Mark your calendars – here are the biggest openings still on the cards for 2024 (2024)

The first quarter of the year is in the books and it’s been a huge one. But we’ve still got plenty of 2024 to go. Here are some of the big-name bar, cafe and restaurant openings we’re looking forward to …

Supernormal, Brisbane City:Recent years have seen a number of openings orchestrated bybig-name interstate hospitality figures. In 2022, TV personalityAdrian Richardson teamed up with some Brisbane talent to openBŌS, while Guy Grossi, Martin Boetz and Motomu Kumano opened restaurants Brisbane in 2023. The trend is set to continue this year, with Andrew McConnell – the head honcho ofTrader House(the hospitality group he co-owns withJo McGann that includesCutler & Co.,Gimlet at Cavendish House,MarionandCumulus Inc.) – bringing belovedAsian-inspired concept Supernormal north, snagging a prime location at the base of443 Queen Streetto open a Brisbane iteration.Trader House is working with architectural and interior design experts Vince Alafaci and Caroline Choker of Sydney’sACMEto bring Supernormal to life, with a 120-seat layout set tofeature indoor, outdoor and private dining spaces over two levels.Positioned at river level, the main dining room and bar will boast floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping views, as well as an open kitchen so you can watch the magic unfold before your eyes. The second dining level, which can also be used as a private room, will flank the location’s heritage wall with a laneway entry from Queen Street. As for the menu, we can expect Supernormal to marry the flavours of Tokyo, Shanghai, Seoul and Hong Kong into one drool-worthy offering.Supernormalis expected to open in Brisbane in mid-2024.

Justin Lane, Fortitude Valley:A once-buzzing corner of Fortitude Valley will soon be reenergised, with thegroup behind Burleigh Heads institution Justin Lane taking over the corner previously home to Alfred & Constance. Renowned for itspizza, pasta and party vibes, Justin Lane will look to bring much of its beloved offering to its Brisbane expansion site, which is undergoing a timely refurb. The landlord is currently in the process of refreshing the site’s existing heritage-listed buildings, and is also adding a new rooftop bar. Once complete, the Justin Lane crew – alongsideSpace Cubed Design Studio– will add its signature aesthetic spin to the venue, which will boast a 200-capacity dining space, ahigh-end underground co*cktail bar,a casual coffee spot and the aforementioned rooftop space. The menu will be the same as Burleigh Heads to start, withsourdough pizzas and handmade pasta to star alongside a stellar co*cktail list. Expect wine to be a bigger focus, with the Justin Lane team eager to bolster the range of its vino to better cater to Brisbane oenophiles. If everything comes together smoothly, Justin Lane Brisbane is looking to open to the public by the midway point of the year.

Petite, Fortitude Valley:Much ado has been made of the2023 launch ofMini, theHappy Boyteam’s French bistro-inspired pop-up restaurant, and for good reason. Unbeknownst to many, however, is that Mini is secretly doubling as a testing ground for the East Street Dining crew’s next bricks-and-mortar venturePetite. Currently taking shape in a strikingspace perched atthe intersection of East Street, Ann Street and James Street, Petite will be an 80-seat wine bar akin to the group’s beloved sipping spotSnack Man. But instead of servingChinese regional small plates, Petite is expected to deliver a constellation of French-style snacks backed by a sizeable selection of French wines. Autilitarian aestheticcomprised of leather and stone will be spread across a main dining floor and mezzanine level, with a lengthy bar and open kitchen creating a dynamic interioroffset bya clutch of seats outside.Mini’s head chefAubrey Courtel will man the pans at Petite onceit openslater this year.

Cerin Pasticceria, Woolloongabba:Brisbane’s bakery scene will soon score an extra dose of Italian flair when Cerin Pasticceria opens in Woolloongabba in late-April. The brainchild ofpastry chefMatteo Cerin and front-of-house pro Giuseppe Caputo, Cerin will showcase a suite ofof Italian-style pastries, cakes, pizza by the tray and focaccia sandwiches. The duo is currently in the midst of a fit-out process, converting the old home of The Bakers Arms into a classic bakery that meshes with the heritage aspects of its Logan Round surroundings. Once complete, Cerin Pasticceria will serve smalltreats (pasticcini), individual cakes, large cakes and limited-edition celebratory cakes. The counter will be filled with biscuits and pastries (both sweet cornetti and savoury items), as well aspizzasand focacciasby the tray. A small deli section will house a range ofItalian products sourced from friendsor reputablesuppliers, while VenezianoCoffee Roasters will be supplying the all-important caffeine. Stay tuned for more!

Baker D. Chirico, Newstead:Baked-goods lovers have been waiting for more word on thelaunch ofBaker D. Chirico’s Newstead bakery. As one of Melbourne’s most highly regarded bakeries, Baker D. Chiricospecialises inloaves and pastries made using traditional bread-making techniques, natural fermentations and biodynamic stone-milled wholegrain flour. The team announced its expansion to Brisbane in late 2020, but with the pandemic still upending plans throughout 2021, 2022 and 2023, some delays were inevitable. That said, things are looking very hopeful for the bakery’s opening this year.The spaceat the base of Long Island on Longland Streetis complete and the bakery is giving us a delicious preview with a bread and pastry pop-up. Each day of opening, the Baker D. Chirico pop-up (accessed via a laneway just off Longland Street) will serve a rotating selection of treats, including its casalinga (white sourdough) as well asone or twoother specialty breads. You’ll also find sweets like croissants, pain au chocolate and bombolone, as well as a selection of savoury options – think ham and gruyere croissants and lunch paninis. The pop-up will run for a limited time with various hours – keep an eye onBaker D. Chirico’s Instagram page for opening hours and updates.

Gum Bistro, West End: Although we were saddened to hear that beloved West End restaurant Pasta Clubhadshut its doors, our moods improved when we heard that a talented chef and sommelier combo were taking custodianship of the eatery’s Boundary Street space. Together they’re openingGum Bistro– a restaurant puttingQueensland produce in the spotlight alongside a broad-reaching range of wines. Owners Lachlan Matheson and Phil Poussart willoffer aseasonally shifting menu that will swing from snacks to substantials. While menu details are still being kept close to the chest, we can confirm that Phil’s wine list will feature approximately 60 dropsto start,encompassingvino fromAustralia, France, Hungary, Austria, Germany and Slovenia. A second list of vintage drops housed in temperature-controlled storage will also be available alongside asmall list of classic co*cktails. As for the space, the duo are currently hard at work exchanging Pasta Club’s dark interioraesthetic for a brighter palette of white and green. Gum Bistro is opening this weekend – make a booking here.

ēmmē, Fortitude Valley: A fierynew restaurant will set James Street alight in 2024, one serving a tasteful and flavour-packed blend of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine.ēmmē (pronounced’em’) will open in the sitepreviously home to Spoon Deli Cafe, just off James Street, with a minimal and organic aesthetic crafted byAlkot StudioandTonic Projectsto turn the prominent space into an approachable day-and-night eatery.The restaurant will open its 44-seat interior space first, with a 2.4-m woodfire dome and open fire pit serving as the attention-grabbing fixture of the space (especially at night, when the lights dim), though an alfrescoaddition equipped with a high-end coffee bar serving Five Senses brew will be constructed at a later stage.ēmmē willoffer breakfast and lunch services first before eventually expanding into dinner, with the menu constantlyevolving based onseasonal shifts.ēmmē’s wine list willhit a number of crowd-pleasing beats and price points – expect an array of Australian and international wines, alongside beer from Felons Brewing Co. and co*cktails.ēmmē will open to the public in autumn.

Bar Hugo, West End:Anotherpair of hospo up-and-comersare set to add to West End’s drinking and dining boom with a neighbourhood bar and eatery of their own.Bar Hugois the brainchild ofNick Sebar and Shaun Kelly, who have snagged a space on Hardgrave Road for what they describe as awine and vermouth bar that will have a big focus on low-ABV drinks and non-alcoholic drinks.Nick, previously manager atSavile Row, is overseeing the vermouth and co*cktail offering, while Shaun – formerlymaître d’ atBacchus Restaurant in South Bank – is assembling a 60-strong wine list that will cover classic old-world styles and new-agevino. Bar Hugo will also be doing food – we’ve been told to expect a menu ofsmall, easily plated entree-style dishes that can be divvied up amongst groups or enjoyed as a simple snack.The Bar Hugo team is targeting April for the venue’s launch.

Bunker Barre, West End:The Thomas Dixon Centre, home of the Queensland Ballet, was the recent recipient of a$100-million makeover that transformed the cultural precinct into a full-blown arts and entertainment hub. In addition to improving theworld-class facilities, the revitalisation also added two rooftop event spaces, theChampagne Terraceand theKite Terrace –plus room for some more exciting food-centric additions. Overseeing the Thomas Dixon Centre’s hospitality offering is restaurateur Simon Barakat, who will be adding two dining concepts to the precinct this year. The first isBunker Barre, a high-endConrad Gargett-designed 80–100-seater restaurant located down in theWorld War II-era bunkers that occupy the centre’s basem*nt level. Here, theheritage brickwork will be accented by a dark colour paletteand brass touches. Booth seating will be set within the bunker’s alcoves, while a private-dining space is also expected to feature.The offering will reportedly showcase refined, share-style Mediterranean-inspiredcuisine with a focus on seafood and protein, joined by a wine list boasting plenty ofa range of top-shelf vino. In addition to Bunker Barre, Simon will also open anall-day bistrocloser to the building’s main entrance on Drake Street. Positioned more as an approachable, everyday kind of concept, the bistro will hawkhealthy and classic breakfasts,as well as lunch and dinner dishes as the day progresses.Both venues are expected to open in 2024.

, Fortitude Valley: A one-of-a-kindbar will be taking over a beloved site in Fortitude Valley this year whenPawn & Coopens on Ann Street. The concept, best described as a pawn-shop-meets-nightclub hybrid, first opening in Melbourne 11 years ago, piquing the curiosity of punters with the promise that everything inside Pawn & Co was for sale – including the business itself. Pawn & Co’s owners,Josh Lefers, Stephen Wools and Steve Thomas, are now bringing the Pawn & Co experience to Brisbane, transforming the two-level site (previously home to Laruche) into a wonderland ofbeats, bang-on co*cktailsand big-ticket auction items. Once the fit-out (undertaken by Lowry Group) is complete, Pawn & Co’s interior will be coated in kitschy curiosities and imported one-of-a-kind finds, as well as some elaborate custom fixtures that are almost art pieces.All Pawn & Co stock will be affixed with QR codes to give you a history of each object, with new pieces expected to be added regularly.Pawn & Co Brisbane will also boast its own perfumery (which will craft scents for sale as retail outside of the club), a mechanical snow globe (that moves between levels) housing its ownbar experience, and a small automated nail salon. Top-notch DJs will propel bodies into motion via a brand-new sound system, while the bar will be dispensinginteractive carnival-inspired co*cktails.Pawn & Co will be launching in the coming months.

Evra, Newstead:Newstead continues to gun for the title of Brisbane’s epicurean epicentre, with more and more bars and eateries slotting into vacant spaces around the suburb.Los Angeles-inspired marketplace, wine boutique and restaurantEvrahashada plum site on Longland Street staked out for some time, but now we’re finally getting to learn more about what the multifaceted locale has in store. Offering everything fromconvenient and nutritious grab-and-go morselsto luxuriouslunches and dinners, Evra will cater to most needs across its two distinct halves. The casual marketplace will servebusy locals a range oflifestyle essentials, includingfresh, nutritionally dense, easy-to-grab meals,bottled tonics, smoothies, huge salads andcoffees. Plus, there will also be a bespokewine merchant for last-minute vino pickups.Evra’s 120-seat dine-in portion will see head chefNeven Vanderzee put his Michelin-starred experience to the test withbreakfast, lunch and dinnermenus showcasingcoastal and country produce sourced from local growers and producers.These dishes will be complemented by a beverage program curated by head sommelier and venue manager Florian Valieres, featuringclassic co*cktails as well as a sturdy wine list thatis alreadyearning acclaim.Evra is expected to open in the coming months.

Naldham House, Brisbane City:The next few years are going to be big for Brisbane City. A string of high-profile developments will completely reshape the inner-city (and its dining scene), including Queens Wharf (more on that below), Waterfront Brisbane and the completion of443 Queen Street, among others. Naldham House, a heritage landmark perched at thejunctionofEagle, Mary andMarket Streets, is currently undergoing a refurbishment process that will restore it to its former grandeur ahead of its debut as a newdining and entertainment hub.Dexus Property Grouphasteamed up withDAP & Co.– the Brisbane-based hospitality groupbehindWalter’s Steakhouse,PopoloandThe Gresham– to bring some to-be-announced concepts to the iconic site. The team is keeping details close to the chest so far, but with a site as stunning as Naldham House to work with, we can assume theDAP & Co.crew has some incredible plans in the works.

The Star Brisbane, Brisbane City:As we get closer to the official opening date of Queen’s Wharf, expect announcements regarding the precinct’s food and beverage options to come thick and fast. The Star Brisbane has already started sharing sneak peeks at what we can look forward to, including members of The Star’s established culinary family,Cucina Regina,Fat NoodleandCherry. The crown jewels of the precinct, however, will be those positioned at the hub’s rooftop playground, the highly anticipated Sky Deck. Leading the culinary offering will be The Star Brisbane’s signature restaurantAloria, an elegant Euro-inspired dining destination using time-honoured woodfire techniques to bring the best out of dry-aged beef and sensational Queensland seafood. Aloria will boast a cellar filled to the brim withpremium vino, while a dedicated martinimenuwill offer everything from simple, well-executed classics toinventive riffs. Also occupying prime position at Sky Deck will beBabblers, a family-friendly all-day diner servingshare-style feeds (thinkhand-crafted flatbreadscrownedwith seasonal produce) alongside Australian craft beer and wines.At the centre of Sky Deck will sitCicada Blu, an open-air bar servingpre-dinner aperitifs and botanical-infused post-dinnerco*cktails. To get a glimpse at the renders for Aloria, Babblers and Cicada Blu, be sure to check out our morein-depth rundownof the exciting news.The Star Brisbane at Queen’s Wharf will open to the public inAugust 2024.

Mr Duncans, Fortitude Valley:Fortitude Valley’s Chinatown Mallis soon to get a new lease on life, with a multi-million-dollar food and drink concept slated to open in November this year.Mr Duncanswill take over an expansive new spaceon the car park side of the mall, promising to bring a lively atmosphere back to the once-buzzing strip. The brainchild of Vince Mōefa’auo, whopreviously operated The Valley’sHalo Groundcafe, Mr Duncans will feature a cafe, bar and five individual kitchens serving a variety of cuisines across the almost-300-seat venue. Essentially diners will be able to find a seat in the communal dining room, then order via QR code from the array of cuisines on offer, to enjoy share style. During the day, the focus will be on high-quality quick-service selections,promising satisfying restaurant-quality meals in a fraction of the time (and cost). Come evening, expect larger, more premium, share-style dishes, including charcuterie, pasta and meat by the kilo. Vince is currently in the process of securing the right operators for the space, but we’re told to expect a meat-focused kitchen, rice bowls, pasta, noodles, Portuguese-style grilled chicken and a carvery and deli option. Mr Duncans will also feature a full-service bar (we hear an alcoholic ice-cream is in the works) and cafe, serving up egg muffins and grab-and-go eats. Vince’s plans for Mr Duncans don’t stop at the 75-m-fronted space – he also plans to expand its footprint into the centre of the mall with a kiosk-style bar and eaterydown the track.

The Wright House, Woolloongabba:The Talisman Group has made a mission out of establishing its own dining precinct in the foundations of South City Square.Later this year the hospitality group will addThe Wright House, a whopping 300-seat brewpub, to its thriving portfolio, which also includes Sasso Italiano,Casa Chow,South City Wine,Purple Palmand Los Felix. This hybrid bar and eatery willmesh mid-century American architecture and Australian pub culture,taking design cues from iconic American architect and designer Frank Lloyd Wright. Ahomely aestheticof stone, tile and timberwill be applied to the spacious interior, itself boasting ahovering cantilevered mezzanine accessed by a floating glass and wood staircase, an open kitchen centred around a2.5-m Spanish style parrillawith a woodfirehearth, andsix custom rose-gold bright tanks above the bar. Executive chefGabriele Di Landri will craft a menu of pub-style fare melding Australian and American flavours, using the woodfire grill to cook everything from beef burgers to veal schnitzels.The bright tanks will be used to dispense beercrafted by the crew at Aether Brewing, including an American-style ale made exclusively for The Wright House. Thesebeers will be available alongsideclassic co*cktails, a broad array of spirits and a wine list of quaffable Australian vino. That’s not all the Talisman Group has planned for the venue – up on the mezzanine level guests will findThe Office, a 30-seat private dining room and old-school American-style steakhouse that is shaping up to be the perfect spot forMad Menfans to live out their Don Draper fantasies (as long as those fantasies include oysters and steaks at midday). Expect black-leather booths,dark mahogany furnishings,filing cabinets built into the joinery, vintage lamps and shelves displayingdecanters, globes and books.The parilla will also be utilised for The Office’s menu of steakhouse fare, withan assortment ofsalivation-worthy steaks available alongsideAmerican-inspired steakhouse sides. The Office will boast adedicated Manhattan bar and awine listshowcasing big and bold American vino (think shiraz and cabernet, to match the steaks).The Wright House and The Officeis slated to open in late 2024.

Stilts andMulga Bill’s, Brisbane City:Thisyear is set to be a big one for denizens of the inner city. Not only will the forthcoming Kangaroo Point Green Bridge vastly improve access to The City’s waterfront, the crossing’s completion will also herald the arrival of two brand-new eateries from Michael Tassis of Opa Bar & Mezze and Yamas Greek + Drink fame.Tassis Groupwillopenover-water restaurant Stiltsand anall-daybicycle-themed cafeMulga Bill’sonthegreen bridge, infusing both concepts with tributes to history and place. Stilts – a name that pays homage to the traditional Queenslander home, perched high on stilts – willsit more thantenmetres above the Brisbane River in a 300-sqm spaceboasting an estimated capacity of 130 guests. Equipped with a bar and a private-dining area, the restaurant willoffer near-unbeatable views along The City’s waterfront stretch and across the Brisbane River to the Story Bridge and Kangaroo Point cliffs. In the kitchen, a woodfire grill will cook an array of morsels, with protein and seafood – think steak, lobster and mud crab – expected to be key components of the menu. A more casualcafe-style concept compared to its sibling venue Stilts,Mulga Bill’s willserve woodfired pizzas, tapas, steak and seafood to dine-in patrons,grab-and-go pastries and coffee to commuters,plus takeaway picnic boxesperfect for grazing amongst the nearbyparkland and public spaces.More details on Stilts andMulga Bill’swillbe revealed closer to theGreen Bridge’s completion.

Longwang, Brisbane City: Following hot on the heels of2023’s headline-grabbing openings ofFoshand, Michael Tassis has announced the forthcominglaunch ofyet another dining concept, set toarrive in early this year. Pan Asian-inspired bar and restaurant Longwang will opendown aslender alleyway space off Edward Street in The City.Though itmay have diners tittering at its branding, Longwangshares its name withthe revered Dragon King, aChinesewaterandweather god who was said todispenserain and have command over all bodies of water. Longwang will pay homage to its namesake through a menu that explorescontemporary Asian gastronomy, especially seafood. Executing Longwang’soffering will be executive chef and partner Jason Margaritis – an accomplished cuisiner who has previously helmed the kitchen atsAme sAmeandDonna Chang. Longwang will be the Tassis Group’s most unconventionalrestaurant to date, as far as footprint is concerned. Measuring 3-m wide and 30-m in length, Longwang willboast a slim custom-builtlayoutdivided over two levels, with an open-air bar situated on the upstairs mezzanine offering a vantage point over the streetscape.Clui Designis once again collaborating on the aesthetic, with black steel structural elements, jade-coloured marble accents and elegant brass embellishments expected to feature. Longwang is targeting an autumn 2024 opening.

Fatcow on James St, Fortitude Valley: Just when you thoughtMichael Tassiscouldn’t fit any more on his place, he announces the forthcoming opening of another eatery – this time on James Street.Late last year, the Tassis Groupannounced that it would be reopeningFatcow,the formerly Eagle Street Pier-based steak and seafood restaurant, onthe high street in 2024. Fatcow on James St will open in new digs at 10 James Street, aspace likely familiar tomany as the formerDavid Jones site – just near James St Market. The crew is targeting an autumn opening date,with regular collaboratorsClui Designconceiving a slick aesthetic to matchFatcow’s elevated fare, which showcases the best of land and sea on a plate.