Breakfast

Breakfast starts early in Woolloongabba’s antique precinct, where the heritage buildings once housed Brisbane’s fine vintage collections and now home to tasty dining experiences. Brown Dog Cafe understands the importance of an all-day breakfast – because who doesn’t love breakfast for lunch too! A little further along the road, Banneton Bakery fills its counters with golden pastries, crusty loaves and enough temptation to make choosing just one item nearly impossible. Continue the morning pastry crawl at Cerin Pasticceria, where Italian-inspired pastries and coffee are always close at hand.

Breakfast favourites stretch well beyond the antique precinct too – Pawpaw Café is known for its extensive choice of Asian-inspired breakfast dishes, while Vacancy Coffee is where you will experience single-origin beans, not to mention cookie and coffee combo excellence.

Across Main Street, enjoy breakfast with a view in Kangaroo Point. Perched atop the Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Joey’s is one of Brisbane’s most scenic breakfast destinations. Whether you have just finished a morning walk, run or Riverlife climb, it’s the perfect place to grab coffee and breakfast. Down by the water, Medley Café is a prime spot to tuck into breakfast and sip a coffee while watching walkers and riders cruise past the path and ferries glide by. For something to take away, follow the scent of buttery and freshly baked pastries to Christian Jacques, before wandering to nearby Captain Burke Park to soak up the morning sunshine.

Lunch

Come lunchtime, Woolloongabba’s dining scene serves up a little bit of everything. Craving something Italian? Little G’s wood-fired pizza welcomes an excellence in toppings that go beyond the standard margherita, and Nonna San the ‘Italian Grandma of Japan’ serves up a unique fusion of Italian and Japanese cuisine. For a lunch spot with a side of nostalgia, climb aboard the authentic Palace 100 Tram Car at Mr Badger’s, where European-inspired dishes make for a memorable midday meal.

These two inner-south suburbs will spoil you for choice when it comes to cuisine variety. Dine on delicate sashimi at Ku-O at the Gabba, sample Indian street food at Mirchh Masala or head to Gabba Central for Vietnamese, Indian and Korean cuisines.

 For those who believe lunch is best enjoyed with a steak and cold brew, The Norman Hotel and Morrison Hotel’s Fiasco Steakhouse have you covered, with countless cuts, sauces, sides and salads to choose from. The Story Bridge Hotel remains one of Brisbane’s most recognisable dining destinations, built beneath its famous namesake, while the much-loved Pineapple Hotel (fondly known as the Piney) rounds out the list with a classic pub menu and plenty of local charm.

If you can’t get enough of craft beer, head down past the Story Bridge to Sea Legs Brewing Co., serving brews, burgers, pizzas and share plates from its industrial shed fit out. Enjoying a game at The Gabba? Easy Times Brewing is a handy spot nearby where you can kick back and relax with some handcrafted local beers. Just down the road, Brisbane Brewing Co., one of the city’s original brew pubs, serves locally brewed craft beer, quality steaks and seafood, while its giant screens ensure you won’t miss a moment of any live games.

The scent of mouth-watering low-and-slow barbeque often arrives before the food at Frankie’s Smokehouse, where you can dine beneath the fairy lights as you tuck into Texas-style smoked meats. Over in Trafalgar Lane, Ribs & Burgers offers another hearty lunch option, serving up juicy steaks, stacked burgers and tender ribs.

No lunch is complete without something sweet. Stop by 31 Degrees Custom Chocolates for a treat made by hand in the heart of Woolloongabba.

Dinner

1889 Enoteca specialises in authentic Roman fare and exceptional wine offerings that you’e sure to enjoy. Emulating a traditional Italian enoteche, the venue features a restaurant, bar, wine store and basement-level cellar, where guests can enjoy a private dining experience.

C’est Bon & Le Bon Bar has become a cornerstone of French-inspired dining in Brisbane. Enjoy a chic and authentic French dining experience a menu full of local Brisbane ingredients, paried with European wines and classic French flavours. When dinner wraps up, head upstairs to Ooh La La Rooftop Bar for a cocktail with a Parisian twist – Le Bon Bar means ‘The Good Bar’ after all.

Beyond the white tablecloths and wine cellars, dabble in a few surprises. Inspired by the wine bars of northern Italy, D.Vino Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar brings European hospitality to the table with seafood dishes, share plates and a wine list spanning more than 400 labels. Dining in the Dark offers a completely different experience, with a three-course meal enjoyed in complete darkness, heightening your senses of both taste and smell.

One of Woolloongabba's best pizza secrets. Superfly Pizza specialises in hand-made, hand-stretched pizzas inspired by both New York and Neapolitan styles. Nearby, Sasso Italiano brings the energy and passion of New York's Italian eateries of the 1970s to South City Square, serving up wood-fired pizzas, house-made pasta and plenty of atmosphere. Venture further into the precinct and you'll find even more reasons to stay for dinner. Inspired by the Pampas region, Pampero embraces the flavours of Argentina with the tradition of asado, where food is cooked over fire and shared around the table.

Bars

Some of Woolloongabba’s best bars are hiding in plain sight. Start at Electric Avenue, where cocktails, wines and craft beers flow within vintage-inspired decor. In the mood for a little mystery? Ask a staff for directions to Mrs J. Rabbits, a whisky and cocktail bar, hidden behind a wardrobe upstairs.

Across the road, don’t be fooled by the tailored suits in the window. The Tailors is a South American-style speakeasy hidden behind a mirror, serving cocktails alongside live music. Next door is Canvas Club a long-time favourite among Brisbane’s cocktail lovers, shaking, stirring and pouring signature creations well into the evening.

Stickybeak puts some of the world's finest wines at your fingertips, with self-serve dispensers offering everything from a tasting sip to a full glass. Appreciate the European inspired wine bar at South City Wine, the perfect date night or after-dinner drinks spot. For something a little different, Mr Badgers & The Copacabana Club deliver tropical cocktails and rum specialised drinks in a playful dual-venue space where tiki vibes meet sophisticated mixology. For a deep dive into the world of whiskey, make your way to Circa 27 Whisky & Cocktail Bar inside the Morrison Hotel and Barrels & Stills. Where whisky and spirits can keep enthusiasts busy and sippin’ for hours.

Golden hour is best enjoyed with a cocktail in hand at Sunsets Rooftop. Watch the sky shift through shades of pink and orange before the city lights take over, you may even catch a glimpse of the game in The Gabba. Or head to KIN Bar & Dining for a different pace. Gather with friends, unwind over drinks and graze on light bites in a relaxed setting that's made for settling in and staying a little longer.

Planning a night at the Princess Theatre? Fables Bar & Cafe is the theatre's own bar, so meet here before the gig or enjoy a post-show drink or two!