Overview
"When you're standing at The Summit, you can see for miles — from the city to the bay and out to the hinterland," says Kym Machin. "We wanted the menu to reflect that sense of scale and beauty." As Head Chef at Mt Coot-tha's reborn restaurant, the ex-Urbane talent is guiding the kitchen at a new-but-old Brisbane venue. It was back in 2023 that word arrived about the eatery's transformation with Mantle Group at the helm. Now, the first results are on display.
Heading upwards in this part of Brissie can again include a stop at The Summit Restaurant, although this lofty eatery has undergone changes via its multimillion-dollar revamp. Among its current features: a brewpub-style public bar, a dining room and a view-heavy verandah. This is just the initial stage of Mantle Group's Mt Coot-tha vision, with a two-level pavilion venue and a boutique gin distillery still in the planning stage — and ideally set to sit atop the mountain by the time the 2032 Olympic Games hit Brisbane. The same goes for a new cultural tourism experience that'll pay tribute to Mt Coot-tha's history and significance.
"The Summit is one of the most-unique dining sites in the country: beautiful by day and absolutely spectacular at night. But most importantly, it's a place for the people of Brisbane. Our most-important guests are our neighbours — the locals who walk up the mountain every day, who bring their families here on weekends and who have made this place part of their lives. We wanted to create something that felt worthy of that loyalty," advises Mantle Group founder Godfrey Mantle.
"Our ambition is to make The Summit one of the most-iconic destinations in Queensland — a place that captures the natural beauty, rich history and vibrant spirit of Brisbane. The Summit Restaurant is just the beginning and we're incredibly excited about what's to come."
With the eatery now back up and running, there's plenty of reasons to visit already — including the fitout by Hogg and Lamb, joining fellow Brisbane venues such as The Albion Bathhouse, Tillerman, Babylon Brisbane and Lune Croissanterie in boasting the firm's aesthetic touches. Given the restaurant's history and leafy surroundings, finding inspiration for the look, feel and decor was easy. Think: contemporary elegance, complete with polished timber finishes and openair vantages over the stunning view.
As for the menu, Machin is serving up modern Australian cuisine — modern Queensland, too — with Elliott Heads spanner crab on buckwheat crumpets, Daintree barramundi, Moreton Bay bug bahn mi and slow-braised Longreach organic lamb among the dishes. Sustainability and locality are key focuses, especially ingredients from The Summit's edible gardens and beehives, plus fresh produce from the Sunshine State.
Across themed sections dedicated to the sea, air, land, earth and garden, seasonality is also in the spotlight. Other standout picks include white fish and wasabi tacos, snapper with wild garlic and native ginger, roast duck smoked over paperbark, almond-fed pork with pickled apples, squid risotto and pumpkin agnolotti with candied shoots. Or, try one of the two chef-curated tasting menus for either $79 (nine options) or $99 (ten options).
Those dropping by for a drink can choose from bites from the bar menu, such as goat's cheese puffs, beef and beetroot tartare, lobster and prawn fried toast, sweet pea arancini, wagyu burgers and flathead. Fancy a cocktail? The signatures include a boozy iced tea made with fig gin and lemon myrtle liqueur; a quandong sour; and chilli, coriander and capsicum-infused mezcal, with agave, pineapple and lime.
Find The Summit Restaurant at 2/1012 Sir Samuel Griffith Drive, Mt Coot-Tha, open from 11am daily — and head to its website for more details.