Northern Bayside: Where to eat in Sandgate, Brighton & Shorncliffe 

Sandgate is 22km from The City and is steadily transforming into a vibrant bayside village. Weekend crowds flock to the waterfront parks, the Shorncliffe pier, and the array of food options and coastal bars that range from hipster hideouts to family friendly fare.

For fish and chips on the Sandgate waterfront, both the Sandgate Fishmonger and Doug’s Seafood Café won’t leave you wanting more. The Fishmonger dishes up amazing calamari and the chef’s choice salad changes daily, while you can’t go past Doug’s for huge portions and bang for your buck. 

On Third Avenue is Ilforno Pizzeria, which has been named as having the best pizza in North Brisbane. The wood-fired pizzas are crisp and packed with flavour, and the beer fridge is bursting with the best European and craft brews around.  

From here, it’s a quick stroll to either of Sandgate’s cute laneway bars, Mr Henderson and the Cardigan Bar. Both offer great brews, wine and packed cheese platters, and locals line up to take advantage of the food trucks that often pull in on weekends. 

If breakfast and a caffeine hit or three are on your mind, Three Blind Mice and the waterfront Baaia are your go to spots in Sandgate. Towards Shorncliffe, Matthew Thomas café is housed in the historic Masonic Hall on Eagle Terrace and has a view spanning most of Bramble Bay, while The Wired Owl Coffee Co. are your coffee experts. 

A little further North in the neighbouring suburb of Brighton, there are some more great nooks to score your morning coffee and brekkie to get your day started. Blume Coffee serves up smooth speciality blends, grab a fresh pastry at Little Poppy’s Kitchen or shop, sip and dine all in the one place at Willow Coffee + Pantry.

If you’re looking for a family friendly pub, we would recommend the Full Moon Hotel. The menu goes above and beyond for a suburban pub and the kids’ room known as The Treehouse, will keep your youngest family members entertained for hours. In the heart of Sandgate at the historic post office building originally built in 1887, the Sandgate Post Office Hotel serves solid pub food that’s easy on the wallet.

Eastern Bayside: Where to eat in Wynnum & Manly 

Just a 30-minute drive south of Brisbane the Manly Harbour Village foreshore is home to many restaurants, cafes, bars and a massive marina full of magnificent yachts. The largest man-made marina on Australia's east coast, is home to1500 boats catching a breeze on Moreton Bay and is overlooked by the many establishments nearby.

There is no shortage of restaurants for the discerning diner, cafes to kick back in and cool bars to enjoy. For drinks of the caffeinated kind head to hip laneway cafe Cambridge Lane Espresso; sit on the deck of Café La Mer or Tide on the Jetty, for long lunches; Keiths on Cambridge for brunch or seafood lunch or perch yourself on the corner café GroundHog Social for a seasonally changing menu.

Over in Wynnum, local coffee roaster Dramanti café is the spot for coffee and free wi-fi; Frenchies Cafe is a dog-friendly establishment for fur babies and their owners; slip away at The Rabbit Hole Cafe with its all-day breakfast menu; or combine coffee and books at Little Gnome.

Trendy tapas bar Cedar + Pine is the perfect spot to start or finish an evening. Its menu is available for dinner from Thursday to Sunday and is the best spot in the bay for creative cocktails. Nearby Sea Vibes Kitchen & Bar is the prime spot for fancy fish & chips by the bay. 

For casual restaurants and eateries you can find Lido Italia who let you take a bottle of vino to enjoy its full range of Italian food; Manly Deck Bar & Restaurant has a modern, relaxed atmosphere; and Celtic Corner offers a taste of Ireland in food, drink and atmosphere.

For something a little more refined, The Manly Boathouse mixes beautiful waterfront views with delicious seafood. Shucks bar is also great if you’re looking for a cheeky vino and seafood share plate. The recently renovated Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club offers stunning views over the marina, delicious modern Australian cuisine and creative cocktails.