Joy Restaurant — Restaurant in Brisbane City

I fortunately didn't have to endure a lengthy wait—my friend stumbled upon a booking after I mentioned wanting to visit, this was just last week!

Maybe their quality is waning, which is why we didn't need to wait?

To be candid, the experience was disappointing. It arguably ranks as one of the most overrated establishments in Brisbane.

For those who haven't dined at a quality chef's -table restaurant, the allure might lie in the style over substance approach—excessive garnishes that contribute little to the dish. Imagine a sprinkle of grated almond on a piece of lettuce or a gold leaf atop a basic caramel swirl.

The restaurant attempts to engage diners by assembling dishes in front of them, which, in theory, should be engaging. However, the reality is that the food is mediocre at best: pretentious, undersized, dry, excessively seasoned, and lacking combined flavour.

The service was baffling as well:

We chose the Premium Matching Drinks option at $120 per person, equating to around $24 per drink for five beverages.

However, we were informed that this pairing wouldn't commence until after the initial two courses, which was perplexing.

Others who didn't opt for the overly priced pairing were enjoying their vino. So we sat on water for a while. Hmm. Ok.

Moreover, those who selected wine from the menu received larger pours compared to our paired servings, despite the fact that the SAME paired wines were priced between $16-$20 if ordered individually—a perplexing situation.

Compounding this muppetry, they ran out of the final wine in our pairing (despite only ten patrons in the restaurant, they didn't advise us prior to ordering), they then offered a cocktail as a substitute... Sure, ok....

We opted for a Negroni (listed at $20 on the menu, though - keep in mind our cost was $24), which similar to before, turned out to be the world's smallest cocktail ... Seriously!

(refer to the attached photo and see slice of orange for scale). It was a joke. We're not American wanting jugs. This is 25ml.

It's a shot of Negroni.

Again, pretty sure if I ordered on menu, I'd get a real Negeoni and not a toy.

Why short change me, when I tried to opt for your full experience?

The dining experience was bewildering. The bill came to $610 for two, which seems exorbitant for what was offered:

A petite, overly salty piece of lamb; A diminutive pecan tart with cottage cheese; Stale, salty bread; And an unremarkable combination of biscuits, caramel, and gold leaf.

The seven-course meal concluded in under two hours, which felt rushed.

However, it's evident that the restaurant is profiting significantly.

Remarkably, they ALSO lacked credit card facilities and requested a bank transfer at the table ... providing a note with their account details —an uncomfortable moment.

We weren't the only patrons left dissatisfied. We discussed it while trying to find out own way out past the locked gates in the courtyard.

My advice? Visit to boast to your three followers on the Gram, but not for a memorable culinary journey.

I...

From beginning to end, this dining experience was nothing short of extraordinary. It was far beyond a mere meal; it was a celebration of the culinary craft, with a level of service that made me feel as though I wasn't just dining, but rather fully immersing myself in the art of food preparation and service from start to finish. Every aspect of the experience, from the first greeting to the final course, exuded a deep passion and commitment to excellence that was evident in every detail.

The two staff members, Maddy and Sarah, were the perfect pairing, working together seamlessly and with an impressive level of methodical precision. They exuded professionalism while remaining warm and approachable, creating an atmosphere where I felt completely at ease. Their coordination was impeccable, with each one anticipating the other’s movements, which made the service feel smooth and effortless. Their attentiveness to our needs, without being intrusive, made the entire experience feel personal and exceptional.

My only minor complaint—though one that certainly isn’t a reflection on the restaurant itself—was the behavior of some of the other patrons during the meal. Unfortunately, the level of conversation at neighboring tables was so loud that it was easily audible from outside the restaurant, disrupting what would have otherwise been a perfectly serene and enjoyable atmosphere. In addition, some of these guests seemed to take an extraordinarily long time to finish their meals, which added to the overall sense of disruption. While I understand that this is outside the restaurant's control, it did somewhat detract from the otherwise flawless experience.

However, despite these challenges, the overall experience was more than worth it. The anticipation leading up to securing a reservation each month is always a bit of a battle, but it is undoubtedly a battle worth fighting. Every moment spent at this restaurant, every ounce of time and every penny spent, is more than justified by the incredible quality of the experience. I eagerly look forward to the next opportunity to dine here again and would not hesitate to do so. Thank you for providing such a memorable and rewarding...

Nestled in the charming and increasingly vibrant Bakery Lane, which has truly blossomed since my arrival in Brisbane in 2017, lies the beautiful and quaint Joy restaurant.

From the moment you step inside, you're aware this will be an unorthodox experience. The door is opened for you, and one of the two lovely ladies who run the establishment warmly greets you and welcomes you to their single bar seating a maximum of ten people. (It's worth noting we were on a waitlist for about a month, which is entirely understandable given the intimate setting and impeccable menu and service.)

I have to admit, I was initially taken aback upon entering. I wasn't sure how two staff members and a very minimalist kitchen could possibly deliver a 7-course degustation on par with Exhibition Brisbane. However, we were very pleasantly surprised. My anticipation was also boosted by the fact that Joy was recommended by Julius, the head chef from Baja, who has yet to steer me wrong.

From the beautifully crafted cocktails, boasting unique, exquisite, yet light and refreshing nuanced tastes, to the palate-warming tea and the welcome snacks – perfect tantalising little morsels of flavour that expertly prepare you for what's to come – disappointment was simply not an option.

I adore restaurants that introduce me to new flavour combinations, and the pairing of buttered crumpets with beef tartare is a perfect example of this. Other highlights included, funnily enough, a palate cleanser of grape granita atop pannacotta, focaccia with cured trout with cumin and butter, and of course, the perfectly cooked rump steak served with crunchy plum.

Above all else, the service was intimate and friendly. Despite the challenge of preparing a 7-course meal for ten guests, the two lovely staff looking after us remained warm and welcoming, even taking the time for little chats that made us feel truly at home.

Little touches like the Polaroid keepsake with a wax-sealed copy of the menu and takeaway amaretto biscuits to enjoy with coffee the next day are the perfect cherry on top of this...