Brisbane’s latest dining destination celebrates al fresco dining with riverfront views overlooking the city’s famed Story Bridge.

Bar Miette, the first of two new venues by Melbourne hospitality duo Andrew McConnell and Jo McGann, is an exciting new addition to the Brisbane hospitality landscape, where casual dining is refined with exceptional service and expertise staff. With a terrace, café and wine bar all-in-one, all-day dining here is a delight. 

A European-inspired menu is blended with Australian familiarities (such as avocado on toast) and the atmosphere reflects the same. Casual and informal yet considered, this is chic dining in Brisbane’s CBD. 

Located on the riverfront walkway connecting Howard Smith Wharves and Eagle Street, Bar Miette is situated a an ideal destination for city workers, local residents and international visitors alike. Seating 16 guests at the bar inside and 70 on the adjoining terrace, the dining experience feels much more intimate. So far, they’ve launched Bar Miette with simple word-of-mouth, as their sister restaurant Supernormal opens below in the coming month. 

McConnell and McGann are the duo behind Melbourne’s top venues (Gimlet, Supernormal, Cumulus Inc and Cutler & Co), bringing their winning touch to Brisbane’s growing dining scene. With amazing producers both in Queensland and New South Wales, the restaurant utilises these with a modern approach for the city diner. “It’s a place for people to use as they wish and as the occasion dictates – for coffee and breakfast, lunch (early or late) , snacks and dinner, a cocktail or a glass of wine, from its elevated vantage point overlooking the Maiwar (Brisbane) river and Story Bridge”, stated McConnell.

Acclaimed chef Jason Barratt (previously Exec chef at Paper Daisy, Halcyon House) has relocated to Brisbane to oversee both Bar Miette and Supernormal menu’s. He’s talented and one to watch indeed.

Sourcing the best local produce along with the finest cheeses and wines from abroad, the menu has a merge of European inspirations blended with Brisbane’s city context: easy, fresh dishes to share or enjoy all for one’s self. From snacks (olives & pickles, native rock oysters) to pair with an Aperitif, to plates of cured meats or seafood, the menu is relaxed and made easy to order.

Those frequenting Italy and France will find some favourites with a twist, such as the Milk Bun mortadella stack with salted butter and smoked maple syrup or the Slow cooked marinated octopus, potato, aioli and paprika. Paired with a standout white on the menu – the 2021 Terrazze dell’Etna ‘Cirri’ Nerello Mascalese Bianca from Sicily – memories of Europe come flooding back. For those yet to experience European dining culture, a taste of it can -literally- be experienced at Bar Miette. This is one of the unique strengths of Bar Miette, not yet found in such an original way in Brisbane.

A caviar (such as Ikura Shoyu Zuke from Yarra Valley) selection is on the menu, with other highlights such as simple toast dishes (crab mayonnaise or Sobrassada and chestnut honey) and share plates of charcuterie selections (including Fair Game wild venison salami and Cloth Aged Saison hot salami). A surprise delight was the Gem lettuce with green dressing, yellow brands and roast pecans. It’s a must order. For dessert, there is Affogato, Gelato, but it’s worth asking about the ‘Today’s Cake’ options. The Basque cheesecake was the best we have experienced in Brisbane. Hands down.

The drinks list at Bar Miette is also worth mentioning, and indeed visiting for. Cocktails are inventive and original, but is the wine list we were most excited about. A great selection from Australia (winemakers such as MMDI from Victoria and Vino Volta from WA) join drops selected from France, Italy, Greece and Spain. Only available by the bottle, there is even an option from Queensland’s Granite Belt (2021 La Petite Mort ‘VMR Qvevri’ Skin Contact Viognier Blend’).

During the day, the restaurant is shielded from the sun by the surrounding high-rises and striped umbrellas, and at night, lit up up by the same cityscape (with the addition of table lamps, and their brightness can be customised to suit each diner). 

The magical hour is at sunset, when the Story Bridge is lit up by the sunset’s glow. Story Bridge climbers can be seen descending down, and down below on the river, boats pass swiftly by as the day comes to a close and the night begins. From day to night, the transition is beautiful to view from the comfort from the outdoor seating at Bar Miette, especially with one of two off-the-shelf Amaro’s in hand (specially served by Romain, the head sommelier on the premises) to round out the evening.

Designed by Sydney-based design studio ACME, Bar Miette is inviting and charming. A very welcome addition to Brisbane’s burgeoning dining scene.

Bar Miette
443 Queen Street,
Brisbane, Australia

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Text: Editor-in-Chief Monique Kawecki
Photography: Josh Robenstone©