Nomad to open in former Gerard's space, marking Edition Hospitality's Queensland debut
Sydney restaurant group Edition Hospitality is expanding into Queensland, taking over the site of Brisbane dining institution Gerard's for a new outpost of its flagship brand Nomad.
Founder and chief executive Rebecca Yazbek will open the Brisbane edition in the James Street site, extending her group's footprint to a third state.
The move follows Nomad's original 2013 Sydney opening and its 2021 expansion into Melbourne, alongside Edition's 2023 launch of Reine & La Rue in the former Melbourne Stock Exchange building and last year's acquisition of Melbourne institution Grossi Florentino.
Gerard's, run by Johnny Moubarak, closed this year after 14 years of trading and had built a strong national reputation. Yazbek said the site deserved to remain a destination venue regardless of who operated it.
"Johnny was an incredible operator, and it was an amazing restaurant," Yazbek said. "Fourteen years. The Gerard's space should be an iconic restaurant [regardless of the operator], just like Ezard [now Nomad Melbourne] should be, and Florentino is."
The Brisbane opening comes after a turbulent period for Yazbek, who rebranded her business, acquired Grossi Florentino from a then-embattled Guy Grossi, and dealt with fallout after her husband and former co-director Al Yazbek was charged over displaying a Nazi symbol at a 2024 Sydney rally. He has since apologised publicly and stepped down from the business.
Yazbek said she had scouted Brisbane sites for the concept a decade ago. "The first time I looked at Brisbane sites was 10 years ago. I know because I had a four-month-old strapped to my chest who just turned 10," she said. "You do those big leaps and hope for the best. I don't think about the worst case. I think, 'if we do what we do really well, then people will come'."
Architect Jared Webb, who redesigned the space for Gerard's in 2023, has returned to rework the fitout under a brief to reinterpret Nomad for Brisbane in 2026. The rammed-earth walls will remain, with the redesign opening up the floor plan via a longer bar, a large wine wall and a kitchen with closer sightlines to the dining room. Australian art and pottery will feature throughout. Yazbek described the result as recognisably Nomad without being "a replica".
The kitchen will be led by Edition culinary director Michael Greenlaw alongside current Nomad Melbourne head chef Jeremy Swann, with the venue managed by longtime Nomad Melbourne staffer Robbie Pyke-Marcou. Drinks will be overseen by group bar manager Felix Woods and group sommelier Steve Senturk, continuing Nomad's all-Australian by-the-glass wine list.
"It's a great opportunity to put wines in front of people that they haven't necessarily seen before," Yazbek said.
The food offering, still being finalised, will follow the wood-fired style of the Sydney and Melbourne venues while drawing on Queensland produce.
Nomad Brisbane is scheduled to open in late spring.
Jonathan Jackson, 31st August 2026
