It’s that time of year when we turn our gaze north to Queensland’s hottest restaurants, from Brisbane’s ever-evolving dining scene to breezy coastal gems. Home to State Winner Essa, a wave of buzz-worthy newcomers and beloved restaurants that continue to draw crowds, Queensland has firmly secured its place as a culinary star to watch.
This guide is not limited to a single style of dining, and every restaurant featured is considered gold standard and recommended by our expert critics. See how the guide works.
If underground fine-diners and intimate wine bars call your name, along with local produce and menus that lean a little playful, you’re in the right place — these are Queensland’s hottest restaurants right now that are worth lingering over.
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Our expert critics
This guide to Queensland’s best restaurants has been edited by Gourmet Traveller’s expert reviewer and Queensland state editor Elliot Baker alongside national guide editor Michael Harry. Under Baker’s direction, our team of critics include seasoned restaurant reviewers and writers, Becca Wang and Alex Mitcheson, among others. They have travelled far and wide to visit — and revisit — dozens of restaurants, seeking out the most exceptional meals and memorable dining experiences in Queensland.
To earn a place in this guide, each venue must excel from welcome to farewell, with service, design, originality, consistency and atmosphere each carefully considered. But the most crucial area of excellence is always the food. From fine-diners to city wine bars, bistros, trattorias, izakayas and many more, every restaurant featured in this guide should be considered gold standard. It’s an exciting snapshot of how we like to eat out in 2025 and beyond.
All of the restaurants reviewed were visited anonymously between March and July 2025 with reviewers paying their own way.
The price guide has been updated this year to convey the average cost for two people. While we’re big fans of solo dining, restaurant visits are more often a shared experience, and this adjustment reflects that.
PRICE GUIDE
Average cost for two diners, not including drinks.
$ = under $100 $$ = $100 to $175 $$$ = $175 to $250 $$$$ = $250 to $325 $$$$$ = $325+
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