The Opa, Yamas and Massimo Crew Is Opening Two Dining Spots on Kangaroo Point's New Green Bridge

Hearing about a new bridge in Brisbane is like seeing the sun shining above the River City: it happens all the time. We've been scoring additional river crossings for years now, and there's more on the way. But when Kangaroo Point's next green bridge opens in 2024, it'll also come with an overwater restaurant and bar, plus a cafe on its city landing.

Accordingly, don't just get excited about a different way to stroll from the CBD to Kangaroo Point — a car-free route at that, given that the bridge will only be open to pedestrians and bicycles. Indeed, while this town of ours has more than a few eateries and watering holes either perched over the river or next to it (including plenty adjacent to river crossings), the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge will mark a first for the city, because no other bridges have built-in bars and restaurants.

It was back in 2021 that Brisbane learned of the in-development structure's plan to become a destination for eating and drinking as well, complete with an overwater venue and a cafe in its plaza area. Now, the Brisbane City Council has revealed a heap more details, including that two dining spots will open in 2024 — and that Tassis Group of Restaurants, the hospitality crew behind Opa Bar + Mezze, Yamas Greek + Drink and Massimo Restaurant and Bar, will be behind them.

Tassis won the tender, and will open restaurant and bar Bombora for bites and drinks ten metres above the Brisbane River, plus the Mulga Bill's cafe to take care of bridge visitors' caffeine fix.

"On the upper level, Bombora will be an elegant, modern celebration of Australia's land and sea, while Mulga Bill's (named after Banjo Patterson's poem) on the bridge level will offer casual all-day dining," explains Tassis Group Restaurateur and director Michael Tassis.

Bombora takes its name from an Indigenous term for large sea waves that break over a submerged reef or sand bar, and will be an upscale dining and drinking experience to match its stunning location. Views are clearly a big highlight, which will span over the Brisbane River, CBD, Story Bridge and Kangaroo Point cliffs. Nothing has been revealed about the menu yet, but the venue's design will take its perch to heart, evoking moving water in a homage to its above-the-river spot.

As for Mulga Bill's, it'll sit by the river in the new urban plaza that's being created on the corner of Edward and Alice streets. The cafe is pitched as a stopover spot for frequent bridge users, which it'll reflect in its bicycle-themed decor. And, food-wise, it'll serve up wood-fired pizzas, steak and seafood to eat in, plus pastries and picnic boxes to grab and go.

Both venues are expected to score ample foot traffic. Indeed, more than 6000 pedestrians, cyclists and e-mobility riders are forecast to be using the bridge every day by 2036.

"This is much more than just a bridge project — the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge will become a must-visit dining destination for residents and visitors to Brisbane," said Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, announcing the new eateries.

"Being able to stop for a meal or drink and sit more than ten metres above the Brisbane River is something that is sure to excite residents of all ages and draw tourists in droves."

"The Kangaroo Point Green Bridge will also provide the perfect way for people to explore our river city during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come."

Now under construction, the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge will stretch between the corner of Alice and Edward streets in the CBD over to Scott Street at Kangaroo Point. Dedicated cycle and pedestrian paths are a big feature, with the bridge spanning a minimum width of 6.8 metres — and the design features a single-mast cable stayed structure, if you're wondering what it'll look like.

The Kangaroo Point Green Bridge is one of two that the Brisbane City Council currently has in the works, including one from Albion to Newstead at Breakfast Creek. A couple of others are mooted; however, the structures from Toowong to West End and St Lucia to West End have been paused while the city recovers from 2022's floods.

And yes, Brisbane is a city of bridges. Our governments can't get enough of them, it seems. In the CBD alone, we already have the Go Between Bridge, which caters for vehicles, cyclists and walkers between West End and Milton; the William Jolly Bridge that links Grey Street with North Quay; the foot traffic-only Kurilpa Bridge that runs from the Gallery of Modern Art over to Tank Street; the Victoria Bridge from QPAC to George Street; and the pedestrian-only Goodwill Bridge that spans from the southern end of South Bank over to the Queensland University of Technology. And, the Neville Bonner Bridge from the new Queen's Wharf precinct to the Cultural Centre Forecourt is currently under construction as well.

Bombora and Mulga Bill's are slated to open on the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge in 2024. We'll update you with exact launch dates when they're announced.

Images: Brisbane City Council.