A swanky restaurant has been slapped with a whopping fine after cockroaches were found in its dining and kitchen areas.

John Kilroy, director of the company that owns Cha Cha Char, pleaded guilty at Brisbane Magistrates Court to five charges of failing to comply with the food standards code.

The parent company of the restaurant Boutique Venues Pty Ltd was handed a $20,000 fine, while Mr Kilroy received a $2,500, according to the Courier Mail.

John Kilroy, director of the company that owns Cha Cha Char (pictured), pleaded guilty at Brisbane Magistrates Court to five charges of failing to comply with the food standards code

Brisbane City Council's lawyer told the court both live and dead cockroaches were found in in October 2017, potentially coming through holes in the ceiling and back door.

Mr Kilory took full responsibility and released a statement through Boutique Venues when he was told his restaurant had breached regulations.

He said he had taken pride in his impeccable record and people who have been to his venues know quality and service is the highest priority.

The wealthy restaurateur said he was shocked and disappointed at the news.

He claimed the issue was partly to blame on the aging Eagle Street building - and said he has worked with the landlord to fix issues.

Brisbane City Council's lawyer asserted that both live and dead cockroaches were found, which potentially came through holes in the ceiling and back door (stock image)

Mr Kilroy (pictured) added he employed a former health inspector to do spot checks, which the magistrate took into account in sentencing, and carry out weekly pest control exercises

Mr Kilroy added he employed a former health inspector to do spot checks, which the magistrate took into account in sentencing.

'I take full responsibility and have spent more than a year transforming staff, practices and procedures at our venues to ensure this never happens again including investing and installing in a highly sophisticated state-of-the art technology that provides daily photographic reports,' he said.

Mr Kilroy's defence lawyer tried to use a previous case where a fish and chip shop owner was handed a reduced fine for Food Act breaches.

However Magistrate Judith Daley said this was because the fine would bankrupt that owner, whereas Mr Kilroy was a 'successful business man'.

'I don't think you can compare the financial circumstances. They're different,' Ms Daley said, according to the publication.

Mr Kilroy said that the council has been back to the restaurant since and haven't found any more issues.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Brisbane City Council, Cha Cha Char and Boutique Venues Pty Ltd.