Restaurant
Agnes
A wood-fired restaurant in a heritage brick building in Fortitude Valley, where every dish is cooked over fire, with a wine bar downstairs and a terrace…
Greca
Jonathan Barthelmess's 210-seat Greek taverna in a former warehouse at Howard Smith Wharves, built around charcoal grilling and generous shared plates.
At a glance
- Type
- Greek taverna
- Area
- Brisbane City (Howard Smith Wharves), Brisbane, Australia
- Price
- $$$ · Upscale
- Official site
- grecarestaurant.com.au
Good to know
- Outdoor seating
- Wine on tap
- Suits groups
- Licensed
Why we recommend it
Greca is a large modern Greek taverna at Howard Smith Wharves, the riverside precinct beneath the Story Bridge. It was opened in 2018 by chef Jonathan Barthelmess, who had made his name in Sydney with The Apollo and Cho Cho San, and the room was designed by his longtime collaborator George Livissianis. The restaurant seats around 210 people in a former warehouse finished with white walls, olive trees, custom straw furniture and timber, and there is outdoor seating as well.
The cooking centres on charcoal and wood-fired grills, visible in an open kitchen finished in zinc rather than stainless steel. Grilled seafood is a strength, including sardines, octopus and calamari, while larger dishes run to half or whole chicken, pork chop and lamb ribs. Traditional starters such as taramasalata, spanakopita and dolmades round out the table, and the menu includes plenty to share between a group without anyone needing to order a main of their own. For dessert, look for katoumari, smashed filo with custard, a dish from Barthelmess's ancestral home that is rarely seen on Australian menus.
The drinks list suits the shared style of eating. Three house wines, a white, a rose and a red, are poured on tap by the half or full litre, and a list of around 150 bottles covers Australian, French, Italian and Greek producers. Ordering a carafe and a spread of plates for the middle of the table is the natural way to eat here.
Greca suits groups and celebrations best, as the menu is designed for sharing and the room is large and lively. Couples will also enjoy it, particularly for a long lunch. The restaurant's website has current opening hours and reservations, and booking ahead is sensible for weekend sittings.
The precinct is entered from Boundary Street at the eastern edge of the CBD, and there is an on-site car park and a ferry terminal, so arriving by river is a good option. After eating you can walk along the wharves beneath the bridge, have a drink at one of the precinct's bars, or climb the Story Bridge, whose base is in the same precinct. Fortitude Valley is a short walk uphill.
Greca FAQs
Where is Greca?
At Howard Smith Wharves, 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City, beneath the Story Bridge.
What kind of food does Greca serve?
Modern Greek food cooked largely over charcoal and wood fire, designed for sharing.
Who is behind Greca?
Chef Jonathan Barthelmess, known for The Apollo and Cho Cho San in Sydney. It opened in 2018.
What should I order?
Grilled sardines, octopus and calamari, lamb ribs, and katoumari, smashed filo with custard, for dessert.
Is Greca good for groups?
Yes. The menu is built around sharing and the restaurant seats around 210.
What drinks are available?
House white, rose and red on tap by the half or full litre, and a list of about 150 bottles.
How do I get there?
Walk from the CBD along Boundary Street, use the on-site car park, or take a ferry to the Howard Smith Wharves terminal.
Is there outdoor seating?
Yes, there is an outdoor area.