Best Brisbane restaurants and bars for groups
Sure, spontaneous dining is fun – but when it comes to eating or drinking with a large group, there are few things more frustrating than fruitlessly wandering around looking for an elusively large table (or trying to huddle into the corner of a bar). Want to win the favour of your friends? Better book a table at one of the best Brisbane restaurants and bars for groups (and avoid wasting your time together asking neighbouring diners ‘are you using these chairs?’).
Whether you're planning a lively hens’ night, a bucks’ celebration, or a birthday party, these spots offer the perfect mix of delicious food, great drinks, and vibrant atmospheres. Here are the best eateries and bars for group dining in Brisbane, that’ll ensure every pal in your group is kept happy, fed and watered – no matter the occasion!
Hellenika, Fortitude Valley
The Calile Hotel’s beloved in-house restaurant is favoured by groups for its delicious fare. In the Greek tradition of large, lively gatherings, Hellenika’s banquet menus are filled with generously portioned, flavourful dishes that cover an entire long table end-to-end. The food just keeps coming. Begin your meal with the restaurant’s iconic zucchini chips, or perhaps its sizzling saganaki cheese, and work your way up to its hearty baked lamb with potatoes (or a memorable vegetarian moussaka), and end on a high with crispy layered filo served with warm custard and lemon syrup. No complaints from the group here.
Southside Restaurant, Fish Lane, South Brisbane
A short stroll from Southbank’s cultural precinct – neighbouring the museums and art galleries of the area – you’ll find the architecturally striking Southside Restaurant, midway down Fish Lane. One of the best Brisbane restaurants and bars for groups, Southside (and its adjoined bar, Kiki), presents its popular feed me and signature banquets with optional Champagne pairings, an enticing a la carte menu, and a specialised pre-theatre dining option. Its aromatic Asian dishes are bound to delight all members of your dining party.
Soko, Fortitude Valley
Take your friendship circle to new heights at Soko Rooftop, where an sleek, green ambient Peruvian-Japanese restaurant awaits. Expect to find the sprightly flavours of yuzu, miso, shichimi togarashi and wasabi on this restaurant’s zesty menu, which makes shared group dining in Brisbane a breeze. And, this rooftop venue’s cocktail menu offers more than 40 flavours of pisco sours – so everyone in your crew can try something new.
Donna Chang, Brisbane City
A dapper dining spot for group dining in Brisbane, refined restaurant Donna Chang is a sure-fire crowd pleaser. Contemporary Asian cuisine is the order of the day at this sophisticated, inner-city diner. Tickle the whole crews’ fancy (and taste buds) with a tantalising banquet – vegan and coeliac banquets are available for those with dietary requirements – and enjoy dishes that draw inspiration from Sichuan and Cantonese cuisines.
Bar Alto, New Farm
In-house at New Farm’s favoured arts venue Brisbane Powerhouse you’ll find Bar Alto, perched on the river’s edge. For large groups of between 15 and 40 people, this Italian restaurant and bar bestows its group dining offerings. Whether your circle of friends opts for a shared menu or a three-courser, you’ll be treated to a series of enticing Italian dishes (just let the kitchen know about dietaries when you book). For a cocktail-style affair or celebration, you can also order antipasto platters and indulgent cakes to impress your guests.
Happy Boy, Fortitude Valley
Plating up plentiful helpings of culinary happiness in its Fortitude Valley space, Happy Boy proffers exciting Chinese food. For less than $50 a head, there’s a chef’s banquet menu ideal for decision-free shared dining under the fairy-light-dappled trees – just let the chef know about any of your mates’ dietaries and they’ll take care of the rest. Better yet, Happy Boy is in the perfect starting location for a fun night out in Fortitude Valley.
Felons Brewing Co, Howard Smith Wharves, Brisbane
A laid-back, no-fuss group dining setting at Howard Smith Wharves, with a choice of comfortable seating areas and a front-row river view, Felons Brewing Co is a spacious venue where you can order via QR codes (hoorah, no need to split bills!). For larger groups, you can select from a sharing pizza menu, or a satisfying group Feast menu (think oysters, snapper, steak, sides and dessert). And, of course, there are freshly brewed beers (alongside cocktails, wines and spirits) on hand to keep your group quenched.
Greca, Howard Smith Wharves, Brisbane
One of the biggest challenges your group will face at this chic, riverside Greek restaurant is sharing its ridiculously moreish roast potatoes. Sitting under the Story Bridge at Howard Smith Wharves, Greca serves up a menu that’s perfect for sharing – like a wholesome family dinner you don’t have to spend all day cooking. And, if the whole table agrees, you can order a set menu and let the restaurant decide on its best dishes for you. Opa!
1889 Enoteca, Woolloongabba
As the adage suggests, ‘when in Woolloongabba, eat as the Romans do.’ Sure, that might not be a particularly common expression, but at 1889 Enoteca, Roman fare is pulled off with ease and forms a fabulous option for group dining. Good to the last crumb, from the antipasti to the dolci and formaggi, the menu at 1889 Enoteca features some seriously memorable, melt-in-your-mouth pasta, a robust, now-famed saltimbocca alla Romana, and the kind of traditional Italian desserts you certainly won’t want to share.
Valley Hops Brewing, Fortitude Valley
A casual and fun rooftop brewery, looking out over Fortitude Valley, is Valley Hops, found on the top level of Cloudland. Round tables, booths and open-air, makes it the perfect place to try the Valley Hops range of brews with a group of your mates. This central location also makes it perfect for pre-drinks, kick on’s, or a place to host the main event.
Brewdog, Fortitude Valley and Murarrie
With sites in Fortitude Valley and Murarrie, ever-popular Brewdog is up there with the very best Brisbane restaurants and bars for groups. Chilled beer and chilled vibes are the priority here, and the food menu presents something for even your fussiest mates. Bar snacks, burgers, plant-based and gluten-free fare, salads, wings and pizza all star on the extensive brewery menu. While away an afternoon and sample the brewery's specialty: its well-loved range of beers.
Club Felix, Brisbane City
If your group of friends like somewhere a bit unique, quaint and hidden, Club Felix in Brisbane City’s Naldahm House is the perfect spot for your group. Soft velvet lounges, European bites and cocktails and a whole lot of suave allows you to relax and enjoy each other’s company in a luxe bar.
Mrs Browns Bar and Kitchen, Newstead
Be it a birthday gathering, hen’s party, a group weekend away or just an overdue night out in Fortitude Valley, start your evening at Mrs Brown’s Bar and Kitchen in Newstead. A fun-filled food menu that considers dietary requirements starts with hearty bar snacks, where chicken and cheese spring rolls kick off the meal, alongside KFC (Kentucky fried cauliflower), prawn rolls and halloumi paratha pancakes. The mains menu includes curries, rotisserie chicken, ribs, and more; and sides, salads and desserts complete the picture. For $30 per person, you can order a set snacks menu that gives you a taste-test of the eatery’s MVPs. Or, for $49 per person, order a snacks and mains set menu and let Mrs Brown do the choosing.
E’cco Bistro, Newstead
For the discerning bunch, Newstead’s E’cco Bistro is undoubtedly one of the best Brisbane restaurants and bars for groups. Select between a chef’s tasting menu (there are three-, four- and five-course menus to choose from), or sample the a la carte offerings, which showcase contemporary Australian dishes, and celebrate local producers and suppliers. Vegan and vegetarian chef’s menus are also on offer, so everyone in your group is catered for.
Lina Rooftop, South Brisbane
If a rooftop pool with snacks and drinks sounds like your cup of tea, then bring along a group of friends and reside in the sun lounge booth. Or if you and your friends are the type that prefer to sit and dine with a view, Lina has banquet and sharing menus to make your decisions that much easier.
sAme sAme, Fortitude Valley
As far as the best Brisbane restaurants and bars for groups go, Fortitude Valley’s Thai-inspired sAme sAme is an easy win. Start upstairs at bar LOS, where cocktails infused with the flavours of SouthEast Asia are concocted, then head downstairs to dine on light, bright dishes. From the banquet menu, try the likes of betel leaf wrapped around smoked trout and papaya with a coconut peanut dressing; move on to a Panang curry of braised Angus beef cheek with peanuts; and, end your leisurely repast with a Thai coffee panna cotta, nashi pear and tamarind. Just off James’ Street, sAme sAme sets your meal among the bars of Fortitude Valley.
Gerard’s Bistro, Fortitude Valley
A well-loved staple among James Street’s dining scene, Middle-Eastern-centric Gerard’s Bistro and Gerard’s Bar presents a festival of flavour with every visit. Paying homage to Middle Eastern recipes, combined with fresh, Australian ingredients, Gerard’s sees wood-fired and coal-grilled protein and vegetable dishes elevated by the likes of labneh, toum, muhammurah, sumac, za’atar, tahini, ras el hanout and pickles. Vegetarian friends are well looked after, and sweet-toothed loved ones will thoroughly enjoy the innovative desserts here.
Manly Boathouse, Manly
Situated right on the water at Manly’s bayside is The Manly Boathouse, a coastal dining dream. With multiple group dining options dependent on the number of people or simply your preference, you will not be disappointed. Restaurant group dining inside, marquee group dining outside next to the water yet sheltered by the marquee and the Little Boathouses, perfect for a group of up to 12. All with feed me menu options, plenty of cocktail and drink options and constant good vibes, you can’t go wrong.
Riva, Hamilton
Right on the water, Riva is the perfect breakfast and lunch spot to bring a group of friends together. The venue is designed for large group gatherings and has intentional menus that cater for groups of ten or more. For groups of less than ten, why not soak up the sun as you indulge in the delicious eats.
Patio by Range, Paddington
Relax in the sun as you enjoy craft beer and roman style pizzas in the sunshine amongst your friends at Patio by Range in Paddington. This is the perfect spot for a laid-back Sunday afternoon with your mates to catch-up and chill-out for any occasion or for no reason at all.
Kiff & Culture
If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, why not book a curated dining tour through Brisbane with Kiff & Culture? Experience some of Brisbane’s best restaurants and bars with your friends, without the worry of planning or transport. Kiff & Culture takes all the hard work out of a dining and drinking tour around Brisbane, so all you have to do, is enjoy and make memories.
Make a night of it when you #VisitBrisbane and book a stay at one of the city’s newest hotels.
