Looking for a jaw dropping restaurant to impress on a romantic date night or celebrate a special occasion?
Are you tired of spending hundreds on a disappointing dining experience?
You don’t have to! If you’re after an expensive restaurant in Brisbane that lives up to its price tag, choose from this list of our five favourite fine dining venues – from a Brisbane local who has tried and tested them all.
Brisbane’s dining scene has exploded with choice over the last few years, which can make selecting your next spot overwhelming.
We’ve only ever had excellent experiences at these locations, and absolutely adore everything from dining atmosphere, service, wine selection and of course menu options. We don’t want you to part with your hard-earned money for anything less than exceptional.
Trust us – you won’t be disappointed if you choose to visit one of these stunning restaurants!
1. La Cache à Vin – Spring Hill
Our overall favourite!
This is by far our winner for best restaurant in Brisbane. We have visited countless times as the menu is absolutely exceptional, with authentic French dishes. As far as expensive restaurants go, the set menu comes in at a very reasonably priced $95 p.p.
We feel that this restaurant encapsulates the vibe of old-world culinary excellence. It’s like that random restaurant you walk into in a back street of a European capital while on holiday, that ends up being Michelin-quality, and you’re still thinking about it all these years later …
No marketing budget, no trendy wine glasses, just exceptional French cooking.
A la carte is available, though we love taking the set menu as we find it incredible value and stacked with our favourite options every single time.
Painting the Picture …
Set in a stone wine cellar, this cosy bistro will transport you straight to Paris.
The wine selection will blow you away – take a white Bourgogne to try an incredible wine that you will struggle to find elsewhere in Brisbane. In our opinion, this is the best wine selection in the city.
The wines can also be purchased next door in the wine cellar if you want to take your favourites home!
This restaurant is oh-so-French – they are only open Monday to Friday as they take weekends off! Many of the staff have worked there for years, speaking to the quality of the service and effortless performance put on by the tight-knit team.
Our favourites include the Alsatian French Onion Soup and Coquilles St Jacques au Provençal (the best scallops ever). Even just the starter bread and demi sel butter are pure heaven.
As Kéran calls it – ‘a masterclass’.
An added bonus is that while so many venues are closed on a Monday night, La Cache à Vin will be open and buzzing, giving you that coveted European vibe any week day.
Book yourself in today – it is a dining experience you will be dreaming of for months afterwards.
2. Deer Duck Bistro – Auchenflower
Nestled off a road in quiet Auchenflower, this incredible bistro is lavishly decorated with antiques, portraits and stunning displays of creative lighting.
It is the ultimate dimly lit romantic vibe.
The sweeping curtains, royal throne and eclectic mix of furniture is incredible and reminiscent of a sultry London gastropub.
Again, the set menu here is STUNNING. We decided on the long course degustation.
At $155 p.p., you get more than your money’s worth!
Playfully served on vintage and ultra-modern plating, the kitchen here has perfected the presentation of food as art.
We opted for the wine pairings, and absolutely loved the explanation of each wine as it came out.
Every single flavour is carefully considered. The chocolate ‘game’ for dessert brings a playful ending to the meal as you attempt to guess the pairings of each little element of the dish, before finally revealing the results.
Deer Duck also does an excellent job of catering for vegetarians, with bespoke vegetarian five-course, short-course and long-course degustation menus available. Of course, a la carte dining is available if you prefer to design your own dining.
With its fusion of modern European ingredients and techniques, Deer Duck is without a doubt one of the most incredible expensive restaurants in Brisbane for your special celebration.
3. Stanley – Howard Smith Wharves
Seafood lovers!
Look no further.
Don’t let the touristy Howard Smith Wharves boardwalk fool you! Perfectly positioned under the beautiful bridge lights, Stanley delivers an experience vastly different to that of its neighbours Felons, Mr. Percival’s or even Greca (which we still love!).
The set of banquet menus are just impeccably created.
We took The Stanley Experience – and at $112 p.p., we were WILDLY impressed.
How can we choose a favourite?
X.O. Sweet & Sour dim sums, Moreton Bay Bug spring rolls, oysters in a rice wine vinaigrette, salt & pepper lobster, steamed coral trout in white soy, kingfish with tosazu ….. Are you kidding??
All topped off with mango pudding & coconut sorbet for dessert!
It is absolutely delightful. Set to the ambience of a tabletop lamp and gorgeous Chinese decor, this restaurant and its setting is pure elegance. The vibe of the river is priceless from this angle.
We highly recommend taking an outdoor table if the weather permits!
4. Gerard’s Bistro – James St (Fortitude Valley)
Modern Middle Eastern cuisine? Hint of Northern African and European influence? One might be mistaken for assuming the menu will be similar to that of Babylon or Byblos.
Think again.
Gerard’s is on another level. We had the best flat bread of our LIVES here! Each course coming out is better than the last, and the combination of Lebanese and Middle Eastern influence means that the aromas pack a punch, and each spoon is a new and exciting flavour.
Highlight of the night? Believe it or not, it was the bloody almond cabbage! How on earth they managed to get it tasting like THAT – it was just truly incredible.
Every item on the menu is pure craftsmanship, and the servers are un-intrusive but don’t miss a beat. The international wine list leaves you with more choice than you could possibly ever need.
Please note: Gerard’s Bistro is undergoing renovations and will be closed between July to November 2023. It will reopen better than ever! You can head to next door Gerard’s Bar to still grab a taste of the iconic Middle-Eastern inspired offering from the same brilliant team.
5. Flaming & Co. – Hamilton
For the carnivores!
We round off the list with a slightly more casual setting – perfect for those who want something a little more low-key but without compromising on taste.
Set back just off Racecourse Rd in Hamilton, this moody diner has all eyes on its kitchen – which takes centre stage. Bask in the smoky aromas and smell the exotic flavours of modern fusion kitchen to the backdrop of the flames rising off the grill behind you.
This restaurant REALLY impressed us due to the incredible Côte de Boeuf MB+3 (pictured)- this has to be one of the best steaks we’ve ever had in Brisbane. Coming in at $160, this delicious steak feeds approximately four people (so roughly $55 each). The jus will have you licking the plate.
The charred corn is the best I’ve ever had, and the truffle fries were just PERFECT. Honourable mention to the seared scallops and grilled kangaroo.
Instead of another trip to the Regatta or Breakky Creek, why not try something new. Carnivores will not be disappointed here.
