Good Food Guide’s Top Hats in Brisbane for 2013

The 2013 brisbanetimes.com.au Good Food Guide, celebrating Queensland’s best food and wine, was released yesterday following Monday night’s much-anticipated launch and awards ceremony. Brisbane foodies waited with bated breath as their favourite restaurants were judged in categories including Restaurant of the Year, Wine List of the Year and Diners’ Choice. The competitive field featured 50 newcomers, including locals Alfred & Constance, Gerard’s Bistro, Pony Dining and Riverbar & Kitchen.

Gerard’s Bistro took home the Best New Restaurant award in the end, impressing with its casual elegance and Middle Eastern-inspired menu. Other notable winners were Esquire, taking out Restaurant of the Year; Chef of the Year Alejandro Cancino (Urbane); Cabiria for Best Bar with Food; and BYO Restaurant of the Year Rhubarb Rhubarb.

The nationally recognised chef’s hat rating system was used to reward 45 restaurants with one or more hats, but also caused a few upsets with Brisbane’s 1889 Enoteca, Alchemy, Cinco Bistro, Era Bistro, and Reserve each losing their one-hat status. Overall, though, the feeling coming out of the awards night was one of positivity.

Good Food Guide editor Natascha Mirosch said, “From our very best hatted restaurants to our cheerful casuals, Brisbane is one of the most exciting places to eat and drink in the country right now.” Mirosch also noted marked trends towards smart casual dining, share plates, and artisan wine and beer offerings.

Three Hats

Esquire

Located riverfront in Brisbane's CBD, this degustation menu changes daily and is filled with innovative and exciting meals created by Executive Chef Ryan Squires.

Two Hats

Aria

Matt Moran and Peter Sullivan's Aria has been a popular fine dining fixture in Brisbane known for its fresh and contemporary food and exquisite wine list to match.

Ortiga

Ortiga has a Spanish flair that has people coming back time and time again for their incredible tapas, share plates and first-class service.

Stokehouse

For fine dining on the riverfront, Stokehouse is in a superb location at South Bank with a relaxed vibe and a beautiful contemporary Australian menu.

Urbane

The seasonal menus bring together fresh produce and molecular gastronomy in flavour combinations sure to surprise and delight.

One Hat

Bistro One Eleven

Bistro One Eleven has beautiful, simple food as is Philip Johnson’s style. The restaurant has a relaxed but elegant atmosphere and is the perfect place for corporate diners to enjoy a very well executed lunch or dinner.

Brents the Dining Experience

Located in Toowong, Brents is the best suburban French food you can find, with a romantic setting, wonderful food and award-winning service.

E'cco Bistro

At E’cco you are met with the ultimate dining experience: charismatic and welcoming staff, warm and inviting décor, and faultlessly delicious meals.

The Euro

Conceived to offer a more relaxed dining experience than its older sister Urbane, the Euro has a brilliant mediterranean-inspired menu with an Australian twist.

Gerard's Bistro

Gerard's is a restaurant and bar specialising in mezze-style meals with a retro yet exotic space to enjoy.

Il Centro

A Brisbane icon, Il Centro is known for their signature sand crab lasagne dish and also the award-winning service of restaurant manager Zahir Meher-Homji.

Malt Dining

An intimate venue in the heart of the CBD, with flavour rich dishes and rustic charm.

Montrachet

Paddington's favourite French experience is here, with a breathtaking list of French wines and heartwarming and classic dishes.

Prive 249

Located at the Sofitel, Prive 249 offers a French-Australian inspired menu in a romantic setting.

Public

Public has made a huge and incredibly positive impression on Brisbane residents in the last year. Their inventive and flawless menu has diners returning to try their favourite dishes over and over.

Restaurant Two

David Pugh's long-running restaurant is renowned for their focus on local Queensland produce created into inventive and exciting dishes.

Sake

For a wonderful all-round experience, Sake serves exceptional Japanese food and offers some of the most delicious and unique cocktails you will taste - think sake!

Tank

A popular place to dine on the law and order side of town with a focus on local Queensland produce, most popular for a long lunch.

Tartufo

This classic Italian establishment, is a standout in the popular Emporium complex. Dishes are simple yet stylish and are more than adequate representations of what a typical Italian family would feast on.

Vintaged

If you want old world hotel charm then Vintaged is the place to go. Channel your inner Donald Draper and pick yourself a delicious slab of meat accompanied by an Old Fashioned.