NUG. General Store — Restaurant in Brisbane City

We had high hopes. Left feeling judged.

After weeks of trying to get a booking at NUG, we finally landed one and were genuinely excited — we regularly dine at Brisbane’s best restaurants, so naturally, we were keen to see what the hype was about.

Walking down the alleyway to get to the restaurant was a nice touch — gives that tucked-away, exclusive vibe. The maître d’ greeted us warmly and seated us straight away. Up to that point, everything felt on track for a great night.

But then the food… unfortunately, it didn’t meet expectations. The entrée was just okay. Mains were limited in variety compared to what we’d seen online — we were hoping for more pizza/pasta options. Still, I trusted the staff’s recommendation and ordered the duck. It wasn’t to my taste, but that’s on me — I always try to back the house.

My partner had the ravioli. It was fine, but neither of us finished our meals. When asked if everything was okay, we simply said it was — no fuss, no complaints, no demands. We’re not the “send it back” types. We just accepted that it wasn’t for us and moved on.

What really soured the night was what happened next.

The maître d’ began chatting to the next table — about us. About me not eating my meal. I could hear it. I could feel the judgement from the nearby diners. I was visibly uncomfortable and it felt like that discomfort was the topic of discussion for entertainment. Whether it was meant that way or not, that’s how it landed.

I didn’t complain. I didn’t raise my voice. I didn’t demand a refund. I just didn’t eat my dish. I shouldn’t be made to feel embarrassed for that.

We really wanted to love NUG. It had all the right ingredients. But this kind of interaction left a bad taste — and it wasn’t the duck.

Would’ve loved a...

NUG General Store exceeded our expectations in every way! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warmth and hospitality by our host, Roxy. The menu offered a tantalizing array of dishes, each more enticing than the last. We started with the Grilled Bread with Confit Garlic Butter, which was simply divine. The Truffled Fior de Latte Arancino was a delightful appetizer, bursting with flavor. The Ox Tail Rigatoni was a comforting and hearty dish, perfect for a chilly evening. The Lobster Pasta with Salmon Roe was a true standout, with fresh, succulent lobster complemented perfectly by the delicate roe. The Ricotta Ravioli with Ruby Creek Wild Mushroom Emulsion was a heavenly combination of creamy ricotta and earthy mushrooms. And let's not forget the pork and chorizo pizza, which was a symphony of savory flavors. Chef Ben's culinary skills truly shone through in every dish. Paired with the excellent wine selection curated by Roxy, our dining experience was nothing short of exceptional. We highly recommend making a booking in advance to avoid disappointment. We'll definitely be returning to NUG General Store Food whenever we're in need of a...

Went to NUG. on a Wednesday night as an apology dinner and Roxy was so awesome by helping me make my partner laugh.

Booked a last minute table at 7:15 through Instagram on a Wednesday night and it was surprisingly busy with 3 large groups. The wait was a little long for the food but we didn’t mind the wait as Roxy made us feel accommodated for and learnt a bit about us while running front of house by herself. Our water was always topped up and she was always asking questions and learning a little bit about us.

The food was amazing. If it wasn’t embarrassing I would’ve licked the plate clean. We usually don’t get dessert when we eat out but decided to get the chocolate mousse which my partner and I loved so much we forgot to take a photo.

The store is cute and I love the vibe. The furnishings and decorations made it feel like a home cooked meal. The only downside is that it can get a little loud, may have been a by product of having 2 large groups seated inside so it may cause sensory issues but we managed to deal with it by having my partner step outside from time to time.

Overall I would be back here again. 5/5 thank you so...