Clarence Restaurant
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Google Reviews (5)
Shared a Staurday lunch, arriving noon prior to a theatre matinee. The staff were very friendly quickly delivering menus, explaining dining options, checking if we were in a hurry & delivering water to the table. The menu were either al la carte or a set menu (2 or 4 courses - $54 for 2 course) & we decided on the set menu. A very nice shared entree (lots of variety) & as it happened we all ordered the lamb rump. The rump was well cooked & very tasty, served with sides of fries & a green salad. The lamb was excellent. A well developed drink menu available. Positioned on a corner of Fish Lane the restauraunt has an open & airy feel with lots of large glass windows. The kitchen & bar is very open & visible to diners. Well definitely go back.
We chose Clarence for our 14th wedding anniversary dinner on 16 April 2024, and it could not have been a better choice. We began with a Penicillin cocktail. The combination of honey, ginger, and Scotch was an absolute opener and set the tone for the evening. Confident, balanced, and quietly impressive. To start, we paired the cocktails with six Pacific oysters, three natural and three with pickled wasabi and ponzu. The natural oysters were the clear stand‑out for us. Briny, fresh, and beautifully clean. The wasabi and ponzu were well executed but slightly softened the natural freshness of the oyster. For mains, I chose the Pasturelands grass‑fed striploin with onion tart and chestnut mushroom. Perfectly cooked, beautifully presented, and full of depth. The flavours were confident without being heavy, and it was one of those dishes where you want to enjoy every last bite. My partner ordered the Coral trout with leek, hazelnut, and brown butter. Deeply comforting, rich without being excessive, and incredibly moreish. It felt indulgent in the best possible way. We shared the duck fat potatoes and creamed spinach and greens. Colourful, well-seasoned, and full of flavour, they rounded out the meal perfectly. Everything was accompanied by a bottle of Havilah Sauvignon Blanc 2024 from Tasmania. Fresh, vibrant, and easy drinking. A real treat and an excellent pairing. Clarence delivered on every level. Thoughtful food, excellent execution, and an atmosphere that made a special evening feel truly memorable. We left already looking forward to our next visit.
We treated ourselves to the Sunday Lunch Roast, and it absolutely exceeded expectations. For $75 per person, this is exceptional value and one of the best dining deals in Brisbane. The meal kicks off with a generous selection of three incredible shared entrées (yes, you get to enjoy all three!), setting a delicious tone right from the start. Then comes the star: the weekly changing roast, served with an abundance of trimmings. We had the beautifully cooked Wagyu Beef Rump – tender, flavoursome, and perfectly roasted. The highlight for me? Those incredible roast potatoes cooked in beef fat – crispy, golden, and utterly addictive. To finish, we shared two delightful desserts, rounding out a perfectly balanced and satisfying three-course experience. The service was warm, attentive, and genuinely excellent. They handled my gluten-free requirements effortlessly, making small tweaks without any fuss. It was my birthday, and the thoughtful touch of a handwritten birthday card waiting at our table when we arrived made the day feel extra special. The restaurant itself has a lovely relaxed, casual vibe that’s welcoming and unpretentious, and the friendly staff elevated the whole experience even further. Highly recommend for a leisurely Sunday lunch, special occasions, or anyone craving a proper roast done right. We’ll definitely be back!
Went to Clarence (Brisbane City) before a show at QPAC and it was a perfect pre-theatre option. They offer earlier seatings (we booked 5pm) and it’s an easy walk back to QPAC, about 5 minutes. It’s very well-rated and had been recommended to me, and I can see why. The space is beautiful, light-filled, comfortable seating, and the service was a standout. The team were warm, attentive, and genuinely knowledgeable. We had someone gluten free at the table and they handled it confidently and helpfully. Food-wise, the menu is good but fairly limited, and definitely leans into more adventurous flavour combinations (in a good way). My kingfish with sesame and raspberry was interesting and inventive, and I like a restaurant that pushes the envelope. Oysters were fresh and shucked on site (from what I could see), though I didn’t love the granita on top. The octopus was cooked perfectly with that char-grilled flavour, and the king prawns and sauce were absolutely delicious… but they weren’t cleaned (the vein was still in), which threw me a bit and I had to work past it. Cocktails are bold and very strong, so pace yourself. I didn’t love the duck fat old fashioned (not bad, I’ve just had better), but I appreciated the creativity. Honestly, one of my favourite parts was the fresh bread and homemade butter at the start, so simple and so good. Would I race back immediately? Maybe not straight away, but I’m glad I tried it and I can see why people rate it highly.
Came here for my birthday dinner and it was 5 stars all round! Great atmosphere and lovely service from Ottie and the team. We originally looked at the 3-course meal but decided to go with a few appetizers, an entree, a shared main, and two sides instead. It was the perfect amount of food, leaving us feeling satisfied but not bloated. Every dish was excellent, with the only minor exception being the fries with curried ketchup. They were a bit underwhelming compared to the rest (still good, just a bit of an "Oh..." moment). Overall a fantastic night.
Reviews sourced from Google Maps