Fresh off the boat, we’re diving in to talk seafood — fish, crustaceans, molluscs and more. When it comes to the ocean’s gems, this Queensland city’s scene is second-to-none and we’ve booked ’em all. Here’s your Now Book It guide to the best seafood restaurants in Brisbane, perfect for ringing in sunny, alfresco-dining summer!
Venues are listed in no particular order.
1. Fosh
Located on the riverfront at Hamilton’s Portside Wharf, this Hamptons-inspired joint by seasoned restaurateur Michael Tassis champions local, line-caught seafood served fresh on the day. Between the open kitchen and tiled island bar, these seats come with a view of Queenslander-style arches and floor-to-ceiling glass windows that look out to the river. Knock back sweet scallops grilled with kombu butter, next to pan seared snapper in verjuice beurre blanc and golden Mooloolaba king prawns in XO butter.
Location: 39 Hercules St, Hamilton QLD 4007
Opening hours: Sunday to Thursdays, 11am – 9pm, Fridays and Saturdays 11am – 9:30pm
2. The Prawnster
This might be Brisbane’s most distinctive seafood restaurant—a 50-foot vintage prawn trawler that’s been transformed into a floating eatery, docked in the CBD. Replete with the sea breeze, here you can expect to feast on local favourites like Coffin Bay oysters, Moreton Bay bugs, Tasmanian salmon sashimi. Fresh seafood is the star here, but the venue is open for BYO so if it’s a side of bread, rice or salad you crave, feel free!
Location: City Botanic Gardens RiverHub, 147 Alice Street, Brisbane City
Opening hours: Mondays to Wednesdays 5 – 9pm, Thursdays to Sundays 12 – 9pm
3. Kickin Inn
The seafood table at Spring Hill’s Kickin Inn is a beautiful mess worth getting your hands dirty for. You’re here for the no-cutlery mixed bag, featuring mussels, swimmer crabs, prawns and more doused in punchy kajun-style sauce, then sprawled across the table. Between the addictive shrimp martini, the seafood smorgasbord and the scratch-and-win promotions, this is a group affair. Gather the gang and roll up your sleeves!
Location: 477 Boundary Street, Spring Hill
Opening hours: Daily, 11am – 9pm
4. Reef Seafood
Nestled in Gaswork Plaza, Reef Seafood and Sushi that blends an East-meets-West take on seafood is for those who enjoy variety! Whether you’re in the mood for a bento box, fresh sashimi and seafood platters, or a solid fish and chips, the menu here has something to impress for an easy lunch or casual dinner. Short on time? Grab a fresh, daily-made sushi box to take back to the office.
Location: 76 Skyring Terrace Newstead, Queensland 4006
Opening hours: Mondays to Thursdays 9am – 8pm, Fridays to Sundays, 9am – 9pm
5. Exhibition Restaurant
Chef Tim Scott’s flagship restaurant Exhibition is an ardent display of his passion for food as well as his love for the arts — from bespoke spirits to custom-designed cutlery. The 24-seater dining space packs in a distinctively moody experience with modern heritage features. Come for one of the two standout set menus, which evolves depending on what’s in season, but often stars stunning seafood. Think dry aged Blue Marlin sashimi with red shiso vinegar and smoked salmon caviar; or Western Australian scallop served with crispy chilli dressing and fermented apple.
Location: 109 Edward Street Brisbane 4000
Opening hours: Tuesdays to Saturdays 5 – 11pm
6. Patina at Customs House
Inside Brisbane’s most iconic heritage building Customs House, contemporary restaurant Patina serves up stellar dishes for sharing. And since this is a seafood list, our focus is on the lime and tomato-slicked octopus carpaccio, Abrolhos Island scallop ceviche and seasonal market fish in potato aioli, fennel gel and verjus butter. Don’t leave without knocking back a couple of the fresh oysters topped with gin and tonic granita!
Location: 399 Queen Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Opening hours: Tuesdays to Sundays 12pm onwards
7. Komeyui
For a Japanese take on seafood, this chic venue tucked in Spring Hill offers a sensory dining experience revolving around the meticulous art of sushi. Which is to say, expect outstandingly fresh fish prepared with precision. Choose from a la carte, omakase (chef’s tasting menu) or the signature 5-course menu — they all feature the some of the best sushi in Brisbane. The nori crunch that features spicy tuna and mascarpone on fried seaweed cracker deserves a special mention.
Location: 191-203 Wharf Street, Spring Hill, Brisbane 4000
Opening hours: Mondays to Saturdays, 11:30am – 10:30pm
8. Sage Yellowfin
For global flavours featuring seafood in all its glory, look to Southbank’s Sage Yellowfin’s modern Australian repertoire. The menu takes you on a journey that begins with miso ginger butter on chargrilled Fremantle octopus, lemon and gremolata Mooloolaba prawns and dill, nduja and sweet corn Tasmanian scallops. It doesn’t end there; dive into the blue swimmer crab lasagne fragranced with burnt sage and bottarga. Dining with mates who prefer meat? The smokey scotch steak also delivers.
Location: 164 Little Stanley St, South Brisbane QLD 4101
9. New Farm Seafood
From Cantinho’s Michael Hatzifotis comes this diverse seafood market and eatery nestled in Merthyr Village’s New Farm. Everything is. locally and sustainably sourced, so go trigger happy on picking out your catch of the day. Not to be missed is the whole cooked fish, which comes completely deboned and doused in luxe, silky buttery sauce of dreams. Can’t get enough? The market stays open all day if you’d like to take home fresh oysters, prawns, calamari and more.
Location: Shop 8, 85 Merthyr Road, New Farm QLD 4005
Opening hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 8am – 9pm (Kitchen opens 11am)
10. E'cco Bistro
Not only is this hatted Brisbane stalwart helmed by celebrated chef, Philip Johnson, it also has multiple hospitality awards on the shelves. The winning factor includes the venue’s seafood offerings that are as fresh as they come. Start with a nori-speckled Moreton Bay bug roll, aleppo oil and parmesan yellowfin tuna, then culminate your seafood meal with a bangin’ local king prawn risotto. If you’re out to splurge, the $185 lobster banquet menu starring the best of their seafood starters and a wood-grilled lobster is shore to please.
Location: Brisbane Restaurant & Function Room 63 Skyring Terrace, Newstead QLD 4006
Opening hours: Wednesdays and Thursdays, 6 – 10:30pm, Fridays and Saturdays 12 – 2:30pm, 6 – 10:30pm
