The Fifty Six

Mariper Cruz

· May 2026

A Birthday Dinner to Remember We celebrated my birthday here with my Gorgeous ladies friends and it turned into one of the most unforgettable dining experiences I’ve ever had. Every dish was delicious, creative, and the depth of flavour feels like each plate was designed to elevate the celebration. The xiao long bao was delicate and perfectly pleated, releasing a rich, comforting broth with every bite. The siu mai was plump, juicy, and beautifully balanced. The crispy lemon chicken was a standout: golden, fragrant, and bursting with bright citrus that cut through the savoury crunch in the most satisfying way. The honey‑glazed char siu was melt‑in‑your‑mouth tender, coated in a glossy, caramelised glaze that made every bite unforgettable. And the salt & pepper calamari was crisp, light, and seasoned with absolute confidence — easily one of the best versions I’ve had. Dessert was nothing short of magnificent, we had luck of trying all their desserts my fave one was recommended by our waiter Reese, White chocolate— and the ube coctail was stunning, the perfect finale to an already exceptional meal, tying the entire evening together with elegance and flair. What made the night even more special was the presence of Chef Gerard Ong. A celebrated chef, yet incredibly gracious and kind, he personally came to our table to greet us. His warmth added a personal touch that elevated the entire birthday celebration. Every dish was exceptional. Every flavour felt intentional. A truly remarkable dining experience — we’ll be back here with the family and friends

Dan R

· Feb 2026

Located within the beautifully restored Naldham House in Brisbane’s CBD, The Fifty Six is a must-try. Say goodbye to the idea of your local Chinese takeaway and let your tastebuds experience contemporary Cantonese cuisine done with precision, creativity and serious flair. The dining room is absolutely stunning, from the elegant tables to the striking artwork that surrounds the space. It feels refined without being stuffy. The service is exactly what you’d expect at this level, polished and attentive. Conner and the sommelier were exceptional. We began with a unique cocktail, the Song of Jasmine, served ice cold. A fragrant blend of jasmine tea, vodka, gin and vermouth, it was aromatic, crisp and incredibly refreshing . From the wine list, we selected the Markus Molitor Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Kabinett. Showing beautiful notes of stone fruit, pear and nectarine, the Riesling paired brilliantly with the seafood we’d chosen, its bright acidity complementing each dish effortlessly. Starting with snacks, the asparagus tart with plum on puffed rice was a fascinating little bite. The flavour combination was interesting and well balanced, with lovely texture from the puffed rice. The prawn toast was a standout, perfectly crisp with the natural sweetness of the prawn shining through. For entrées, the scallop and prawn siu mai topped with caviar was expertly prepared. The wonton wrapper was cooked perfectly and the delicate flavours of scallop and prawn truly shone, elevated by the subtle pop of caviar. The ma la calamari with numbing spices and black lime was an absolute knock-out. The calamari was tender, not chewy in the slightest, and the spice left that addictive tingle on the palate that makes you want just one more bite. I would happily eat this every day. For mains, the Hong Kong-style Murray cod with soy and ginger. The fish was cooked beautifully, moist and delicate, with the soy and ginger adding balanced depth without overpowering the natural flavour of the cod. A side of wok greens and steamed rice rounded everything out perfectly. The black pepper beef and the duck are also must-try dishes here and I’ll certainly be ordering them next time. We finished with a dessert of white chocolate, matcha and mandarin. If you’re a matcha fan, this one is for you. The gentle bitterness of the matcha contrasted nicely with the brightness of the mandarin, while the white chocolate brought the whole dish together with a creamy sweetness. The Fifty Six is an exceptional venue with a team that goes above and beyond for their guests. It’s perfect for business dinners, special occasions, or simply when you feel like treating yourself. I can’t wait to return and work my way through more of the menu.

Tehaunui

· Feb 2026

Beautiful venue on the top floor, great restaurant and service. Very friendly French staff (from Reunion & mainland), very attentive with a smile, merci! We visited twice while on holiday for a week in Brisbane, from Wellington NZ. Highly recommend booking during the holiday period. Dim sum, beef black sauce and char siu pork were tasty, with a modern touch. Well presented dishes, tasty gai lan and crispy aubergines stir-fry sides. For desert, the deep fried ice cream with char siu sauce was delicious. Nice selection of wines and cocktails too. We'll be back 🙂

OZ UTube

· Jan 2026

Celebrated a pre-birthday dinner at Fifty Six (Nadlan House) and overall had a lovely experience, with several standout dishes. The prawn honey dumplings were absolutely divine, and the bay lobster pao fan was next-level delicious — comforting, indulgent, and beautifully flavoured. The toothfish was quite enjoyable and well cooked, though serving one larger piece on lettuce rather than two smaller pieces may make it easier to eat. Not everything was a hit. The xiao long bao skin was a bit too thick, and unfortunately the fried ice cream didn’t impress — the batter felt too soft and the char siu flavour didn’t really come through. Overall, a pleasant pre-birthday dinner with some exceptional highlights and a few misses. Still worth visiting — especially for the dumplings and lobster.

Cassandra Chan

· Jan 2026

Dinner at Fifty-Six was such a treat. It’s easily one of the best Cantonese meals I’ve had in Brisbane in a long time. Every dish was beautifully fresh, full of flavour, and thoughtfully presented. You can truly taste the quality and care in each plate. The staff were warm, welcoming which made the experience even more enjoyable. I’ve added photos of all the dishes we had and I can confidently recommend every single one of them. Once again, everything was delicious, and I’m already looking forward to returning to try the rest of the menu!