Casual date night

Whether it’s a first date or a long-standing weekly date night, keep it casual and let the food do the talking with these relaxed restaurants.

Betty’s Burgers, Albert St

Betty’s Burgers is a classic burger shack serving up American-style burgers, fries and thick shakes. The burgers average $15 and you can’t go wrong with a side of beer-battered onion rings or two. You’re also sorted for dessert with a selection of delicious thick shakes and ice creams. 

Embassy Bar & Kitchen, Elizabeth St

If you’re looking for solid gastropub with craft beer in The City, take your date to Embassy Hotel where Nothing on the bar menu is over $35. Or order a selection of sharing dishes that are all under $20, including Embassy’s chicken wings, beer battered onion rings and jackfruit nachos and take in the fun interior.

Grill’d, Wintergarden

For a casual go-to date spot, you can’t go past the Australian-owned healthy burger joint, Grill’d. The large burger range is affordable and will leave you with spare change for a side of the famous chips and dipping sauces. Who doesn't love a big burger?

Hakataya Ramen, Queen Street Mall & Uptown

Japanese ramen is traditionally a quick and casual meal so the Hakataya Ramen stores on Queen Street Mall and in the Uptown are suitably casual. Drop in before a movie or during your late-night shopping date for a bowl of flavourful ramen made with 48-hour simmered broths, or a plate of gyoza and musubi.

Hellcat Maggie, Corner of Rich Lane and Wharf Street

HellCat Maggie is a hidden gem, tucked away in the heart of Brisbane City. At night, Hellcat Maggie turns into a cheeky playground where couples can indulge in quirky drinks and bar snacks with live music setting the atmosphere. Share popcorn chicken, fish tacos and mozzarella sticks or grab a hearty burger for under $20 and choose from the crispy selection of fries to share.

Santa Monica, Ann St

Enter a beach-vibe oasis at Santa Monica in the centre of The City. This casual dining spot serves up relaxed American-style fare. Think gourmet burgers, salads, pizzas, pub favourites, loaded fries and wash it all down with craft beers and cocktails.

Red Hook, Gresham Lane

Red Hook is a laneway bar and American street food joint.. From Monday to Friday, 11am to 3pm, you can grab a burger, fries and natural lager for just $20, or pop in on Wednesdays for $1 wings. Most meals on the regular menu come in under $20 and Red Hook’s killer tunes and epic drinks list make for a super hip, chilled-out laneway dinner.

Adventurous date night

Want to get a little adventurous and impress your date? We’re talking spicy foods, international foods, and foods with a twist that you can find all throughout The City for a cheap date night out!

Funny Funny, Burnett Lane

Korean food can be fun, interactive and is usually quite cheap. We recommend Funny Funny in Burnett Lane. It’s open late and is perfect for adventurous couples ready to team up and cook a hot pot or DIY barbecue at the table. Don’t feel like cooking yourself? Order rice dishes, savoury pancakes and other traditional delights ready to dig into and share with your date.

Harajuku Gyoza, Albert Lane

The raindrop cake, the generously sized crispy chicken karaage, the dessert bao buns – Harajuku Gyoza isn’t one to shy away from an Instagram trend or novelty dish. Drop into this casual Japanese diner for bowls of Japanese curry and plates of gyoza. Two can feast for under $50, easily.

Kinn-Imm, QueensPlaza

Kinn-Imm translates to “eat full” so you know this is the place to fill up and indulge in all your favourite Thai dishes. Sit down at this cleverly designed vintage-style Asian restaurant on the bottom level of QueensPlaza. Try some of the more unusual soups, wok dishes, curries, stir-fries and salads with most of the menu around $25.

Irish Murphy’s, George St

If you’re chasing the best craic in town, Irish Murphy’s stakes its claim. This classic Irish pub opened back in 1999 and you can drop in for some foot-stomping fun and a classic Irish pub meal. You can't go past the selection of pies for under $30 and bangers and mash for only $27.

New Shanghai, QueensPlaza

Head to the bottom level of QueensPlaza and step into New Shanghai’s traditional 1930s street-style restaurant. Dine on the signature xiao long bao, pan-fried pork buns, handmade dumplings and dim sum, salt and pepper prawns and stir-fried noodles. The date-friendly menu is designed to share, and many of the dishes are less than $20 each and is the perfect stop in before you shop the late-night trade.

Romantic date night

Love is in the air and in The City! You don’t have to spend a lot to impress here in Brisbane with impressive restaurants trading on every street and laneway.

Comuna Cantina, Albert Lane

Start your night off with a cheeky cocktail and South American street food at Comuna Cantina. Tuck into starters, tacos, quesadillas, burritos, salads and nachos in this vibey laneway bistro. Everything is best paired with a jug of sangria or a Corona, of course.

Fat Noodle, The Star Casino

Celebrity chef Luke Nguyen’s Fat Noodle is a classy diner located inside the brand new beautiful Casino located in The Star Brisbane, offering signature Vietnamese dishes along with Chinese and Thai food. Famous for its fast and friendly service and stylish interior, most of its smaller plates cost no more than $25. If you have a little more to splurge, you can’t go past Luke’s signature dishes for under $35.

Taro’s Ramen, Queen St

After top national food journalists named it the best ramen in Australia, Taro’s Ramen is certainly a venue designed to impress your date. The pork broth tonkotsu has a special place in our hearts but knowing how seriously Taro takes his ramen, the vegan is excellent too. All dishes are under $25 unless you make changes or additions. For all our gluten free friends, there are options for you too!

Vapiano, Albert Lane

Drool-worthy pizza and pasta for under $30 seems too good to be true but Vapiano in Albert Lane makes it happen. The sweet Italian-style desserts also visit us in our dreams. We are particularly fond of the lunch combos that are only $15 Monday to Friday.

Mr Wabi, Burnett Lane  

For a cheap yet romantic dinner, you must meet Mr Wabi. With most dishes under $30, Mr Wabi focuses on quality produce and service to encourage people to come together for good times. Make your booking to find out why it’s one of the best Asian fusion restaurants in Brisbane. 

Pancake Manor, Charlotte St

It’s all in the name – pancakes are this Brisbane institution's specialty. Pancake Manor has been flipping batter since 1979 and we can confirm it has perfected its pancake craft in the years since. Traditional-style pancakes are less than $13 a serve and something a little more fancy will set you back another $6 at most. The savoury options are a bit more expensive but still come in under that $25 sweet spot.