A restaurant in Brisbane specializing in wood-fired Mediterranean cuisine.
Insights
MediterraneanLevantineVegetarian Vegan FocusLocal ModernVegan-friendlyUpscaleLunchDinnerBrunchWine Bar
Last updated: 9/14/2026, 4:05:34 AM
Key Information
Located at The Star Brisbane, Dark Shepherd offers a sophisticated Mediterranean dining experience with a focus on lamb and dishes prepared in a state-of-the-art woodfire oven. The restaurant boasts a moody, stylish atmosphere, making it suitable for elegant lunches and memorable dinners.
Customer Perception
Customers consistently praise the excellent food, beautiful presentation, and flavorful dishes. The banquet option is noted for its great value and generous portions. Staff are frequently commended for being lovely, attentive, welcoming, and thoughtful, contributing to a personalized and magical dining experience. The atmosphere and location are also highlighted positively. A few reviews mention that while some dishes are outstanding (like lamb shoulder), others might be average or not meet expectations for the price point, with one reviewer noting food cooling quickly due to the location.
Additional Details
The restaurant is part of the Tassis Group. Free parking is available for diners.
The restaurant is open 7 days a week and appears to maintain high standards even during non-peak hours. It's suitable for both elegant lunches and unforgettable dinners.
The food was excellent, everything we tried was full of flavour and beautifully presented. We did the banquet and were pleasantly surprised by how filling it was and how much food you actually get for the price, definitely great value! The staff were all so lovely, attentive and welcoming, which made the experience even better. The restaurant itself is also in a great location with a really nice atmosphere. Would definitely come back!
My husband proposed to me here and i wouldnt have been able to choose a better place. Judy was our server and she was amazingly attentive and accommodating and i felt so welcome and at ease. The food was outstanding and they even gave us complimentary champagne for the occasion! Truly a wonderful and magical experience!
5
We had an amazing dining experience here. From the moment we arrived, the staff were incredibly warm, attentive, and thoughtful. They arranged a table for us in a very private and beautiful spot, and you could really see the care they put into every detail of the setup.
Throughout the evening, the service was exceptional. Several staff members came by to check on us and make sure everything was perfect. Even without us asking, they were always ready to respond quickly and take care of anything we might need.
What impressed us the most was how personalized the service felt. When we asked about a special drink, they even went the extra mile to prepare it for us. You can truly see the dedication and effort behind both the drinks and the cocktails — everything was high quality and beautifully presented.
The food was absolutely delicious and honestly exceeded our expectations for the price. The value for money is excellent. We had such a wonderful time — great food, great drinks, and a very comfortable atmosphere.
Every detail made us feel like VIP guests. This restaurant absolutely deserves five stars. Highly recommended, and we will definitely be coming back again.
3
Our table was the first one outside it was cold capturing the breeze. There was a heater but not close enough due to walking space.
Food was average no wow factor. Lamb shoulder was cooked beautifully but it became sickening to eat due to the fat or oil it was cooked in. Think the cold played apart as our food got cold quickly. Our sides were no show stopper. The entree, steak and chips were nice. Dessert was good but I wouldn’t rave about the mains. So disappointing given the money you pay.
5
Food was cooked with sincerity and skill, with each main arriving hot and delicious. Despite it being in the middle of the afternoon with no other guests, staff were attentive and food was served VERY timely! Appreciate very much that standards are still upheld at non-peak timings.
Lobster meat was fresh and tender, and we really enjoyed the pillow flat bread. Brussel sprouts were lovely with labneh. Would be nice if the baklava was served hot to contrast with the ice cream.
Overall really satisfied and definitely a great find without looking for it!
