All the Brisbane Openings We Got Excited About in 2025

What a year.

As the hospitality scene ramps up ahead of the Olympics, it seems like there’s a new opening every other week.

Here are all the new openings we covered this year.

New Restaurants

• Bar Monte, Newstead: A playful new Italian spot from the team behind Pixie in Byron.

• Birria Boy, Woolloongabba: A pop-up from the C’est Bon team and one of the few spots in Brisbane to serve traditional goat birria.

• Cartel del Taco, New Farm: The second location from Marco Ramirez and Erick Martinez with a seafood bar and a parrilla grill, and other dishes inspired by the pair’s Mexican heritage.

• Cibaria Noosa, Noosa Heads: The first Queensland venue from leading Sydney hospitality duo Anna and Alessandro Pavoni.

• Clarence, South Brisbane: The beloved Woolloongabba bistro has moved closer to the heart of the action and levelled up with a produce-led menu.

• The Fifty Six, Brisbane CBD: A high-end modern Cantonese diner on the top floor of the swish Naldham House development.

• The French Exit, Brisbane CBD: A newly opened French bistro from the Anyday team, led by executive chef John-Paul Fiechtner (ex-Le Châteaubriand) and head chef Ryan Carlson (ex-St John, London).

• Golden Avenue, Brisbane CBD: A Middle Eastern venue from the Anyday Group, serving moreish Levantine dishes.

• Hideki Izakaya, Fortitude Valley: A James Street izakaya.

• Kasem Sook Social, Fortitude Valley: The night-time alter-ego of Thai vinyl cafe So What Stereo.

• Kiku, East Brisbane:  A homey Japanese diner serving regional classics.

• Layla, West End: The first Brisbane opening from star Melbourne chef Shane Delia.

• Marlowe, South Brisbane: The latest venue by the Fanda Group (Southside, Central, Rick Shores and Norté), serving nostalgic dishes inside a heritage-listed 1938 apartment block.

• Penelope, Fortitude Valley: A bistro and supper club bringing proper late-night dining to James Street.

• Suum, Brisbane CBD: A 16-seater Korean fine diner serving creative dishes.

• Tellus Bar and Dining, Petrie: An all-day diner by Picnic owner Joe Zhu.

• Winnifred’s, Fortitude Valley: Straddling the line between restaurant and bar, Winnifred’s is known for its 14,000-bottle champagne collection.

New Cafes

• Alby’s, Wavell Heights: A cheery cafe from the team behind Sister and Butter.

• Cafe Disco, West End: An all-day diner serving Bangladeshi-Inspired fare.

• Chargrill Charlie’s, New Farm: The first Queensland location from the beloved chicken chain.

• Idle, New Farm: Agnes Bakery took on a new identity as Idle, with baked goods, dine-in dishes and provisions to take home.

• Nos Bakehouse, Dutton Park: An Asian bakery specialising in shokupan and Japanese cakes.

• 075 Pinsa Romana, New Farm: Roman pinsa and pizza al taglio baked in an 800-kilogram Castelli oven.

• Semi Semi, West End: A bingsu and sandwich shop.

• So What Stereo, Fortitude Valley: Fortitude Valley’s first Thai vinyl cafe, which serves Thai boat noodles, house-made northern Thai sausage, khao soi and more.

• Speed Dial, Newstead: A pint-sized coffee shop in a Bunnings car park.

• Time & Temp, Albion: A tiny bakery serving pour-over and topnotch pastries.

New Bars

• Aizome Bar, West End: A 10-seat Tokyo-inspired cocktail bar serving high-tech cocktails with excellent snack pairings.

• The Alligator Club, Fortitude Valley: A New Orleans-inspired live music bar with a 3am closing time.

• Barry Parade Public House, Fortitude Valley: A bar serving Creole-influenced food, innovative cocktails and vintage spirits.

• Bonnie Doon Public House, Fortitude Valley: A nostalgic bar in a bright yellow 19th-century building.

• Dark Blue, Fortitude Valley: A moody 30-seater wine bar from Dark Red’s Hannah Wagner.

• LPO, Tarragindi: A wine bar and bottle shop in a former post office.

• Ruby’s Wine Shop, Albion: Inspired by the success of LPO, Ruby’s opened in November. It stocks minimal-intervention wines and allows BYO food.

• Shaman, Brisbane City: Hidden beneath Edward Street, Shaman is an approachable, tropical-leaning bar, with tequila, rum and ice-cold beer on the menu, and Santana on the stereo.

• Wild Legs, Newstead: The unfussy neighbourhood bar focused on spotlighting Queensland wine.