Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Brisbane

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Brisbane? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Arsonist

4.8

4.8 (1477)

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

Manly

About the restaurant

A restaurant experience the Bayside has never seen before. A luxe dining and specialty bar, where fire is the hero.

Top review

Sheryl

Dined 3 days ago

Amazing food and service as always. The Arsonist is well worth a visit.

Detour

4.7

4.7 (961)

$40 and under

Modern Australian

Woolloongabba

About the restaurant

We serve contemporary share plates with a focus on sustainability and dietary requirements. Our menu is split between omnivore and herbivore dishes that are predominantly gluten free and with numerous plant-based options. We have a full service bar. We have a focus on small Australian natural wine producers that use bio-dynamic and organic practices.

Top review

Adrian

Dined on Apr 10, 2025

The quality of the food was outstanding. So tasty and beautifully presented.

Essa Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (783)

$41 to $100

Wine Bar

Fortitude Valley

About the restaurant

ESSA provides a destination to escape the expected.

Just like the raw interiors in which we reside, our work is simple but considered.

The ethos in the kitchen embraces collaboration with local farmers, hunters and providores, promoting an environmentally conscious approach to the menu. Harvest driven dishes provide the creative parameters for our ever evolving dining experience.

ESSA is open Tuesday through Saturday from 5pm till late and Friday and Sunday lunch from 12pm.

Top review

Alexandra

Dined 3 days ago

Chris our waiter was amazing, he made the whole experience just that little bit better. Nothing to fault we loved it all!

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Experience

Five Chefs, Five Plates

Experience

$68 Friday Lunches at ESSA

Experience

Leave it to us SET MENU

August

4.7

4.7 (49)

$41 to $100

European

West End

About the restaurant

August is a restaurant that sits in the old heritage church on Dornoch Terrace, West End. Our dining room is surrounded by objects, art, and the original pitched church ceiling and stained glass windows. Our menu is influenced by regional food from France, Italy and Spain.

August is open for dinner from 5pm on Thursday - Saturday, and from 11:30am for lunch on Saturday and Sunday. We also offer a range of private dining experiences, and can accommodate 60 seated guests, or up to 80 for reception-style events. We look forward to welcoming you soon.

Top review

Rowena

Dined 4 days ago

Absolutely fantastic! The salmon was amazing, and those little toast slices…can’t compliment them enough.

Acciuga

4.7

4.7 (47)

$41 to $100

Contemporary Italian

Sandgate

About the restaurant

Acciuga is a contemporary Italian restaurant, mainly focused on seafood. We also have a selection of meat, vegan and vegetarian options. We believe in using simple ingredients to create expensive taste.

Top review

MariaVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Simply stunning food with excellent service and wonderful wine suggestions.

Mr. Vain

4.6

4.6 (378)

$101 and over

Pan-Asian

Fortitude Valley

About the restaurant

We believe in making ordinary food extraordinary, with our seasonal menu inspired by New York's Chinatown. We aim to highlight fresh, quality ingredients, and presenting them in an approachable yet unique style
through techniques of gastronomy. Our goal is to deliver our guests a gastronomic experience in a warm and approachable atmosphere that features an aesthetic blending of New York's Chinatown restaurants and bars.

Top review

Dined 4 days ago

It was fantastic! The staff are friendly, the ambiance is fantastic and the food was stunning. I went for my partner's birthday and it was incredible for it <3

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4.6

4.6 (179)

$40 and under

Italian

Brisbane CBD

About the restaurant

At Doughcraft, our vision is to blend the rich traditions of French and Italian culinary arts, bringing the best of both worlds under one roof. We are dedicated to creating exceptional products with passion, tradition, and authenticity.

From sunrise, our masterful French bakers craft unique viennoiseries and artisanal bread, ensuring every bite transports our customers to a quaint Parisian bakery. By midday, our freshly baked breads become the heart of delightful sandwiches and paninis, perfect for a busy city lunch.

As the sun sets, Doughcraft transforms into an Italian haven. Our skilled Italian chefs take over, infusing the evening with the vibrant flavours of Italy. Whether it’s our hand-made pasta, authentic pizzas, or other Italian specialties, each dish is a testament to our dedication to culinary excellence.

At Doughcraft, we celebrate the unity of these two renowned culinary traditions, offering Brisbane a unique and unforgettable dining experience from morning till night.

Top review

Maureene

Dined on Jun 19, 2025

The menu is different and sumptuous. I had the scallops and Moreton Bay Bugs spaghetti- very tasty and perfectly sized. Extensive dinner and drinks menus. Already planning a return visit.

Mr Wabi

4.5

4.5 (430)

$41 to $100

Asian

Brisbane CBD

About the restaurant

Looking for the best Asian food in Brisbane, Come see Mr Wabi, Why? Well we have been voted on the Open Table network Diners Choices consecutively since September 2024.

Mr. Wabi is a blend of sophisticated Asian fusion street food with eclectic cocktails, tap beer and boutique wine to cater for the urban professionals in the heart of Fortitude Valley.

Wabi means to accept the aesthetics and the beauty of imperfection. This connects a deep meaning between street food that’s imperfect in nature and accepting the beauty within as the dishes are upgraded to appeal to a more sophisticated palate.

Mr. Wabi is fun and approachable, with a focus on quality produce and service to encourage people to come together for good times.

Located in the bustling inner-city nightlife strip of Burnett Lane in Brisbane City, our menu showcases a wide selection of Asian fusion dishes coupled with a fantastic unique selection of cocktails. We aim to be one of the best places to eat in Brisbane.

Top review

Veronica

Dined 4 days ago

Gorgeous cocktails, delicious food and amazing ambiance

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Vegan & Vegetarian Banquet

Monte Lane - wine bar

4.5

4.5 (159)

$41 to $100

Wine Bar

Ipswich CBD

About the restaurant

Monte Lane is a laneway wine bar in the ‘Top of Town’ Ipswich 4305.

Discover something new with our curated selection of wines, spirits & cocktails,

Pair your drinks with a selection of carefully crafted small plates designed for sharing.

Top review

Jay

Dined on May 22, 2025

The food and service were second to none. Couldn’t recommend this place more. We can’t wait to go back

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Experience

Bottomless Brunch Saturdays

Indian Room Brisbane

4.3

4.3 (13)

$40 and under

Indian

Milton

About the restaurant

The Indian Room is one of Brisbane's premier Indian restaurants, inspired by the vibrant flavours and bustling streets of modern India. Located in the heart of Brisbane CBD, this dining destination offers a contemporary twist on traditional Indian cuisine, blending authentic ingredients with creative, modern techniques.

Our mission is simple yet impactful: to transform the food experience of the local community by providing dishes that are not only full of rich flavour but also nourish the body and soul. We are dedicated to enhancing the well-being of our guests through food that is as nutritious as it is delicious.

Top review

AnujVIP

Dined on Jun 22, 2025

Very good Indian food. Much needed addition to Brisbane.

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Experience

Three Course Dinner ($85 for Two)

Experience

Vegan Three Course Dinner ($80 for Two)

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