SPICERS BALFOUR HOTEL

Escape the crowds and enjoy an intimately unique dining experience at The Balfour Kitchen at Spicers Balfour Hotel. Currently open for breakfast and high teas to the public from 7am every day. Guests and locals have the choice of dining in our stylish dining room, out on our Queensland wrap-around verandah, or in the beautiful courtayard.

The Balfour Kitchen, now open for dinner to in-house guests, private functions, dinner parties, and boutique weddings, is a bistro-style, neighbourhood restaurant with alfresco and indoor dining focusing on uncomplicated, wholesome and locally-sourced food. Dinner mains range from Gremolata gnocchi to market fish, from scallops to eye fillet, and are priced from $14-30, designed to be consumed individually or shared.

Please call reception to find out more on 1300 597 540

Our Chef

Peter van Lunn, head chef

Peter van Lunn grew up and developed his trade in the Brisbane region in restaurants such as the James St Bistro, Mondo Organics and Emporium Hotel. He also spent several years at some of the top restaurants in Paris such as La Societe and Spring. He recently returned to Australia with his family and brings a wealth of international and Australian experience back to Brisbane and to The Balfour Kitchen.

“The Balfour Kitchen is a friendly, bistro style concept which still offers fine dining but with a much more familial atmosphere,” head chef Peter van Lunn said.

“The food is flavour and produce-driven but it’s not elaborate, in fact there’s only three to five prime ingredients per plate. There’s a lot more heart and soul in it, it’s a lot more honest and simple.”

Mains include market fish with macadamia, fennel and lemon crust served with a large mixed leaf, sprout and tendril salad; and a corn-fed, corn-stuffed chicken breast with smoky bacon mash. Diners can also choose from a scallop dish with pea puree, fennel and watercress salad and saffron beurre blanc.

Mains are priced from $14-30 and are designed to be consumed individually or shared.

For dessert, diners can indulge in a berry, citrus and almond trifle, a flourless chocolate pudding and an apple pizza served with homemade vanilla ice cream.

“It’s hearty soul food,” Peter said. “It’s healthy food but it’s also a little bit decadent at the same time.  I try not to touch anything too much but let the flavours and produce speak for themselves.

“We’ve also tried to keep with the theme of the old converted Queenslander – classic dishes but with a twist.”

Maria Hobcraft, breakfast chef

Maria Hobcraft has more than a decades' experience in the industry, starting in restaurants in New Zealand and the UK before moving to Australia and settling into some of Brisbane's most iconic restaurants and cafes. Her most recent work experience began at Tangalooma Resort, before moving onto some of Brisbane's fast paced cafes including Jam Cafe and Queenie's - where she found her natural flair for high teas, delicious cakes and other sweet treats. 

In her position as breakfast chef for the hotel, Maria believes in supporting low food miles, fresh and seasonal produce and creating meals from the heart. Maria and her team make everything onsite from jams to her very own chardonnay hollandaise, baked eggs and fresh daily juices.

Gourmet Breakfasts

The Balfour Breakfast menu is innovative, seasonal and modern Australian. Enjoy everything from strawberry bircher muesli, baked eggs florentine with fontina cheese and chilli jam or simply free range eggs cooked the way you like them. See menu here >>

All overnight stays include a continental selection and a la carte menu (included in your room rate).

High Teas

Royal High Tea

High tea fit for a Queen. With cakes, fresh scones, gourmet sandwiches and a selection of wonderful teas and coffees to choose from, this is the ideal way to while away a morning or afternoon.  

From $45 per person

Ruinart High Tea

Enjoy a high tea with real sparkle with Spicers Balfour Hotel's Ruinart High Tea. With a selection of homestyle cakes, fresh scones, gourmet sandwiches and a bottle of Ruinart De Ruinart French Champagne to share, this is tea unlike any grandma used to make!

From $95 per person

Rooftop Bar 

Take in Brisbane's city lights and stunning skyline from our rooftop bar. The bar offers exotic and delicious beverages that hark back to the golden age of the cocktail hour, ranging from classic aperitifs to vintage champagnes. Canapes are served for all in house guests every evening from 6pm. The bar is closed to the general public.

Events and functions

Celebrating a special occasion? Or just looking for somewhere different to catch up with friends? Spicers Balfour Hotel can host a private lunch or dinner for a minimum of 10 and up to 18 guests in the private dining room, main dining room or on the grand Queensland wrap-around verandah.

Conferences

Get some out-of-office inspiration and conduct your conference or meeting at Spicers Balfour Hotel. Full day delegate packages include AV, gourmet lunches and morning and afternoon teas. Just the stuff to feed your brain! 

From $75 per person

Bookings

Call 1300 597 540 or use the booking button below.