Lunch to Impress: Brisbane’s Best Business Lunches

Planning a power lunch in Brisbane? Even if you’re out of your comfort zone in a new city, you can still impress clients and colleagues with your local knowledge. Get down to business with our guide to the best lunches in Brisbane for every corporate occasion.

Aria

The younger sibling to ARIA in Sydney, this fine dining restaurant is ideal for out-of-town visitors looking for a familiar setting. Dig into a prix fixe lunch menu of one, two or three courses, then talk business against the backdrop of the Story Bridge and Brisbane River. If the delectable cuisine and wine list can’t win your clients over, the tranquil setting almost certainly will.

E'cco Bistro

A Brisbane institution since 1995, E’cco Bistro’s list of awards is almost as long as its history. And with a section on the wine list dedicated solely to vintage champagne, this is a venue you’ll want to save for serious occasions. Dig into dishes like chicken liver parfait and smoked pork belly while you woo your clients, then order a bottle of bubbly to toast to your future success.

GOMA

Perfectly suited to creative types, GOMA’s on-site restaurant is ideal for team brainstorming sessions beyond the boardroom. Like the blank walls that form the base for its extensive art collection, the crisp white linens at this gallery restaurant become a canvas for works of art, from the bay lobster with riberry and finger lime to the suckling pig with grape and lichen. After something on the more casual side? Book a table in the Cafe Bistro for Modern Australian favourites with city and river views.

Urbane

Surrounded by exposed stone walls, polished concrete floors and an exposed wine cellar, Urbane’s sophisticated atmosphere make it a top contender for client meetings. And with separate tasting menus designed for omnivores and herbivores, you can be sure there’s something for everyone at the table. After a more discreet setting? Urbane offers tailored catering packages off-site, so you can seal the deal behind closed doors without having to sacrifice fine dining.

Gerard’s Bistro

With a menu that’s designed to be paired and shared, Gerard’s Bistro may not be best choice for your first face-to-face meeting. But when it comes to celebratory team lunches, this African-meets-Middle-Eastern eatery is second to none. Keep things light with plates of grilled octopus and confit cuttlefish, or go all in with the slow-roasted brisket with seasonal sides. Whatever you do, don’t forget to sweeten the deal with dessert all round.

Doing business in Brisbane? Start planning your power lunch today when you book flights to Brisbane with Virgin Australia.