The recap: Brisbane’s best new restaurants and bars of the year (so far)

+81 Sushi Kappo, West End
Six years in the making, +81 Sushi Kappo is one of Brisbane’s most ambitious dining openings, transforming a corner of West End into a showcase of contemporary Japanese gastronomy. Conceived by Hisatake Kamori and led by Tokyo-trained chef Ikuo Kobayashi, whose résumé includes some of Japan’s most acclaimed Michelin-starred sushi institutions, the intimate 12-seat venue presents an 11-course omakase that blends Japanese tradition with local produce and modern technique. Backed by a 120-reference beverage program and a refined, theatre-like interior, +81 Sushi Kappo delivers a meticulously crafted dining experience that sets a new benchmark for Japanese fine dining in Brisbane.

Aunty, Fortitude Valley
With Aunty, Michael Tassis and the Tassis Group have added another standout to Brisbane’s dining scene, blending contemporary Asian flavours with the warmth and generosity of a well-travelled family matriarch. Set within a striking Wandoo Street space, the restaurant showcases a share-style menu from head chef Salvatore de Ponte that balances Cantonese influences with modern flair, spanning everything from dumplings and lobster rolls to roast duck, mud crab and premium cuts cooked over fire. Supported by a 250-bottle wine list and a polished cocktail offering, Aunty is a vibrant, personality-driven restaurant that combines style, substance and a sense of occasion.

Bar Cooper’s, Coorparoo
Few people were as surprised by Snug’s runaway success as owners Leaham Claydon and Jianne Jeoung. Rather than rest on their laurels, the duo channelled that momentum into Bar Cooper’s, a community-focused bistro that puts its own spin on elevated pub dining. Located beside Snug, the 45-seat venue pairs a warm, timber-lined interior with a woodfire-driven menu featuring dishes like wood-roasted fish, chicken schnitzels, dry-aged wagyu cheeseburgers and Angus sirloin. Backed by classic cocktails, a concise wine list and a neighbourhood-first ethos, Bar Cooper’s is a confident next step for one of Brisbane hospitality’s most exciting operators.

Fountainhead Winehouse, Newstead
Discovery, difference and diversity sit at the heart of Fountainhead Winehouse, a quietly subversive Newstead hideaway created by longtime friends Chris Banham and Dan Wilson. Shaped by a shared desire to rethink the wine-shop model beyond the cold grab-and-go format, the basement-level space – once a forgotten storage room – has been transformed into a warm, living-room-like refuge that rewards curiosity and invites lingering. Nearly 1000 thoughtfully chosen cuvees line its shelves, with the selection balancing elegance and tradition, all curated to help drinkers navigate not just regions or varietals, but moods, moments and occasions. With personalised tastings, gentle guidance and a commitment to stripping away intimidation, Fountainhead reframes wine as something felt as much as tasted – an experience rich with emotion, energy and the quiet thrill of discovery.

La Bodega, Fortitude Valley
One of Brisbane’s most exciting openings of 2026 comes courtesy of La Bodega, the cult-favourite taqueria that has grown from an unexpectedly popular East Brisbane local into one of the city’s best hospitality success stories. Owners Anna Brobjer and Tim Glasson expanded into the heritage-listed Alfred E. Griffiths Service Station on Wickham Street, transforming the spacious Fortitude Valley site into a 120-seat destination designed for everything from casual tacos and frozen margaritas to large-scale celebrations. Alongside the extra room comes an elevated version of La Bodega’s beloved offering, with head chef Alejandra Mendoza refining the menu’s traditional Mexican flavours across a range of crowd-pleasing tacos, share plates and larger dishes, while an expanded bar program promises plenty of evolution in the months ahead.

Le Royale, Brisbane City
Tuxedo-clad jazz ensembles. French-inspired bar snacks. Inventive cocktails. A night out at Le Royale is nothing short of an experience. The latest venue to open inside Anyday’s thriving inner-city enclave is positioning itself as a true late-night haunt – a reliable destination for those looking for a post-theatre feed, one last drink or a place to boogie until the wee hours. Here, Anyday head honcho Tyron Simon blends his nightclub roots with his modern restaurant experience to create a late-night music lounge and cocktail bar. Its richly layered interior, designed by Tamsin Johnson, delivers a moody, immersive escape – creating a venue where music, food and atmosphere converge to help shape Brisbane’s evolving identity as a global, all-hours destination.

Never Enough, Fortitude Valley
One of the year’s most compelling debuts was Never Enough, the two-level Fortitude Valley bar and restaurant from Crowbar duo Trad Nathan and Tyla Dombroski. The venue channels years of travel, music and hospitality into a richly layered, late-night dining destination. Set inside the heritage-listed Apothecaries Hall on Ann Street, Never Enough blends moody, character-filled interiors with a flexible, all-are-welcome ethos – downstairs delivering a produce-driven menu from executive chef Trent Lymn that spans oysters, small plates and dry-aged showstoppers, while upstairs offers a looser bar setting with seafood, charcuterie and top-shelf drinks. Designed to fill the Valley’s after-hours dining gap, Never Enough encourages guests to eat and drink on their own terms, backed by a thoughtful wine and spirits program and a steady pulse of music and creative culture. The result is indulgent yet approachable – a grown-up evolution of its owners’ roots, where martinis replace mosh pits but the sense of connection remains.

Ruma Rooftop, New Farm
As Little Lane took shape on the corner of Merthyr Road and Brunswick Street in New Farm, rumours swirled regarding what kind of venue would be calling the building’s rooftop level home. Last month, we all found out. Ruma – the newest venue from couples Daniel Tuivaiti and Katrina Mead, and Chris and Jess Mead – has transformed the elevated perch into a tropical-inspired venue that mixes island inspirations with a chic, contemporary aesthetic. Designed with Alkot Studio, the space blends terracotta textures, custom concrete furnishings and island-inspired decor into a series of distinct yet cohesive zones. In the kitchen, head chef Felipe Oliveira delivers a modern Australian, share-style menu infused with native ingredients, while the bar complements the offering with a curated list of tropical-leaning cocktails and classics. Capturing a sense of escapism and community, Ruma has quickly positioned itself as a lively, all-occasion destination in one of Brisbane’s fastest-evolving neighbourhoods.

Sancho Taqueria & Tequileria, Stafford
One of the year’s best openings was more than 15 years in the making. From Farmhouse Kedron and Oh Boy, Bok Choy! co-owners Amanda and John Scott comes Sancho Taqueria & Tequileria, a vibrant Stafford restaurant that doubles as a deeply personal homage to the cuisine, culture and landscapes of New Mexico. The 90-seat venue pairs a colourful, desert-inspired aesthetic with a menu crafted alongside consultant chef Julius Villamor, showcasing New Mexican flavours through house-made sopaipillas, preservative-free tacos, share-style platos and inventive desserts. Complementing the food is a carefully curated agave-spirit program featuring an extensive selection of tequilas and mezcals, cementing Sancho as a distinctive new addition to Brisbane’s dining scene and a heartfelt celebration of a cuisine rarely seen in the city.

The Greenhouse, Newstead
At The Greenhouse, Fabian Rebelo is looking to create more than a restaurant – he’s cultivating a lush, fire-lit community hub where food and design mingle. Nestled beside the riverfront greenery surrounding Quay Waterfront, the sprawling venue blurs the boundary between indoors and out via operable glass walls, raw natural textures and flowing spaces shaped by acclaimed designer Melissa Collison. Beneath the crackle of charcoal and woodfire emanating from the kitchen, executive chef Evan White delivers a menu built around smoke and flame – from all-day breakfasts to rotisserie chickens, wagyu bistecca and slow-cooked lamb shoulder in the evenings. Guests can settle into the buzzing dining room, linger over European wine on the Water Terrace or stop by for pizza and rotisserie rolls. No matter the occasion, The Greenhouse feels like a modern social hub – a place where cuisine and community are given equal billing.

Venner, West End
For most friendship groups, it can be hard to get a brunch date out of the group chat. For George Curtis, James Horsfall and Jack Stuart, that friendship became one of the year’s most exciting restaurant openings. Named after the Danish word for ‘friends’, Venner draws inspiration from the Nordic culinary movement, reinterpreted through an Australian lens. Hyper-seasonal local produce, thoughtful sustainability practices and a restrained approach to cooking underpin a fluid menu, while a considered wine list, aquavit-led cocktails and a warm, timber-clad interior reinforce the venue’s welcoming ethos. More than a fine-dining destination, Venner is a celebration of friendship and hospitality.

Honourable mentions
The year has been a big one when it comes to new restaurants and bars. Although they didn’t crack the list, we’re also big fans of Pampero in Woolloongabba, Bulimba’s Romeo Italian, Newstead newcomers Comuna Cantina, In Teglia Pizzoteca and Gas Hound Bar & Kitchen, Rung and Siroco Rooftop in Fortitude Valley, Kizuna in Albion and Notes Wine Shop in Everton Park.