Elegantly stuffed: Brisbane’s best fine dining restaurants

E’cco is one of Brisbane’s best known fine dining restaurants. It’s the place you go for special occasions because the mood is effortlessly elegant and the food is effortlessly superb.

The menu changes seasonally and basically there are two choices: degustation (four or five courses) or à la carte. It’s difficult to go past the Coominya quail or the gnocchi with truffle sauce. Try to leave room for the miso crème caramel dessert.

E’cco is just plain fantastic eating in a pared back setting. Be prepared to become addicted because it will serve some of the best things you will put into your mouth. There’s a reason why it’s a staple on many people’s dining list.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Classic E’cco gnocchi with truffle sauce and aged parmesan crisp ($29/$43)

It might be teeny, tiny (yep 12 seats only) but that’s what we love about Elska. The wood-y Nordic interior and the warmth from the staff make a visit here the total food experience.

The uber seasonal food means the menu changes daily so be prepared to be surprised and just to tempt you – the autumn menu included aged Burrawong duck breast cooked on an hibachi and served with red kuri and pumpkin butter.

Elska’s long lunch degustation is perfect for a weekend Saturday when you have two hours to totally indulge your taste buds. It kicks off at 1pm and don’t be afraid to add a wine pairing.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Long lunch degustation, Fridays and Saturdays only ($175 per person)

If you love French inspired food then Restaurant Dan Arnold will soon become a favourite. For ambience it melds Parisian bistro with Australian comfort chic. Basically, you’ll feel comfortable from the moment you walk in. Then comes the food.

The menu changes frequently so some quick grabs: Crayfish, tuna, corn and radish anyone? Or maybe you’re all about the coral trout with celtuce, ponzu and linaria?

Dan Arnold’s offers three set menus but it’s the “Up to the Chef” one that sounds like a perfect night out to us. You’ll get seven or eight courses, and you need at least three hours to complete it, so clear your diary!

Also, the cheese trolley has to be seen to be believed!

Dish Cult’s top pick: Carte blanche – Up to the Chef degustation ($200 per person)

Malt Dining really does have it all. Downstairs aka the ground floor there’s a bar that serves (arguably, I know), the best beers in Brisbane. It’s a fab after work quiet drink kind of place. And the “snacks” that go with the beer, such delicious bites as fish ceviche tostadas and artichoke with coconut labneh and crunchy capers, are just perfect.

Upstairs is where the fine dining magic happens. It might be quieter in the attic because all you hear is the sound of content munching? Vegans will love the Japanese pumpkin, currants, pepita and vegan cheese. Maybe the Korean style pork belly with cumin mascarpone and crispy rhubarb is more your style?

Malt Dining has somehow managed to combine casual style with fine dining food; stay in the bar for the best in bar ‘snacks’ or shimmy up the stairs for quiet conversation and elegant food.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Hakkaio seared scallops, celeriac puree, black tobiko and cherry ($28)

Deer Duck Bistro is for the romantics. While it does have space for large groups, it’s the candlelight, cosy chairs and intimacy that stamp DDB as the place to wine and dine that someone special.

The food is sublime too. Expect confit duck leg ravioli with sage-parmesan sauce, celeriac and Australian black truffle and sticky pork ribs with beetroot, bee pollen and muntries.

Definitely order dessert – the lemon curd, lime meringue with mandarin gel and thyme shortbread isn’t to die for, it’s to live for!

Dish Cult’s top pick: Classic Livorno seafood cacciucco with Tuscan bread ($46)