Don't skip the fried Oreo donut: Goldie's Tavern, South Brisbane

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Menu highlights

Highlights from Zen’s visit.

• Fried lasagna bites with distinct pasta and meat layers, red and yellow sauces, and crispy herbs
• Sticky plum pork ribs topped with chopped green chives
• Fried Oreo donuts stuffed with a whole Oreo biscuit, topped with whipped cream and a cherry
• Philly cheesesteak wonton bites topped with dark sauce and chives
• Green salad with parmesan cheese and crispy wonton strips

At a glance: what we ordered

• Lasagna bites
• Sticky plum pork ribs
• Fried Oreo donuts

A fresh glow-up on Merivale Street

Located at the corner of Melbourne and Merivale Streets, Goldie's Tavern occupies a prominent spot in South Brisbane with an easy indoor-outdoor flow. Outside, bright yellow umbrellas printed with the Goldie's name shade the patio tables, offering an inviting outdoor setting for group drinks or lunch in the sun. Inside, warm timber dining tables are outfitted with simple cutlery caddies and surrounded by comfortable booth seating.

Beyond standard seating, the interior encourages staying for another round with dedicated game areas. A yellow pool table sits ready for friendly matches, while a foosball table featuring orange and green figures provides extra competition alongside screens broadcasting live sport. It creates a social, relaxed tavern atmosphere where sports culture and good company meet.

The layered lasagna bites worth returning for

We started off with the fried lasagna bites, and they immediately proved to be the standout dish of the day. Golden-brown and crispy on the outside, each bite pulls apart to display distinct, tightly packed layers of pasta and rich meat filling inside. Plated with drizzles of yellow and red sauce and garnished with crispy herbs, they deliver a satisfying crunch before giving way to a comforting, savory center.

The kitchen manages to take a heavy Italian classic and transform it into a neat, fried share plate that feels perfectly tailored to a modern pub menu. These bites are应对 genuinely worth going back for on their own merit, setting a high standard right at the start of the meal.

Messy sticky plum ribs and table shares

Next up were the sticky plum pork ribs, brought out to the table as a dark-glazed portion garnished with freshly chopped green chives. Extra saucy and gloriously messy, these ribs are pure hands-on fun to eat, demanding plenty of napkins as you navigate the rich, sticky coating.

The broader spread balances rich mains with crisp, fresh sides. A green salad dressed with grated parmesan cheese and crispy wonton strips offers a light, textural contrast across the table. Triangular fried wontons topped with dark sauce and chives sit alongside classic sides of golden fries and crunchy coleslaw, while canned drinks poured over ice and bright orange cocktails complete the pub feast.

Inside the dangerous fried Oreo donut

Saving room for dessert at Goldie's is non-negotiable, especially when the fried Oreo donuts land on the table. Served outdoors or inside in a deep white bowl lined with Goldie's printed paper, five golden-brown fried donuts are stacked together, finished with a dollop of whipped cream, cocoa crumb, and a maraschino cherry.

Biting into one reveals the highlight: an entire Oreo biscuit encased within the warm, fluffy dough shell. The blend of hot crispy exterior, soft dough, melted cookie filling, and cold cream makes for a playful, dangerous dessert that is best shared with good company.