Where Chefs Eat: The Best Special-Occasion Spots in Queensland, According to 18 Chefs

We all have our go-tos – the restaurants we book when have something to celebrate or an occasion to mark. But what about the people who run our favourite kitchens and can dish out a celebration-worthy meal with a snap of their fingers? Where do they go to treat themselves?

We asked the chefs behind some top Queensland restaurants to share the places they book into when they’ve got something to celebrate. From tasting menus to pasta by the river, these are the spots 18 Queensland chefs hit up when they’re looking to celebrate.

Erick Martinez, Cartel del Taco

“For a special occasion, I would choose Restaurant Dan Arnold. The precision and delicacy of the cooking is impressive, and you can really appreciate the technique behind every dish.

Alana Lowes, Masterchef

“Otto in Southbank is probably one of my favourites. I love anything on the river, especially if you can catch the sunset. The champagne lobster pasta with lemon butter and bottarga is life-changing! Even a spot at the al fresco bar is worthy of a special occasion. Catching the river breezes, sipping wine and snacking on antipasti sounds like the perfect afternoon to me.”

Meek Brikshavana, So What Stereo

“Kiku. It’s very subtle, humble and tasty.”

Jamie Fleming, Masterchef

“Bask in Peregian. Beautiful food, beautiful venue. I would happily sit there all day.”

Dario Manca, Attimi by Dario Manca

“I would say Exhibition. Tim is doing great things. I’d order the set-menu experience with the matching wine.”

Alex Yu, Sokyo Brisbane

“It’s a no-brainer. Stanley Restaurant has to be one of my favourite places to dine in Brisbane – the view, service and hospitality are unmatched. I would order the whole menu if my stomach would allow, but the must-try dishes are the oyster and champagne pairing, tuna or kingfish sashimi, dim sum platter, the Peking duck pancakes and, of course, the lobster with XO sauce and crispy noodles for mains. Stanley has expanded its offering with a new bar upstairs called Stan’s, which I highly recommend.”

Manning Young and Palita Cai, Time & Temp

“Rogue Bistro. The menu is constantly changing and we’ve never been disappointed. Easy pick!”

Lars Kollrepp, Lars Bar & Grill

“For a special occasion, I’d head to Rick Shores. I have celebrated a few special occasions here, and it’s always top-notch.”

Alessandro Pizzolato, Supernormal

“Hellenika, SK Steak & Oyster and Sushi Room are always my first choice. I love what they do, and you can feel the pride and care filtering through all aspects of the experience. I’ve never had a bad night when visiting.”

Louis Tikaram, Stanley Restaurant and Stan’s

“Martin Boetz’s spot in the Valley called Short Grain. Really great service and a beautiful space – it’s perfect for a nice date night with my wife.”

Leaham Claydon and Jianne Jeoung, Snug, Bar Cooper’s and Jane’s Deli

“Bar Francine in West End is our place to celebrate anything as big as an anniversary or as small as finishing another week of work. Great wine list with a well-balanced menu. The most pesco-friendly place in Brisbane.”

George Curtis, Venner and Before & After

“Bosco is legit. It’s a big space, so it threatens to feel cavernous and empty, but it’s fitted out really well, the food is superb – particularly the mussel dish – and the place smells unreal when you walk in, which is super enticing. The wine list is interesting too.”

Phil Marchant, Essa and The Nixon Room

“Otto, that’s for sure.”

 Daniel “Dobbers” Dobra

“You can’t go past Market Bistro in Maroochydore. It’s one of Tony Kelly’s nine Sunshine Coast venues and my personal favourite. I was a chef there too. Market Bistro is quintessentially European, with a bistro-style menu from house-made pasta to export-quality local seafood. It also has a boutique bottle shop, Market Wine Store, next door to the venue, so it’s an easy place to celebrate with good food and delicious Australian and New Zealand wines.”

Eugene Lee, ex-La Da Lah

“It’s got to be Restaurant Dan Arnold at Alex Perry Hotel in Fortitude Valley. Their menu changes all the time, but I always find myself ordering the full tasting menu.”

Nick Alba, ex-Wooden Horse Brisbane

“Exhibition is arguably the best restaurant in Brisbane; what Tim [Scott] and his team have done is world-class, the service is next-level and getting to sit at the chef’s table and interact with the team was a highlight of our time there. Every dish is amazing in its own right, but a personal favourite was the first dessert course of apple sorbet and wasabi snow. It was an intricately flavoured dessert that I think about often.”