Are you a foodie looking for the best places to eat in Brisbane? Look no further than Grey Street in South Bank! With a wide variety of restaurants to choose from, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your cravings.

Here are some of the places that I tried during a work assignment down under.

Mrs Luu’s

Mrs Luu’s is a Vietnamese eatery that offers delicious dishes like the Crispy Chicken Rice Bowl. This dish features succulent pieces of fried chicken on top of steaming white rice, served with a side of fresh greens. It was highly recomended by our colleages in Brisbane.

This was the first lunch I had during this visit, and as usual I shared a picture of my meal with my wife. She had shown it to her colleages, and the conversation of “Our husbands eat like this when they are abroad, if we cook this at home they will make a big fuss…”. This brough up an interesting conversation as to how we should replan our meals at home; but that’s a story for another day.

Bamboo Basket

If you’re in the mood for Chinese cuisine, Bamboo Basket is the place to go. Their Spicy Diced Beef Rice is a must-try! And trust me when I say it was very hot and very spice! But it was perfect, because me and my colleauges piled into the restaurant after getting drenched in the rain! It reminded me of the Chinese Fried Rice that we have back home in Sri Lanka. The beef is marinated in a blend of spices, including Sichuan peppercorns, chili flakes, and garlic, which gives it a bold and spicy flavor and added to the sticky fried rice.

I also had their Roasted Duck with Steamed Rice; The Duck had an amazing crispy skin and succulent meat, but the entire dish as a whoe wasn’t much to write home about.

The Yiros Shop

For Greek food lovers, the Yiros Shop is a must-visit!

A Lamb Yiros is a popular Greek dish that consists of marinated and grilled lamb, wrapped in a warm, fluffy pita bread and garnished with fresh vegetables and tzatziki sauce. The lamb itself is juicy, tender and bursting with flavor from the marinade, which typically includes a mixture of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and various herbs and spices. It has a slight char on the outside from being grilled, which adds a delicious smokiness to the meat. The pita bread is soft and slightly chewy, with a subtle sweetness that complements the savory lamb. It’s the perfect vessel for holding all the ingredients together.

The Lamb Snackbox on the other hand is a mouth-watering dish that offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures. It’s savory, crispy and refreshing, making it a perfect meal to enjoy on a lazy afternoon or a busy day out in the city. The lamb is sliced thinly and cooked to perfection with traditional Greek herbs and spices, which gives it a rich and savory flavor. The meat is tender and moist, with a slight crispiness on the edges, providing a delightful texture. The hot fries, perfectly seasoned with a sprinkle of salt are crispy and golden, offering a satisfying crunch when you take a bite.

P’nut Street Noodles

P’nut Street Noodles offers a variety of Asian-inspired dishes, but their Nasi Goreng is a standout. This Indonesian fried rice dish is packed with flavor and is sure to leave you feeling satisfied. According to the side note on the Menu, it’s suposedly, the favourite dish of the fomer Indonesian President Bambang.

Nasi Goreng is a popular Indonesian dish that is traditionally made with stir-fried rice, vegetables and meat or seafood, topped with a fried egg and served with a side of crackers. At P’nut Street Noodles, the Nasi Goreng is a customer favorite and is packed with delicious flavors and textures.

The stir-fried rice is cooked to perfection, and is slightly crispy and chewy in texture. It is tossed with a variety of vegetables such as carrots, Onions, and green capsicum which adds a fresh crunch to the dish. The rice is also mixed with a flavorful combination of spices such as turmeric, ginger, and chili, which gives the dish its distinctive aroma and taste. The dish also features succulent pieces of chicken, which are marinated in a spicy and tangy sauce and then stir-fried until perfectly tender and juicy. The chicken is a standout ingredient in the dish, as it adds a smoky, slightly sweet and savory flavor that blends perfectly with the spices in the rice.

Burrito Bar

If you’re in the mood for Mexican, look no further than Burrito Bar. The Beef Burrito is a popular menu item and is packed with delicious flavors and textures.

The burrito starts with a soft flour tortilla that is stuffed with tender pieces of slow-cooked beef that have been seasoned with a blend of Mexican spices. The beef is rich and savory, with a slightly smoky flavor, and is perfectly cooked so that it’s melt-in-your-mouth tender. The beef is then paired with a generous serving of Spanish rice, which adds a slightly nutty flavor and a fluffy texture to the burrito. The rice is mixed with a variety of spices, including cumin and chili powder, which give it a warm and slightly spicy taste. Next comes a serving of refried beans that have been mashed to a smooth and creamy consistency. The beans are savory and slightly earthy, with a creamy texture that helps to bind all of the ingredients together. The burrito is also stuffed with fresh lettuce, tomato and onions, which add a fresh crunch to the dish. These ingredients also provide a nice balance to the rich and savory beef, helping to lighten the dish and make it feel more satisfying.

I was accompaneid by Ben, a local, who suggested I should order a side of Sweet Potato Chips! His suggestion was well received, because Sweet Potato Chips are a healthier alternative to traditional potato chips, and they tasted Amazing!! The sweet potatoes used in this dish are sliced thin and fried until crispy, resulting in a texture that is crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside. They have a slightly sweet and earthy flavor that is unique to this root vegetable; seasoned with a blend of spices, including salt and paprika, which enhances the natural flavor of the sweet potatoes and adds a savory note!

Siam South Bank Thai Restaurant

Siam South Bank Thai Restaurant offers a range of classic Thai dishes, including Kra Tiem and Stir Fried Cashews with Steamed Rice. Both dishes are packed with bold flavors that will leave your taste buds dancing.

Kra Tiem is a popular Thai dish that is typically made with stir-fried meat or seafood that has been marinated in garlic and black pepper sauce. The dish is served with steamed rice and is often garnished with fresh herbs such as cilantro or green onions. The meat used in Kra Tiem can vary depending on the restaurant, but is typically either chicken, pork, or beef. Of course, I chose the Beef option! The meat is stir-fried until tender and is coated in the flavorful garlic and black pepper sauce. The sauce is thick and has a slightly sticky consistency, which helps to cling to the meat and give it a rich and savory flavor. The steamed rice provides a neutral base for the rich flavors of the garlic and black pepper sauce. The rice is fluffy and light, with a slightly sticky texture that helps to absorb the sauce and provide a satisfying texture to the dish.

Stir Fried Cashews with Steamed Rice is yet another classic Thai dish that is simple yet incredibly delicious. The dish typically consists of stir-fried cashews, vegetables, and sometimes meat, served over a bed of steamed rice. The cashews used in the dish are lightly roasted to bring out their nutty flavor, and then stir-fried until they are crispy and slightly caramelized. The cashews provide a crunchy texture and a rich, nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the other ingredients in the dish. The vegetables used in the dish can vary depending on the restaurant, but are often a mix of carrots, bell peppers, onions, and green beans. The vegetables are stir-fried until they are tender but still slightly crunchy, and are coated in a savory sauce made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, and other seasonings. The sauce is slightly sweet and salty, with a rich umami flavor that complements the nuttiness of the cashews perfectly. The dish is typically served over a bed of steamed rice, which provides a neutral base for the bold flavors of the stir-fried cashews and vegetables.

COWCH

COWCH is a dessert lover’s paradise, with a variety of sweet treats on offer. Their Cookies and Cream Shake is the perfect way to cool down on a hot day, and their Classic Churros and Milk Chocolate Sauce are a decadent indulgence. I walked in to COWCH to have a quick snack as opposed to a regular lunch, much to the envy of my wife as she loves Churros!

The churros themselves are crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. They have a slightly sweet flavor that is enhanced by the cinnamon and sugar coating, which adds a hint of warm and comforting spice. The texture of the churros is both crunchy and doughy, making them satisfying to bite into and chew. The milk chocolate sauce served with the churros is rich and creamy, with a velvety texture that complements the crispy churros perfectly. The chocolate sauce has a sweet and decadent flavor that is not overly rich or cloying, allowing the flavor of the churros to shine through. The combination of the warm, sweet churros with the cool, creamy chocolate sauce creates a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

I washed down this delicious desert with a Cookies and Cream Milk Shake; pleasently surprised that I didn’t end up on a sugar high!

New Yorker Pizza

Pizza lovers won’t be disappointed with the options at New Yorker Pizza. Their Pepperoni Pizza and Garlic Bread are a classic combo that hits the spot every time. And of course, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle in me wouldn’t have it any other way!

The pepperoni pizza typically features a crispy and slightly chewy crust that is topped with tangy tomato sauce, gooey melted mozzarella cheese, and thin slices of savory pepperoni. The crust has a slightly nutty flavor and a chewy texture, while the tangy tomato sauce provides a bright and acidic contrast to the rich cheese and meaty pepperoni.

The garlic bread served at New Yorker Pizza is made by toasting a sliced loaf of bread with a generous amount of garlic butter. The bread is soft and pillowy, with a slightly crispy exterior that gives way to a tender and buttery interior. The garlic butter provides a rich and garlicky flavor that is both savory and satisfying.

Brooklyn Depot

For a taste of New York-style hot dogs, Brooklyn Depot is the place to go. Their Coney Island Hotdog is a classic dish that will transport you straight to the streets of New York.

The hotdog itself is a juicy and plump sausage that has been grilled to perfection, giving it a crispy exterior and a tender and juicy interior. The hotdog is nestled in a soft and fluffy bun that has been toasted to a golden brown, creating a perfect base for the toppings.

The toppings on the Coney Island hotdog typically include a generous amount of tangy and slightly sweet chili sauce, as well as a sprinkling of diced onions and a generous drizzle of yellow mustard. The chili sauce has a rich and savory flavor that is slightly spicy, while the onions provide a crunchy and pungent contrast to the soft and juicy hotdog.

Together, the flavors and textures of the Coney Island hotdog create a perfect balance of savory and sweet, soft and crunchy, and spicy and tangy. The juicy and flavorful hotdog is perfectly complemented by the rich and tangy chili sauce, while the soft and fluffy bun provides a comforting and satisfying base for the toppings.

Neo Sushi Train

Neo Sushi Train was the venue for a catch up with Sukitha; a friend from Sri Lanka who now lives in Brisbane.

This restaurant offers a sushi train that delivers fresh, delicious sushi directly to your table. The different types of sushi are placed on small plates and travel around the restaurant on a conveyor belt, allowing customers to select the sushi they want as it passes by their table. This definetley was a unique dining experience that I was looking forward to! It was fun and interactive, and allowed me to try a variety of different sushi options!

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If you’re willing to venture out of South Bank, there are plenty of other great restaurants to try in the surrounding area.

Korilla BBA Restaurant

The Teriyaki Chicken Stone Bibimbap served at Korilla BBQ Restaurant is a traditional Korean rice bowl dish that is both hearty and flavorful.

The dish consists of a bed of warm, steaming white rice that is topped with strips of juicy teriyaki chicken, fresh vegetables, and an egg. The vegetables typically include a mix of crisp lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, and bean sprouts, which add a refreshing crunch and a variety of textures to the dish.

The teriyaki sauce used to marinate the chicken adds a savory and slightly sweet flavor to the dish, while the egg provides a rich and creamy element. The rice at the bottom of the bowl absorbs all of the flavors from the chicken, vegetables, and sauce, creating a perfect base for the dish.

The stone bowl used to serve the bibimbap is heated, which results in a crispy layer of rice at the bottom of the bowl, adding even more crunchy texture to the dish. The heat also helps to keep the dish warm throughout the meal, ensuring that every bite is just as delicious as the first. Do take care when having this dish, as the bowl and its contents can be pipping hot when served!

Chapter3

The Marinated Beef Teriyaki served at Chapter3 is a popular Japanese dish that is both sweet and savory in flavor, with a tender and juicy texture.

The dish features slices of grilled beef that have been marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sake, mirin, and sugar, which creates a sweet and slightly tangy flavor. The marinade also helps to tenderize the meat, resulting in a juicy and succulent texture that melts in your mouth.

The dish is typically served with a side of steamed rice, which absorbs the flavors of the teriyaki sauce and complements the richness of the beef. The dish is also often accompanied by a small side salad, which provides a refreshing crunch and a contrast in texture to the tender beef.

Royal Charcoal Chicken

I met up with Amaranath, another Sri Lankan friend, who lives in Melbourne, but happened to be in Brisbane for work; and he drove me to Royal Charcoal Chicken – a place,he swore had the best chicken which was somewhat similar to the flavours we enjoyed in Sri Lanka.

The Spicy Charcoal Chicken served at Royal Charcoal Chicken is a flavorful and aromatic dish that combines a variety of spices with tender and juicy chicken. The chicken, marinated in a spicy mixture of chili paste, garlic, ginger, and other seasonings is grilled to perfection over a charcoal fire. The grilling process results in a smoky and slightly charred flavor that enhances the spiciness of the marinade.

The chicken has a tender and juicy texture, thanks to the grilling process and the use of boneless chicken thighs. The meat is also infused with the flavors of the marinade, which creates a bold and intense taste.

The dish is typically served with a side of steamed rice, which helps to balance the spiciness of the chicken. It may also be accompanied by a side salad or other vegetables to provide a refreshing contrast to the bold flavors of the chicken. But, we opted for a healthy serviing of fries instead.

So if you’re a foodie in Brisbane, be sure to check out Grey Street and the surrounding area for some of the best dining experiences the city has to offer!