Here’s a selection of some top city lunch spots.
1. Criterion Tavern
The recently refurbished Criterion Tavern, on George Street is one of the great inner-city pub lunch spots. It is comfortable and contemporary, with friendly vibe, with a mix of artists, backpackers, sporting groups, students and office workers as clientele. The Cri offers a range of tasty, value-for-money meals (a steak will set you back just $10), fast service, individual billing (great for large groups) and an extensive range of beers and wines.
239 George Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Phone: (07) 3221 7411
2. Jo Jo’s
A Brisbane icon and a lively eatery and bar in the heart of the city. Located in the Pavilion Building, with balconies overlooking the Queen Street Mall, Jo Jo’s offers an array of cuisines inspired by ethnic dishes from around the world.
Char-grill, fresh seafood, wood-fired pizza, hand-made pasta, authentic Thai stir-fry, and curries and noodles to the baked-on-the-premises cakes and pastries
1st Floor, Corner Queen Street Mall and Albert Streets, Brisbane QLD 4000
Phone: (07) 32212113
3. 325 on George
Opposite the Tribel cinema on George Street. With indoor and alfresco dining areas, a superb wine list and draught beer, 325 on George is the place to go for casual and relaxed dining. Lunch and dinner from $9.90
Address: 325 George Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Phone: (07) 3308 0736
4. Brother Espresso
Brother Espresso is a family owned and operated specialty coffee house that provides a tasty choice of Turkish pockets, toasties, salads, cakes and biscuits to enjoy with your caffeine. The stand-out dish here is the lemon pepper prawn salad with king prawns, avocado and soba noodles.
What keeps people coming back is Brother Espresso’s use of specialty grade Arabica coffee, which is freshly small-batch roasted using state-of-the-art airflow coffee roasting technology.
127 Margaret Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Phone: (07) 3003 1346
5. King of Kings
Brave the escalators of the Myer Centre and surface near the cinemas to reach King of Kings. This regally named café/restaurant comprises two levels – the lower is a smart little café offering cheap Cantonese dishes and a lunch special, while upstairs is a restaurant with a more elegant setting and a rush of lunchtime yum cha trolleys.
Myer Centre, Level 3, 91 Queen Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Phone: (07) 3012 8898
6. Jorge
Housed in a heritage-listed building, this stylish three-level cocktail lounge on George Street draws a chic crowd. Along with the signature dish – minted lamb cutlets on baby spinach, lemon and brie risotto with lamb jus – there is tapas to share (tempura prawns with tomato chutney and soy ginger calamari are two favourites) as well as burgers, pizza and chicken, beef, seafood and veggie mains.
183 George Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Phone: (07) 3012 9121
7. AJ Vietnamese Noodle House
Dishes include crispy pork chop rice, wanton mee, and a particular favourite, Hainanese chicken rice. The dining room is tiny so be prepared for cheek-by-jowl eating during the lunchtime rush.
68 Charlotte Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Phone: (07) 3229 2128
8. Sono Japanese
A traditional Japanese restaurant located opposite the Queens Plaza building, at the lower end of Queen Street Mall.Sono specialises in healthy food that tantalises the taste buds and resembles art on the plate.
All lunch box meals consist of fresh salad with Japanese dressing, as well as creamy homemade Japanese potato salad, side dish (marinated meat or fish), miso soup, rice and choice of main meal. Or, treat yourself to some of Sono’s superb sushi or sushi rolls (a totally different culinary experience to the sushi found in fast food outlets).
Level 1, Tattersalls Building, Corner Queen and Edward Streets, Brisbane QLD 4000
Phone: (07) 3220 1888
9. Govinda’s
Tucked away up two flights of stairs next door to the Elizabeth Arcade, this cheap vegetarian lunch-time favourite is run by Hare Krishnas; however, you don’t have to “Chant and be Happy” to enjoy the culinary experience. There’s a daily selection of vegetarian meals, such as quiches and lasagne, as well as a very popular buffet – flavoured rice dishes, dahl soup, kofta balls and a vegetable/bean/lentil curry or Mornay-style dish – which changes on a daily basis. The buffet comes with a bottomless cooler-style drink, salad and a dessert, all for a very reasonable $10. If you opt for take-away, it’s even more of a bargain – just $4 or $5 (depending on size).
99 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Phone: 07 3210 0255
10. Wagamama
The food is fast and fresh and, best of all, affordable. Great if you want nutritious food on the go. There’s everything from fabulous noodle dishes, stir-fry rice favourites and the ever-popular chicken katsu curry. Signature dishes include chilli beef ramen, grilled gyoza (chicken and cabbage dumplings) and yaki soba.
Level 3, Wintergarden, 171-209 Queen Street Mall, Brisbane QLD 4000
Phone: (07) 3036 7135
11. Restaurant TWO
The establishment won no less than three categories in the Restaurant and Catering Queensland HOSTPLUS Brisbane Awards for Excellence – Best Fine Dining, Best Modern Australian, as well as winner of the coveted Restaurant of the Year 2007 title. Add to that it’s enviable location, opposite the City Botanic Gardens, and you have culinary success story par excellence.
You can choose to lunch from the set menu starter: wagyu beef with crispy artichoke, aioli and rocket salad; beer-battered fish and chips with tartare sauce and bread and butter pudding with drunken fruit ice cream for $42 or $50 (depending on how many courses you have). Or choose from a varied selection of mains, for example: corn fed chicken, truffle tortellini, sweet breads, sautéed mushrooms, braised lettuce and Madeira jus.
2 Edward Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Phone: (07) 3210 0600
12. e’cco
Tucked away within the trendy little dining precinct known as Adelaide Street East.
Inspired by authentic bistro-style dining in France, e’cco has a relaxed ambiance that is both welcoming and distinctly Brisbane. With lots of bright natural light during the day, its interior is fitted with glass, polished Masonite floor, salsa-red and deep purple walls, wood tables and chairs, and an open kitchen.
The menu is simple but first-class modern Australian. Favourite dishes sure to entice are the goat's cheese panna cotta, baby beetroots, garlic croutons and burnt butter vinaigrette, and the Margaret River lamb rump, garlic mash, roast tomato relish and rosemary oil.
Corner Adelaide and Boundary Streets, Brisbane QLD 4000
Phone: (07) 3831 8344
13. Vino’s Restaurant and Bar
With a European-influenced modern-Australian menu and some of the best views in the city, Vino’s is the place to enjoy a superb lunch while feasting on the fabulous, picture-postcard panorama of the Brisbane River and Story Bridge. Try the signature dishes: blue swimmer crab and potato pancake with hollandaise for entrée, and barbecued Moreton Bay bugs with sea scallops for main. Or choose from range of options including wood-fired pizza or à la carte (veal, pork, chicken, lamb, steak) dishes.
Upper level, 1 Eagle Street Pier, Eagle Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Phone: (07) 3221 0811
14. Cha Cha Char
Overlooking the Brisbane River, this restaurant has floor to ceiling windows for great views and is designed with stylish and modern comfort in mind – seems the combination of great location and great steak works.
Shop 5, Plaza Level, Eagle Street Pier, Brisbane QLD 4000
Phone: (07) 3211 9944
15. Cheap meals
If you're looking for cheap meals in Brisbane there is a site called http://www.lunchdeals.com.au which lists current deals and specials. Every dollar counts when you're travelling so this is worth a look.