Brisbane's Ben's Restaurant closes after 33 years
Ben's Vietnamese & Chinese Restaurant closed on March 1 after 33 years operating inside Princess Plaza Shopping Centre, a long-standing Brisbane landmark. The venue had built a loyal following not just as a restaurant, but as a karaoke hub where locals marked birthdays, engagements and reunions across generations.
Owner Trush Nguyen described the decision as deeply emotional, citing health, family and financial pressures. "We are very sad to announce the closure of a business which has been operating for 33 years," she told SkyNews.com.au. "We thank our loyal customers and the community for enjoying our authentic Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine and karaoke every Friday and Saturday night."
In a Facebook post announcing the closure, the business pointed to a combination of factors. "Despite our best efforts to sustain the business, unforeseen economic circumstances and also our lease end have forced us to make this difficult call," the statement read.
Nguyen closed with a characteristically warm farewell: "We can't fully express our deep gratitude for your loyalty and support for the last 33 years. Thank you for dancing with us."
The announcement triggered an outpouring of nostalgia online, with customers recalling family dinners, milestone celebrations and late-night karaoke sessions.
"Honestly some of the most fun nights I've had with friends started with a banquet at Ben's and ended with dreadful karaoke. I'm truly sad," one commenter wrote.
Others pointed to rising commercial rents as a likely factor. "I don't think enough people understand that small businesses leasing in Brisbane are being pushed to the wall by landlords right now," one customer wrote.
The closure adds to growing concerns about the viability of hospitality in Brisbane, coming just weeks after celebrity chef Adrian Richardson was also forced to shut his Brisbane steakhouse — raising broader questions about the sustainability of the city's dining sector amid mounting cost pressures.
Jonathan Jackson, 18th March 2026
