Vaquero Bar & Dining

We had a great experience at Vaquero last night. Tasty food and great service - special shout out to John for going above and beyond. Really nice vibes and perfect for a date night. We had the croquets to start which were AMAZING! The beef skewers which were good but were a little chewy and over seasoned and the wagyu beef for our mains which was season and cooked perfectly. We got the broccoli and potatoes for sides which were also delicious. Overall we had a lovely evening and would recommend.

Overall the food was good even if the pork was a bit tough and the beef not seasoned enough. The croquettes and the lamb ribs where amazing as well as the ceviche ! A few mistakes have been made but the staff reacted quickly and with professionalism to fix them rapidly. We will definitely give an other go and book in advance the next time to make sure to have a table inside.

Spanish cuisine, all the dishes ordered were delicious and of good size. Service was friendly and prompt. Venue was surprisingly large with high ceilings and a bar. Prices mid to high range but fair. Worth a look.

Couldn't fault this place - every dish was super delicious. The kingfish Ceviche in particular was executed perfectly - fish was fresh, the balance between salty, sweet, and acidity was perfect. Another highlight was the duck leg - the meat was amazingly tender and the balance of flavours were spot on. Service was warm and attentive, and we loved the ambience of the restaurant.

Vaquero is tucked away neatly in Albion but it is worth seeking out. I initially found vaquero but looking through fine dining lists and I loved that the menu had so many gluten free/coeliac options. The restaurant itself has a casual elegant vibe that feels very European, the menu is varied and the drinks have familiar flavours and some with a bit of extra flair. We ordered the squash parfait, knowing nothing about it, and it was so incredible I wish we had ordered four. We had three tapas and two mains between us, and the mains were deceptively sized and we couldn’t make it through! Be aware that the quail does have its head and feet attached, I’m a bit squeamish but thankfully I ordered the pork. The food was beautiful, the staff were lovely, the drinks were fantastic. We can’t wait to go again, and hopefully fit in dessert. Definitely a new favourite.

Amazing experience. Don’t think I’ve ever been to the same restaurant 3 times in a week. Food quality 100% and staff excellent. Damon’s knowledge of coal fire cooking is particularly impressive and have been looked after by Cameron exceptionally well. Sad to go home to Perth knowing it will be a few months before I can visit here again. Well done Vaquero crew.

4 people dining, ordered Banquet Menu at $49 per person. Surprisingly, to me, a full restaurant. To me, Vaquero fits into its own specific spot of restaurants. Lamb, seafood, Pork, beef but in a unique style. The attention to detail of each dish was there and tastes were subtle but able to be appreciated. Hervey Bay scallops were special to me because of the presentation and the sauce. Definitely equal to a speciality seafood restaurant, which Vaquero is not. One thing I do not like on any menu is a baked Brownie. This was part of the banquet menu so no choice to not order. But, I would have this Brownie every day of the year it was so good. Lots more good things to say but I'll leave that to next time. Lamb was as expected, good. Pork was excellent. Celeriac puree, some sort of white stuff, I consider just to put the Pork on top of, was so good that I found myself scraping off the plate the last little bits. The texture was much more than just Puree as was the taste. Staff were friendly and helpful with smiles that set a positive mood in the patrons, very important too. Overall: Yes, we will be back.

The food was tasty but not amazing. The service was excellent. The seafood component of the fish stew was well done, with swordfish and prawns cooked well. The bouillabaisse sauce was a very strong tomato flavour, but lacked balance. The potato side dish was very tasty and pleasant. The snowman dessert was well constructed and looked very pretty on the plate. The first few bites were delicious, but overall the dish was too sweet.

Vaquero is hands down the best new restaurant that I have been to in Brisbane in 2016. I snuck in here on an unassuming Tuesday night at the suggestion of a friend with absolutely no idea as to what I was about enjoy, my expectations were low as we were in suburban Brisbane afterall! This, however, is a beautiful fine dining establishment, hidden by the guise of the Euro style Albion Butchery at its facade on busy Sandgate road. Once you enter the restaurant through this secret door you are transported into a refined dining space, outdoor courtyard and bar that has old world charm and designer Euro chic with a warm inviting and intriguing feel. I just know that I want to taste the whole menu! The menu consists of delicate sharing platters for the table to share from starters, mains & deserts. I won't comment on how amazing each of the dishes were, I just recommend ordering an assortment matched with their plentiful & delicious wine list to enjoy with some great company. I highly recommend searching out this amazing little secret in Albion before it becomes a challenge to get in!