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CRU Bar & Cellar, Fortitude Valley, AU-QLD

CRU Bar & Cellar

4.4
4.4
291 Reviews
$41 to $100
Modern Australian
Top tags:

Home to a celebrated wine bar, retail cellar, and private dining room, CRU pairs laid-back luxury with the stylish spirit of Brisbane’s James Street precinct

Our signature green onyx bar surrounds the shimmering heart of CRU, a glorious antique Baccarat chandelier
Soak up the street scene or take a seat at the bar and lose yourself in our award-winning wine list

CRU is the perfect spot for a glass of something special, a leisurely lunch with friends, or a decadent dinner for two

Make a reservation

2 people
June 2022
Mon
Tue
Wed
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7:00 pm
Booked 1 time today

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Cuisines

    Modern Australian

  • Hours of Operation

    Bar Daily 11:00 am–12:00 am Lunch Daily 11:00 am–5:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–10:30 pm

  • Phone number

    (07) 3252 2400

  • Website

    http://www.crubar.com/

  • Payment Options

    AMEX, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress Code

    Casual Dress

  • Catering

    Fresh breezes and natural light wash over the relaxed-luxe dining space, where double-height ceilings and expansive windows open to the streetscape for an inviting inside-out connection We’re committed to delivering excellent service, whether you’re dropping by for Champagne and oysters or settling in for a sumptuous wine-matched meal With a focus on delicious seasonal flavours, our menus draw inspiration from around the globe while celebrating Queensland with CRU classics

  • Private party facilities

    CRU offers a selection of private and semi-private function spaces to suit your celebration. We look forward to working with you to deliver a memorable occasion The Wine Room Tucked away behind the cellar, our Wine Room offers a private oasis from the bustle of James Street. Celebrate a dinner party-style occasion, surrounded by your favourite people and glorious walls of wine. Set menu applies The Garden Lounge Secluded banquette seating is available in a leafy corner of the restaurant or, celebrate a cocktail style party with up to 35 of your closest family and friends The Cocktail Lounge With a prime corner position overlooking James Street, this sought-after space can host small groups of 10 or larger groups up to 20 Cellar Our cellar can be booked exclusively, with your own bar and waitstaff, for 30 - 60 people, for a cocktail style of event

  • Location

    Shop 1 22 James St Fortitude Valley, AU-QLD Fortitude Valley

  • Area

    Fortitude Valley

  • Cross Street

    McLachlan Street

  • Parking Details

    Street parking is available as well as the center car park for the James Street markets

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 291 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.4
4.4 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.2Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4Value

Noise • Energetic

Loved For

  • Brisbane

    Hot Spot

  • Brisbane

    Notable Wine List

  • Brisbane

    Vibrant Bar Scene

  • Brisbane

    Modern Australian

  • Inner Suburbs

    Hot Spot

  • Inner Suburbs

    Notable Wine List

  • Inner Suburbs

    Vibrant Bar Scene

  • Inner Suburbs

    Modern Australian

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Filters

  1. MH

    MilenaH

    Sunshine Coast

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Fabulous rib eye on the bone with sides recommended by Tristan. Sampled some beautiful wines that Geoffrey suggested. All in all, with the attentive service of Cohen and Tristan, it was a wonderful 50th birthday lunch for my husband. Thank you.

  2. AS

    AndrewS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 12 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great wine choices, great food and great service.. thank you

  3. CN

    ColinN

    Sydney

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 12 June 2022

    overall4food4service2ambience4

    Food & wine is very good, but service is slow & impersonal from many staff.

  4. c

    clinton

    Brisbane

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on 10 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Had some paté, bread, warm olives and drinks with friends. Good location and atmosphere. A warn spot for a winter outing

  5. PK

    PeterK

    Dubai

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 8 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Had an social lunch and couldn’t fault the service, food or wine selection. 2hrs flew by, can’t wait to head back again

  6. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Brisbane

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 3 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great for TGIF

  7. MC

    MarkC

    Brisbane

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 3 June 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience4

    The Food is always so good and the Value for money just adds to a quality experiences.

  8. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 27 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Always great service, food and amazing wine menu!!

  9. TM

    TimM

    Exclusive

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 22 May 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    The Cru bar has an outstanding wine list, great service, solid menu with great variety and the location is spot on

  10. JH

    JadeH

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 21 May 2022

    overall3food2service5ambience5

    Great atmosphere but the food was unfortunately average.

  11. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Brisbane

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 21 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Fantastic as always, particularly the lovely Jill. Thank you for making our visit so pleasurable.

  12. T

    Tina

    London

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 15 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Beautiful setting & food was delicious. Wide section of wine.

  13. MH

    MHarrison

    Sydney

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 14 May 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience4

    Amazing selection of wines - all decently priced. Waitress didn’t seem to have a lot of wine knowledge and had to always ask others for a hand though

  14. BP

    BarbaraP

    Brisbane

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 7 May 2022

    overall2food4service4ambience1

    Food and service was great but for the third time near empty restaurant and the maître de puts two people at the very next table to us what’s the point?

  15. BG

    BrianG

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 4 May 2022

    overall1food1service2ambience2

    Hi CRU, it has been a while since we were at your restaurant. Lunch on 4 May 2022. We actually prepared a review much earlier but it somehow got lost in the process. It was our second time to CRU. The main problem was the crumbed whiting which looked and tasted like it had either been cooked twice or deep fried. My wife should have sent the fish back. But we were in a hurry and didn’t have enough time to wait. Whiting should be still be moist and fleshy to eat. Not dry and hard. We believe that we, meaning people in general, should be sending food back when it is not properly presented. This whiting certainly wasn’t Cru.

  16. JL

    JaredL

    Brisbane

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on 2 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Been meaning to drop in CRU for years. Did not disappoint. Food was phenomenal, atmosphere was perfect, and any place with Coravin wine options has my vote. Will definitely be back!

  17. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 2 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great service

  18. S

    Sharonymous

    Canberra

    16 reviews

    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on 1 May 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Impressive wine and cocktails selections to match a delicious menu, served with warmth and humour - worth a few repeats to try it all!

  19. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Brisbane

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 1 May 2022

    overall3food4service4ambience2

    This place use to be an option to go spur of the moment, however seems booked out all the time now. Good is always good, and great spot on James St- however chairs are so very uncomfortable and the ergonomics is all out. This place is in need of a refresh, with comfortable seating and tables a must. I haven’t been back since my last visit as it was so very in-comfortable after the first hour or so… if the seating was a better ergonomic, then we would come here much more often! Service and food us always good

  20. J

    John

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 28 April 2022

    overall2food2service1ambience2

    Your staff are all young and (with one notable exception) have little interest in serving people or an understanding of how to serve food or wine. Several times I attempted to get staff attention to buy a glass of wine or to get the cheque only for staff to ignore me. I have been going to Cru bar since you opened back in the early 2000s and unfortunately your service offering has deteriorated over time. I am not sure that I will go back.

  21. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 23 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Delicious food. Great service. Highly recommend

  22. MH

    MilenaH

    Sunshine Coast

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on 18 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Fabulous food and great service from Cohen and Jenny! One of the best steaks we’ve had for a long time in Brisbane!

  23. AN

    AnthonyN

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 16 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Amazing place to take anyone whether it’s a date, family outing or just a casual eat/drink occasion with friends and family. Staff, atmosphere, food and drinks were of outstanding quality. Will be going back again for sure. I highly recommend this establishment for all your social needs!!!

  24. RD

    RobertD

    Brisbane

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on 16 April 2022

    overall5food4service4ambience5

    We had a fabulous dinner at the Cru Bar. We opted to do small shared dishes and most of the food was delicious. The wines available are always of the highest quality and never disappoint.

  25. S

    Simond

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 9 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great food and selection of wines. Lovely service. Make sure you book - people were being turned away as fully booked.

  26. SS

    SonSea

    Brisbane

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 9 April 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Awesome night - great atmosphere and cocktails - loved it

  27. TF

    ThereseF

    Brisbane

    6 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on 9 April 2022

    overall2food3service1ambience5

    Service was terrible. It was really hard to track down any wait staff.

  28. LJ

    LeeJ

    Brisbane

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 3 April 2022

    overall3food3service2ambience4

    Been to Cru many times. Service was slow and lethargic. Food was cold when should have been hot. Dessert had to be sent back as was not what was ordered. May have been a bad day for staff as usually quite good all round.

  29. NM

    NaomiM

    Sydney

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 2 April 2022

    overall2food5service1ambience5

    The service was ‘bland’ our waitress didn’t want to be there, no smiles, no interest in going above and beyond. She walked past our table at least 10 times simply ignoring our wave out asking for support. Food was great, wine was great. It’s SO tough for restaurants at present to gain skilled staff so we want to cut them some slack. We will return but we didn’t walk away on that occasion thinking ‘they nailed it’.

  30. AB

    AzyB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 31 March 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great meeting spot at James street. Staff are very friendly, great selection of drinks and food is really good.

  31. KF

    KiahF

    Toronto

    7 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on 26 March 2022

    overall4food5service3ambience4

    It was really great! The service was a bit here and there but overall nice experience

  32. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Brisbane

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 25 March 2022

    overall2food3service1ambience2

    Hi. I booked dinner and drinks to see a friend I had not seen for 3 years due to Covid. When I booked for 600 pm there was no mention of a time limit for the table. We also checked with the waiter who also said no rush and no need to return the table by a certain time. It was therefore very disappointing to be told by an officious and rude sommelier at 730 that we were required to return the table at 800 pm. Extremely poor form and not one word of apology.

  33. SM

    SteveM

    Brisbane

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 24 March 2022

    overall2food2service1ambience1

    Service was slow and very poor. The quality of food was way off the mark too.

  34. MC

    MattC

    London

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on 20 March 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The food is always great here no matter what time of day. Wine list is superb, love the Coravin wine selection. 10 out of 10 as always

  35. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Brisbane

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 19 March 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Enjoyed a very pleasant pre dinner drink. Good wine selection and polite and attentive staff

  36. DR

    DanielleR

    Brisbane

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 19 March 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great selection of wine and beer. Loved the pork dumplings

  37. ME

    MichelleE

    Brisbane

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 16 March 2022

    overall3food4service1ambience4

    Food and drinks great as per ususal! Service was very slow, rude and hard to get attention in the corner. We were also billed for drinks that never arrived (lucky we were paying attention!!).

  38. C

    aCeramics

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 15 March 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    What a setting and 10/10 service ⭐️ This Brisbane institute really is a must on James St for a reason!!!

  39. JL

    JamesL

    Brisbane

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 14 March 2022

    overall1food2service1ambience1

    The service was very poor, food was not great for the price - you need to consider the prices you charge for the value you provide, far from worth the money. The wait staff seemed not interested. Its hard to get good staff at the moment and that is unfortunate but something you need to look at with their attitude. Its a shame as the restaurant was a great place however after yesterday I would not be back,

  40. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Brisbane

    1 review

    vip
    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 12 March 2022

    overall1food3service1ambience3

    Rude waitress Didn’t acknowledge order. Stormed off after one drinks order Came back abruptly Clearly did not want to be at work

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitising

    • Surfaces sanitised between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitised menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitiser or wipes provided for customers
    • Contactless payment available

  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables

  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Contact tracing information collected

FAQs

CRU Bar & Cellar is rated 4.4 stars by 291 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
June 2022
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
7:00 pm
Booked 1 time today
Google Map for CRU Bar & Cellar

Shop 1 22 James St Fortitude Valley, AU-QLD Fortitude Valley

Additional information

  • Cross Street

    McLachlan Street

  • Area

    Fortitude Valley

  • Hours of Operation

    Bar Daily 11:00 am–12:00 am Lunch Daily 11:00 am–5:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–10:30 pm

  • Cuisines

    Modern Australian

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Dress Code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking Details

    Street parking is available as well as the center car park for the James Street markets

  • Payment Options

    AMEX, MasterCard, Visa

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Website

    http://www.crubar.com/

  • Phone number

    (07) 3252 2400

  • Catering

    Fresh breezes and natural light wash over the relaxed-luxe dining space, where double-height ceilings and expansive windows open to the streetscape for an inviting inside-out connection We’re committed to delivering excellent service, whether you’re dropping by for Champagne and oysters or settling in for a sumptuous wine-matched meal With a focus on delicious seasonal flavours, our menus draw inspiration from around the globe while celebrating Queensland with CRU classics

  • Private party facilities

    CRU offers a selection of private and semi-private function spaces to suit your celebration. We look forward to working with you to deliver a memorable occasion The Wine Room Tucked away behind the cellar, our Wine Room offers a private oasis from the bustle of James Street. Celebrate a dinner party-style occasion, surrounded by your favourite people and glorious walls of wine. Set menu applies The Garden Lounge Secluded banquette seating is available in a leafy corner of the restaurant or, celebrate a cocktail style party with up to 35 of your closest family and friends The Cocktail Lounge With a prime corner position overlooking James Street, this sought-after space can host small groups of 10 or larger groups up to 20 Cellar Our cellar can be booked exclusively, with your own bar and waitstaff, for 30 - 60 people, for a cocktail style of event

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