Hizola's Kitchen & Bar

Hizola's Kitchen & Bar is a sleek contemporary Cantonese restaurant and bar located underneath the M&A Building, just off James Street in Fortitude Valley.

The sibling of Mr Hizola's, the longtime Burleigh Heads dining institution, Hizola's Kitchen & Bar offers the same menu that has been a drawcard for Gold Coast foodies, so Brisbane now gets to experience what the buzz is about.

The stunning split level dining restaurant and bar features black tables and chairs, leather banquette, Chinese carved screen between the two levels and booths at the rear, with ambient lighting from clusters of hanging Chinese lanterns. There is also a smattering of seating in the covered terrace area out front.

In keeping with Chinese tradition, all of the dishes at Hizola's Kitchen and Bar are designed to be shared, ranging from lingshi (snacks), dim sum and small plates, to bao, and larger dishes 'from the sea','from the fire' and 'from the garden'.

Lingshi, which are a perfect appetizer to enjoy with a signature cocktail, glass of boutique wine or Chinese beer, include lotus roots with Szechuan pepper aioi or edamame with spicy butter.

Along with vegetable or duck spring rolls, Dim Sum includes pan-fried pork and chive dumplings; steamed mushroom and edamame dumplings; or wagyu dumplings (highly recommended), with the option of a dumpling platter featuring all three.

From the selection of small share plates, stand-outs include Zhejang cauilflower popcorn with spicy peanut buttery sauce; and Hizola's signature sizzling steak, which is ceremoniously lit with flame at the table. And from the larger share plates, there's honey & lemon prawns, Yang-Yang crispy fried beef or Peking Duck pancakes. 

Hizola's delicious baos come with fillings such as barramundi with Asian slaw & spicy mayo; enoki & mushroom with coriander and onion or tender braised posk with teriyaki sauce and shredded carrot.

From the sea, dishes include baked scallops with rich creamy sauce and Szechuan pepper; scorched salmon sashimi with ginger soy sauce and crispy rice; or steamed barramundi with Chinese broccoli and shallots; whilst dishes 'from the fire' include chow-mein or chow fun noodles; black pepper beef stir-fried with mushrooms in black pepper and soy butter sauce; and Kung Pao chicken (spicy chicken or wok-tossed vegetables with chilli jam and peanuts).

There's also Yangzhou fried rice (with carrots corn and peas); mussels and clam noodles (creamy spicy seafood hotpot with mussels, clams and rice noodles) and Shanghai curry with seasonal vegetables and nuts. And don't skip dessert, with delicious offerings like toffee banana (toffee-coated banana with ice cream and macadamia praline); coconut tapioca sago (creamy coconut pudding with mango & toasted coconut flakes); or deep fried ice cream topped with rich butterscitch sauce.

For drinks, Hizola's has a cracking boutique wine list, including sparkling and French champagne; Japanese lager on tap; sake, a small range of craft Chinese and Japaneee bottled beer; and an impressive cocktail menu with an Asian-flavoured twist, including Matcha Maiden, Lychee Rosatini, Plumstar Martine and house signature Hong Kong Spice (vodka, kaffir, lemongrass, lychee, chili & coconut). Mocktails are also available on request.

Good to know - Hizola's offers two fantastic value menus - the 5-course Chef's Choice ($49) or Emperor's Feast - one choice from each menu section ($69)*

Need to know - Well-behaved dogs are welcome to jojn their owners on the outdor terrrace dining area.There is metered onstreet parking available on McLachlan Street.

*At time of visiting in October 2024.

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