Just opened along the city’s central waterfront, this hotly-anticipated restaurant by chef Andrew McConnell is bringing the flavours of his iconic Melbourne restaurant to Brisbane. The restaurants name takes inspiration from ‘Sensations of the Ordinary’ by Naoto Fukusawa and Jasper Morrison, aiming to convey the concept that beauty can be found in items we use everyday, things that are ‘super normal’. 

Supernormal Brisbane, the asian-influenced restaurant by McConnell and his wife Jo McGann, is the East Coast version of their renowned Melbourne restaurant of the same name, bringing classic dishes from their flagship to Brisbane.

Two-hatted chef Jason Barrett (ex Paper Daisy at Halcyon House) has come on board to lead the food and beverage direction of the new dining destination along the city’s waterfront. 

With dishes intended to match the context in Brisbane, ingredients from Southeast Queensland’s producers bring asian flavours and light, sharing plates to life. These flavours are known to work well with the tropical climate’s resident diners, and Supernormal elevates that experience here along the Brisbane river at 443 Queen St.

Both a set menu or ala carte options are available, which we opted for when dining during the restaurants opening weeks. Selecting the restaurants well-known dishes such as the New England Lobster Roll, it was the Vegetable Dumplings with red vinegar and the Pickled Spanner Crab & Hand-Rolled Noodle Salad that really blew us away. Uncomplicated, simple dishes that let produce and their flavours shine. Even the simple Smashed Cucumber, radish, ginger and white soy salad was a highlight.

Sommelier Romain oversees the wine selection at the restaurant, adding his own touches to Supernormal Melbourne team’s local and international bottles for the opening. A fine selection of sake is also on the menu, with larger pours found similar to a wine order (in size and price per glass). At Champ Japan we love to support Maseru San of Terada Honke for rice planting or harvest, so it was great to see their ‘Daigo no Shizuku’ Junmai on the menu which we always order where possible. Non-alcoholic drinks could be reworked, with a missed opportunity here to really surprise diners.

443 Queen Street is one of the newest residential towers in Brisbane, with McConnell’s Bar Miette and Supernormal Brisbane both occupying its ground and first floor riverfront areas. The building design is ideal for its environment, as its clever design shades and shelters, all the whilst remaining open for social interactions amongst its dining and common spaces between both residents and the public. Singapore-based WOHA and Brisbane-based Architectus worked on the design, a striking new addition to the Brisbane cityscape. 

Supernormal Brisbane’s interior design has been executed by Vince Alafaci and Caroline Choker and their Sydney-based design studio ACME, with the restaurant being their fourth collaboration with McConnell and McGann. Their previously completed projects for McConnell included Gimlet at Cavendish House and Apollo Inn in Melbourne, both iconic in their own way due to their memorable interior design. The designers explain “Our vision was to capture its energy and vibrancy while reflecting Brisbane’s subtropical climate, landscape, and lifestyle. We layered natural tones with raw materials as the foundation, collaborating with local and international craftspeople to achieve a contemporary, relaxed, welcoming aesthetic. It has an original sensibility that feels familiar, perfectly situated between the riverfront and the bustling CBD.”

The design team developed a new visual language that drew inspiration from a rich tapestry of sources: Colonial Asia, Hawaiian Modernist Architecture, and nostalgic illustration, also working with award-winning Philadelphia-based illustrator Armando Veve on the brand’s visual story-telling.

Upon entry to the restaurant, a hand-sculpted Lantian Emerald Green Quartzite maître d’ station greets guests, along with an oversized woven tapestry (handcrafted by Brisbane artist Lorena Martinez of  Dahab Artisanal in collaboration with ACME) sitting just behind it. To the left, the open kitchen shares insight into all the action at this 150-seater.

Walking through to the dining room, the space is vibrant and inviting. With a mix of textures ensures the dining experience is a delight for the senses. Warm timber or fabric and leather-lined seating is found alongside speckled marble or timber-topped tables accompanied by an array of tropical indoor plants in the dining space. 

Floor-to-ceiling windows bring the outside daylight in, whilst at night, the faceted mirrors along the banquette elevation reflect the dazzling lights of the famed Story Bridge adjacent to the restaurant across the river. 

Dining tables are all custom designed and Australian made, with the Swan chair by Brisbane-based design studio MAST found in the second dining room. Tiered Sconce by Melbourne designer Sarah Nedovic are also featured. International artist Thomas Hayes Studio (based in Los Angeles) has made a custom version of the Inca chair for the restaurant, and key artworks such as the hand-hammered copper wall sculpture by ‘Otero’ by Aura Carpio evokes curiosity because of its form (made with artisans in Michoacán, Mexico with upcycled waste). 

Currently the main dining room hasn’t been short of inquisitive guests since opening last month, but soon breezy outdoor seating (which is part of the Queenslander lifestyle) will make way for an even larger dining capacity. Private dining is also found upstairs for exclusive events.

With both tasteful interiors and dining, this restaurant delivers. 

Yet to settle in their new city, the dishes have room to champion the restaurants context even more (such as the iconic lobster roll; less sauce, more lobster (or Moreten Bay Bug). It’s early days, and with Barrett at the helm of the restaurant, its potential is yet to unfold. 

Supernormal
443 Queen St,
(Entry to Supernormal is via the river boardwalk, or via street level from Queen Street taking the stairs)
Brisbane, Queensland, 4006

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Images: Duncan Wright
Text: Editorial Director Monique Kawecki