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A Brisbanite recently told me that the River City’s dining scene “punches above its weight” – but it wasn’t until I returned to Brisbane last month that I fully understood why. With only 48 hours in town (and the stress of six precious meals), I was genuinely overwhelmed by choice.
Queensland's capital is currently undergoing a major glow-up for the 2032 Olympics, with new hotels, restaurants and bars popping up all across the city. Of the many trendy openings, Golden Avenue was #1 on my foodie bucket list – and I’m so glad I scored a reservation. Conde Nast just spotlighted the Middle Eastern eatery on their 30th anniversary Hot List of the best new global restaurants, and I can now confirm the hype is real.
Golden by name, golden by nature, this stunning garden terrace-inspired Middle Eastern restaurant brings a breath of fresh, breezy air to the CBD. It’s the seventh opening for Brisbane hospitality heavyweight, Anyday Group, and given their track record with beloved spots like Agnes, Biànca, sAme sAme and Honto, I had high expectations.
Entering the brutalist building, I immediately forgot I was in the middle of Brisbane’s CBD. The stunning 500-square-metre space is design firm J.AR Office’s take on the Gardens of Babylon, split across two breezy floors. It’s cool and calming, featuring soaring skylights, tiled surfaces, pink granite pillars and subtropical palm trees. I scored the best seats in the house (in my opinion) on the second-floor balcony, perfect for watching fellow diners enjoy their meals below. There was a mixed bag of guests, from gal groups to big families and corporate slaves, proving that this place really welcomes everyone.
Golden Avenue’s menu sweeps across the Middle East – from the Levant to the Maghreb – telling stories through ingredients, many of which may be unfamiliar but instantly intriguing. As one should with any Middle Eastern feast, I started with shared dips and flatbreads, the highlight being a still-warm potato bread, blistered just right in their custom woodfired oven. From there, I filled the table with hot and cold mezze plates, including heroic house-mixed pickles and fluffy falafel (which cost a very modest $14 for six pieces). Everything was fresh and flavoursome, and I loved the pick-your-own-adventure-style menu.
Golden Avenue's mains are generous, including grilled swordfish shish, spiced Magra lamb cutlets, and Spring Bay mussels cooked in a claypot with fennel and roasted rice cream. However, I made sure to save room to try the date and walnut mille feuille, which tastes like a bougie baklava with cinnamon cream and butterscotch sauce. The Lebanese mochi with frozen yoghurt parfait and the luqaimat (Lebanese doughnuts) with saffron anglaise were also very intriguing (and tempting).
If you’re after drinks, there’s a 130-bottle wine list and cocktails scented with sumac and pomegranate to round out your dinner. You can also continue the night at GA, the dedicated bar adjacent to the restaurant, or slip next door to Le Royale. Tucked inside The French Exit (Anyday’s latest opening), this sister cocktail bar hosts live music every Thursday to Saturday night.
I’d be remiss not to mention the service at Golden Avenue, which was as warm and beautiful as the space itself. Every staff member I interacted with seemed so genuinely proud and passionate about the venue, and their calm energy was contagious. Pin Golden Avenue on maps for your next trip to Brisbane.
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