Cálida Steak & Bar

Cálida Steak & Bar brings Argentinian cooking traditions into a modern Australian setting in South Bank, Brisbane. The restaurant is built around fire-driven grilling, with premium Australian cuts cooked on a custom parrilla and served with house chimichurri and Australian red gum smoked salt. Its menu also draws on wider Latin flavours, giving the kitchen room to move beyond steak while keeping the grill at the centre of the experience.

The steak selection includes Queensland sirloin, flank, eye fillet, wagyu rump, wagyu picanha and wagyu Denver cut, along with a black Angus tomahawk aged for more than 40 days. For groups, the Gaucho mixed grill, Land & Sea board and other sharing dishes combine beef with items such as chorizo, morcilla, pork belly, lamb, lobster and prawns. Sauces including beef jus, creamy mushroom, green peppercorn, béarnaise and chimichurri are available to accompany the grill, with a broad list of sides ranging from roasted mushrooms and broccolini to hand-cut fries and tomato salad.

There is plenty for diners who are not ordering a steak. The menu includes handmade empanadas, steak tartare, grilled octopus, ceviche, pressed short rib, grilled fish, chicken Porteño and a blistered vegetable ragu. Desserts include alfajores, chocolate lava cake, dulce mousse and a daily ice-cream selection. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are identified on the menu, while the restaurant asks guests to advise staff about dietary requirements.

Cálida positions itself for date nights, celebrations, group lunches and more elevated midweek dinners, with banquet options and a drinks programme alongside the à la carte menu. The venue also promotes regular dining events and specials, including a signature banquet, lunch offerings, happy hour and a Thursday Sabor y Sides format; menus and offers may change. With a 4.6 Google rating from 753 reviews, it is a strong South Bank option for steak lovers, groups sharing a substantial grill spread, or diners wanting Latin-influenced cooking with a distinctly Australian foundation.