A leafy new sanctuary on Brisbane’s James Street is elevating breakfast and lunch possibilities with its flavourful Lebanese-inspired menus and potted plants you can take home. 

Grouping together an assortment of life’s greatest indulgences – the flavours of the Middle East, an aesthetically pleasing dining setting, energising midday cocktails and plant shopping – The Green is a welcome addition to this ever-evolving Fortitude Valley leisure precinct.  

At newly opened The Green, lush plants dapple a considered dining area where bold burgundy hues complement blush tiles and peachy planters, and marbled benches bear handmade ceramics topped with vibrant dishes – which provide far more than simple Instagram-friendly fodder (though, admittedly, they photograph well too). 

It may sound as though there’s a lot going on inside The Green, and yet the restaurant-meets-dressed-up-plant-store-meets-take-away-salad-counter somehow makes perfect, harmonious sense, culminating in a tranquil setting. 

Its owners Angela Sclavos and Christina Habchi had a clear vision in mind for their innovative concept. “When it comes to our business everything is plentiful, food, plants, knowledge and conversations,” Angela says. 

Designed by Channon Architects, with interiors executed by Borhan Ghofrani, The Green capitalises on Brisbane’s sub-tropical climate and offers an urban oasis in a bustling neighbourhood.

In the kitchen, chef Warren Turnbull (formerly Tetsuya and Chur Burger) has prepared a menu that may be Middle Eastern in roots, but it is every bit fitting for a Queensland locale.

From 7.00am, a signature bowl sees falafels with green tahini, freekeh tabouli, avocado, pickles, a boiled egg and pistachio dukkha become your new favourite breakfast. 

Or, try the shakshuka with smoked labneh; a warming cinnamon porridge with stewed rhubarb, labneh and sumac; perhaps the Lebanese sausage and egg muffin with haloumi, pickles and shatta sauce; or a breakfast mezze featuring manoush, makanek sausages, olives and Turkish eggs.

Come lunchtime, select from mezze (including a delicious smoked eggplant, pomegranate, and pistachio combination) accompanied by abundant salads and hearty share plates. Try a scrape-your-plate-clean-worthy burrata with a blood orange and chilli jam and fennel; a memorable ras el hanout pumpkin with whipped fetta, honey rose harissa, and pine nuts; or batata-harra-spiced crispy potatoes with chilli and herbs. 

From the grill, there’s the zhug marinated lamb cutlets with smoked onion puree, Mooloolaba king prawns with harissa burnt butter and lime pickled fennel, hawaij-spired Bannockburn charcoal chicken with chilli pickles, and more. And, if your midday meal is a leisurely one, peruse the creative cocktail menu and sample the Beirut Mule for a zesty ginger kick.

Do as the menu suggests and ‘Use your hands, fill your hearts and enjoy this moment.’ Then, enquire about gardening tips. 

The Green
Shop 1/27 James Street, Fortitude Valley
Mon – Sun 7am – 5pm
thegreen.com.au
@thegreen.au

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