July has seen Brisbane bid farewell to some of the most popular restaurants and bars in its dining scene, as a handful of restaurants and bars at the Eagle St Pier serve their last customers and contemplate what’s next.
Coppa, City Winery, Sake, Fatcow Steak & Lobster, and Naga Thai served their final orders Saturday, 16 July, whilst The Coffee Club, Mr and Mrs G, Rico Bar & Dining, and The Bavarian’s last call for orders was on Sunday, 17 July.
Guzman y Gomez, The Kookaburra Queen, George’s Paragon, and Grill’d have already shut their doors a few weeks ahead.
Jade Buddha and Shadow Lounge, which have been on the pier for 18 years, will continue to operate for now, with their closure dates still being finalised. Jade Buddha’s Phil Hogan said they have yet to receive a proper closure order from Dexus.
Though devastated about the mass closure of such a piece of prime real estate, many of the owners and operators on Eagle St Pier are moving on to other plans, whilst also anticipating the revitalisation of the precinct.
Tom Sanceau of Coppa is weighing on either opening a new restaurant at a nearby location or finding opportunities in London.
Naga Thai’s Andrew Baturo is also checking out new spaces to open by 2023 but he is hopeful to come back to Eagle St Pier, which will be part of a new $2.1-billion redevelopment. Baturo believes that the upcoming world-class entertainment precinct is just what Brisbane needs.
Mr and Mrs G’s Chris Higgins, Liam McMahon and chef Adrian Richardson are moving onto BOS, their new restaurant in the CBD. BOS is tentatively set to open in October.
From Eagle St Pier to Waterfront Brisbane
For over 30 years, restaurants have come and gone at Eagle St Pier, which boasts of a fantastic view of the river from the Story Bridge. In 2015, Dexus the precinct with a plan to redevelop the site into Waterfront Brisbane with more spaces for dining spots.
The project will also include two office towers and generous public space, as well as a new Riverwalk for pedestrians and cyclists, which will open in 2024. One of the office towers is projected for completion in 2026.
Nonetheless, these restaurateurs are grateful to have been given the opportunity to establish their businesses or build their hospitality careers on the pier.