The city:
Guide to work lunches
In an office lunchtime rut? Tired of boring lunch meetings in the boardroom? Take your working lunches and team meetings off-site for a change of scenery and a delicious menu that will inspire creativity and productivity. Here’s our favourite spots to break up your workday with a delish lunch in The City.
A business meeting
Dark Shepherd
Dark Shepherd brings a refined Mediterranean feel to The City, located within Queens Wharf. With an ambient, moody setting, the woodfire‑driven menu places lamb at the centre alongside fresh seafood and seasonal, share‑friendly plates. It's the perfect choice when lunch calls for somewhere professional without feeling too formal.
Tillerman Seafood Restaurant
Tillerman Seafood Restaurant is where seriously good seafood meets the Brisbane River. The coastal European-influenced menu champions local seafood, from freshly shucked oysters to Moreton Bay bugs and share-style plates made for a leisurely lunch. With river views and a relaxed-yet-elevated feel, it's an easy pick for a lunchtime meeting.
Massimo
A little coastal Italian spot meets The City at Massimo, set riverside along Eagle Street. The menu leans into house‑made pasta and classic Italian favourites alongside fresh seafood and generous, share‑friendly plates that suit a relaxed lunch. With its lively atmosphere and breezy riverfront location, it’s an easy choice for a weekday lunch that feels a little more special without being over the top.
Donna Chang
Lunch gets a glow‑up at Donna Chang, where modern Chinese dining unfolds inside a grand former bank on George Street. The menu blends Cantonese and Sichuan influences with a contemporary edge, spanning yum cha favourites, refined à la carte dishes and share‑style plates. With its vibrant atmosphere and standout setting, it turns an ordinary lunch break into something far more memorable.
Longwang
Named after the Chinese dragon king of the sea, Longwang is a testament to the creativity and authenticity that the restaurant brings into each dish. This three-metre wide and 30-metre-long restaurant has four banquet options for any budget, or you can choose from the a la carte menu.
Blackbird Bar & Grill
Follow the smoky scent wafting from Blackbird Bar & Grill’s open wood-fired grill and you’ll uncover a stunning two-storey venue with sweeping river views. Blackbird has long been a favourite spot to celebrate a Saturday night, but don’t be fooled into thinking it’s just a bar; their restaurant menu is a real treat, featuring a plethora of perfectly plated dishes loaded with local Queensland and seasonal ingredients.
Stilts
Dine above the water on the Green Bridge as Stilts Dining offers refined dishes from the grill. Choose from a lunch special, banquet or the a la carte menu all best enjoyed alongside sweeping views of the Brisbane River and The City. The modern Australian steak and seafood dining restaurant will be sure to elevate your day.
Naldham House
Built in 1864, this iconic heritage-listed building has been reimagined as a multi‑level dining destination offering four distinct dining opportunities under one roof. . The Brasserie, The Terrace, and The Fifty Six are all perfect lunch spots, all serving unique and delicious dishes, while Club Felix is perfect for those times when lunch lingers a little longer than planned
Central Restaurant
Tucked just off Queen Street, Central is a buzzy underground spot inspired by the flavours of Hong Kong. The menu leans into modern Asian comfort food, with dumplings, noodles and share plates that are easy to order and even easier to enjoy over lunch. With its moody interiors and laid‑back energy, it’s a great place to duck into for an elevated mid‑day bite with the office.
Rothwell’s
Enjoy timeless cuisine under a canopy of crystal chandeliers at Rothwell’s on George Street. It’s arguably the classiest grill restaurant you’ll find! The menu features a number of classic meals, dialled up a notch and plated to perfection. Cosy up in a leather booth or settle in for a long lunch- either way, you're in for a treat.
Stanton Brisbane
With a luxe fit-out overlooking Queen Street Mall, Stanton serves up a classic menu of cafe favourites. This is the place to impress, but not at the expense of the company account. Sink into plush armchairs inside or grab a table outside and choose from tapas-inspired share plates, pizzas fresh from the pizza oven, and club classics.
Alchemy Restaurant
With a relaxed elegant atmosphere accompanied by the spectacular views of The City, Alchemy Restaurant is the perfect spot to impress during a business meeting or lunch. The Italian menu combines seasonal freshness with traditional warmth to create mouthwatering worthy dishes.
Walter Steakhouse
A timeless venue in Brisbane City, Walter Steakhouse is the perfect place for a business meeting over a classic meal. This is the place to bring someone you want to impress with a quality steak, perfectly poured drinks and old-school service, you could stay here chatting business for hours.
A little more relaxed
Isles Lane
Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and with a raft of daily specials, Isles Lane is a prime choice for all-day bites. With a menu that boasts handmade bread, pizza, and pasta, you’re guaranteed to leave satisfied. Never fear if carbs aren’t your thing – there are plenty of lighter options including fresh fish, salads, and small plates.
Jimmys on the Mall
Situated perfectly in the middle of Queen Street Mall, Jimmy’s on the Mall is the perfect central place you can’t miss. Spanning 2 storeys, they offer different menus for the lower and upper deck with a wide range of flavours for you to enjoy during your work lunch.
Jumbo Thai
Authentic Thai in the form of a banquet or a la carte, Jumbo Thai creates curries, stir-fry’s, noodles, and so much more that are packed with traditional flavours. The dishes come out with impressive design and colourful cocktails paired perfectly. This is a great place for a work lunch to excite and fill you up!
Fat Noodle
Step into The Queens Wharf to find Fat Noodle – an exotic restaurant that has floor to ceiling windows looking out to the Brisbane River. Here you will be treated to an Asian-fusion feast created by celebrity chef Luke Nguyen. You can’t go past Luke’s signature Vietnamese chicken salad – and the dumplings are top notch too!
Goldfinch
Glamorous Goldfinch is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city streets. The menu takes inspiration from the seaside bistros of the Mediterranean, with sourdough pizzas, antipasto platters, fresh seafood, and hearty mains. Choose from individual meals or a selection of their share plates, and don’t forget to check out the cocktail menu too.
Fun with friends
Beach House Bar & Grill
With a view over the Albert and Elizabeth Streets intersection, Beach House has the ideal gastropub menu and a sizeable venue to cater for any size working lunch. Bring a friend or bring the whole office; there’s plenty of room. Meet here for hearty helpings and a crowd-pleasing menu, with burgers, pasta, seafood and schnitties to keep everyone happy.
Comuna Cantina
Soak up the Insta-worthy décor and tuck into tacos at this lively Latin-inspired bar and street eatery. Comuna Cantina’s cocktails are somewhat famous but beware if you’re dashing back to the office afterwards as you may struggle to stop at just one!
Hellcat Maggie
Another of The City’s hidden gems is Hellcat Maggie, tucked away behind Rich Lane. With a menu filled with elevated yet filling pub favourites, there is almost certainly something for everyone. At last count their menu featured almost as many types of fries as it did burgers, so this is one not to miss if you’re chipper for a chippie.
Riverbar & Kitchen
Set right on the river, Riverbar & Kitchen is an easy pick for a laid‑back lunch with friends. The open‑air setting makes the most of Brisbane’s weather, while the menu keeps things crowd‑friendly with share plates, burgers, pizzas and fresh salads. It’s casual, central and ideal for long chats over lunch without feeling rushed.
Santa Monica
If it’s atmosphere you’re looking for, check out Santa Monica. With a laid-back California vibe and beer-garden-style outdoor seating, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy Brisbane’s stunning weather. Their large booths are perfect for groups, and the menu is loaded with all the crowd-pleasers including pizzas, burgers, tacos, and plenty of share plates.
Little Miss Sunshine
Little Miss Sunshine is a hidden bistro found in Heritage Lane where fresh pours and good food flowevery weekday. The fun and vibrant atmosphere makes it an easy spot to unwind on your lunch break. While the Mediterranean and middle eastern inspired menu hits the spot with bold flavours, don’t forget to add a drink or two to refresh your palate.
Budget bites
Cheeky Poké Bar
Cheeky Poké Bar proves that lunch can be cool and cost-effective , especially if you swing by on a Tuesday for $6 tacos. They offer healthy meals of fresh ingredients topped with tasty sauces that promise your best self in a bowl. It’s also a great option for a quick takeaway lunch if you’re simply too busy to sit down and enjoy life in the slow lane.
Hakataya Ramen
This slurptastic ramen joint in Uptown is a go-to for traditional Japanese noodle soups and easy team catch-ups. Start by sharing a plate of gyoza before following up with a big bowl of Hakataya Ramen’s famous ramen with fresh house-made broth. FYI: paper aprons are available on request so you can all return to the office in pristine condition.
Som Tum Bar
Fresh and flavoursome, Som Tum Bar offers a refreshing alternative for casual lunches in The City. Situated off George Street in the Brisbane Quarter, Brisbane’s first som tum bar dishes up its namesake Thai green papaya salad (aka som tum) with an array of toppings that will appeal to all palates.
In a hurry? Check out our list of cheap eats in The City for lunch to go!
