Coming Soon: Portside's New Hamptons-Inspired Riverside Seafood Restaurant Fosh Will Open in August

For firm believers that all good things come to those who wait, or even casual ones, that patience is set to be rewarded at Portside Wharf's soon-to-open new seafood restaurant. Fosh was first announced in 2022, and originally targeted a March 2023 launch date. Now, the waterside spot will start welcoming in patrons from August, and boast plenty of reasons for Brisbanites to stop by.

Fosh hails from Michael Tassis, the restaurateur behind Opa Bar + Mezze, Massimo Restaurant, Yamas Greek + Drink and George's Paragon — as well as Eagle Street's now-closed Fatcow Steak & Lobster and Rico Bar + Dining — and has an enticing concept. Fancy staring at the river while tucking into fish, oysters, prawns, scallops and bugs? Peering at the water while enjoying lobster with bottomless fries for lunch and doing caviar bumps with your fellow diners? That's what's on the menu at this Portside seafood venue.

The full culinary lineup hasn't yet been revealed, but there'll be a focus on sustainable, high-quality local line-caught catches that are served to guests within 24 hours.

In the kitchen, a team boasting an impressive restaurant pedigree will be doing the cooking. Head Chef Vikash Gurung comes to Fosh from Greca, as well as Fatcow Steak & Lobster, Rico Bar and Dining, and Jellyfish — and sous chef Daniel Hernandez boasts Agnes, Restaurant Dan Arnold and La Cache à Vin on his resume.

Rounding out the restaurant's core crew are Daniel Burton and Erik Di Luca, Manager and Operations Director, respectively, with the former spending five years at Matt Moran's Aria and the latter working for Tassis Group since 2012.

Fosh will operate both as a dine-in eatery and an upscale takeaway fish 'n' chippery. "This will be next-level takeout," advises Tassis.

The restaurant won't be small, either, settling into a 700-square-metre space at Portside as part of the precinct's current revamp, which is set to be complete this December. The makeover has already seen the Gold Coast's Rosé Gelateria launch its debut Brisbane ice creamery in Hamilton. Rise Bakery, which also originated on the coast, is slated to set up shop as well.

Whether you're eating in or dropping by to grab some takeaways, you'll notice the luxe yet naturalistic and relaxed decor, which is inspired by The Hamptons. As part of a $3-million fitout, Fosh will boast both indoor and outdoor dining areas, too — with boosting the latter year-round one of the big aims of Portside's facelift.

"Our indoor space includes a glamorous island bar which will flow to the al fresco area, where guests can enjoy uninterrupted river views," says Tassis.

Launching a dedicated seafood restaurant at Portside, and one run by Tassis, seems like an obvious step for a number of reasons. The location screams for it, and Tassis' father George founded George's Paragon Seafood Restaurant in Sanctuary Cove more than three decades ago. "It's very much in my roots," Tassis notes.

Tassis Group also has two other high-profile dining spots on the way, also heroing their water-adjacent locations, but over in Kangaroo Point: overwater restaurant and bar Bombora, plus landing cafe Mulga Bill's, which are set to open in the new green bridge in 2024.

Find Fosh at Portside Wharf, 39 Hercules Street, Hamilton, from August 2023 — we'll update you with an exact opening date when one is announced.

Images: Markus Ravik.