Gourmet burgers, upscale bar & grill to boost Brisbane Airport

A burger joint born and bred in Brisbane and a bar and grill inspired by Queensland’s oldest building are among the new retailers to anchor the redeveloped international terminal at Brisbane Airport.

Burger Urge, a business started just over a decade ago in inner-city New Farm will provide a local, gourmet alternative to the usual airport fare.

Inspired by Spring Hill’s Old Windmill built in 1828, Windmill & Co represents a new, more sophisticated dining experience.

Sourcing ingredients and wines from Queensland and other nearby regional suppliers, it’s a nod to both the city’s pioneer heritage and modern food culture.

"Brisbane architects Richards & Spence have given us a design for the departures and arrivals areas at the terminal that brings the city to life at the airport" boasts Andrew Brodie, Brisbane Airport Corporation’s (BAC) General Manager Airline and Retail Management.

“But not only is the terminal going to look and feel distinctively Brisbane, it’s going to taste that way too.”

Read: Brisbane Airport gets $45m 'tropical terminal' makeover

Also new to the list is The Botanist Kitchen and Bar, offering freshly cooked meals made from quality local produce and prepared in an open kitchen for customers to view the goings-on.

Individual servings of prepared and cooked-to-order items will be reflective of the latest in Australian-style culinary trends, with buckets of prawns sure to be a favourite.

The usual suspects are found among the roster of retailers in the redeveloped international terminal, including Subway, Boost Juice, The Coffee Club, Red Rooster and Mad Mex.

Jamaica Blue and Espresso cafes will offer travellers real choice over the airport’s flagship Coffee Club stores, which have been firmly planted since 2008.

Sunset Bar and Grill, Tuk Chop and Sushi Sushi are great for either a pre-flight snack or an indulgent meal when you’ve time to spare, and cater for travellers hankering for a nice steak or something Oriental.

To coincide with the $45 million terminal upgrade, BAC has introduced a new Duty Free provider, JR Duty Free, while Brisbane’s international travellers will have a last-minute chance to grab a gift or souvenir at one of the many retailers.

These include JR Watch Co, Merino Collection, RM Williams, Surf Dive n Ski, Australian Way, Produce of Australia, Just Australia, News Travels and Sunglass Hut.

Mr Brodie said BAC would also be looking to provide ‘pop-up’ shop opportunities for small local retailers within the departures lounge areas.

“We’d love to see more local retailers, who may not be able to meet the demands of a general tenancy in the terminal, get an opportunity to show and sell their wares to international travellers,” he said.

The redevelopment of the international terminal is being undertaken in stages, with the arrivals level the first to be completed later this year.

Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT

Chris C.

Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.