We all crave a certain comfort food when we are feeling down, under the weather or just looking for a pick-me-up. It is food that provides a nostalgic or sentimental value and is quite often characterised by its high-caloric nature and association with childhood or home cooking.
Ultimate Aussie comfort food choices include everyone’s fave chicken parmigiana, barbequed snags, lamingtons, a burger with the lot and the humble meat pie…here are six venues to get a comfort food fix:
Authentic German Cuisine
Taking homestyle cooking to a new level with traditional German recipes on the menu, head to Bavarian Blue on Main Road in Wellington Point for your next comfort food fix. This well-loved Brisbane restaurant takes diners' tastebuds to Bavaria in surrounds of chunky wooden table settings, an eclectic mix of artwork and cuckoo clocks on the walls.
Say Guten tag to entrées like herrings and cold potato salad, or organic beef goulash soup with German sourdough, before a signature plate of pork knuckle with pan-fried potatoes and sauerkraut; those looking to share may opt for a tasting platter of schnitzel, sausage, smoked pork chop, potatoes and salad.
Wood-fired Oven Temptations
Follow the tantalising aroma of pizza cooking in the wood-fired oven to find Mamma Teresa Pizza & Pasta restaurant on Melbourne Road in Newport. This long-established and locally loved Italian eatery buzzes with lively chatter, as guests catch up over a glass of red in warm and welcoming surroundings, ideal for family gatherings.
Nothing says comfort more than pizza and pasta – think fettuccine with chicken, mushrooms and spring onions, or twirl your fork around spaghetti carbonara with bacon, wine, onions and cream sauce; pizzaholics can pick up a slice topped with lamb sausage, tomato, cheese, spinach, Spanish onions, roasted capsicum and garlic.
Tantalise Taste Buds with Afghani Fare
Experience the best Afghan comfort food you have ever tried at Ashy’s Afghan Restaurant on High Street in Ashburton. Step into a warm and welcoming vibe of polished wood, tiles and glowing pendents to peruse a menu of traditional fare promising delicious flavour combinations sure to tantalise all taste buds.
Typical Afghani dishes consist of meat and rice as staples, along with distinctive curries and spices such as turmeric, chilli, coriander or fennel; embark on a memorable culinary journey with starters like steamed prawn dumplings and garlic sauce, before slow-cooked lamb shank, flavoured rice, carrot and sultanas.
Rustic Pizza and Housemade Pasta
For the ultimate expression of what a combination of Modern Australian cuisine and artistic ambience should be, head to Rustic Ram Café Bar & Restaurant on Wallace Street in Meredith. Strip back the hustle and bustle of everyday life and appreciate the relationship between the landscape and produce at this quirky restaurant, where the walls are covered in licence plates and a dripping chandelier takes pride of place.
Outdoors is just as inviting with pots overflowing with greenery and vibrant colours; settle in with a drop of choice and a slice of wood-fired Butchers’ pizza with hot salami, beef ham, turkey bacon, chicken, caramelised onion, tomato and cheese, or indulge in a plate of chicken linguine with mushroom, lemon, parsley and creamy sauce.
A Taste of India on Every Plate
Come hungry, leave happy at authentic Indian restaurant Sankalp on Gympie Road in Aspley. This well-loved Brisbane dining destination serves a taste of India on every plate in a stylish vibe of bright red chairs, dark wooden table settings and statement globe drop lighting as tantalising aromas tempt guests from an open kitchen.
An extensive comfort food menu provides choices for all tastes – think starters like spicy deep-fried chicken 65, tossed in special masala, before memorable mains of goat curry on the bone, with local spices, coriander and a side of steamed rice, best enjoyed with garlic and cheese naan and a green salad.
The Home of Gourmet Pies
Sing a song of sixpence for a gourmet pie at Waterview Bakery on Esplanade in Paynesville. As the name suggests, soak up water views at this gourmet bakery while sipping a coffee alfresco and perusing a menu delivering dainty dishes to set before the King. From locally-produced honey and jams to family meals and a full catering service, this is not your average bakery; think smoky BBQ chicken wings, meatball subs and loaded wedges to name a few.
It’s all about the award-winning pies – wrap your mouth around temptations such as Thai prawn or garlic seafood, while carnivores opt for camp oven beef or lamb rogan josh. Sweet tooths aren’t forgotten with a decadent range of doughnuts including white chocolate and macadamia.
