese chicken rice. The dining room is tiny so be prepared for cheek-by-jowl eating during the lunchtime rush.
Address: 68 Charlotte Street, Brisbane QLD 4000 Phone: (07) 3229 2128
8. Sono Japanese
Escape the bustle of city life and savour exquisite Japanese cuisine in a tranquil haven. Welcome to Sono, a traditional Japanese restaurant located opposite the Queens Plaza building, at the lower end of Queen Street Mall. From the moment you are greeted by your Kimono-clad waitress, to the minute you leave your custom Tatami table, you can expect nothing less than the highest level of authentic Japanese service.
Sono specialises in healthy food that tantalises the taste buds and resembles art on the plate. The head chef has over 32 years of experience, both in Australia and the traditional kitchens of Japan, and has hand picked the most popular lunchtime dishes, converting them into easy lunch box arrangements, which are stylishly presented in traditional wooden serving boxes.
All lunch box meals consist of fresh salad with Japanese dressing, as well as creamy homemade Japanese potato salad, side dish (marinated meat or fish), miso soup, rice and choice of main meal. Or, treat yourself to some of Sono’s superb sushi or sushi rolls (a totally different culinary experience to the sushi found in fast food outlets).
And if you’re after a booth – book ahead, they’re in high demand.
Address: Level 1, Tattersalls Building, Corner Queen and Edward Streets, Brisbane QLD 4000 Phone: (07) 3220 1888
9. Govinda’s
Tucked away up two flights of stairs next door to the Elizabeth Arcade, this cheap vegetarian lunch-time favourite is run by Hare Krishnas; however, you don’t have to “Chant and be Happy” to enjoy the culinary experience. The chefs source most of their ingredients – from the herbs in the delicious sauces to the wide variety of vegetables – through an organic cooperative, so you can enjoy delicious, yet nutritious meals, while doing your bit for the environment.
There’s a daily selection of vegetarian meals, such as quiches and lasagne, as well as a very popular buffet – flavoured rice dishes, dahl soup, kofta balls and a vegetable/bean/lentil curry or Mornay-style dish – which changes on a daily basis. The buffet comes with a bottomless cooler-style drink, salad and a dessert, all for a very reasonable $10. If you opt for take-away, it’s even more of a bargain – just $4 or $5 (depending on size).
There’s no table service: you take a tray, queue to choose your meal, pay and then seat yourself. So even in the lunchtime rush (no bookings are accepted) you’re never waiting long for your meal.
Address: 99 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane QLD 4000 Phone: 07 3210 0255
10. Wagamama
Wagamama restaurants are modelled on ramen bars, which have been popular in Japan for hundreds of years. Japanese for “wilful, naughty child”, Wagamama has become a culinary icon across the world after first opening in London in 1992.
In March of this year, Wintergarden became the latest of three Brisbane Wagamamas to open its doors. It keeps to the minimalist design combined with communal tables that has worked so well for the chain in the past and is also blessed with a fantastic balcony overlooking Queen Street Mall.
The food is fast and fresh and, best of all, affordable. Great if you want nutritious food on the go. There’s everything from fabulous noodle dishes, stir-fry rice favourites and the ever-popular chicken katsu curry. Signature dishes include chilli beef ramen, grilled gyoza (chicken and cabbage dumplings) and yaki soba.
Your order is zapped through to the kitchen by radio signal where it is cooked immediately. Dishes are delivered to your table as soon as they are ready to ensure freshness. This means different dishes may be delivered at different times to your table. Don’t wait – just tuck in and share!
Address: Level 3, Wintergarden, 171-209 Queen Street Mall, Brisbane QLD 4000 Phone: (07) 3036 7135
11. Restaurant TWO
2007 has been a great year for Restaurant TWO. The establishment won no less than three categories in the Restaurant and Catering Queensland HOSTPLUS Brisbane Awards for Excellence – Best Fine Dining, Best Modern Australian, as well as winner of the coveted Restaurant of the Year 2007 title. Add to that it’s enviable location, opposite the City Botanic Gardens, and you have culinary success story par excellence.
Food and drink are a serious business at TWO. Restaurant partners David Pugh and Michael Conrad combine their classical knowledge and techniques with a modern approach to create TWO’s signature style of enhanced simplicity.
This commitment to excellence is reflected in its constantly evolving wine list, which features many of Australia’s and New Zealand's premium wines, a reserve list with many of the world's greatest vintages, as well as rare and unusual treasures from small or little known producers.
You can choose to lunch from the set menu starter: wagyu beef with crispy artichoke, aioli and rocket salad; beer-battered fish and chips with tartare sauce and bread and butter pudding with drunken fruit ice cream for $42 or $50 (depending on how many courses you have). Or choose from a varied selection of mains, for example: corn fed chicken, truffle tortellini, sweet breads, sautéed mushrooms, braised lettuce and Madeira jus.
Address: 2 Edward Street, Brisbane QLD 4000 Phone: (07) 3210 0600
12. e’cco
Most recently awarded Queensland State Finalist in the 2007 Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide, e'cco sits on the fringe of Brisbane's city centre, tucked away within the trendy little dining precinct known as Adelaide Street East.
Inspired by authentic bistro-style dining in France, e’cco has a relaxed ambience that is both welcoming and distinctly Brisbane. With lots of bright natural light during the day, its interior is fitted with glass, polished Masonite floor, salsa-red and deep purple walls, wood tables and chairs, and an open kitchen.
The menu is simple but first-class modern Australian. Favourite dishes sure to entice are the goat's cheese panna cotta, baby beetroots, garlic croutons and burnt butter vinaigrette, and the Margaret River lamb rump, garlic mash, roast tomato relish and rosemary oil.
The meals may be in the higher price range but are, without a doubt, worth every cent, so prepare your self for a lunch to remember.
Address: Corner Adelaide and Boundary Streets, Brisbane QLD 4000 Phone: (07) 3831 8344
13. Vino’s Restaurant and Bar
With a European-influenced modern-Australian menu and some of the best views in the city, Vino’s is the place to enjoy a superb lunch while feasting on the fabulous, picture-postcard panorama of the Brisbane River and Story Bridge. Try the signature dishes: blue swimmer crab and potato pancake with hollandaise for entrée, and barbecued Moreton Bay bugs with sea scallops for main. Or choose from range of options including wood-fired pizza or à la carte (veal, pork, chicken, lamb, steak) dishes.
Address: Upper level, 1 Eagle Street Pier, Eagle Street, Brisbane QLD 4000 Phone: (07) 3221 0811
14. Cha Cha Char
John Kilroy, noted “paddock to palate” beef judge and purveyor of anything remotely bovine, was driven by a vision to create the finest beef steak restaurant in Australia. June ‘97 saw the inception of this dream with the opening of Cha Cha Char Wine Bar and Grill in the heart of the Eagle Street Pier dining precinct.
Diners get the opportunity to learn about the age, flavour, feeding regime and paddock address of each beef dish served. However, vegetarians have nothing to beef about, Cha Cha Char also has a comprehensive eight-dish vegetarian menu to choose from. There is also an à la carte menu with seafood, duck and lamb dishes.
Overlooking the Brisbane River, this restaurant has floor to ceiling windows for great views and is designed with stylish and modern comfort in mind – seems the combination of great location and great steak works.
Address: Shop 5, Plaza Level, Eagle Street Pier, Brisbane QLD 4000 Phone: (07) 3211 9944
What's your favourite city lunch spot and why? Add your comments below.
The Dome on George St is one of my favourite lunch places - especially if i'm meeting friends during my lunch hour. Whether you like sandwiches (highly recommend the club sandwich) , risottos or some calamari and chips (a personal favourite of mine) the menu at the Dome caters to a wide range of tastes. The service is great and the food comes out quite quickly so you won't have to rush. My rating 4/5.