There are brunches you attend politely, and then there are brunches you mentally move into and just decide you live there now. Riverbar’s new bottomless Italian Coastal Bottomless Brunch is the latter.
As part of Riverbar & Kitchen’s limited-time Riviera takeover, the Brisbane riverside favourite has transformed into an Italian-inspired Mediterranean oasis, complete with sun-drenched energy, flowing Aperol and a menu that understands the assignment: brunch should feel indulgent, social and just a little bit transportive.
Enter the Italian Coastal Bottomless Brunch, running Saturdays and Sundays from January 24 for $89 per person. Ninety minutes. Free-flowing Aperol Spritz. A spread of share plates that feels considered rather than chaotic. And a setting that quietly reminds you why Brisbane summers can be elite.
Let’s talk food.
The San Daniele prosciutto with shaved rockmelon arrives first, and it immediately sets the tone. There is something undeniably wonderful about this pairing. The prosciutto is delicately salty and silky, the rockmelon cool and sweet. Together they’re refreshing, balanced and deeply satisfying. It’s the kind of dish that makes you slow down between bites, partly to savour it, partly because it feels rude to rush something this simple and this good.
Next, the rosemary flatbread. Crisp on the outside, warm and freshly baked within. It smells incredible before it even hits the table. This is bread you tear with your hands, not cut politely. The rosemary is aromatic without overpowering, and the crust has that perfect crunch that gives way to softness underneath. A supporting character, yes, but one that quietly carries the entire meal.
Then comes the burrata with fennel jam and fennel pollen, and suddenly everyone at the table is leaning in. The burrata is unapologetically creamy, rich without being heavy. The fennel jam adds a gentle sweetness and a subtle sharpness that cuts through the dairy beautifully, while the fennel pollen lifts the whole dish with a fragrant, almost citrusy note. It’s a thoughtful combination, and one that rewards repeat bites. Especially when paired with the flatbread.
The heirloom tomatoes with basil, extra virgin olive oil and salt are exactly what you want them to be. Bright, fresh, acidic in the right way. This is a time-honoured combination for a reason, and here it’s executed simply and confidently. When eaten alongside the burrata, the tomatoes become even more impressive, their freshness balancing the creaminess perfectly. It’s summer food in its purest form.
The tuna ceviche with preserved lemon, chilli, oregano and pan carasau is the one dish I didn’t personally eat, but the feedback from across the table was immediate and enthusiastic. Light yet flavoursome. Clean, zesty, and delicately seasoned. The preserved lemon brings brightness, the chilli warmth, and the crisp pan carasau adds texture. It disappeared quickly, which is always a good sign.
Then, the fritto misto di mare. A golden mix of battered and fried seafood that arrives hot, crunchy and unapologetically indulgent. The batter is light and crisp, not oily, and the seafood inside remains tender. A squeeze of fresh lemon over the top brings everything into focus, cutting through the richness and making each bite feel justifiable. This is the plate everyone reaches for first, then again, then again.
But the standout — the dish that had unanimous table agreement — was the flank steak with salsa verde, chips and rocket. Perfectly seasoned, cooked just right, and full of flavour. The salsa verde is tangy and herbaceous, bringing brightness and depth without overpowering the meat. The chips are exactly what they should be: crisp, golden, and impossible to ignore. Add peppery rocket for balance, and suddenly you have a dish that anchors the entire brunch. Comforting, elevated, and deeply satisfying.
And through it all, the Aperol Spritz flows freely. Cold, vibrant, and endlessly drinkable. There is something about Aperol in summer that feels right, especially when you’re seated by the river with nowhere else to be.
Which brings us to the setting.
Riverbar & Kitchen has always had one of Brisbane’s most enviable locations, but Riverbar Riviera leans all the way in. Positioned right on the Brisbane River, with the Story Bridge looming beautifully nearby, it feels open, breezy and alive. The water glints, the city hums softly, and everything about the space encourages you to linger. It’s a riverside oasis in the truest sense, and easily one of the most picturesque places to dine in the city.
This is the kind of brunch you book when you want to impress out-of-towners, celebrate something small, or simply spend a summer weekend doing exactly what you should be doing: eating well, drinking spritzes, and talking for far longer than planned.
I’ll absolutely be back. And next time, I’m bringing more friends.
Riverbar Riviera runs through to February 2026 at Riverbar & Kitchen. The Bottomless Italian Coastal Brunch runs Saturdays and Sundays from January 24.
Riverbar & Kitchen, 71 Eagle St, Brisbane City. p. (07) 3211 9020
In her spare time, she likes long walks down the makeup aisle and performing in Brisbane theatre. You can follow her adventures on Instagram and TikTok @thebeautypalate.
