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Restaurant

Short Grain

15 Marshall St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006, Australia

Recommended by 67 people

Updated

Find Short Grain

15 Marshall St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 448 677 378
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 5:00 – 9:30 PM Thursday: 5:00 – 9:30 PM Friday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:30 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:30 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM, 5:00 – 8:30 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Short Grain

Set inside an airy Fortitude Valley converted factory, Short Grain pairs punchy regional Thai aromatics with generous room to breathe. High ceilings and widely spaced tables keep the room civilized—you can actually hold a conversation over dinner. Chef Martin Boetz frequently works the floor himself, running plates and talking through the wine list. Longtime fans know many of the rich curries and mains can be ordered in half-portions, making it easy to sample widely or settle in solo. Start with the betel leaf king prawn bites before moving to the Chiang Mai spiced trout larb, cuttlefish in sweet soy lime, and a bowl of crisp roti to sweep up every drop of curry sauce.

  • Spacious Factory Setting: Set within a converted industrial building featuring high ceilings and widely spaced tables that keep conversations effortless.
  • Chef-Led Hospitality: Chef and co-founder Martin Boetz actively works the floor, personally ferrying plates and chatting with tables.
  • Flexible Portion Sizes: Many curries and mains are available in half portions, welcoming flexible tastings and solo diners alongside large feasts.
RestaurantThaiChineseRestaurant

What's On at Short Grain

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Diners Choose Short Grain

Masterful Southeast Asian dishes, direct chef hospitality, and an unhurried, spacious dining room.

  • Personal Hospitality from Chef Martin Boetz

    Chef and owner Martin Boetz directly engages on the dining floor, running plates to tables and personally checking in with diners.

    seeing the Chef, Martin Boetz, running the dishes to the table himself says a lot about his vision of what a restaurant should be.

    Sophie Viallard

  • Masterfully Balanced Southeast Asian Flavors

    Dishes consistently highlight rich Thai flavor profiles, harmoniously balancing heat, citrus, and herbs across every course.

    Every dish is beautifully balanced, packed with flavour, and consistently exceptional.

    Judith Harrison

  • Flexible Half-Portions for Broader Tasting

    Menu options include half-sized serves and tailored solo dining portions, enabling individuals or pairs to sample widely without ordering full banquets.

    The amazing thing about Short Grain is that many of the dishes can be ordered half serves, so you can try many things!

    Dan R

  • Seamless Solo and Small-Party Dining

    The venue comfortably accommodates solo diners with flexible portions, attentive bar-side recommendations, and custom ordering.

    I was accommodated with a smaller serve of superb fish curry with a refreshing little cucumber salad

    Melbourne local

  • Acoustically Comfortable, Spaced Dining Room

    Housed in a converted warehouse with high ceilings and deliberate spacing, the dining room avoids overcrowding and allows easy conversation.

    A restaurant you can actually hear your table’s conversation

    T S

  • Unrushed Celebrations and Group Gatherings

    Generous share plates, balanced pacing, and warm service create a dependable setting for anniversaries, birthdays, and group gatherings.

    The combination of amazing food, great atmosphere, and professional yet genuinely friendly staff made the whole lunch feel special.

    Julian A

Celebrated Southeast Asian signature mains and share plates

  • Whole Crispy Fish

    The whole crispy fish was amazing

    Victorio Estequi

  • Chiang Mai style ocean trout larb

    However the standout dish for me was the Chiang Mai Style Ocean Trout Larb. So delicious with fresh herbs and a good kick of spice.

    Peter Plowman

  • Green curry

    The green curry, also If was a half portion was big and filling.

    EKOCHEF

  • Cuttlefish

    Food the cuttlefish was amazing with the sweet soy lime dressing.

    Dan R

Other favorites

Accompaniments, curated cocktails, and desserts to complete the meal

  • Roti

    The roti was crisp and so good.

    Dan R

  • Palm sugar caramel custard

    Dessert a palm sugar caramel custard. Was a stand-out dish!

    Dan R

  • Sticky rice

    I was so eager for the sticky rice and was not disappointed.

    Megan Hutchings

  • Lychee Martini

    Lychee Martini, how could I say no?

    Dan R

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful details that elevate the dining experience at Short Grain

  • Hands-On Floor Hospitality by Chef Martin Boetz

    Chef and owner Martin Boetz regularly steps out onto the floor to deliver dishes to tables, clear settings, and guide guests through wine selections.

  • Personal Table Visits and Keepsake Touches

    When service allows, Martin personally visits tables to chat with diners, and has even signed receipts for long-time patrons celebrating special occasions.

  • Flexible Half-Serve Portions Across Mains

    Multiple curries and mains can be ordered in half-size portions, allowing solo guests and pairs to taste a wider range of dishes without having to commit to full banquet sizes.

  • Intentionally Spaced, Acoustic-Conscious Seating

    Housed in a refurbished factory with high ceilings, the room preserves generous spacing across roughly a dozen tables so guests can converse comfortably without acoustic strain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you order smaller or half portions of dishes?

Yes, many dishes can be ordered in half-size or smaller portions, making it easy to sample a wide variety of flavours whether dining solo or in a small group.

Do you need to book a table in advance?

Reservations are accepted and recommended to secure a table, though walk-ins have occasionally been accommodated when space permits.

What is the noise level and dining atmosphere like?

The dining room is housed in a spacious refurbished factory with high ceilings and well-spaced tables, creating a calm, gentle ambience where conversations can be heard comfortably.

How does the kitchen handle allergies and dietary preferences?

The team accommodates dietary needs such as shrimp allergies by offering equivalent options without requiring you to switch dishes, and vegetarian choices like silken tofu and mushroom curries are available.

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