The Survey Co., Brisbane CBD


It's been a long time coming but The Survey Co. has finally opened in Burnett Lane, tucked in behind the Queen Street Mall.

This brings the number of funky bars in the small lane way to three but the food offering at Survey & Co puts it in a different league.

Brought to us by the man behind Piaf and Sardine Tin at South Bank and Espresso Garage on Petrie Terrace, Simon Livingstone, The Survey Co. is an exciting addition to the local dining scene. It's decor is  pared back Melbourne industrial style meets essence of new Brisbane dining with a splash of history.
Burnett Lane frontage
Dining area at the rear
Bar area fronting Burnett Lane
Outdoor bar/dining area

The restaurant opened quietly last Friday and we stumbled on it by accident while looking for dinner. As you would expect so early in its life, there were lots of tables available but I'm sure this is set to change.  There's space aplenty for dining and drinking with a large bar area at the front and another at the rear that opens to the sky. The dining area wraps around the kitchen separated by a bench to ceiling glass wall.  From our table, we could see the chefs dance around the kitchen and watch with joyous anticipation as our meals were prepared.

Chef James Gulberg

Head Chef James Gulberg is obviously reveling in the new kitchen and has designed an interesting menu with plenty of options to catch a wide crowd. His light lunch options of pea and pancetta risotto ($18), pulled pork of baguette ($15) and minute pepper steak w frites ($18) will fill appeal to the office lunch CBD market and those who want to eat in the chic surroundings.



For dinner it was hard to go past the duck with cranberries special which was designed for two to share, which is exactly what the boys did.  It came with sides of delicious potatoes and peppery radicchio salad. The girls ordered the gnocchi with blue cheese.

There was no envy when the meals arrived as we were all super pleased.  The gnocchi was tender and light with a slight crispness offset by the creamy, full flavoured blue vein cheese. And the duck - well the mouth full kindly offered to me by K2 was tender and succulent.  The rest of it must have been good too as I even saw K2 secretly gnawing on the duck leg.  Just as well he did as I was going to steal it from his plate and do the same!


We shared a dark chocolate tart with salted ice cream between us.  The rich, full chocolate flavour contrasted  superbly with the crisp pastry and the slight salty crunch against the ice cream a perfect foil.

Hunt this restaurant out in Burnett Lane.  You'll find it in the end closest to George Street. Burnett lane is  part of the Brisbane City Council’s Vibrant Laneways program which aimed at creating a lane way culture in an otherwise forgotten spaces. It's working!


The name, The Survey Co. comes from the location Burnett Lane which was named after James Charles Burnett (1815- 1854) a surveyor and explorer born in England.  He arrived at Sydney in 1829 with his family and rose rapidly through the ranks to be adopted head of the new survey office established in Brisbane in 1844.

There are further plans for the three story building including function and private dining rooms.

Bottom line:  Great new spot to try - recommended.
Best tip: The gnocchi, the gnocchi - Did I say the gnocchi?

The Survey Co 

Disclaimer: E,d+bK paid for this meal.