The Sydney Morning Herald logo
Advertisement

Brisbane Festival's Riverfire: Top spots to eat out

Natascha Mirosch

Vantage point: Jellyfish will offer an a la carte menu on September 27.
Vantage point: Jellyfish will offer an a la carte menu on September 27.Sean Condon

Brisbane Festival (6-27 September) concludes every year with a bang. Multiple explosions in fact, with spectacular fireworks lighting up the Brisbane River (27 September).

While you can join the throngs with directors' chairs and eskies who begin staking out their positions early in the morning, we reckon the beauty of Riverfire is best appreciated when accompanied by something equally special to eat and drink.

Tables at riverside restaurants with the most stellar views book out quickly, so best get in now to secure a prime viewing spot to toast the fireworks.

Views from Black Bird Bar & Grill.
Views from Black Bird Bar & Grill.Harrison Saragossi
Advertisement

Aquitaine Brasserie
A $99 set menu, with a choice of three from entree, main and dessert. The menu includes confit lamb belly with pea and mint butter, scallops, herbs and garlic puree, or risotto of zucchini flowers walnut, goat's cheese, vincotto and leaves. Followed perhaps by a Valhrona chocolate terrine with fossilised parsnip, honeycomb and vanilla Anglaise or a wedge of buche d'affinois with housemade chutney and lavosh.
River Quay, South Bank, Brisbane, 07 3844 1888, aquitainebrasserie.com.au

Aria
Aria is offering a three-course menu with a choice of five dishes per course and a glass of Bartlett's sparkling wine on arrival. There are two sittings: 5.00-7.30pm to watch the fireworks or from 8.15pm – seated after the fireworks. The cost is $150 per person, children up to 12 years old are $60 with their own special menu.
Aria Brisbane, 1 Eagle Street, Eagle Street Pier, Brisbane, 07 3233 2555, ariarestaurant.com/brisbane

Black Bird Bar & Grill
There are enviable river views from both the restaurant and bar here. Black Bird's package includes a glass of 2006 Moet et Chandon Grand Vintage Champagne on arrival, followed by a choice of four entrees, four mains and three desserts. Tickets are $119 per person.
Riverside Centre, 123 Eagle Street, Brisbane, 07 3229 1200, blackbirdbrisbane.com.au

Riverfire lights up the Brisbane skyline.
Riverfire lights up the Brisbane skyline.Michelle Smith

Cha Cha Char
No set menu, just the usual a la carte choices at this upmarket steak house, but there is a minimum required spend of $125 per person and a deposit of $50 per person on booking for Riverfire.
Shop 5, 1 Eagle St, Brisbane, 07 3211 9944, chachachar.com.au

Advertisement

The Cliffs Cafe
Watching from the Kangaroo Point side of the river means a spectacular city backdrop for your fireworks photos. The event here includes an arrival cocktail, substantial canapes, three-hour premium beverage package and live entertainment for $110.
29 River Terrace, Kangaroo Point, 07 3391 7771, cliffscafe.com.au

Cove Bar & Dining
There are still spots left at Cove Bar & Dining with a special three-course dinner for $99 per person. Dishes include lamb backstrap, roasted pork belly with cider poached pear, pea puree and red wine jus and desserts such as a white chocolate and champagne mousse with raspberry chilli jam, coconut tapioca and turmeric praline.
River Quay, Sidon Street South Bank, 07 3844 3993, covebardining.com.au

Il Centro
Filling rapidly, but Il Centro still has some tables left with a Riverfire special of three courses from their menu for $105 per adult and $50 for children 6-12 from a special kid's menu. Their adjacent bar, Mr & Mrs G's is booked for a private function however.
1 Eagle Street, Brisbane, 07 3221 6090, il-centro.com.au

The Jetty South Bank
A four-course dinner (with some shared courses and some individual choices) is matched with wine from Cape Mentelle and Cloudy Bay. The $190 price tag includes a pre-dinner glass of Veuve Cliquot or a French Martini.
River Quay, Shop 4, Sidon Street, South Bank, 07 3844 8838, thejettysouthbank.com.au

Jellyfish
Like its sister restaurant Cha Cha Char, Jellyfish has an a la carte menu on offer, with a minimum spend of $125 per person and a $50 deposit oh booking. However, no bookings are required if you want to take advantage of the bar and bar menu.
Boardwalk Level, Riverside Centre 123 Eagle Street, Brisbane, 07 3220 2202, jellyfishrestaurant.com.au

Advertisement

Madame Wu
This riverside newcomer has a wide terrace with equally expansive views of the Story Bridge and Kangaroo Point. The offer includes three hours of canapes, starter bowls and main bowls, beer, wine, premium spirits and a special Riverfire cocktail for $150 per person.
Upper Plaza Level, Riparian Plaza, 71 Eagle Street, Brisbane, 08 3229 5070, madamewu.com.au

Pony Dining
Pony is offering a three-hour canape function including a cocktail on arrival, canapes, a slider and plated item and a four-hour drink package. A la carte is available in the Parlour and Rodeo Drive sections of the restaurant.
Upper Level, 18/45 Eagle Street Pier, Brisbane, 07 3181 3410, ponydining.com.au

Popolo
There are still some tables left at this casual Italian eatery on South Bank's River Quay. The price for the three-course set menu is $70.
River Quay, Sidon Street South Bank, 07 3846 7784, popolodining.com

The Stamford Plaza Hotel
Stamford's Brasserie on the River has a four-hour beverage package with seafood buffet, carvery, dessert buffet and more as well as entertainment. $179 for adults, teenagers are $99 (13-17) and children $55 (5 -12 years) Full pre-payment is required at time of booking.
07 3100 5749, stamford.com.au

Other options

Advertisement

On the water
Watch Riverfire from the most prime position possible – actually on the water. A cruise on the MICAT Ferry includes a buffet-style three-course meal and drinks (excluding spirits) for $135.
07 3909 3333, moretonislandadventures.com.au/book-now

BYO Picnic
Put together a selection of your own treats and take a posh picnic to Captain Burke Park or the Kangaroo Point Cliffs (see here for more vantage points). Try Jocelyn's Provisions, Chester Street Bakery and Bar or Pamela's Pantry for tarts savoury and sweet, La Rotisserie for a whole roast chicken, Botanica Real Food for salads, Rosalie Gourmet Market for cheese and accompaniments and Cru Bar or Craft Wine Store for a bottle of something special. Alternatively let someone else do the catering. Dalton Hospitality have picnic baskets filled with goodies for two from $60 (0404 219 757). Cuisine on Cue have a variety of boxed options they'll deliver, from sushi to antipasto, cheese and dessert boxes from $38.50 (07 3210 2281).

Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox.

Sign up

From our partners

Advertisement
Advertisement