Paddington's NOTA Is Closing Its Doors After Six Years — But Another Hospitality Figure Is Taking Over the Space

Given Terrace has seen more than its fair share of restaurants and bars come and go over the years, and now NOTA is set to be one of them. A mainstay of the busy Paddington stretch since 2018, Kevin Docherty and Sebastiaan de Kort's eatery will shut in August after a six-year run as one of inner-west Brisbane's favourites. Thankfully, this is truly a case of one door closing and another opening, with plans already afoot by another hospitality figure to move into the space and start afresh.

NOTA's last day of trade will be Saturday, August 3, 2024, giving Brisbanites just under two months to stop by for a farewell meal and drink — or several. When they say goodbye to Paddington, co-owners and chefs Docherty and de Kort (ex-Moda) will be devoting their full attention to Newstead's Allonda, which they opened in 2022.

While the pair are departing the space that was previously fine-diner Montrachet's old Paddington digs after the beloved French eatery moved to King Street in Bowen Hills, they're not leaving 224 Given Terrace empty. Details of who'll be taking over the address haven't yet been revealed, but the person at the helm is being teased as a hospitality heavyweight.

"It's important for us to honour the community we've built by passing over the space to another hospitality wunderkind who we're confident will bring a much-needed dining experience to Brisbane — we're incredibly excited to see our much-loved space reinvented," said de Kort.

"Starting NOTA so early in our careers was of course challenging, and we couldn't have done it without the amazing Paddington community," de Kort and Docherty continued. "But we are excited for what the future holds, both for us and for the space we're leaving behind."

Since launching, NOTA has been a go-to for European spreads. In 2022, it added a wine bar to the mix, expanding into the abode next door — knocking down the adjoining wall, too — and becoming a 90-seater complete with its own a vino-swilling spot. In both NOTA setups, exposed brick walls and mirrors aplenty set the mood, alongside warm lighting; however, the 2.0 guise gave the restaurant a five-metre wall of wines, wines and more wines.

As it counts down the days till handing over the keys, the restaurant will add quail with sweet corn polenta, broccolini with anchovy butter and beef bourguignon — aka its signature dishes — back to the menu. The warm house crumble falls into the same category. And, Head Sommelier Yanika Sittisuntorn will be back for a last round of wine recommendations.

Find NOTA Restaurant & Wine Bar at 224 Given Terrace, Paddington until Saturday, August 3, 2024— open 6pm–late on Tuesday–Thursday (last booking at 7.30pm), then 12–2pm and 6pm–late (last booking at 8pm) Friday–Saturday.

Images: Markus Ravik.