Meet Arbour, the slick new eatery smashing out classic fare in the heart of South Bank
Last month, South Bank welcomed a brand-new all-day eatery that is delivering well-executed classics across breakfast, lunch and dinner. Arbour is the name of the new haunt, which is pouring Toby’s Estate coffee by day and signature cocktails at night. We popped in for a peek at the sleek nosh spot – here’s what we saw …
Gurdeep Singh and Pyae ‘Pete’ Maung’s friendship is one that was forged in a cafe setting. The duo worked together at a coffee slinger in South Bank, where they bonded over a shared dream of one day opening a venue of their own.
“There was a small cafe on the corner and Gurdeep was the manager,” recalls Pete. “He hired me when I was 19 – I think one and a half years after I arrived in Australia. When we were working together, we would always sit down and have a chat about what we would do if we owned the place?”
Eventually, that dream came true. The duo have owned and operated Riverside Cafe & Bar for the past few years, building it into a beloved brunch destination and a reliable resource for top-notch coffee. But Gurdeep and Pete weren’t merely content operating one venue. Last month, the duo bolstered their portfolio with Arbour, a chic Modern Australian restaurant nestled at the base of the ABC Brisbane Centre on Grey Street.
Named after the kilometre-long sculptural installation that cuts through South Bank parklands, Arbour is a family-friendly eatery offering specialty coffee, breakfast bites, lunch options and dinner. Occupying a prime piece of South Bank real estate, Arbour sees Gurdeep and Pete upping the ante and challenging themselves with a concept that is both varied and ambitious.
“I thought that we should do something that was a little bit of a step up,” says Pete. “We sat down and we decided that it would be totally different, from the suppliers to the wines. We want to do something premium.”
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In partnership with Clui Design, the Arbour team has given the space a complete makeover, implementing a crisp and contemporary look featuring polished concrete floors, white marble, sea-blue tiles and splashes of olive green. Seating is divided between a main interior dining floor, a casual banquette space on the other side of the bar and a strip of high-top tables running along Arbour’s alfresco patio.
In order to cater to a broad spectrum of diners, Arbour’s menu is diverse but crammed full of quality options. If passing by in the morning, guests can stop in for croque madames with gooey gruyere, Mediterranean-inspired avocado toast and what might be one of the best big brekkies this side of the river. At lunch, the menu shifts to include battered spiced-cauliflower tacos, chicken parmigiana, grilled barramundi and hearty burgers. All of this is backed up by a killer selection of cabinet sandwiches, pastries and coffee from Toby’s Estate.
As the afternoon shifts into the evening, Arbour’s offering once again evolves to cater to the dinner crowd. Popping in for a snack before a show at QPAC? Share a plate of fried quid, arancini or vegan spring rolls, or opt to divvy up one of Arbour’s classic pizzas. Want to linger longer? Arbour’s mains include lamb cutlets with mash and salad, pan-seared mahi mahi, grilled Tasmanian salmon and pasta with garlic prawns. On the drinks front, Arbour pours an assortment of tap and bottled beers (both mainstream and craft beers), a sturdy selection of wines and an array of signature cocktails and mocktails.
With years of experience under their belts, a passion for service and a knowledge of the wants and needs of the South Bank community, Gurdeep and Pete are well poised to make Arbour a new local institution. Head to The Directory for operating hours and other details.