Multi-course tasting menus featuring wood-fired meats, seafood, and seasonal dishes for a curated dining experience.
Individual dishes including lamb tomahawk, grilled octopus, kingfish, and vegetarian options like spanakopita.
Signature items cooked in a wood-fired oven, such as lamb shoulder, scallops, and shepherd potatoes.
Handcrafted cocktails and curated beverage pairings to complement the meal in a stylish lounge atmosphere.
Reserved spaces for special occasions, corporate functions, and group bookings with personalized service.
Dark Shepherd was an absolute standout. After leaving another nearby restaurant due to poor service, we were warmly welcomed here despite the venue being heavily booked — and we’re so glad we were. We enjoyed the Daylight Banquet, and every dish was exceptional. The lamb shoulder exceeded expectations, which is a difficult feat for us due to previous experiences setting the bar high. Dessert was unexpected and not just a lovely surprise but divine! Paired with beautiful smooth cocktails, this was easily the best dining experience we have had in Brisbane. What truly elevated the experience was the service, especially from Hayley who waited our table. Her refreshingly personable and genuine approach completely turned our afternoon around. She is a naturally lovely young person who clearly loves her workplace, and after a disappointing waitstaff experience elsewhere immediately prior, she was exactly what we needed. Attentive, warm, and effortlessly professional whilst remaining genuine. We loved it so much that we booked again for the following Saturday to enjoy with visiting friends. Outstanding from start to finish. Highly recommended.
We ordered the banquet which was a great way to try a bit of everything. Overall the experience was pretty good and the vibe of the place is really nice — good atmosphere for a relaxed meal. Most of the dishes were enjoyable, but the lamb was a bit dry. Also, one of the cakes was extremely extremely sweet — WAY too much sugar. Aside from that, service and ambience made it a pleasant visit.
Service was a little slow at first, including drinks — nothing major, but enough to notice. I suspect our table was in a bit of a no-man’s-land and got overlooked initially. Once we had the waiter’s attention, though, the service was good. The food more than made up for it. The beef pasta was outstanding, finished with a crust on top that added great texture and flavour. The spanakopita is easily one of the best in Brisbane — the Parmesan on top really lifts it and is something many places miss. The saganaki was very good as well; I’d still give a slight edge to Greca, but this was enjoyable. Overall, I’d definitely come back for the food. On a stronger service night it would be excellent. The atmosphere was lovely and dark, though our table was a bit wobbly, which was a small downside.
The food was impressive, especially the grilled octopus, which was cooked to perfection and incredibly tender. We also ordered the whole lamb shoulder, which was a generous portion for a group of three. The meat was very tender and of high quality. While the food was delicious, the service could be improved. We waited quite a while for our order, and the staff seemed unaware that we were ready. When we asked to take a photo, it felt rushed. Overall, the food was worth the money, but the service and attention to detail could be enhanced to match the fine dining experience.
We were tempted to go with one of the banquets but opted for a la carte instead because there were specific dishes we were keen to try. Woodfired scallop: Cooked to perfection. Beautiful in both texture and taste Shepherd potatoes: Fluffy inside with a nice bite to the skin. The chilli capsicum sauce was creamy and delicious Kingfish: Good quality fish and great balance of savoury, sweet, and sour flavours Lamb tomahawk & lobster orzo: The lamb was so tender and juicy with a great depth of flavour from the spices. The orzo was cooked perfectly and the lobster portions were generous. Service was quite slow. We came an hour before the lunch rush when it was very quiet but the food took 45 minutes to arrive. The food arrived all at once so I understood that it would take longer to cook 6 dishes.. wish we were given the option to have snacks and small plates arrive first before the big plates (which is standard procedure so we assumed that would be the case). Might be a good idea to give people the heads up. The restaurant itself was beautiful with sleek and contemporary decor and furnishings. Overall a good experience!

Modern Mediterranean dining with wood-fired flair in Brisbane's heart.
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Dark Shepherd offers a sophisticated dining experience at The Star Brisbane, blending Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with contemporary Australian flavors. Specializing in wood-fired dishes like tender lamb shoulder, grilled octopus, and fresh seafood, we provide both à la carte and banquet options in a sleek, atmospheric setting. Our attentive service and crafted cocktails make it ideal for intimate dinners or group gatherings, earning praise for exceptional food and warm hospitality in Brisbane City.
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