Few Italian meals of this calibre are eaten to such robust guitar riffs as might accompany you at Bar Alto. But that's the incongruous appeal of dining in the lovably grungy Powerhouse. Add informed service and worthy wines and Bar Alto puts on quite a show. Bar Alto is located in the Brisbane Powerhouse, which is a contemporary multi-arts, dining and conference venue nestled on the beautiful banks of the Brisbane River beside New Farm Park.
The former power station has become a distinct Brisbane landmark, both as a stunning industrial creation and as a hub for everything creative including theatre, music, comedy, film, visual arts, festivals and ideas. Brisbane Powerhouse opened as an arts centre in 2000 after its 43-year reign as a power station.
The former power station has become a distinct Brisbane landmark, both as a stunning industrial creation and as a hub for everything creative including theatre, music, comedy, film, visual arts, festivals and ideas. Brisbane Powerhouse opened as an arts centre in 2000 after its 43-year reign as a power station.
Reviews (26)
Jozzelle
Dec 23, 2021
Report
I did not realise the powerhouse served food. I went here to meet some friends and the food was amazing. You dine by the river so you get great views and the staff were so friendly. They did forget my juice until we mentioned it but they apologised and gave the drink for free since they forgot to serve it. Would definitely come here again.
Fortune Bright
Oct 08, 2021
Report
Linda Daniel
Aug 05, 2021
Report
Cherie H.
Apr 20, 2021
Report
Wonderful location on the river with plenty of outdoor seating. Had a bite to eat before a show and the pizza was tasty. Not a huge selection of beers on tap, service was quick though. The Italian sausage pizza was a bit dry and flavorless but the prosciutto pizza was yummy. Overall a good place to come of you’re already at be powerhouse
Sherry Mackay
Jan 13, 2020
Report
With relatives in tow, we headed to Bar Alto for dinner. Oddly, there aren’t many Brisbane restaurants on the river, so this was a no-brainer for out-of-town guests. I started with the prosciutto di parma, which came with a couple of different types of bread. This was delicious, melt in your mouth stuff; fabulous bread and luscious meat. I ate every bit of it, and even the bread which I don’t often do when eating out. Hubby had the ciabatta to start, and ate every slice himself. He is a huge carb fan, and he loved this chewy, flavoursome bread. The rellies are always watching their weight,
Damian Kelleher Dk
Jun 04, 2019
Report
Yeah like so this is a nice place. Great view. Confident menu. I would say their wine list is a highlight, and they sure have a lot of pigeons a lot (though none on the menu as at May 2019!)
I went here with my daughter and my wife. Pleasingly, they did not have a microwave to heat up my daughter’s food, which was mildly inconvenient while admirable in that they Cook Their Food Well.
The peppers were a recommendation from the waitress and were quite good. I don’t like croquettes, but their salt cod croquettes held up very nicely. I thought the octopus was a bit tough - it was probably the
I went here with my daughter and my wife. Pleasingly, they did not have a microwave to heat up my daughter’s food, which was mildly inconvenient while admirable in that they Cook Their Food Well.
The peppers were a recommendation from the waitress and were quite good. I don’t like croquettes, but their salt cod croquettes held up very nicely. I thought the octopus was a bit tough - it was probably the
Marissa Liu
Oct 13, 2018
Report
Kristen M.
Jul 10, 2018
Report
Anna C.
Jun 18, 2017
Report
Flying Geek
Jun 10, 2017
Report
Andy Pudmenzky
Jul 12, 2016
Report
Elizabeth H.
Jun 04, 2016
Report
We've always been big fans of Bar Alto! It's our 'go to' place for dining when we see a show at the Brisbane Powerhouse.
Excellent service and the place to go before or after a show at the Brisbane Powerhouse.
The dishes are rich and unique, and the service is always pleasant, prompt and excellent.
Highly recommended Brisbane dining at an awesome venue!!
Excellent service and the place to go before or after a show at the Brisbane Powerhouse.
The dishes are rich and unique, and the service is always pleasant, prompt and excellent.
Highly recommended Brisbane dining at an awesome venue!!
Artie C.
Apr 25, 2016
Report
Housed in the magnificent Powerhouse complex Bar Alto was abuzz with people for Sunday lunch. The staff had us seated quickly and were very attentive. We shared the quail and sea scallops for starters, they were delicious and beautifully presented. We both had the roasted lamb with figs and water crest. It was ok, should have order some extra veg wth it. Washed it down with a very nice SA rose. I had a desert of tiny donuts which was not impressive. Overall the ambiance was excellent, the service terrific and we felt very satisfied. Would certainly recommend to friends and revisit.
Aaron B.
Oct 11, 2015
Report
Let's start off with amazing service friendly staff great location to go with a few friends..
The food it's good, apart from my experience there I had a massive long hair in my homemade pappardelle goat ragu, excuse was we all wear head bands must of just magically flew into the middle of your lunch oops,, They said it will be taken off the bill, when we went to pay it wasn't. I had to remind them that there was a hair in my food. Apart from that the desert was great.
The food it's good, apart from my experience there I had a massive long hair in my homemade pappardelle goat ragu, excuse was we all wear head bands must of just magically flew into the middle of your lunch oops,, They said it will be taken off the bill, when we went to pay it wasn't. I had to remind them that there was a hair in my food. Apart from that the desert was great.
Karen S.
Aug 18, 2014
Report
What is not to love about this fabulous space, the food, the wine, the staff. After many many afternoon strolls that ended up here. I love being a local at New Farm!! I have to say that this is my favourite New Farm location.
Whether we are after just a casual drink after our walk, or a coffee in the morning (definately with their amazing Macarons) then occasionally a more substantial feed, this place nails it. The bar food is delicous and generous in portion size - they do great Pizza's. The Menu changes seasonally and regionally, love the Italian theme too.
The staff behind the
Whether we are after just a casual drink after our walk, or a coffee in the morning (definately with their amazing Macarons) then occasionally a more substantial feed, this place nails it. The bar food is delicous and generous in portion size - they do great Pizza's. The Menu changes seasonally and regionally, love the Italian theme too.
The staff behind the
Britt C.
Jul 03, 2014
Report
Randomly decided to stop in for a coffee here, opted for Bar Alto cuz they had indoor seating and it was a bit chilly outside. I had a coffee and a brownie, they were both ok...my coffee wasn't really hot, barely warm and the brownie was....a brownie. It was really rich, but nothing amazing.
Decent enough spot to grab a coffee, casual couch seating which is comfy.
Decent enough spot to grab a coffee, casual couch seating which is comfy.
Noel P.
Jun 16, 2014
Report
Went to a wine dinner, great food, set menu, nice little canapes to start, followed by risotto, with porcini and gorgonzola, what can I say, yum, Wagyu with baby root veggies good, but needed work on meat, also portion was small but flavour very good, panna cotta for dessert all matched with wines from Vietti in northern Italy.
Olivia C.
Feb 14, 2014
Report
Beautiful food! A group of us went for a birthday dinner and were impressed with pretty much everything here! The atmosphere and setting was great with views looking over the river. I ordered the duck ravioli which came in a beautiful mushroom sauce which was just Devine. Friends also ordered the mussel gnocchi and the parpadelle with goat ragu. All delicious and all decent serving sizes. Dessert was also great. Service was friendly and attentive. All round great evening!
Sandrine G.
Jul 12, 2013
Report
Jess W.
Jun 21, 2013
Report
Eliza B.
May 19, 2013
Report
The powerhouse is an awesome location, and the service, and atmosphere are great. But my meal at Bar Alto, the "Venetian style crespelle filled with ricotta, pumpkin, burnt sage butter" was a little more burned than I would have liked, and surprisingly, the flavours were a bit bland.
With high hopes, I followed up with the apple and ricotta tart - which was also a bit burned. And though artistically presented, the cold caramel sauce and the cold tart were not so great. Honestly, there are more impressive desserts at Pie face for $6.
Perhaps some of the other dishes on the menu are
With high hopes, I followed up with the apple and ricotta tart - which was also a bit burned. And though artistically presented, the cold caramel sauce and the cold tart were not so great. Honestly, there are more impressive desserts at Pie face for $6.
Perhaps some of the other dishes on the menu are
Vincent C.
Mar 23, 2013
Report
My intent of visiting the Powerhouse was to watch the live jazz performance, and instead I got impressed with the fact that this place is located in what used to be a power station. I think it still has that industrial heavy duty feel, but with modern bits and pieces stuffed into it (such as working toilets, a bar and a restaurant...).
So after watching the show with an adequate amount of "hydration", we decided that the consumption of food was in order.
The dining experience here at Bar Alto is just amazing, mainly due to the excellent views of the river. I found it all to be very
So after watching the show with an adequate amount of "hydration", we decided that the consumption of food was in order.
The dining experience here at Bar Alto is just amazing, mainly due to the excellent views of the river. I found it all to be very
Suzannah B.
Jan 14, 2012
Report
I'm a big fan of anywhere that combines a view with food, drinks, and a show! Alto is such a perfect place to relax and have dinner or a drink before or after seeing something at the Powerhouse. The atmosphere is very urban and cool what with all the graffiti and raw brick walls, and the deck outside overlooking the river is fantastic.
Alto is one of those places that manages to achieve in the restaurant stakes as well as the bar stakes. If you just want a nice pre-show cocktail, they'll whip you up something quickly and professionally and you can rely on it being a quality tipple.
Alto is one of those places that manages to achieve in the restaurant stakes as well as the bar stakes. If you just want a nice pre-show cocktail, they'll whip you up something quickly and professionally and you can rely on it being a quality tipple.
Shannon M.
Dec 18, 2011
Report
Location, location, location! Oh, and food and wine. All very important for a good night out in my opinion.
Bar Alto has the best of everything. Right on the Brisbane River, in the Powerhouse, I love the atmosphere on a busy Saturday night. Everyone is there for a good time with their mates.
Last time I went was with my boyfriend and another couple. We go there early, had a few drinks on the deck outside, then progressed into the restaurant section. I am a big fan of Italian food and the menu had me spoilt for choice. I opted for ravioli verdi. Hand made pasta, rich fillings and a delicate
Bar Alto has the best of everything. Right on the Brisbane River, in the Powerhouse, I love the atmosphere on a busy Saturday night. Everyone is there for a good time with their mates.
Last time I went was with my boyfriend and another couple. We go there early, had a few drinks on the deck outside, then progressed into the restaurant section. I am a big fan of Italian food and the menu had me spoilt for choice. I opted for ravioli verdi. Hand made pasta, rich fillings and a delicate
Sun E.
Dec 12, 2011
Report
We live in Brisbane. We have an amazing river. Most of us like to drink. So why is it so hard to find nice places to drink on the river?
Thanks to Bar Alto it's not as hard as it used to be. Its location in the Powerhouse means Bar Alto is smack on the river bank, and the breezes are delicious. There are large communal tables plus smaller, more intimate arrangments. Getting a seat can be a challenge but I treat it as a good excuse to turn up early and get a few more vino's in.
Bar snacks are good, the calamari comes with tempura zucchini slices which are my favourite. My only
Thanks to Bar Alto it's not as hard as it used to be. Its location in the Powerhouse means Bar Alto is smack on the river bank, and the breezes are delicious. There are large communal tables plus smaller, more intimate arrangments. Getting a seat can be a challenge but I treat it as a good excuse to turn up early and get a few more vino's in.
Bar snacks are good, the calamari comes with tempura zucchini slices which are my favourite. My only
Rafaela H.
Dec 04, 2011
Report
Bar Alto is serene. Situated in the Brisbane Powerhouse, Bar Alto can be found around the back, right on the river. Whether you go there for a quick drink or bite to eat before or after an event at the Powerhouse, or just go to sit on the river on a lazy sunday afternoon, this place is perfect. Albiet a little pricey, they have a nice selection of fine wine and beers and tastey food to accompany them if you please.
The best thing about this bar is the location. It picks up a pleasant breeze from the river. You can gaze across at the city cat making its way to and fro, or daydream about which
The best thing about this bar is the location. It picks up a pleasant breeze from the river. You can gaze across at the city cat making its way to and fro, or daydream about which
