Work Trip in Brisbane? Here's Where to Eat

Why Brisbane's Dining Scene Just Works For Work Trips

When you’re travelling for business, dining is about more than the food. It’s about finding the right setting—whether that’s a memorable spot to impress clients, a quick quality bite between meetings, or a quiet corner to unwind after a long day.

Brisbane delivers this balance with ease. From the CBD to Fortitude Valley, Woolloongabba and South Bank, the city offers a diverse mix of restaurants perfectly suited to every business occasion, all easily accessible via public transport, rideshare options and by foot.

What sets Brisbane apart is its professional hospitality. Think late-opening kitchens that don’t rush you out, seamless online reservations, and staff who know when to provide a bit of privacy for important conversations

Got A Client To Impress? Try These Crowd-Pleasers

Credit: Tourism Queensland

When you need to pull out all the stops, Brisbane's dining scene offers options that consistently deliver the "wow" factor. These restaurants understand that sometimes a meal needs to do more than just feed—it needs to impress, engage, and create the right atmosphere for business success.

The Walnut Restaurant & Lounge Bar

This Kangaroo Point establishment offers spectacular river views alongside their seasonal modern Australian menu. Signature dishes include “The Royal” crab spaghettini and braised lamb shank. Their wine list is extensive, and the restaurant's floor-to-ceiling windows showcase sweeping views across the Brisbane River and city skyline.

Madame Wu

Nestled in Brisbane’s CBD, Madame Wu brings a refined twist to modern Chinese dining, blending bold flavours with elegant presentation. The menu is organised by Seafood, Poultry, Beef, Pork, and Rice or Noodles, offering a variety of standout dishes.

Favourites include the spicy Crispy Pork Hock with stir-fried kimchi and apple, the house-signature Chinese Roasted Duck, and the Piju Ju Snapper—prepared Guilin-style with Tsingtao beer.

Alchemy Restaurant & Bar

Set on the Brisbane River with Story Bridge views, Alchemy Restaurant and Bar blends modern elegance with culinary innovation. Famous for introducing liquid nitrogen to Brisbane dining, the menu showcases local produce with creative flair. 

Highlights include Wagyu carpaccio with truffle, NSW duck breast with spiced beetroot and chocolate–coffee foam, and a decadent dark chocolate marquise.

Looking For A Casual Bite With A View?

Credit: Tourism Queensland

Brisbane's river location means you're never far from a dining spot with spectacular views. These restaurants offer the visual impact that can make a business meal memorable.

Felons Brewing Co

Felons Brewing Co., set beneath the Story Bridge at Howard Smith Wharves, is a vibrant riverside brewery and social hub. Alongside craft beers, the venue serves wood-fired pizzas, share plates, and classic fish and chips from its boatyard. With a relaxed but professional atmosphere, it’s a favourite spot to unwind by the river.

Riverbar & Kitchen

Riverbar, perched on Eagle Street Pier, is a relaxed riverside spot with breezy nautical vibes and sunny outdoor seating. Mornings start with coffee and seasonal breakfasts, while from 10am the bar pours brunch cocktails by the jug. 

Menus shift with the seasons, but favourites like the soft-shell crab burger remain a staple, alongside rotating beers, wines, and housemade lemonade.

Blackbird Bar & Grill

Situated at Eagle Street Pier, Blackbird Bar, Dining & Events pairs Gatsby-inspired décor with sweeping views of the Brisbane River and Story Bridge. Its Heritage Australian menu highlights premium seafood and steaks grilled before your eyes, while two striking bars and private dining spaces make it the perfect option for entertaining clients and colleagues.

Need Something Quick Between Meetings?

Not every business meal needs to be a three-hour affair. Brisbane has plenty of options for those with a packed schedule while still delivering quality that reflects well on your professional standards.

Single O

Single O, a pioneer of Sydney’s coffee culture, has brought its cult brews to Brisbane with a buzzing Newstead cafe. Alongside their self-serve coffee-on-tap and signature oat iced lattes, you’ll find hearty breakfasts like the Avo Show and Boris Chickpea Cliber, plus their famous banana bread with espresso butter.

The Gresham Bar

The Gresham, in the heart of Brisbane, is celebrated for its award-winning cocktails and one of the city’s best selections of whisky, rum, and wine. While the focus is firmly on drinks, the all-day menu offers simple but satisfying bites from weekly changing salads, bruschetta, and fresh toasties.

Supernice

Supernice in Bowen Hills is loved for its creative matcha drinks and next-level sandwiches. Fluffy focaccia stuffed with combos like mortadella, stracciatella, honey and pistachio, or a breakfast salumi sanga with free-range eggs and pesto, makes it a go-to for workday lunches. 

Wrapping The Night

Credit: Tourism Queensland

Sometimes a business dinner needs to extend beyond the main meal. These venues offer exceptional after-dinner drinks and desserts that keep the conversation flowing.

Cobbler

This cocktail bar offers a whiskey and tequila haven, with over 300 whiskeys displayed on a striking pressed-metal bar wall. Hand-cut ice, graded whiskey levels, and a membership in the Scotch Malt Whisky Society elevate the experience, while a mezzanine lounge with velvet and leather seating adds style. 

Gelato Messina

Australia’s most iconic scoop slingers, Gelato Messina, have perched up in South Brisbane. Serving up 35 iconic gelato flavours, weekly specials, and their famous ice cream cakes, the South Brisbane space is officially Australia’s largest store, and a must-visit for anyone chasing the ultimate sweet fix.

Canvas Club

Canvas Club in Woolloongabba is a quirky cocktail bar with a secret fairy-lit beer garden and a dog-friendly rustic courtyard. Known for some of Brisbane’s best cocktails, it pairs creative drinks like the Queen Anne’s Revenge or Mrs Hendricks with tasty tapas, a boutique wine list, and premium spirits, all in a vintage, art-filled setting.

Smart Tips For Brisbane Dining

Credit: Tourism Queensland

Brisbane's best restaurants have their own rhythms, and understanding them can be the difference between securing that perfect booking and scrambling for alternatives.

• Book In Advance: Lead times vary significantly in Brisbane. Tuesday through Thursday bookings can often be made with just a day's notice at most establishments, while Friday and weekend night tables at popular venues need at least a week's advance booking.
• Deposits: Many restaurants also require deposits for weekend bookings, with 24-48-hour cancellation windows standard across the city.
• Dietary Requirements: When it comes to dietary requirements, most high-end establishments can accommodate with advanced notice, and many offer chef's tasting menus that eliminate decision-making stress for groups with varying preferences.
• Bill Splitting & Receipts: After dinner, many restaurants can process corporate credit cards and provide detailed receipts for expense reporting. Some establishments also offer invoice billing for regular corporate clients, streamlining the payment process for business accounts.

The Perfect Base For Business & Leisure

Located in Spring Hill on the highest point in Brisbane's CBD, Hotel Grand Chancellor offers an unbeatable central location for Business travellers visiting the city. Roma Street and Central stations are just a short walk away, providing direct access to key business precincts.

The CBD's best dining establishments are on your doorstep, while Howard Smith Wharves, South Bank, and Fortitude Valley are all within quick rideshare distance. After a productive day, return to contemporary rooms with sweeping city or Mount Coot-tha views, reliable Wi-Fi and 24-hour room service.

Our concierge team understands the needs of busy professionals, ensuring every stay is seamless and stress-free.

Ready to plan your next business trip (and memorable meal) in Brisbane? Book your stay today.