Monal Dining Newstead | Must Do Brisbane

Monal Dining in Newstead is one of Brisbane's hottest foodie destinations, yet with the relaxed vibe of a local neighbourhood bar and kitchen.

Located on a corner a short walk away from the hustle and bustle of the Gasworks, Monal Dining offers covered outdoor seating under a giant fig tree or inside an understatedly chic contemporary dining room with Bentwood chairs and leather banquettes.

Service is warm, professional and friendly, with guests made to feel right at home and well-behaved pooches on leash are welcome to join their owners outside.

Although their focus is on being the local neighbourhood drop-in for drinks or dining, Monal Dining serves exquisite food that is well worth crossing town for.

Pre-dinner or bar snacks include the likes of appelation oysters; tuna tartare with potato and bottarga; pork skewers with kimchi and pear; tempura mushroom with garlic cream & shallots; or scallops, apple, green chilli and cod's roe.

From the small plates, there's a choice of ocean trout with pickled chilli and sesame dressing; beef tartare with house sriracha and sourdough crisp; or pork dumpling with Perilla seeds sauce and chilli oil; or pulled lamb, fried pastries and chilli mayo (a must-try).

For mains there's spice rubbed whole char grilled chicken with curry sauce; crispy pork belly with plum hoisin; braised lamb shoulder & jus; or grilled barramundi, spring onion, ginger relish and smoked broth.

Even the sides ara a treat - try the grilled cabbage with cashew and vinaigrette, or the charred edamame, corn and iceberg with parmesan dressing. Meanwhile for dessert there's one dish - cherries, yoghurt and white chocolate

To accompany there's an excellent curated list of boutique wines from the best wine regions of Australia, or try one of the signature cocktails including Butter be Good, Sea Shanty and Mango Tango. Meanwhie beers on tap are Black Hops Pale Ale (Gold Coast) and Asahi Dry and there's also Peroni Leggera (bottle) and Heaps Normal non-alcoholic beer.