What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Gerard's Bistro
Review
About
Awarded Brisbane Times Restaurant of the Year for 2014/15, Gerard's Bistro is a critic favourite, located among James Street's stylish restaurant and retail offerings. Diners' taste buds are taken on a journey across the Middle East with Head Chef, Ben Williamson's Levantine inspired share plates. The drinks menu is an original international list, crafted to complement the bistro's flavourful food offering.
Features
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner, After-hours
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
PRICE
$$$$
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Full Bar
Outdoor Seating
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Wheelchair Accessible
Can a gluten free person get a good meal at this restaurant?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Open until 12:00 AM
Sunday
8:00 am - 12:00 am
Monday
6:00 pm - 12:00 am
Tuesday
12:00 pm - 12:00 am
Wednesday
12:00 pm - 12:00 am
Thursday
12:00 pm - 12:00 am
Friday
12:00 pm - 12:00 am
Saturday
8:00 am - 12:00 am
Contribute
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.3
595 reviews
Excellent
343
Very good
144
Average
62
Poor
23
Terrible
23
Ron K
San Diego709 contributions
Feb 2025 • solo
Location - near James St, easy to find
Ambience - upscale , yet casual
Service - excellent - server Shannon was excellent - friendly , low key , helpful
The food - the barbari bread was heavenly; the pork appetizer was tasty as well ( it was like a prosciutto). For main , I had the bonito fish - it was good but not wow . There was nothing wrong with it , but I’ve had better fish dishes …
Overall , a great experience. The fish dish could use some improvement - skin could have been crispier … and the fish itself slightly overcooked
Written 10 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HahnTravels
Liverpool1303 contributions
Jan 2025 • family
A group of 13 of us attended Gerards for an anniversary dinner. Banquet food was beautifully prepared and presented - we loved it. Friendly, professional service and ambience completed our event. Looking forward to returning someday.
Written 17 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hannah K
1 contribution
Mar 2023 • friends
Have regularly enjoyed Gerard’s over the years. We decided to try somewhere new for a friends birthday recently without success, Gerard’s accommodated us last minute (group of 10 - seated within an hour on a Saturday), delivered a stunning meal, minimal wait times and delicious drinks. The service is always second to none. Highly recommend trying if you haven’t already.
Written 1 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James C
1 contribution
June 2024 • family
A truly dreadful experience on so many levels and Gerards would have to be the most over rated restaurant in Brisbane. I am not sure if this is because they pay enough to get themselves pushed up the best of lists of good restaurants.
The menu is a joke. For example it says the fish is served with Majadara which is a combination of lentils and grains. In fact it is fish with lentils that are simply smoked with no other ingredients. Therefore it is weird that it is not called fish with lentils rather than the pretence of it being something middle eastern. Then the "Traditional " Knafeh came with none of the traditional ingredients eg the stringy pasta was crumbed rather than stringy and did not have the traditional sugary syrup which defines the dish. The "Quail" sausage came out cold and contained lots of red meat which on enquiry was pork and mutton. It seems odd that a middle eastern restuarant would serve pork let alone hide it in a quail sausage. The sausage tasted like a red meat sausage and had no resemblence to a quail. Finally the usual cheese was exchanged for a very light custard. Why call it traditional when there is nothing traditional about it. The tall dark haired male waiter who served us was the rudest and most arrogant I have met in the last 200 times I have eaten out. Having quietely explained that the sausage was cold it was reheated somehow and returned, by which time my partner had completely finished her dish (started as it was already on the cold side when arriving).
In summary, the restaurant should stop the silly side show of throwing middle eastern terms into a menu when 99 % of diners will not know their meaning and those that do know the meaning will spot that they have used the culinary terms totally wrongly and make themselves look totally silly in doing so. Most restaurants, having been informed a problem has been noted immediately upon arrival of the main meal, make some attempt to compensate beyond just heating up the offending item. In Gerard's case the compensation was abject rudeness by the waiter.
Written 11 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kimberleysarah1
Sydney138 contributions
Nov 2021 • couples
My husband and I dined at Gerard’s Bistro for our wedding anniversary dinner. This was our first time visiting Gerard’s after lots of positive reviews from friends. We opted for the $75pp set menu and although the food was delicious, the slow service really let the experience down. We arrived at 6.30 and by 7.30pm we had only been served our drinks and some bread. Close to 8pm the main course came out, by this time we were starving. Finally by 9 we had finished dessert. It was a Tuesday night and there were only 10 tables of guests so they weren’t over run. It seemed like the food delay was purposely to encourage us to keep buying drinks. Once we had finished it also took forever for the waiter to come over so we could settle the bill. Overall it was a bit of a disappointing experience and nothing special as we had hoped our anniversary dinner to be. The food was really nice but because of the inattentive service I won’t be rushing back.
Written 10 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
22Andrew22
Port Douglas9 contributions
Feb 2021 • couples
We booked here online after eating on a previous visit to Brisbane & enjoying the dining experience.
However this time when we were seated the menu on offer was only a set menu with 2 choices of mains for $65pp.
There was a bread to share, a choice of 2 mains Snapper or Beef Rib (+$10)2 sides to share, Housemade Icecream scoop for dessert.
When the waitress came to tell us what was on offer I said,it’s very disappointing to be so limited & had I known wouldn’t have booked. She replied that they were doing this because of Covid & when things get back to normal they may too. This was a really surprisingly strange reply for me. We dined around Brisbane & Noosa over a week at some great places & unfortunately Gerards was the quietest restaurant & the one we spent the least money in despite all the other establishments offering a full ala carte menu & our willingness to have good dining experiences.
If your waiters are folding napkins & polishing cutlery at 8pm instead of attending to your guests something’s wrong. The chefs (5+1dw) seemed bored & rightly so cooking a 2 choice menu every night. Certainly a lot of staff for volume of work.
The food as before was very good, as you would expect from a team of talented chefs serving such few customers. The service was okay. I’m not sure the logic behind only offering this limited choice to guests but as mentioned when all the other decent places we dined at were busy it seems that this maybe affecting the clientele. Surely the owner prefers a full restaurant. I’ll certainly be checking the menu before we return to dine & hopefully it’s the seasonal menu like what was offered here in the past & the waiters have the interest to explain the dishes when you are presented with them & look after you well.I’ll definitely be back if that’s the case.
Written 19 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sunnycoasttravellers
Peregian Beach193 contributions
Sept 2021 • none
We have visited Gerard's many times over the past 8-10 years. Its always been a favorite when we come to Brisbane. We enjoy fine dining and have been to most of Brisbane's best restaurants. Unfortunately this most recent visit to Gerard's was disappointing. The food, whilst still Middle eastern, has lost some of the unusual flair that was its signature. The service is still great but prices have increased and the portion sizes decreased. A side order of vegetables is $20 (eg a plate pf green beans). If you order a main with 2 sides the cost is near $80. The food is quality but nothing exceptional and certainly not value for money. The venue remains pleasant and the wine list more than adequate.
Written 19 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matilda
Brisbane172 contributions
Aug 2022 • couples
Full, fat and happy! Tastebuds still dancing and I feel like I have won the Lotto of dining. Juliette did an outstanding job tonight! Abrolhos Island scallops mopped up the *sigh* potato bread. Husband inhaled the slow marinated beef rib and slow cooked 14 hours. Smoked eggplant: we could smell the wood before it was placed on our table. Thank you for feeding us. Spectacular!
Written 20 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luke G
Brisbane140 contributions
July 2022 • none
Chanced upon this restaurant in James Street and it was food to die for. We chose the set 3 course menu at $75pp and it was absolutely divine. Expensive yes, but worth ever cent. The service was excellent, thank you Maddy and Lillian.
Do yourself a favour, try their set menu, the flavour were exquisite and i rate this as one of the best feeds i have had this year.
Written 26 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wheathouse
Canberra315 contributions
June 2022 • none
we had a really great time - the service was excellent,
the food flavours were wonderful - my son anticipated that the cabbage dish was not going to be too good, and he, not being one to be too effusive over vegetables, was exclaiming to any one that it was just so good. The other non cabbage dishes were also fantastic.
the ambience was really good and the prices reasonable.
in all an excellent experience.
Written 11 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GabbyG
6 contributions
Aug 2020 • friends
I booked a table for 9, with 3 weeks notice for the set menu with some dietary requirements. Initially, everything was lovely and the waiter was accommodating. However, as time went on, we realised that we were not a priority. Our wine/ water glasses were empty and our booking slot was nearly at the point of expiry (2hrs), before any food came out. The management said that it was our fault for not ordering early enough, however we had nothing to order! It was a set menu. It’s frustrating that we pay ~$100 per person for a nice meal, but treated like we paid $10 per person. Luckily the food was nice!
Written 29 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fitzroytraveller
Melbourne363 contributions
May 2021 • none
We had a wonderful meal at Gerard's, every dish excellent, couldn't fault the experience.
We chose a la carte, which was probably a little more expensive but there were dishes we preferred that were not on the set menu.
The service was excellent, Michael who looked after us was a pleasure, knowledgeable, and his excitement was infectious.
While we enjoyed every dish, our highlights were the cod, bagel, cauliflower and heirloom tomato side, and a wonderful desert called strawberry booza...
It was all great and we will definitely return
Written 16 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
champagneaficionado
Brisbane451 contributions
Aug 2021 • none
We've had takeaway a number of times from here during lock downs and they really have the recipe nailed (see what I did there!). There was a glitch in the ordering system, but this was happily compensated with some pumpkin extras. The pork was delicious, tender and juicy. For $50 its great value and you can open that $80 bottle of red from the cellar that would have set you back double that in the restaurant. If there is a silver lining of lockdown, Gerard's puts it neatly in a brown paper bag!
Written 13 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NowCallAustraliaHome
143 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
Stayed in Brisbane one night and needed to find a place to dine. Gerard's Bistro had really good reviews and very interesting menu and we decided to give it a go. We were not disappointed. The service was very attentive, the host, waiters and sommelier were knowledgeable and helpful. The wine list is extensive and covers a lot of different regions, grapes and styles. We asked for suggested parings with the food we selected and the wines matched beautifully.
The food was unusual and very tasty, glad that we took recommendations and tried their equivalent of steak tartare and cabbage skewers.
The bill was also very reasonable. We had a great night and would be happy to dine there again.
Written 29 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RobynUpNorth
Darwin93 contributions
Jan 2020 • friends
The food was extraordinary, the breads mind blowing.
Like who makes bagels which are soft & fluffy like good doughnuts....Gerard’s does.
Fermented carrot pita blows your mind.
A mixed group of 4 friends had picked a few dishes off the menu they liked, & went with the guidance of Michael our waiter for the night.
There was such variety of dishes we annihilated, not one I wouldn’t try again!
We had bugs, calamari, beef, cabbage skewers, baked rice & the to die for eggplant & 3 breads.
Food and service was next level.
You couldn’t not be excited by the food when our waiter, Michael exuded passion & extensive knowledge about the food.
The service was beyond measure, hospitable, humorous & enthusiastic.
We have already highly recommended Gerard’s to other people.
Written 5 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Showing results 1-15 of 593
Related Stories
Best fine dining restaurants
See all
Best nearby
We rank these hotels, restaurants, and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Best nearby hotels
See all 
Best nearby restaurants
See all 
Is This Your Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your Free Listing