Bar Alto pairs modern Italian cooking with river views inside the Brisbane Powerhouse at 119 Lamington St, New Farm. Settle on the deck for a drink or choose a longer meal built around pasta and seasonal Italian-style plates. The menu has included pappardelle with goat ragu, pumpkin and ricotta crespelle with burnt sage butter, and seafood pasta with local crab. There are also pizzas at the bar, plus desserts such as apple crostata and cherry sorbet. It suits a relaxed riverside meal or dinner before a show.
A restaurant inside the Powerhouse
Bar Alto is part of Brisbane Powerhouse, the former power station on the river at New Farm. The building now hosts theatre, music, comedy, film, visual arts, festivals and events. That setting gives dinner here a different rhythm from a standalone restaurant: you can come for a meal on its own or fit one around a performance.
The restaurant combines the building’s industrial character with a contemporary dining room. Its riverside position is a draw, particularly from the outdoor deck. On a sunny day, ask for a table outside if you want to look towards the water while you eat.
Pasta, seafood and Italian classics
Pasta is a strong reason to visit. Dishes noted on the menu include pappardelle with goat ragu and crespelle filled with ricotta and pumpkin, finished with burnt sage butter. Seafood options have included spanner crab tortellini, gnocchi with local crab, chilli and fennel, and whole sand crab with spaghetti. Menus can change, so check what is available when you go.
The kitchen also puts a contemporary spin on familiar Italian flavours. Past dishes have included slow-cooked lamb shoulder, octopus with parsnip and peppers, and grilled quail saltimbocca served with stone fruit and radicchio. These are reasons to look beyond pasta if you’re settling in for a longer meal.
Pizza and drinks at the bar
For a more casual stop, the bar menu includes pizza. Past combinations include Italian sausage with pickled Lombardo pepper and fior di latte, and zucchini flower with chilli, garlic and macadamia. The drinks list includes wine, beer, cocktails and mocktails, so you can stop for a drink as well as dinner.
Dessert choices have included apple crostata and cherry sorbet. If you’re attending a show or concert at the Powerhouse, the restaurant can work as a pre-performance meal; allow time to eat before heading to your event.
Perguntas frequentes
Where is Bar Alto?
It is inside Brisbane Powerhouse at 119 Lamington St, New Farm, beside the Brisbane River.
What kind of food does Bar Alto serve?
The menu centres on Italian dishes, including pasta, seafood and other plates. The bar menu has included pizza.
Can you sit outside at Bar Alto?
Outdoor seating is available, with views over the river. It is a good choice on a sunny day.
How can you get to Bar Alto?
Bus, CityCat ferry and taxi are listed as transport options for visiting the Brisbane Powerhouse.
