Overview
2024 is a big year for Brisbane's new Queen's Wharf precinct, which will finally start opening its doors from August after being in the works for almost a decade. It's also a huge year for the Tassis Group, after already launching Longwang and Fatcow on James Street, and with two new venues to come in Kangaroo Point's green bridge before 2025 hits. What happens when you combine both the River City's about-to-open $3.6-billion inner-city hub and one of the town's thriving hospitality outfits, then? Dark Shepherd, making a massive period for both even heftier.
The announcements just keep coming for Queen's Wharf, with the latest arriving just a week after Ghanem Group also revealed that it'd open Lúc Lắc, its own latest eatery, at the new The Star Brisbane. Tassis Group's Dark Shepherd is headed to the same spot, bringing a taste of the Mediterranean with a particular focus on lamb on the menu.
With both Yamas Greek + Drink and Opa Bar + Mezze already to its name, the Tassis crew is no stranger to Greek cuisine, but its next addition will take its cues more broadly from the surrounding region. With both Fatcow and Rich & Rare in its stable as well, it's also not new to heroing red meat, even if lamb rather than beef is in the spotlight at Dark Shepherd. And yes, this is still the company responsible for Fosh Bar & Restaurant, which means that seafood will pop on among the newcomer's dishes.
Brisbanites will be able to tuck into Dark Shepherd's culinary lineup from sometime in September, with woodfired meals from the grill also a focus.
Clui Design is on decor duties, with the venue set to include a sunken dining room as well as a private dining room. A live oyster-shucking station will also feature.
Restaurants-wise, add Dark Shepherd to the Queen's Wharf list alongside the Indochine-leaning Lúc Lắc, the initial outpost beyond Sydney for Japanese fine-diner Sokyo, the relocated Black Hide Steak and Seafood, Italian eatery Cucina Regina, Luke Nguyen's reimagined Fat Noodle, cocktail bar Cherry, the new LiveWire with its live music focus, and a towering deck filled with restaurants and bars that will sit 100 metres above the city.
The full precinct will also include the 4.5-star Dorsett and Australia's only Rosewood hotel, Brissie's first riverside bikeway cafe and a swathe of retailers in a huge new shopping precinct. More dining, such as an ice creamery, Asian cuisine and other spots themed around parts of the world, will come, too. And, so will the revitalised heritage buildings, which will feature food, beverage and retail options.
Find Dark Shepherd at The Star Brisbane, Queen's Wharf Road, Brisbane from sometime in September 2024 — we'll update you with an exact opening date when it is announced. Head to the restaurant's website for more details in the interim.
Food images: Markus Ravik.