Queensland’s much-loved celebrity chef restaurants
List
By Lucille Burkitt
In Queensland, we’re a lucky region for the bounty of celebrity chefs coaxed here by the fresh seafood and unrivalled weather, with many of their offerings connecting you to Pacific flavours. It’s a tantalising prospect – dining at an excellent restaurant while also getting a sneak peek at the celebrity chef who owns the venue. An intimate moment between food and its creator, right there in front of you.
But a visit to one of these celebrity chef restaurants isn’t all selfies and bragging rights, the calibre and bounty of cuisine is more diverse and delicious than ever. A thriving collection of celebrity chef restaurants that emphasise seasonal local ingredients, thoughtful wine lists, ethically sourced meats and sustainable seafoods. Nourishing and indulgent.
While their celebrity status gets plenty of credit, it’s time their restaurants had a moment in the spotlight. Get ready to feast.
Sunshine Coast
Sum Yung Guys: Matt Sinclair
Growing up, Noosa was a favourite holiday spot for Matt Sinclair and his family, so when the ex-Masterchef contestant wanted to set up a restaurant with his three best mates, this pretty Sunshine Coast spot was top of the list. Sum Yung Guys is a sleek, new-age restaurant that takes food very seriously. It’s been a fixture in Noosa’s offering since its opening in 2017.
The dressings, pastes and sauces are all made from scratch and it shows in the bold, punchy flavours of the southeast Asian-inspired dishes, such as the sesame encrusted king prawn toast with gochujang mayo and the tangy yellow curry with roast pumpkin, snake beans and silken tofu.
But whatever you do, don’t miss the handmade, hand stretched roti – it’s flaky, crispy, salty and worth the trip alone.
ALBA by Kuruvita: Peter Kuruvita
Photo by @albanoosa
After eight years of luring locals and international visitors to iconic Hastings Street restaurant Noosa Beach House, Chef Peter Kuruvita has taken the leap with a new Noosa Heads venture, ALBA by Kuruvita.
More than a restaurant, ALBA is a food hub that serves delights from breakfast to dinner, home to a beautifully designed café, providore, pizzeria, cocktail bar and upscale restaurant. Kuruvita’s love for local Queensland seafood and Sri Lankan influence continues to shine here, and fans will be pleased to know the Sri Lankan swordfish curry is a dinner menu staple.
Here you’ll also find ALBA Chef’s Kitchen – a creative space that will host cooking classes, a kitchen studio and private chefs table experiences.
Brisbane
Fat Noodle: Luke Nguyen
Photo by @treasurybrisbane
Some of Queensland’s most coveted Asian-fusion dishes can be found at Fat Noodle. Pass through Brisbane’s bustling Queen Street Mall, climb the stairs to the Treasury Brisbane and you’ll find this buzzing offering.
Deeply rooted in Luke Nguyen’s family recipes, this celebrity chef restaurant reimagines sentimental flavours through fresh, locally sourced produce. It’s an exotic hideaway from Brisbane’s streetscape, serving up dishes day and night like Luke’s legendary 20-hour Fat Pho Noodles – a fiery laksa and Vietnamese chicken salad.
Fat Noodle has quickly become a local favourite within Brissy’s coming-of-age foodie story.
Alchemy: Brad Jolly
A famous little spot perched on the banks of Brisbane’s river – Brad Jolly’s ‘Alchemy’. He may not necessarily be a household name, but Brad Jolly is a well-respected name in the hospitality industry. The former personal chef to the Queen Mother, Brad has also worked alongside Marco Pierre White and Jamie Oliver.
After working abroad, Brad wanted to make the most of Australia’s incredible produce and so returned to open Alchemy in Brisbane. The menu showcases the region’s best seasonal produce – you’ll always feel good about eating here. For a burst of Australian flavours, try the braised Western Australian octopus, potatoes, pesto and Chardonnay vinaigrette. Chef’s kiss. If all that doesn’t impress you, if you spot Brad in his chef’s whites ask him about being the world record holder for the highest number of flips of a pancake in 60 seconds (he clocked up 140).
Moda: Javier Codina
Photo by @modatapasbrasabar
It’s not uncommon to see chef Javier Codina, known for his appearances on Channel 10’s The Living Room, trawling Brisbane’s markets before the sun rises in order to find the best and freshest produce for his Spanish-inspired restaurant - Moda. Tucked into a warm, inviting corner of Brisbane’s Barracks precinct, this humble celebrity chef restaurant is packed with flavour and atmosphere.
Local ingredients feature heavily on the menu, such as the Brisbane Valley quail pie served with a red wine sauce, and the Maleny Buffalo Tomahawk. There’s an ease of dining for everyone at Moda – the menu is packed with vegetarian and gluten free options so that guests of all dietaries feel welcome and catered to.
Depending on your mood, you can sit upstairs in the more formal but secluded mezzanine or dine outside in the tranquil courtyard.
Gold Coast
Kiyomi: Chase Kojima
Photo by @kiyomi_gc
A complete work of art by one of Australia’s most influential Japanese chefs. Tucked discreetly into the base of Broadbeach’s The Star, Kiyomi has brought with it a touch of elegance and minimalism to the Gold Coast. It’s got the marvellous ability to feel like a special occasion or local haunt on any given visit.
Mouth-watering sashimi. Indulgent foie gras. Freshly shaken cocktails. With a menu created by visionary Executive Head Chef Chase Kojima, Kiyomi gifts diners a modern, yet authentic taste of Tokyo (without the long-haul flight). Kiyomi is a rare Japanese citrus fruit. The name reflects the creative blend of Japanese and Australian flavours as well as the use of fresh, citrus flavours throughout the menu.
Chase is incredibly passionate about supporting and showcasing local producers – and his personal experimentation with produce we know and love unearths bold, complex flavours you can feel good about eating.
You may also like
