It’s rare these days to find somewhere that just does standard Modern Australian dining that was so prolific in the early 2000’s. Everything around seems to need to have some zany spin, foreign infusion or share plates, but when you want to go somewhere to just have a good quality salad or a steak there’s few that keep it simple and good. Harvey’s is one of those places that I always frequent when I can’t be bothered deciding where else to go. The food is consistently good quality, they have a great wine list, and it’s always easy to get a table without a booking. The haloumi crumbed schnitzel has got to be one of my favourites on the menu, along with the wagyu charcuterie platter, but they also are consistent with a good range of salads and a nicely cooked steak if that’s what suits. They offer Merlo coffee and the restaurant has a great view of James St without feeling exposed, and the place is usually full of boomers in white pants, so you know it’s at least got a semblance of class. Definitely worth checking out if you just want a good meal without the frills.
Beth A.
Classificação do local: 5 Brisbane, Australia
Love the soy latte so creamy and Delish! I come here for breakfast and lunch and the occasional dinner I always enjoy everything it’s a guaranteed good meal.
Peri C.
Classificação do local: 4 Brisbane, Australia
Harveys is my go-to nervous first brunch date location. I’ll make it sound really impromptu, but if you ask me to brunch as a first date, I’m going to suggest Harveys, and I’m going to order the lentils and haloumi on sourdough. So it has been for three years, and so it will probably continue to be. Its very comforting to come somewhere you can order the same thing, and it will taste how you remembered(if not better) — and you know that it will be good. Good food, good service, good price. This is by no means to say that Harveys is tired — the food is delicious, and inventive. Combining a warm, spicy lentil casserole with soft, gooey haloumi and lemon on sourdough is a stroke of genius. Aside from the fact that I usually walk away wearing some of the lentils, this is probably one of my favourite meals for brunch in Brisbane. Alas, I cannot review any of the other meals. As Nancy Mitford once said, «I have only ever read one book in my life, and that is White Fang. It’s so frightfully good I’ve never bothered to read another.» So it is for me and the lentils with haloumi.
Lauren G.
Classificação do local: 4 Hamilton, Australia
Gorgeous setting, intriguing menu, decent waitstaff with good wine knowledge and a cute bartender. What more do you need on a Tuesday night? I found the lamb a bit salty but the garnish of chickpeas, pomegranate, spinach and pumpkin was inspired and I want to bathe in the lemon curd ice cream. So yummy.
Ben R.
Classificação do local: 4 CBD, Brisbane, Australia
Surprisingly fast service considering the early morning rush. These guys keep it simple with classic breakfast options, the menu delivers something for everyone. My tip is the scrambled eggs, bacon, beans and sour dough. Perfect chilly-morning eating. Certainly giving a few of the popular b’fast dives across the street a run for their money.
Pete D.
Classificação do local: 3 Brisbane, Australia
For a late morning, busy environment, service was quick, and drink orders were always received within minutes. The space is nice, open and light and lends itself to the modern Australian style of food. We grabbed breakfast, and chose the poached eggs on Sourdough. Overall, the meal was good, but not great. It was quickly prepared, and was exactly as described. The OJ was freshly squeezed, and heavy on the pulp, just the way I like it. It’s a simple menu, with little in terms of ‘trademarks’ unlike surrounding restaurants. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that, and you could do a lot worse than Harveys. It’s a ‘safe’ choice. Somewhere I’d take a client for a meeting, but probably not an out of town friend wanting to see the best of what Brisbane has to offer.
Laura N.
Classificação do local: 3 San Francisco, CA
Touted as *the* breakfast place on James Street, you won’t be surprised to hear that this place was abuzz on a Thursday morning at 9am. But saying that — if you expected it to be busy, one would only assume Harveys would expect the same, which is why we were surprised that there only seemed to be a few wait staff running around frantically to topping up, clearing off, taking orders, charging credit cards. Outside of our initial seating, everything took a long time. So there’s that. And to be fair, the buzz and the wait and the glowing reviews probably heightened my expectations to an unrealistic level. Because when our dishes finally arrived, they were all, well, pretty standard. Breakfast is a delicious meal and there was certainly nothing wrong with our food, but there was also nothing remarkable. Out of our table’s orders, the omlette with potato, ricotta and spinach was definitely the winner. Will I come back? Absolutely. I love the open space, the outdoor seating, the polished concrete floors, the beautiful chairs, and yes, the simple no-frills brekkie classics. It would be a lovely place to while away a Sunday morning sipping coffee, reading the paper and and watching the scene unfold. But if it’s a good breakfast feeding I’m after, I’ll probably look elsewhere.
Laura D.
Classificação do local: 3 Perth, Australia
I was expecting a lot, seeing as the café was situated in a slick, high-end part of town. The fit-out was super modern and I fell in love with their wooden Eames-like chairs. We were there for breakfast. I ordered the poached eggs. The eggs were over-cooked and instead of the yolk being encased in a nice little round smooth parcel of egg-white, it was covered in a stringy paper-thin piece of egg-white. Also the two eggs only came on one small piece of bread. I’ll have to go back and try lunch and dinner to see what’s on offer.
Huyen B.
Classificação do local: 4 Brisbane, Australia
One of my favourites in the James Street Precinct. Love the breakfast menu. There is also something for me, breakfast, lunch or dinner. What a great space — looking great after the refurbishments. I love bringing my friends here when we want to catch up mid week. Great spot when we feel like retail therapy too. Dinner here is as enjoyable as breakfast. Always going for the naughty desserts. Service is excellent and loving the ambience.
Lani P.
Classificação do local: 4 Brisbane, Australia
Harveys, you’re the kinda place a lady could grow to love. Your Asian Chicken Salad with coriander, mint, peanuts, coconut and tamarind dressing might just be the perfect lunch for a Summer day. Just a note: there’s two slices of sweet potato at the bottom of the salad. This is a delicious surprise and adds great texture to an already brilliant salad, but for me being allergic to sweet potato, it wasn’t as much of a delicious surprise others might find it to be. It wasn’t listed on the menu, otherwise, I wouldn’t have ordered the salad or would have asked for it without it. Anyway, I digress. The few times I’ve visited Harveys it’s been a welcoming, bustling but never too busy for the wait staff to greet you with a warm smile and glass of water as you peruse the menu. They make a Merlo brew sing and the spiced & salted nuts are a tasty something to nibble on as you wait for your party or as a side to any of the great meals. Harveys I’m only new to your ways and I’m afraid there’s far too much choice on the menu for me to quit getting to know you now. Expect an update to this, dear Unilocalers, I think my exploration of finding out just why people speak* of this James Street icon with such high praise is only just beginning. *It is usually hushed because it can get pretty busy on weekends. I suppose they don’t want word getting out. I get that.
Andrew T.
Classificação do local: 5 Australia
Smack bang on the exciting James Street precinct, Harvey’s would have to be one of my most loved food institutions in Brisbane. Having dined here for breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in between, I have each time been wowed by the impeccable consistency in both food and service. As shoppers stroll past, the recently refurbished space plays home to a swag of loyal diners who are able to while away hours in the relaxed atmosphere. My favourite dishes include the Breakfast Tortilla with Spicy Mince, the signature Asian Chicken Salad and the Haloumi crusted Chicken Schnitzel. Perfecto!
Siobhan K.
Classificação do local: 4 Australia
I’ve been to Harvey’s both for breakfast and dinner and have highly enjoyed the experience both times. If I had to choose I would say that I probably enjoyed the dinner more, but my meal was exceptional(slow-roasted pork belly with sweet potato and fennel) and we had a beautiful bottle of Italian wine. In saying this, during the day it’s a great spot to hang out when the weather is good, and the outdoor seating adds to the casual yet classy ambience. When I went for breakfast I had ricotta-buttermilk pikelets with caramlized banana. The food looked beautiful on the plate with the banana still half in its skin and slightly charred, it was delicious. My partner had the potato and feta roesti which I happily tasted, and it too hit the spot. Harvey’s is probably a touch more expensive than the average brekky place, but the portions are generous and it’s still quite reasonable. Harvey’s is one of those places where, if you’re at a loss as to where to eat, it always satisfies. On the weekends it’s advisable to book though, cause this place ain’t a secret!
Laura E.
Classificação do local: 4 Brisbane, Australia
Looking at the menu makes me so hungry. Great place for meeting a friend or work night out. Very stylish and warming environment. Not pretentious Worth the James St prices. You will not be disappointed. Full bar and beautiful outdoor area to enjoy the Brisbane sunshine