The Fifty Six is a modern Cantonese restaurant located on the top floor of Naldham House in Brisbane City. It offers exceptional dining experiences and is part of a building that houses multiple unique dining experiences.
Customer Perception
Customers can expect modern Cantonese cuisine with a focus on fresh Australian ingredients. The restaurant is situated in a prime location within Brisbane's CBD.
Additional Details
The restaurant is located on the top floor of Naldham House, which offers several distinct dining experiences.
A Birthday Dinner to Remember
We celebrated my birthday here with my Gorgeous ladies friends and it turned into one of the most unforgettable dining experiences I’ve ever had. Every dish was delicious, creative, and the depth of flavour feels like each plate was designed to elevate the celebration.
The xiao long bao was delicate and perfectly pleated, releasing a rich, comforting broth with every bite. The siu mai was plump, juicy, and beautifully balanced.
The crispy lemon chicken was a standout: golden, fragrant, and bursting with bright citrus that cut through the savoury crunch in the most satisfying way. The honey‑glazed char siu was melt‑in‑your‑mouth tender, coated in a glossy, caramelised glaze that made every bite unforgettable. And the salt & pepper calamari was crisp, light, and seasoned with absolute confidence — easily one of the best versions I’ve had.
Dessert was nothing short of magnificent, we had luck of trying all their desserts my fave one was recommended by our waiter Reese, White chocolate— and the ube coctail was stunning, the perfect finale to an already exceptional meal, tying the entire evening together with elegance and flair.
What made the night even more special was the presence of Chef Gerard Ong. A celebrated chef, yet incredibly gracious and kind, he personally came to our table to greet us. His warmth added a personal touch that elevated the entire birthday celebration.
Every dish was exceptional. Every flavour felt intentional.
A truly remarkable dining experience — we’ll be back here with the family and friends
We absolutely love The Fifty Six and genuinely can’t recommend it enough. It has become our favourite restaurant, and we’ve now visited around five times. We always choose to celebrate our special occasions here, including our anniversaries, and this August we’ll be celebrating my partner’s 30th birthday here with our closest friends.
From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere is incredible. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful, with such a stunning fit-out and the most amazing ambience. It has such a great vibe—warm, stylish, welcoming, and perfect for celebrating special occasions or simply enjoying an incredible meal.
The food is honestly incredible. Every single dish we’ve ordered has been absolutely delicious, and every visit reminds us why we keep coming back. It’s one of those rare restaurants where everything is consistently exceptional, and you leave already looking forward to your next meal.
What makes The Fifty Six even more special is the wonderful team. Every staff member we’ve encountered has been so warm, welcoming, professional and genuinely kind. They always make us feel looked after from the moment we walk through the door, and it’s a big part of why we love dining here so much.
I also wanted to give a special thank you to the team for their amazing customer service recently. We had booked a table for 12 people for my partner’s birthday, but two more friends decided they wanted to join us. When I tried to update the booking online, it wasn’t possible without changing it to a banquet booking. I was worried it would be an inconvenience, so I emailed the team to ask if there was any chance they could help. They replied so quickly, were incredibly friendly, and had updated our booking to 14 people straight away. It completely took the stress away, and I was so grateful for how easy and seamless they made the whole process.
Thank you to everyone at The Fifty Six for always creating such a wonderful dining experience. The food is phenomenal, the service is outstanding, and every visit feels special. We honestly can’t wait to celebrate another milestone with you in August and are already looking forward to many more visits in the future!
5
Such a great experience dining here, can’t believe we haven’t made this our common dining spot! First of all everything was delicious the duck was soft yet still crispy! Xiao long Bao is def one of the best in Brisbane! The char siu so tender!! The scallop wow so fresh! We loved the beef tartare!! Our waiter(we didn’t get his name) is amazing at his job! He’s super friendly, extremely knowledge about all the drinks and food! He’s efficient as well! We also love to give our thanks to the friendly executive chef for his kind service and friendliness. The vibe of the place is top tier. def recommending this place to everyone now! Thank you for making my friends birthday such a good memory
5
《The Fifty Six》
After dining at The Fifty Six on multiple occasions, it has consistently proven itself to be one of the most refined Cantonese dining experiences in Brisbane.
Brisbane’s dining scene is one I know well—from outstanding venues to those still finding their footing—and within this context, The Fifty Six clearly stands apart.
Under the direction of Chef Gerald Ong, Cantonese and broader Chinese cuisine are executed with a level of precision and restraint that is uncommon in the city, placing the restaurant comfortably ahead of many contemporary Asian establishments.
A credible restaurant assessment requires more than a single visit. Based on repeated visits, The Fifty Six not only meets this standard but delivers a high level of consistency across food, service, and overall experience.
［Highly Recommended Dishes］
The dry-aged roast duck is exceptional, with crisp, refined skin and juicy meat that remains clean on the palate.
It stands confidently alongside similar offerings from both Chinese and Western kitchens.
The toothfish is another highlight—expertly pan-seared and finished with a restrained touch of oyster sauce, allowing its buttery texture and natural sweetness to shine. It is a dish that encourages repeat visits.
Other dishes are consistently well-executed, and desserts are well worth saving space for, particularly the brownie and the classic fried ice cream.
Service is warm, attentive, and professional, aligning seamlessly with the restaurant’s culinary ambitions.
Special recognition must be given to sommelier Xian, whose professionalism significantly enhances the dining experience. He listens carefully to guests’ preferences, explains wine profiles clearly, and offers thoughtful recommendations that consistently complement the cuisine.
On one occasion, he went out of his way to retrieve a specific bottle from off-site storage at our request—an effort that speaks volumes about his dedication and pride in his craft.
Xian is a genuine asset to the restaurant and among the most impressive hospitality professionals I have encountered in the city.
Overall, The Fifty Six demonstrates a level of refinement, consistency, and service that makes it a destination worthy of repeat visits and high recognition.
5
Located within the beautifully restored Naldham House in Brisbane’s CBD, The Fifty Six is a must-try. Say goodbye to the idea of your local Chinese takeaway and let your tastebuds experience contemporary Cantonese cuisine done with precision, creativity and serious flair.
The dining room is absolutely stunning, from the elegant tables to the striking artwork that surrounds the space. It feels refined without being stuffy. The service is exactly what you’d expect at this level, polished and attentive. Conner and the sommelier were exceptional.
We began with a unique cocktail, the Song of Jasmine, served ice cold. A fragrant blend of jasmine tea, vodka, gin and vermouth, it was aromatic, crisp and incredibly refreshing .
From the wine list, we selected the Markus Molitor Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Kabinett. Showing beautiful notes of stone fruit, pear and nectarine, the Riesling paired brilliantly with the seafood we’d chosen, its bright acidity complementing each dish effortlessly.
Starting with snacks, the asparagus tart with plum on puffed rice was a fascinating little bite. The flavour combination was interesting and well balanced, with lovely texture from the puffed rice. The prawn toast was a standout, perfectly crisp with the natural sweetness of the prawn shining through.
For entrées, the scallop and prawn siu mai topped with caviar was expertly prepared. The wonton wrapper was cooked perfectly and the delicate flavours of scallop and prawn truly shone, elevated by the subtle pop of caviar. The ma la calamari with numbing spices and black lime was an absolute knock-out. The calamari was tender, not chewy in the slightest, and the spice left that addictive tingle on the palate that makes you want just one more bite. I would happily eat this every day.
For mains, the Hong Kong-style Murray cod with soy and ginger. The fish was cooked beautifully, moist and delicate, with the soy and ginger adding balanced depth without overpowering the natural flavour of the cod. A side of wok greens and steamed rice rounded everything out perfectly. The black pepper beef and the duck are also must-try dishes here and I’ll certainly be ordering them next time.
We finished with a dessert of white chocolate, matcha and mandarin. If you’re a matcha fan, this one is for you. The gentle bitterness of the matcha contrasted nicely with the brightness of the mandarin, while the white chocolate brought the whole dish together with a creamy sweetness.
The Fifty Six is an exceptional venue with a team that goes above and beyond for their guests. It’s perfect for business dinners, special occasions, or simply when you feel like treating yourself. I can’t wait to return and work my way through more of the menu.
