The recap: the best new Brisbane restaurants, bars and cafes of May

Romeo Italian, Bulimba
At Romeo Italian, celebrated restaurateur (and My Kitchen Rules winner) Simone Presta is turning nostalgia into something playful and deeply personal – a love letter to the cuisine of his homeland, given new life courtesy of some tasty twists. Housed in a light-filled Oxford Street space named after Simone’s son, Romeo blends tradition with invention through a menu of elegant bocconi-sized bites, from carbonara-filled cannoli and lasagna skewers to delicate tartines and silky risottos, inviting diners to wander through Italy one mouthful at a time. Larger plates of crisp cotoletta and handmade pasta anchor the experience, while house-made gelato, refined cocktails and a wine list steeped in Italian varietals lend the restaurant an effortless warmth. Romeo feels like an extension of Simone himself – generous, spirited and designed to bring people together around the table.

Süreyya Kahve, West End
At Süreyya Kahve, wellness is woven into the rhythm of everyday life. Created by KAILO’s Kristy Morris and Dr Oz, the intimate West End cafe blends Oz’s Turkish heritage, KAILO’s nutritional innovation and a luxurious design approach into a concept that feels both deeply personal and effortlessly contemporary. Named after Oz’s grandmother, Süreyya Kahve channels the warmth of family breakfasts through nutrient-rich dishes infused with KAILO supplements, from rosewater oat porridge and simit with stracciatella to generous Turkish breakfast spreads layered with jams, cheeses and fresh bread. Ensconced within maroon-hued surroundings, guests sip ST. ALi coffee, matcha, immunity juices and smoothies engineered with wellness in mind. The result is a cafe that doesn’t preach health so much as gently fold it into little moments of pleasure.

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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.

Pampero, Woolloongabba
Inspired by the rich culinary traditions of Argentina’s vast Pampas plains and the easy conviviality of the country’s dining culture, the South City Square newcomer Pampero pairs rustic warmth with a lively, contemporary energy. Under the guidance of venue manager Julian Bustamante and restaurateur Peter Baumgart, diners move from knife-cut empanadas and choripan to flame-grilled steaks, slow-cooked short ribs and sprawling asado platters served tableside on a traditional brasero. Alongside malbec-heavy wine lists, Fernet-spiked cocktails and salt-rimmed margaritas, Pampero captures the essence of long Argentinian meals – unhurried, abundant and built around conversation, connection and the primal theatre of fire.

The Hideout Specialty Coffee, Fortitude Valley
After conquering the inner-city caffeine scene, The Hideout Specialty Coffee has expanded into a spacious new Fortitude Valley home opposite King Street, transforming a sleek Green Square lobby into a sanctuary for serious coffee lovers, office workers and lingering brunch crowds alike. Beneath soft lighting and clean architectural lines, guests gather around a central brew bar pouring custom blends developed with Axil Coffee Roasters, alongside reserve pour-overs from celebrated international roasters and playful signature drinks like purple cream cold brew and tiramisu iced lattes. The all-day menu layers Korean influences through shakshuka, bulgogi salads and pulled-pork Benedicts, while coffee-infused pastries and desserts deepen the connection between cup and plate. More than a cafe, The Hideout feels like a living expression of Brisbane’s evolving coffee culture – technical, thoughtful and quietly obsessive in all the right ways.