Soul Quarter

The first thing that strikes you when stepping into Soul Quarter is the chic ambience of this central city eatery. The dark wood, candlelight, and high ceilings (adorned with art deco lights) give a sense of scale while still feeling intimate and cosy. This is all helped by the state-of-the-art bio fuel fire that greets you upon entry. The owners of Soul Quarter are no strangers to hospitality, and it shows straight out of the gate. 

The main dining room is split into two levels, a ground-floor area nestled next to the bar and a mezzanine floor suspended above. You’ll have to choose whether you want to see the action unfold from above or down below (we couldn’t go past the comfy bench seat downstairs!).  

The food weaves a gastronomic path across the globe with hints of Louisiana, French and South American influences. The free range chicken waffle is the perfect balance of crispy, crunchy, salty and sweet. Deep-fried chicken lovingly befriends a puffy yet crisp waffle smothered in a sticky syrup. While the milk stout braised short ribs packs a glorious punch; a generous serving of tender, flavoursome beef on a hearty vegetable stew. 

Make sure you pair your meal with one of the fine wines or craft beers on show, although it may be hard to go past a bottle from Man O' War or Black Estate. And for the more adventurous, there’s a decent cocktail menu, including the curiosity-inducing “Dirty Streets of Paris” with beetroot infused Starward Two Fold whisky. 

Soul Quarter captures the essence of a contemporary brasserie – great service, simple and seasonal dishes, and a splash of how you say, je ne sais quoi.