Even in the midst of Brisbane City’s soaring skyline and Eagle Street’s buzzing food precinct, Customs House stands out. You can chalk it up to the building’s stately facade, which is crowned by a copper-sheathed dome that, over time, has attained an aquamarine patina. It’s this eye-catching architectural hallmark that Customs House’s own eatery, Patina, draws its name. The restaurant, which boasts a menu crafted around the themes of garden, pasture, sea and bay is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque spots to dine along Brisbane River. The team behind the lauded locale expanded its operations to the University of Queensland in 2022, opening sister venue Patina at Alumni Court. This 90-seater concept can be found at Alumni Court – a leafy segment not far from the university’s limestone-laden Great Court. The restaurant spreads across Alumni Gardens and into the heritage-listed former Radon Laboratory, both of which boast luxe furnishing and brass and copper-coloured finishes to bring it in line with Patina’s established aesthetic. Head chef Nick Murtas has worked with executive chef John Offenhauser to create a menu that follows Patina’s paddock-to-plate philosophy, with seasonal produce and local seafood given new life as dishes like ora king salmon tartare with Tasmanian wasabi, smoked soy, avocado, nashi, finger lime and coriander, and South Burnett pork belly with smoked parsnip, Mooloolaba king prawn, witlof and pickled white grapes. Patina at Alumni Court’s drinks list is loaded with cocktails (made using craft spirits) and plenty of wine. UQ staff and students are free to stop by every weekday from 7:00 am for breakfast bites like Tasmanian smoked salmon brioche, maple-glazed bacon brioche and cups of coffee from Neighbourhood Coffee Roasters.