Where to eat in Fortitude Valley

Dress to impress and gather your friends when you head to Rosmarino’s. Elegance is the word that best sums up eating here, but the bonus is that fussy friends will be well catered to with excellent vegetarian and dairy-free options.

Where to start? From the smaller plates, why not tickle the taste buds with lobster gnocchi, which is as decadent as it sounds, and we didn’t even mention it comes with caviar.

For those with heartier appetites, the dry aged Maremma duck breast with potato, orange sauce, orange segments and amaretti crumble will fill the tummy.

The dessert menu is enough to make any nonna jealous, so make sure you leave enough space for Chef Dario’s take on a tiramisù with zabaione, coffee patissiere cream, meringue and mascarpone. In the warmer months sample frozen goodies with inventive flavours such as green apple and basil sorbet.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Lobster gnocchi ($52)

The Valley used to be packed with Italian restaurants and we’re happy to report that Bianca is keeping the green, white and red flag flying.

The antipasti menu is extensive and delicious, and you could do much worse than to fill the table with dishes such as kingfish carpaccio with sweet and sour onion, buckwheat and tarragon; pork and fennel salami; artichoke and anchovy fritti; and ‘nduja, that oh-so-trendy spicy and soft Calabrian salami. Don’t forget piles of Agnes Bakery’s smoked potato sourdough either.

If you’ve got any space left, check out the pasta and risotto dishes. What’s not to love about pumpkin risotto with goat’s curd, hazelnut and brown butter, or paccheri with tomatoes and stracciatella cheese?

Don’t miss the dessert menu, which is heavy on gelato and sorbets, the perfect finish to an Italian meal here.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Pappardelle beef ragu with horseradish ($38)

Hellenika has been wowing lovers of Greek food for years and while many of us can throw together a decent Greek salad, they’re not a patch on the ones at Hellenika.

We dare you to attempt the salata me fasolakia which translates as green beans, tomato and avocado salad with Tabasco. Spicy and healthy!

Spanakorizo is about as tasty as a veggie dish can be: spinach and rice with lemon. Eat your heart out Popeye! Served with H’s chargrilled lamb’s ribs and you can’t go wrong!

Greek plus family plus food means a good time for all and if you’re looking for heaped platters to share then Hellenika is famous for its baked Junee lamb – 600 grams for a nuclear family or 1.2 kilos for extended ones. Just say arni me patates sto fourno, please.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Welcome banquet ($80 pp)

Stylish, cool and views to die for – this is what you’ll be thinking when you head to Maya’s in the Valley.

You may think you know what a taco, a tostada or a quesadilla is but think again. Have you ever had a roasted mushrooms, huitlacoche, crispy truffle quinoa, goats cheese crema taco? Or perhaps a queso oaxaca and goat’s cheese, chargrilled and pickled zucchini quesadilla? No, well then you’ve not been to Maya. And yes, they are every bit as good as they sound.

Naturally you need to have this with plenty of tequila. Margaritas come spicy and fruity, and sometimes in the same glass. Why not try a mango and jalapeno one? Or perhaps straight up lychee? Too many options and too little time. Sip, eat, sit back and relax, it’s all there for your enjoyment at Maya.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Paquete de Pescado – red emperor and guajillo butter cooked in banana leaf parcel with fish chicharron ($37)

Happy Boy is one huge venue, and one popular eatery.

If your Chinese palate is a little jaded, perhaps dishes such as Mongkok wok-fried boneless pork chop with spicy sauce or three-cup chicken with a little sweet and salty soy sauce and basil will cure your ennui.

Vegetarians have some great choices too: salt and pepper tofu, Chinese cool potato salad with tofu and egg served with a spicy dressing, or mushroom and truffle fried rice are sure to please.

Whatever Happy Boy is putting down, lots of people are picking up, so make sure you book ahead.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Chef’s banquet ($45 pp)