Encores at the Empire - Toowoomba City, Queensland

Revital Y.

Great to hire out for corporate functions that can be fully catered for. The meals are great and the atmosphere is terrific.

Zero W.

Probably the best restaurant in Toowoomba. We have just been back again for a special birthday event and never disappointed. The menu was great and great value- (3) course. We gave it a 10/10 - the food was amazing, the flavours to die for, and we were well looked after all night - so great service. We could not fault anything on the night and just had the best experience (again). If you are looking for an upmarket restaurant for a romantic or special event - then I highly recommend Encores. Great job by the Encores team again, Thanks You for a wonderful evening.

Andrew ?. S.

Probably equally the best restaurant experience in Toowoomba for my wife and I so far.
The complete experience from start to finish was exceptional. Something I would expect in a high class City restaurant.
The wait staff were very professional, friendly and had the ability to be more than a waiter but not intrusive. Their presence made the evening better.
The menus was a prefect menu with what I could hope to choose from. The set price with the choice of 2 or 3 courses worked really well for our date. (something many restaurants should do) I would love to see more details on where the key ingredients were grown and even some local produce.
Our food was very good. The two stand dishes my wife and I had was the pork belly and the steak. (both would have to be the best examples we've experienced at a restaurant.
The potatoes in my barramundi were the only exception to the evening. I wish the chef will listen to this and understand that whatever they did, was wrong.
I would normally retract a star for this, but considering the atmosphere and the complete experience, including great value, I wish I could give it an extra star.
If you're looking for a date night restaurant, go here. You won't regret it.

Tiffany C.

Delightful dining experience, considerably the best so far I’ve had in Toowoomba. Service is on point. The food were above average, the beef cheek is incredibly tender and the lamb cutlet was cooked to perfection. Good value.

Be B.

Nice restaurant attached to the side of the empire theatre. The service was great, bookings a must. Food was excellently prepared and very tasty. This place is definitely a luxurious feeling restaurant with top shelf quality.

Faith S.

I had a wonderful birthday dinner with my husband and friends, the service was exceptional and the food, we are still raving about it. Thank you to chefs, waitstaff and Mark and Meredith for our special dining experience. We definitely will be back.

Harry

Went for an anniversary lunch. Food was of good standard and dietary requirements were catered for. Service lacked what you'd expect for a more 'up-market' place.

Issues were:
No info on wine type included with the meal. Only info given was red or white, which was a shame.

No bread was served with the soup, although some starter bread was served gratis.
No follow up drinks were offered.
No acknowledgement of the special occasion.

Overall, would probably go back. Just a few minor issues. Wouldn't say much different to a Coffee Club in terms of the service.

Matt S.

One of if not the longest standing restaurant in Toowoomba and for good reason. This is the closest thing you'll get to fancy in this weird city/country hybrid town. Venue is elegant. Nice view of the lawn outside (let's not undervalue a nice lawn). A grand piano sits in the foyer - how very fancy. I wonder if it gets played much? It must question it's purpose - what good is a piano if not played? Not once have I ever seen this piano played - nor any other foyer-piano for that matter. Weird.
Lighting is on point - just bright enough that you can read easily, but just dim enough to be a little moody, like the smooth jazz that plays in the background.
As for the food, it's always nice but sometimes it's a bit predictable. They seem to have lifted the bar a bit recently since on my most recent visit I was pleasantly surprised by how refined everything was. Don't get me wrong - it's always of high standard, but this time was particularly nice.
The truffle in the lamb entree was conspicuous by its absence but otherwise the lamb delightfully tender and balanced.
Soup entree was like a warm fire on a Winter's evening - comforting and wholesome. Too many people don't appreciate a bangin' soup. This particular one was superb. Absolutely superb.
The croquet with the steak special was incredible. A pillow of texture and flavour. The steak was rare as requested and as much as I hate cliches, totally melt-in-your-mouth.
As for dessert, all the options looked great for people who like sweets but me, I'm a cheeseboard guy. Accompanied by a Cognac that was loving and warm like a hug from your grandma, the cheeseboard was a winner.
Staff are some of the most professional you'll come across and always read the table perfectly.
I gotta admit, the chairs got uncomfortable after a while, which did no favours for my lower back (mid-20s problems right?) but perhaps I just love to complain. We all do though right, I'm not alone here? It's a societal problem frankly, we all expect a certain unattainable level of comfort from restaurants that is so unrealistic.
Anyway overall experience is always 10/10. If you're looking for fine dining in Toowoomba, go here.