Where Chefs Eat: August’s Brad Cooper Can’t Get Enough of This Old-School Afghan Spot

Brad Cooper is your favourite chef’s favourite chef.

He made waves at Bar Francine and Florence where he worked as head chef while his partner Matilda Riek worked front-of-house. When the pair broke out on their own to open August in a 136-year-old church in the West End, it quickly became one of 2024’s best new restaurants.

Two years on, it’s held onto its initial shine and is consistently mentioned among Brisbane’s best.

Cooper shares the local spots he and Riek hit up when they’re out of the kitchen.

Favourite dish on the menu at August

“It’s our new fish dish, a lemon sole cooked on the bone, which is then carved off and gently cooked in butter. We serve it with steamed mussels and boiled Dutch cream potatoes with a sauce made of a white wine reduction, fish stock, cream, butter and caviar.”

The best thing you’ve eaten this year

“The roti tacos at West End Coffee House. They’re super flaky and buttery fried roti bread, filled with braised beef, loads of coriander, mint and fish sauce.”

Your go-to takeaway

“Bamiyan in Camp Hill. It’s a tiny, very old-fashioned Afghan restaurant where everything is made by hand by the family that owns it. We often get their handmade breads to take home too.”

Special-occasion restaurant

“Greca on Howard Smith Wharves. It’s the best place to celebrate with a group of friends and family. The food feels authentically Greek. It’s consistent and generous. It always has an energetic feel. I love that you can sit on the water and watch the sunset with a round of ouzo and oysters.”

Long lunch

“I love Frida’s Field. It’s a little bit of a drive down to the Byron hinterland, but it’s on a huge, beautiful property overlooking a vegetable garden. The menu changes often and the portions are generous.”

Best bakery

“Riser in Toowong. It does the best sandwiches. They’re all made-to-order and on the freshest bread.”

A late-night venue for a snack or nightcap

“The One Mile in Woolloongabba. It’s an old British-style pub with Guinness on tap. “

A gem you think deserves more hype

“Swich Espresso in Holland Park. It’s super tiny, but it has the most consistent coffee. It’s the best I’ve ever had in Brisbane. It’s owned by a couple from Korea. They remember everyone by name and make all the sweets and pastries by hand.”

Go-to for gelato

“It’s La Macelleria for me.”

A local producer you can’t stop thinking about

“Loop Growers is a closed-loop farm in Sanford. All their produce is delivered the same day it’s picked. Nothing is in packaging. Their produce looks how it’s meant to. Sometimes their radishes and turnips look shiny, that’s how good they are.”

Best burger

“I love Kimchi Cheese Smile in Woolloongabba.”

Best date spot or romantic venue

“Bistro Livi. This one is a short-ish, hour-long drive away down in Murwillumbah. It’s got a very sleek and elegant fit-out. The food is simple yet precise and all locally sourced. It has a gentle but upbeat pace.”

Best bread

“I have to call out Riser Bakery again. Its table loaf has a really toasty and malty taste.”

Your favourite pizza

“Nug General Store in Fortitude Valley.”

Best dumpling spot

“We don’t do dumplings that often, but a lot of our staff love Parkland Restaurant in Sunnybank. If you go on a Tuesday at 11am, every table is full.”

A place you’d recommend to a visiting chef

“Cafe O’Mai for breakfast. It’s a bit of a Brisbane institution. I’d tell them to get a Vietnamese coffee, baby beef pho and omelette banh mi.”

A bucket list venue that you’d love to visit

“I’ve got two. Bouchon Racine in London and Bistro Boheme in Copenhagen.”

Favourite kitchen appliance

“Our Breville coffee machine is my favourite part of the morning.”