Agnes

Overview

From the outside, 22 Agnes Street mightn't particularly stand out. But this old brick warehouse in Fortitude Valley is home to a top-notch culinary combo. It comes from the crew behind Same Same, Bianca and Honto, as well as the acclaimed chef Ben Williamson (ex-Gerard's Bistro, The Apo) — and both of those factors make it one of Brisbane's must-visit eateries.

Step inside Agnes' three-level space, and you have a trio of options. Those keen on a drink can head downstairs to the wine bar or, on Tuesday–Thursday from 5.30pm and Friday–Saturday from 2pm, up to the rooftop. If you pick the former, you can sip your vino over snacks and dessert, and even treat your visit as a first stop before dinner or a place for an after-meal tipple.

If you'd prefer an outdoors berth, you can also grab a small or sweet bite to eat while you're looking out over the Valley and the CBD. Both bars are walk-in only, though, with no bookings taken.

You will want to reserve a spot for Agnes' main dining room, where the menu changes seasonally. Whatever is on offer, it'll come out of the low-set open-plan kitchen and likely have a woodfired flavour, because that's the kind of cooking that's on Williamson's agenda here.

Think scallop doughnuts with green onion cream, charred cucumbers with whipped peanut and lamb ribs with sesame whey caramel as snacks, plus beef tartare, clams with pork and fennel, and an oyster mushroom and potato sourdough miso dish for starters. Mains span the likes of smoked lamb neck, wood-roasted duck and dry-aged angus sirloin, while charred mango is a very fitting inclusion on the dessert list.

If you're dropping by with seven or more people, you'll need to eat your way through one of the $85 or $130 set menus, which can be matched with wines.

Agnes also has a private dining space upstairs that seats 22 people if you're celebrating somewhere special.

Appears in:
The Best Restaurants in Brisbane