Restaurant
THE PRAWNSTER
City Botanic Gardens, 147 Alice St, RiverHub QLD 4000, Australia
Find THE PRAWNSTER
City Botanic Gardens, 147 Alice St, RiverHub QLD 4000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout THE PRAWNSTER
Feast on cold ocean catch right on the Brisbane River aboard moored trawlers and a floating pontoon. The setup skips tablecloths, cooking stoves, and fuss—just tiered platters piled high with Tasmanian salmon sashimi, shucked oysters, sweet chilled lobster, and freshly cooked Moreton Bay bugs. Regulars bring crusty baguettes, fresh salads, and cold beer to round out the spread. Crack shells by hand, squeeze fresh citrus wedges, and watch river traffic drift past against the skyline.
- Floating Trawler Setting: Dine open-air on moored trawlers and a river pontoon right off the City Botanic Gardens with skyline views.
- Pure Oceanic Spread: Chilled tiered platters stacked with Tasmanian salmon sashimi, natural oysters, sweet lobster, and cooked bugs.
- Rustic BYO Feasting: No hot kitchen sides or plates provided—guests regularly bring their own crusty bread, salads, and drinks.
What's On at THE PRAWNSTER
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Dine at The Prawnster
Experience Brisbane's iconic floating trawler dining with pure ocean-fresh seafood platters and relaxed BYO hospitality.
Ultra-Fresh Ocean Platters Delivered Water-Side
Feast on generous, tiered platters packed with freshly shucked oysters, Tasmanian salmon sashimi, bugs, and sweet prawns right on the Brisbane River.
The tiered platter was presented beautifully and tasted even better. My favorite part was the fresh sashimi and the prawns, which were perfectly paired with plenty of lime wedges.
Lina Meier Unpretentious, Hands-On Trawler Feasting
Embrace hands-on seafood dining straight from the platters with citrus squeezes and finger bowls instead of formal dinnerware.
Plates, tablecloths, cutlery, you won’t need them, as you munch your way through platters of prawns, bugs and oysters, fingers, salty seawater, squeezed lemon juice in the eye and fingers bowls are the way to eat here!
mat tindle-may Scenic Floating Dining on the Brisbane River
Dine directly on permanently moored shrimp trawlers and a river pontoon that gently sways with river traffic beneath the skyline.
We thoroughly enjoyed the casual atmosphere and eating right on the River with the pontoon moving gently with the river traffic.
Elizabeth Maxwell Open-Air River Views and City Backdrops
Trade landlocked dining rooms for open-air river breezes, sweeping bridge panoramas, and the bustling RiverHub waterfront.
Brisbane river, no less, with magnificent views of the city. If that's what you're after, then this is the place for it
Shamsul Kamal BYO Freedom for Drinks and Accompaniments
Complement pure seafood platters by bringing favorite beers, wines, fresh bread, and homemade salads straight aboard.
The seafood was amazing, fresh, the oysters were perfect. We brought our own salads and drinks to accompany- worked great.
Ho Ca Customised Waterfront Banquets
Prepare an effortless waterfront feast tailored to your party by pairing personal picnic sides with chilled boat-side seafood.
The website was so informative that we came prepared with our own accompaniments of Caesar salad, bread and butter and a bottle of wine.
Clive Hueb
Most popular items
Fresh chilled ocean delicacies served directly on the floating trawlers and pontoon
Prawns
The prawns were so good we got an extra serve.
Cora C Oysters
The seafood was amazing, fresh, the oysters were perfect.
Ho Ca Lobster platter
My wife and I ordered the lobster platter and a dozen fresh oysters, and both were nothing short of spectacular.
Sebastian Sanchez Tasmanian salmon sashimi
The menu includes Tasmanian salmon sashimi, oysters on the half shell, freshly cooked bugs, and juicy, plump prawns.
D.L. Cohen, Ph.D.
Beyond the menu
Thoughtful touches and attentive hospitality that elevate casual riverfront dining
Complete BYO Table Setup & Finger Care
Guests who bring their own drinks and accompaniments are thoughtfully supplied with wine glasses, an ice bucket, and individual bowls of lemon water for cleaning fingers between courses.
Tailored Seafood Platter Customization
The crew happily tailors seafood platters on request, swapping and matching selections like oysters, bugs, prawns, and lobster to accommodate individual group tastes.
Flexible Floating Vessel Re-Seating
For visitors who find the movement on the trawlers too wobbly, staff promptly arrange seamless seat transfers to the more stable floating pontoon.
Personal Host Hospitality & Seafood Expertise
Beyond table service, the owners and crew take time to share extensive seafood knowledge and chat casually, making visitors feel embraced like personal friends.
Before you head over
Practical pointers for planning your waterfront seafood feast on the Brisbane River
Pack Your Own Sides and Drinks
The kitchen exclusively serves fresh, chilled seafood without hot sides or salads. Bring your own bread, salads, and preferred wine or beer to round out your platter.
Embrace Hands-On, Casual Dining
Dishes arrive without side plates, tablecloths, or formal cutlery. Dining is hands-on with finger bowls, so wear casual clothes suited for peeling juicy crustaceans.
Opt for the Pontoon if Prone to Motion
Passing river traffic can cause the trawlers to rock gently. If you are sensitive to movement, request seating on the more stable floating pontoon rather than the boats.
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