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Is that your stomach rumbling we hear? Well, get ready to pick up a fork, because you’re about to taste adventure like no other in the rich hotpot of Fortitude Valley.
Just next door to our Rambla @ Perry House home is one of Brisbane’s most stylish and hip-happening precincts, Fortitude Valley. The inner-city suburb is every foodie’s dream thanks to its expansive and diverse mix of delicious cuisines.
From classic Italian and artisan French to fresh Japanese and unparalleled vegan, Fortitude Valley restaurants are renowned throughout the city and even Australia-wide. If you’re about to embark on a short stay in Brisbane, you’ll want to pop these mouthwatering must-visits into your calendar.
Side note: We couldn’t possibly talk about all the best restaurants in Fortitude Valley, so we may need to revisit this in a part two blog. Keep your eyes peeled.
For now, let’s dig into the good stuff!
What Are the Best Italian Restaurants?
Belissimo, bella! That’s us trying to do a good Italian restaurant review. We know it needs work, but what doesn’t need improving is the string of delectable authentic Italian restaurants dashed around Fortitude Valley.
Got a soft spot for quality antipasti, rich and creamy pasta, and the softest of classic pizzas? You’ll want to visit these 3 top Italian Fortitude Valley restaurants.
Biànca Restaurant
Top menu picks:
- Kingfish carpaccio with chilli, lemon and basil
- Wagyu bresaola and Parmigiano Reggiano
- Strozzapreti prosciutto ragu with buffalo curd and lemon zest
Where: 46 James Street, Fortitude Valley
Bursting with Italian charm, Biànca graces Fortitude Valley's lively James Street with the essence of a classic trattoria. This authentic Italian hotspot is a love letter to all things pizza, pasta, and antipasti, and the menu is truly heavenly.
Biànca celebrates simple yet exquisite Italian dishes, infused with the vibrant flavours of Australia's culinary scene. From homemade pastas to artisanal breads, every detail is crafted in-house to *chef's kiss* perfection.
The carefully curated wine selection features Italian gems that perfectly accompany the culinary creations. You'll be greeted by friendly and welcoming staff who are eager to make you feel at home in their charming trattoria.
Gemelli
Top menu picks:
- Margherita pizza with San Marzano tomato, fior di latte and basil
- Gnocchi Quattro Formaggi with gorgonzola, fontina, asiago, parmigiano-reggiano and cream
- Polpo Alla Griglia – grilled (WA) tender octopus served with a radicchio, potato, capers and chilli salad
Where: 15 James Street, Fortitude Valley
Gemelli embraces its Italian roots and celebrates the love for good food that runs in the family. Gemelli, which means twins in Italian, perfectly represents the feeling of la familia which is evident from the moment you set foot in the restaurant.
With their flagship restaurant in Broadbeach, Gemelli opened up its doors to a second eatery on prestigious James Street – and it's safe to say, we're pretty glad they did!
Gemelli carefully selects and imports the finest products from Italy to ensure an authentic experience. The menu boasts a sumptuous list of antipasti, salumi, pizza, and pasta, and one visit to this stunning restaurant simply won't be enough!
Get your fill of handmade Italian classics served in a sparklingly intimate setting.
Book a seat at Gemelli on James Street.
Ristorante Tartufo
Top menu picks:
- Vitello Tonnato – thinly sliced braised veal served cold with a mayonnaise of tuna, capers, and topped with cornichons and granulated pepper and mustard leaves
- Quaglia Al Forno – Brisbane Valley protein char grilled quail served with honey-glazed coffee-infused carrots, beetroot, poppy seeds & balsamic reduction
- Mascarpone Al Cacao – Mascarpone whipped with strega, marsala and served with savoiardi biscuits soaked in coffee, sprinkled with bitter cocoa
Where: 15 James Street, Fortitude Valley
Tartufo is the epitome of a classic Italian restaurant where the chefs and staff pour their hearts into creating an unforgettable atmosphere and experience.
This Italian eatery has been a go-to destination since 2010 for authentic Naples-inspired cuisine accompanied by impeccable service. Led by the talented and acclaimed head chef and owner Tony Percuoco, the team serves up remarkable dishes every day of the week.
From the indulgent eight-course degustazione (tasting) menu to the authentic Neapolitan pizzas paired with imported Italian beer, Tartufo is dedicated to delivering an authentic Italian dining experience rooted in genuine hospitality.
Step inside and immerse yourself in genuine Italian hospitality as you indulge in the enchanting flavours of Neapolitan specialities. Saluti!
Book a table at Ristorante Tartufo.
What Are the Best Japanese Restaurants?
Handmade sushi, fresh sashimi, soft dumplings, and steamed gyoza…all of these and more are on the tantalisingly good-looking menus of the best Japanese restaurants Fortitude Valley has to offer.
Whether you’re a chopstick guru or a simple sushi fiend, these hand-picked Japanese hotspots are more than just restaurants. They’re quintessential culinary experiences that will transport you from the leafy streets of Brisbane into the cherry-blossomed lanes of Japan.
hôntô
Top menu picks:
- Moreton Bay Bug Nigiri with wasabi and scampi caviar
- Tempura King Prawn sushi with fermented chilli mayo and avocado
- Steamed pork gyoza with chilli oil and chives
Where: Alden Street, Fortitude Valley
Nestled in the vibrant end of the Valley is a dark and moody space that will elevate your idea of Japanese cuisine forever.
hôntô is a Japanese culinary adventure that takes traditional dishes and gives them a contemporary twist using local ingredients. The menu is a fusion of classic Japanese favourites and exciting new creations that will leave you craving more.
Of course, good food deserves good company and even better drinks. Alongside the usual suspects like wine, beer, and cocktails, hônt offers a curated selection of rare and unconventional Japanese Whiskey and Sake.
With a cosy little bar called ÔÔ, a raw dining bar, and a main dining room, hôntô seriously delivers some of Brisbane's finest, freshest and most flavourful Japanese food.
Book your experience at hôntô.
WAGAYA
Top menu picks:
- Wagyu beef steak hotpot
- Fresh snapper sashimi
- Grilled yakitori
Where: Duncan Street, Fortitude Valley (inside the TCB Centre)
Step into WAGAYA and find yourself in a cherry blossom oasis of sumptuous smells and moody lights. This ultra-authentic Japanese restaurant features all the decor, art and service that you’d find throughout Japan.
With an easy touch-screen ordering system and a menu packed with the best Japanese delicacies, food lovers will be in heaven at this intimate yet vibrant Fortitude Valley restaurant.
What Are the Best French Restaurants?
Feeling a little fancy? Fortitude Valley’s French restaurants will have you swirling your wine and tasting your escargots in ultimate style.
From a delectable duck and cognac parfait to the classic French onion soup, the Valley’s exquisite eateries are like little slices of France tucked into the relaxing urban oasis of Brisbane’s favourite suburb.
Tuck into these French restaurants and get ready to indulge in some of the city’s finest food and wine. Bon appétit!
Montrachet
Top menu picks:
- Duck and cognac parfait with orange and house-made brioche
- Pan-roasted Abrolhos Island scallops, young fennel and citrus salad, beurre noisette and lemon sabayon
- Green Apple with Calvados and gingerbread spiced entremets, apple core sorbet and golden raisin
Where: 30 King Street, Bowen Hills
A short ways down the road from Rambla @ Perry House sits Montrachet, one of Brisbane’s finest French restaurants and a testament to impeccable service and extraordinary dining experiences.
Talented owners Shannon and Clare Kellam, along with their dedicated staff, bring their wealth of experience to ensure the tradition of excellence continues. And it’s no wonder this is one of the best restaurants in Fortitude Valley; Montrachet’s list of accolades is so extensive, we had to keep scrolling to get to the bottom.
Montrachet’s bistro-style dining concept and mouthwatering menu showcases amazing produce and culinary techniques honed through years of practice and learning. Paired with warm and precise service, this exquisite eatery is as much about the ambience as it is about the food.
Rouge Bistro
Top menu picks:
- Triple cream brie mousse tart with beetroot and mandarin gel
- Wimmera duck breast with Urban Valley forest mushrooms, mushroom tea and torched duck fat malto
- Wattleseed crème brûlée with frozen popcorn cream and fresh rosella
Where: 14 Austin Street, Newstead
Enter a world of true French bliss, one of Brisbane’s best French restaurants and a truly sumptuous dining experience. The dark, moody ambience and sleek, Parisian interiors set the scene for a night of indulgence, complemented further by the unparalleled service and knowledgeable wait staff.
Rouge Bistro boasts a plethora of traditional French dishes while also catering to a wealth of dietary requirements. Who says you can’t enjoy the best of French dining when you’ve got a food allergy?
Browse Rouge’s vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, seafood-free, gluten-free and dairy-free menus for a seriously bountiful and inclusive dining experience that leaves no one behind.
What Are the Best Vegan Restaurants?
We couldn’t finish this guide to the best restaurants in Fortitude Valley without mentioning some of the top vegan eateries around town.
At Rambla, we’re big on sustainability. From our solar-powered common areas and electric car charging station, to the Who Gives A Crap recycled bamboo toilet paper in every room, it’s safe to say we love to help greenify the planet.
If you’re vegan or vegetarian and seeking some of the most eco-friendly yet hands-down-delicious places to eat during your stay, this is the list for you.
VeganBurgz
Top menu picks:
- Cheesy B – kidney beans, onion, lentils and coconut oil-infused patty with gherkins, dairy-free cheddar cheese, ketchup and mustard
- Free Little Pigs – smokey vegan pulled pork burger with creamy coleslaw
- Chick’n Me Out – housemade vegan chicken patty topped with kale, tomato, onion and a zesty house lime aioli
Where: 455 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
If you’re feeling adventurous, in need of a quick bite, or want to really live the local Brisbane life, VeganBurgz is a must-visit during your next trip. Quench your thirst for burgers, fries, shakes and drool-worthy desserts, all while staying kind to the planet (and your waistband).
VeganBurgz offers 100% vegan meals and a seriously good menu of vegan burgers. Their trademark green buns are made from matcha, giving them a healthy kick while looking extremely Instagrammable before you dive in.
Check out the VeganBurgz Facebook page for all the details.
ZA ZA TA Bar and Kitchen
Top menu picks:
- Slow fermented zaatar potato bread
- BBQ cauliflower shawarma with labneh mornay, green papaya and curry leaf oil
- Cashew cheesecake with rhubarb conserve and pine nut sable
Where: 1000 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
Voted Queensland’s best vegetarian restaurant in the 2022 Delicious. 100 list, ZA ZA TA Bar and Kitchen is one of (if not the) best vegan restaurants in Fortitude Valley – and probably in all of Brisbane.
Embark on a veggie-filled adventure that stretches from sunrise to sunset at ZA ZA TA’s quirky abode. Delight in a fusion of Middle Eastern influences and locally sourced goodness, with a scrumptious menu of exotic dishes that will transport your taste buds.
Inspired by the vibrant dining scene of Tel Aviv, the Fortitude Valley restauarnt’s culinary journey blends traditional spices with contemporary flair, painting a modern masterpiece of flavours for vegetarians, vegans, and foodies alike.
Book your table at ZA ZA TA Bar and Kitchen.
Tastes of Adventure are Just a Dumpling Away
Have we got you feeling peckish for adventure? Well, we’re certainly hungry for these fabulous Fortitude Valley restaurants. The best part is that when you stay with us at Rambla @ Perry House, you’re just a dumpling away from all these delicious eateries.
Book your stay with us in the neighbouring suburb of Bowen Hills and enjoy all of these restaurants and more. Plus, if you book direct on our website, you’ll save 5-10% off and get complimentary parking for your entire stay. We love to sweeten the deal.
Happy eating!
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