Fine dining

Known as the “antique precinct” of Logan Rd, the Woolloongabba heritage buildings once housing Brisbane’s fine vintage collections are now home to exquisite fine dining. 1889 Enoteca has built a loyal customer base with its authentic Roman fare and exceptional wine list. Emulating a classic Italian enoteche, the establishment features a restaurant, bar, wine store and basement-level cellar where guests can enjoy a private dining experience. Across the road, Detour encourages guests to embrace a shared dining experience with a menu of dishes designed to be passed around and sampled by all at the table. World-leading wines, signature dishes – try the coal-roasted broccoli, seriously – and chemistry-meets-culinary menu items position Detour as a restaurant that is worth the diversion.

The historic Clarence Corner precinct at Woolloongabba is home to an intimate and impressive dining and bar scene. Clarence Restaurant is an upmarket bistro that exudes neighbourhood charm. Fresh, local and seasonal produce is the undeniable star of its menu with Clarence offering visitors a high-quality dining experience in an unpretentious setting. A few steps along Stanley Rd, C’est Bon has carved out a mini French Quarter in the heart of Woolloongabba. Enjoy a chic and authentic French dining experience with white linen tablecloths, European wine and a menu of Gallic staples from brioche to brûlée. 

Woolloongabba’s South/City/SQ lifestyle and leisure precinct is also home to authentic and tantalizing Italian fare at Sasso Italiano. Its wood-fired pizzas draw hungry diners from across Brisbane – and with good reason! Its next-door neighbour, Casa Chow, fuses classic Cantonese flavours with robust Peruvian staples for a culinary delight that can’t be missed.

Located in The Point Hotel at Kangaroo Point, Lamberts uses high-quality, fresh and locally sourced ingredients to create innovative modern Australian dishes. Think Brisbane Valley quail or Skull Island tiger prawns served in the open, light-filled restaurant. 

Breakfast

Woolloongabba’s antique precinct doesn’t just twinkle to life at night, it is also a popular breakfast destination. All aboard for Mr Badger’s, a European-inspired diner with a breakfast menu using local ingredients from its deli display counter. Time your visit well and you may get to enjoy your bagel or banana pancakes from a seat inside its restored tram carriage. Across the road, the Baker’s Arms offers a selection of freshly baked sweet and savoury goodies that you can enjoy with a Campos coffee.

Just a stone’s throw away, Brown Dog Cafe understands the importance of all-day breakfast at a reasonable price. A little further on Balaclava St, you can pick up flaky pastry or artisan bread at Banneton Bakery. There’s a coffee machine next to the mouth-watering display case and a small alfresco dining area out the front. 

Other local favourites include Pawpaw Café on Stanley St East for its extensive choice of Asian-inspired breakfast dishes and its neighbouring café, the character-filled Neesh Bar & Cafe, which serves bottomless brunch on weekends.

For breakfast with a view, head to Kangaroo Point. Perched atop the Kangaroo Point Cliffs, enjoy a delicious breakfast at Joey’s while overlooking the river and spectacular city skyline. Enjoy outdoor dining at its finest at the riverfront Medley Café. Tuck into breakfast and sip a coffee while watching walkers and riders cruise past the path along the river. Or, grab a coffee from Flour Leopard café and a French pastry from Christian Jacques artisan boulangerie and enjoy it in nearby Captain Burke Park. 

Pubs & local bistros

Kangaroo Point and Woolloongabba are home to some of Brisbane’s most iconic pubs. One of the best-known is the legendary The Story Bridge Hotel, built underneath and around the pylons of its namesake bridge. The Norman Hotel is proudly known as “Brisbane’s worst vegetarian restaurant” and serves some of the best steaks in Brisbane. Rest assured, it does cater to your vegan and vegetarian friends too! Another carnivore haven is the Morrison Hotel where Fiasco’s Steakhouse serves 10 cuts of meat and a huge selection of sauces, sides and salads. Pop into its Circa 27 Whisky and Cocktail Bar for a nightcap after dinner.

Easy Times Brewing is a small independent brewery at The Gabba where you can kick back and relax with some freshly made, handcrafted local beers. One of the city’s original brew pubs, Brisbane Brewing Co. serves locally brewed craft beer mouth-watering steaks and seafood, plus its nine giant screens are popular with sporting fans.

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 Main St brewery. No visit to Kangaroo Point is complete without a stop at the perennially popular Pineapple Hotel (fondly known as the Piney) for its classic pub menu.

Casual eats 

These two inner-south suburbs will spoil you for choice when it comes to cuisine variety. Ben’s Chinese and Vietnamese serves traditional cuisine with a side of karaoke while Superfly Pizza cheekily declares itself “home of the world's best thin & crispy pizza”. 

One Fish Two Fish is a casual seafood restaurant where you can dine in or grab fresh and flavoursome takeaway for your next night in. 

Let your mouth water at the sight of the succulent ribs, steaks and burgers at Ribs & Burgers in Trafalgar Lane or dine in the fairy-lit garden and let the aromas of Frankie’s Smokehouse’s on-site smokers waft over you as you feast on Texas-style smoked meats.

Dine on delicate sashimi at Ku-O at the Gabba, sample Indian street food at Mirchh Masala on Logan Rd or head to Gabba Central for Vietnamese, Indian and Korean cuisines. 

If you’re after a sweet treat, look no further than 31 Degrees Custom Chocolates for a hot chocolate and a treat.

Small bars

Woolloongabba’s antique precinct is home to not one but two secret bars, hidden in plain sight. Catch up with friends after work or enjoy a classic Sunday session at the charismatic and quirky Electric Avenue, which does a great selection of cocktails, wines and craft beers. Then, pull one of the staff aside for a quiet word and they’ll direct you upstairs to the quaint Mrs J. Rabbits, a gorgeous speakeasy-style whisky and cocktail bar, hidden behind a wardrobe. Across the road, don’t be fooled by the sartorial displays in the window, The Tailors is actually a South American-style speakeasy. Open the door disguised as a mirror and enter a tiny world of delicious drinks and great live music. 

Next door is Canvas, a long-time favourite on Brisbane’s cocktail scene. The bar shakes, stirs and pours classic and signature drinks for the perfect nightcap.

Speaking of secrets, have you visited Can You Keep A Secret? Settle into one of the cosy couches and enjoy retro décor while listening to live music. You can also channel your inner child and play arcade games while sinking brews at Pincadia.

Purple Palm is a speciality gin bar that doubles as a vibrant oasis and meeting place in the heart of South/City/SQ. Look for the neon sign. South City Wine is an elegant European-style wine bar and tasting room that also serves a refined dinner menu.