For the Foodies: Try the Hatted Restaurants Brisbane Has To Offer

Incredible cuisine is an artform that chefs live, eat and breathe from their first days in training, to the heights of their careers.

Whilst we don’t have Michelin Star restaurants in Brisbane (due to the Michelin Guide not yet expanding to include Australia), we have our very own Australian Good Food Guide alternative, which grants hats to restaurants based on food quality, service, ambience and value.

From there forms a four-tier ladder, based on a 0-20 scoring system. To break down this system a little further, it looks a little something like this:

• 12-13 points: a good restaurant
• 14-15 points: one hat, worth a stop (similar to one Michelin star)
• 16-17 points: two hats, worth a detour (similar to two Michelin stars)
• 18-19 points: three hats, worth a trip (similar to three Michelin stars)

Luckily for the hungry foodies of Brisbane, we have a selection of hatted restaurants that a worth a stop, trip and detour to get your fill of some Australia’s best eats.

Restaurant Dan Arnold

The most highly rated hatted restaurant in Brisbane is none other than Restaurant Dan Arnold, located in Fortitude Valley, with Chef’s Hat Award of 17 against its name.

Helmed by Brisbane native Dan Arnold, his experience spans six years as sous-chef of French Michelin-starred Restaurant Serge Vieira, where he built up his concept and dream for his very own restaurant back at home in our humble river city.

Opening doors in 2018, RDA dishes up tasting menus using ingredients from small producers and local farms, to craft through and elegant food in a relaxed and informal setting.

959 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley

Exhibition

Exhibition is an intimate space built underneath the Metro Arts Theatre of Brisbane that seats just 24 patrons at a time. Dining at this hatted restaurant in Brisbane is truly one of the most unique experiences you can have in our city, with a rare multi-sensory immersion part of your food journey.

Taking inspiration from the Japanese omakase style (chef’s choice) and continuing the building’s legacy with live theatrical displays, visual arts and performance, you can simply sit back and await the delicious morsels of premium seafood, meats and mouthwatering paired accompaniments.

Head chef and owner Tim Scott take pride in challenging themselves to continually deliver unique, sustainable and locally sourced plates, inspired by a variety of cuisines and prepared via various methods of traditional and modern cooking.

109 Edward Street, Brisbane

The Paddock Restaurant

Serving up modern Australian fare in a stunning lodge-style space, The Paddock Restaurant is set in the middle of a field.

If you’re looking for a restaurant to enjoy on a special occasion or a romantic date night, we can’t think of a prettier setting. By night, you’ll be ensconced in soft, warm lighting indoors, or under twinkling fairy lights on the patio.

Executive Chef Chris Norman and Executive Sous & Pastry Chef Alex Norman curate unpretentious, wholesome fare from hyper-local ingredients (many as local as the garden outside), and cook over an open flame to imbue the food with incredible flavour.

422 Binna Burra Road, Beechmont

joy.

Owned by Head Chef Sarah Baldwin, joy. seeks to evoke the true meaning of its name: an exhilaration of spirit; a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.

Anyone who has had the pleasure of dining here will likely tell you that’s exactly their experience. A small space, with dishes served omakase style with minimal staff, you can expect to make friends with Sarah herself on your visit.

The menu changes with the teams inspiration, so there’s no menu to pore over before your visit, simply make your reservation and expect to have an incredible time at this hatted restaurant in Brisbane. 

Shop 7, 694 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley

Bacchus

Named after the mythological god of wine, Bacchus is certainly the place to go for incredible food, with perfectly paired wine to match.

Nestled within the Rydges Hotel at South Bank, this hatted restaurant is certainly one to have on your radar for a special occasion. Bacchus is best experienced by way of their degustation menu, which showcases the best of Australia’s native gifts, and surprises and delights the palate at each turn.

Just make sure you save room for dessert - in our experience it’s always served with Bacchus’ signature memory-making flair.

9 Glenelg Street, South Bank

Agnes

With their modern interior and wood-fired flavours, Agnes is a no-brainer on the roster of hatted restaurants in Brisbane. Often booked out well in advance, this restaurant is the brainchild of Brisbane foodie royalty; Tyron Simon (of Honto and sAme sAme), Bianca Marchi, Frank Li and Ben Williamson (ex-Gerard’s).

Built around the concept of cooking on an open fire, the flavours infused into each dish at Agnes take your taste buds on a journey into smokey new dimensions.

22 Agnes Street, Fortitude Valley

IPPIN Japanese Dining

The restaurant on everyone’s lips lately is IPPIN, one of the best Japanese restaurants in Brisbane.

This elevated dining destination can be found on bustling Boundary Street in West End. Showcasing the best of Japanese cuisine, the menu is packed with yakitori grill specialty dishes featuring wagyu beef or chicken. For the seafood lover, the recommendation here is their signature toothfish or tempura cuttlefish.

For the foodie who’s tried it all, we recommend the lobster popcorn for a flavour sensation.

Make the most of your night out at IPPIN by ordering a cocktail from their creative menu of signature cocktails, mocktails or Japanese whiskies.

Tenancy 2, 97 Boundary Street, West End

Now that you’ve checked off the hatted restaurants Brisbane has to offer, why not see what’s happening with our guide to the best new restaurants in the city? Stay in the know with our foodie news to see what your favourite restaurants are whipping up next.