Coming Soon: San Telmo, Melbourne’s Fiery Argentinian Steakhouse, To Open in Brisbane CBD

When San Telmo opened in Melbourne’s CBD in 2011, it introduced an Argentinian style of dining the city hadn’t seen before. While steak certainly wasn’t new, it was rare to find it cooked over an imported parrilla (pronounced “pa-ri-sha”) grill and sliced before serving. 

“We brought in that South American concept, but tailored it to be very shareable,” says director and opening restaurant manager Ben Robinson. “You can go to restaurants now and all the steaks and mains are designed to be shared, but back then it was about getting people used to that.”

Needless to say, the concept was successful, with the team later opening sibling Argentinian venues Palermo and Asado. Now, for the first time, San Telmo Group is expanding interstate with a restaurant on Edward Street later this month, opposite the Anyday Group’s precinct comprising Golden Avenue, The French Exit and Le Royale.

“We loved the idea of Edward Street,” says Robinson, who relocated to Brisbane to oversee the launch. “I could see the Anyday Group across the road doing their thing. I felt like this pocket [of the CBD] just made sense.”

While Melbourne’s parrilla was built in Argentina, head chef Mikey Dalton (ex-San Telmo Melbourne, Palermo) will use a locally made replica to cook a range of premium and secondary cuts, sourced from O’Connor Beef and dry-aged in-house. Robinson hopes tables will mix and match cuts.

“It’s not, ‘I’ll have my eye fillet medium-rare with bearnaise and chips’. It’s more a family-style vibe,” he says. “Everything is sliced and [placed] in the middle of the table, so the more people you bring, the more of the menu you can try.”

Beyond the grill, expect classic Argentinian dishes including empanadas, house-made chorizo and provoleta (fried cheese). Desserts include the signature flan: a dulce de leche crème caramel with salted peanut praline. 

Some of the Melbourne flagship’s design details will carry through, such as black-and-white floor tiles, marble countertops and cowhide. A solid timber door is being made in Argentina and will resemble the 300-year-old hardwood one that greets guests at the Melbourne venue. Otherwise, the interior – courtesy of designer Kate Archibald – will lean dark and moody, with the parrilla on full display. “I wanted every spot in the restaurant to be able to see the kitchen and the charcoal grill,” Robinson says.

Around 80 per cent of the wine list will be Argentinian, showcasing regions including Mendoza, Patagonia and Salta. It’s backed up by a South American-inspired cocktail list, various vermouths and a handful of beers including Quilmes, the country’s national beer.

San Telmo Brisbane will open at 60 Edward Street Brisbane in late June.