The City:
Eat and drink
Brisbane City is home to a world-class dining scene with award-winning chefs, cutting-edge connoisseurs and cocktail mixologists who will blow your socks off. With vibrant restaurants opening regularly and menus constantly being reformulated for the season, there are always new tastes to discover. Bring your appetite because there is a wide variety of dining experiences on offer across The City.
Coffee & breakfast
New to The City and not sure where to find a quality cup of coffee (or a quick bite to go with it)? Brisbane is stacked with superior baristas, freshly roasted beans, and cosy spots for both a relaxed brunch or quick grab and go breakfast. Start strolling along the buzzing streets and you’ll quickly stumble on popular coffee spots like Two Sons Coffee Co., Marco Polo, No Standing, Industry Beans and Edward Specialty Coffee. You might also discover the award-winning Coffee Anthology on Charlotte Street, regularly recognised among the world’s top coffee destinations. For something a little different, head to Raise Rooftop to sip your coffee above the energy of the city streets.
Prefer to slow down and sit in? Felix for Goodness, Mulga Bill’s and The Hideout Specialty Coffee are go-to picks for a proper sit-down breakfast.
Lunch
Lunch is the perfect time to dine alfresco or by the river, take in the sunshine and priceless views as you indulge in Brisbane’s best. Walk along the riverside to find European favourites such as Massimo, Opa Bar + Mezze, Babylon and Alchemy. Continue walking up the Riverwalk to find fine-dining spots such as Tillerman Seafood Restaurant and Bar for the freshest seafood and Stilts Dining to take in spectacular views atop the new Kangaroo Point Bridge.
Your lunch time options don’t end there Take your tastebuds on a culinary journey through Asia at Madame Wu, where modern Asian flavours are paired with stunning river views, or explore the new Queen’s Wharf precinct and dine at Fat Noodle or Lúc Lắc for vibrant dishes in a lively city setting.
Sit back and relax at one of Brisbane City’s more casual restaurants, from Friday’s Riverside to Comuna Cantina and Riverland, you can linger with share plates and cocktails all afternoon. Queen’s Wharf has a wide variety of perfect lunch locations right on the river, the Skydeck’s Aloria or the dining hub on level four with Dark Shephard, Azteca, Cucina Regina and more.
Dinner
When the sun goes down, Brisbane City comes alive. A wave of new openings is raising the bar and bringing elevated dining experiences to the heart of The City. Seek out The French Exit for authentically cosy French cuisine, savour the vibrant Middle Eastern flavours at Golden Avenue, or indulge in refined modern Korean fare at SUUM.
For a night to remember, these Brisbane City restaurants have been delivering upscale dining for years and remain firm favourites with locals. Book a table at the likes of Donna Chang, Rothwell’s Bar & Grill, Walter’s Steakhouse, Exhibition and more.
Dinner spots topping every foodie’s lists include Naldham House for classic European flair, or head upstairs to discover The Fifty Six for refined Cantonese plates in a elegant setting. Doughcraft is another popular hotspot, dishing up authentic Italian dishes packed with flavour, while Little Provenance Restaurant offers a charming French dining experience.
For Asian flavours, Brisbane City delivers a vibrant mix of modern dining and hidden laneway gems. Discover contemporary Asian plates at Longwang, or venture underground to Central, a secret restaurant serving Chinese flavours beneath the glow of a disco ball. Tucked away in Burnett Lane, Hideki pairs modern Japanese cuisine with inventive Japanese-inspired cocktails, while more casual favourites like Korilla BBQ and Funny Funny dish up everything from fragrant, spicy hotpots to colourful bibimbap bowls.
Bars
Sip sky-high cocktails or tuck into cosy, subterranean favourites Brisbane City’s bar scene is packed with personality.
If you love laneway energy, Burnett Lane is a sipping delight, seek out expertly crafted cocktails at Death & Taxes or Antico. Gresham Lane is home to The Gresham Bar, a sleek and moody cocktail bar filled with personality.
On Edwards Street you can find live music playing at the Doo-Bop Bar, or next door at Dr. Gimlette you’ll discover more delicious and unique cocktails. Walk down the neighbouring laneway to find Shaman, a more relaxed bar atmosphere. Two more laneway secrets live off from Elizabeth Street, the underground retro watering hole, Alice Bar and the wine bar in a refurbished garage, Milquetoast. And it would be rude not to mention Brooklyn Standard, another underground spot - popular with those wanting to have a little dance with live music.
For after-dinner drinks, Le Royale’s and Club Felix’s old-world charm is calming and inviting, while rooftop and open-air venues like Sixteen Antlers and the WET Deck at the W Brisbane serve the best sunset views with your spritz.
Start compiling your wish list and get ready to savour new flavours - where will you begin?
