Guidebook for Brisbane
Food Scene
A reliable take on Spanish food with a sophisticated atmosphere. Order the chorizo.
Peasant Restaurant
A reliable take on Spanish food with a sophisticated atmosphere. Order the chorizo.
Coffee en route to the city at this hole in the wall operated by hipsters.
Espresso Engine Turbot Street
32 Turbot StCoffee en route to the city at this hole in the wall operated by hipsters.
Great for Sunday brunch; good (strong) coffee. Get there at 7am on a Sunday for prime seating and best service.
6 locals raden deze aan
The Chelsea Bistro
Barracks LnGreat for Sunday brunch; good (strong) coffee. Get there at 7am on a Sunday for prime seating and best service.
Walk beyond the upmarket restaurant to the hidden bar right at the back of this cool space. Good burgers and expert bartenders.
The Laneway
181 Mary StWalk beyond the upmarket restaurant to the hidden bar right at the back of this cool space. Good burgers and expert bartenders.
Experience Brisbane's current hang out at this overpriced but fun bar/restaurant. Get one of the outdoor tables under an umbrella and try the fish and chips. A classic Brisbane view. Gets rowdy.
41 locals raden deze aan
Riverbar & Kitchen
71 Eagle StExperience Brisbane's current hang out at this overpriced but fun bar/restaurant. Get one of the outdoor tables under an umbrella and try the fish and chips. A classic Brisbane view. Gets rowdy.
The best italian in Brisbane. Order the duck ragu and don't let Paolo (the abrasive owner) deter you, it adds to the charm. No reservations - get there bang on 6pm unless happy to wait at bar.
42 locals raden deze aan
Beccofino
10 Vernon TerraceThe best italian in Brisbane. Order the duck ragu and don't let Paolo (the abrasive owner) deter you, it adds to the charm. No reservations - get there bang on 6pm unless happy to wait at bar.
Share a hot and cold seafood platter at this family owned Brisbane institution. Wear a bib and eat chilli crab. Get a crepe suzette cooked at your table for dessert.
7 locals raden deze aan
Gambaro Seafood Restaurant
33 Caxton StShare a hot and cold seafood platter at this family owned Brisbane institution. Wear a bib and eat chilli crab. Get a crepe suzette cooked at your table for dessert.
Mix with uni students and young professionals at this expensive quasi-gastro-pub which has been rebuilt after two floods (1974 and 2011). Spot the tideline.
72 locals raden deze aan
Regatta Hotel
543 Coronation DrMix with uni students and young professionals at this expensive quasi-gastro-pub which has been rebuilt after two floods (1974 and 2011). Spot the tideline.
Taste the burnt nuttiness of Australian coffee done right at this busy breakfast/lunch spot. Ignore the fish monger smell and keep walking. Ask for a table in the front section under the giant fans.
21 locals raden deze aan
Campos Coffee
Wandoo StreetTaste the burnt nuttiness of Australian coffee done right at this busy breakfast/lunch spot. Ignore the fish monger smell and keep walking. Ask for a table in the front section under the giant fans.
Enjoy the weak Australian dollar by splurging on local fish caught daily and a view framed delightfully at this celebrated (and somehow underrated) restaurant. Ask for a table on the water.
14 locals raden deze aan
Jellyfish
Enjoy the weak Australian dollar by splurging on local fish caught daily and a view framed delightfully at this celebrated (and somehow underrated) restaurant. Ask for a table on the water.
Don't overlook the corn on the cob at this inventive restaurant. Embrace share plates and small portions executed with finesse and cool lighting. Not as expensive as some of my other tips.
Survey Co
32 Burnett LaneDon't overlook the corn on the cob at this inventive restaurant. Embrace share plates and small portions executed with finesse and cool lighting. Not as expensive as some of my other tips.
Catch the CityCat to Bulimba and hop bars until you reach this affordable family friendly Mexican joint where you put your flag up when you're ready to order. A cheap night out in Bulimba.
28 locals raden deze aan
La Quinta Mexican Cafe & Bar
189 Oxford StreetCatch the CityCat to Bulimba and hop bars until you reach this affordable family friendly Mexican joint where you put your flag up when you're ready to order. A cheap night out in Bulimba.
Don't judge this dive bar with old mismatched furniture and unorthodox seating arrangements until you taste its coffee. At night, embrace the eccentric crowd and the limited but on point wine list.
6 locals raden deze aan
Brew Cafe & Wine Bar
Lower Burnett LaneDon't judge this dive bar with old mismatched furniture and unorthodox seating arrangements until you taste its coffee. At night, embrace the eccentric crowd and the limited but on point wine list.
You won't feel like you are at a Woolworths shopping complex when you are eating the slow-cooked lamb shoulder at this cool restaurant. Ask for a table to view the gasometer light show. Side carrots.
16 locals raden deze aan
Hatch + Co.
76 Skyring TerraceYou won't feel like you are at a Woolworths shopping complex when you are eating the slow-cooked lamb shoulder at this cool restaurant. Ask for a table to view the gasometer light show. Side carrots.
Did someone say pizza? This is the younger brother of Becconfino in Teneriffe. So good.
46 locals raden deze aan
Julius Pizzeria
77 Grey StDid someone say pizza? This is the younger brother of Becconfino in Teneriffe. So good.
A well-regarded cult following keeps this breakfast only cafe pumping (prepare to queue, but don't let it deter you)
46 locals raden deze aan
The Gunshop Cafe
53 Mollison StA well-regarded cult following keeps this breakfast only cafe pumping (prepare to queue, but don't let it deter you)
Scout Cafe
190 Petrie TerraceGood coffee.
Drinks & Nightlife
Public
400 George StAwesome macaroni and cheese at this bar/restaurant. Go up the escalator and turn left.
Tank Bar & Laneway Dining
32 Turbot StreetFriday afternoon wine with the business crowd in a cool lane way.
My favourite space for a drink in Brisbane. If you go for lunch sit at the bar downstairs and order a steak sandwich. Although I'm told the pulled pork rivals it closely.
Malt Dining
28 Market StMy favourite space for a drink in Brisbane. If you go for lunch sit at the bar downstairs and order a steak sandwich. Although I'm told the pulled pork rivals it closely.
You won't regret making your way to James Street, even though it is ever difficult for visitors to reach. Catch a cab and eat at Sixes and Sevens. Take your credit card and hit the retail afterwards.
76 locals raden deze aan
At Sixes And Sevens
67 James StYou won't regret making your way to James Street, even though it is ever difficult for visitors to reach. Catch a cab and eat at Sixes and Sevens. Take your credit card and hit the retail afterwards.
Order a pale ale and a cheese board at this local brewery which eclipses it's horrific acoustics with a fun vibe, vats of beer brewing behind the bar, and good service. Teneriffe CityCat stop.
58 locals raden deze aan
Green Beacon Brewing Co.
26 Helen StOrder a pale ale and a cheese board at this local brewery which eclipses it's horrific acoustics with a fun vibe, vats of beer brewing behind the bar, and good service. Teneriffe CityCat stop.
Experience some Brisbane fine dining at this cool space. Great sunset people watching. It's a long walk from the unit but the boardwalk is perfection. Bloody Mary - extra Tabasco.
26 locals raden deze aan
Stokehouse Q
Sidon StreetExperience some Brisbane fine dining at this cool space. Great sunset people watching. It's a long walk from the unit but the boardwalk is perfection. Bloody Mary - extra Tabasco.
I've had many good memories at this little bar where the music is loud and seats are hard to come by. Dive on a spot on the sunken lounge as soon as a table departs.
9 locals raden deze aan
Super Whatnot
48 Burnett LnI've had many good memories at this little bar where the music is loud and seats are hard to come by. Dive on a spot on the sunken lounge as soon as a table departs.
Arts & Culture
Stroll over the bridge or hire bikes to take in some modern art at this hip gallery which is international standard.
704 locals raden deze aan
Gallery of Modern Art
Stanley PlaceStroll over the bridge or hire bikes to take in some modern art at this hip gallery which is international standard.
Mandatory for a Sunday afternoon wine. Catch the CityCat there and back to the New Farm stop.
259 locals raden deze aan
Brisbane Powerhouse
Mandatory for a Sunday afternoon wine. Catch the CityCat there and back to the New Farm stop.
Do what the locals never have time to do: visit the QPAC website and see a show while you are in town. Let your senses choose a Southbank restaurant after - you will be spoilt for choice.
342 locals raden deze aan
Queensland Performing Arts Centre
Melbourne StreetDo what the locals never have time to do: visit the QPAC website and see a show while you are in town. Let your senses choose a Southbank restaurant after - you will be spoilt for choice.
Essentials
I've flagged some cool spots to eat and drink at The Barracks (a redeveloped police barracks), but use for groceries, fish and chips, pizza, Japanese, fine dining, gift shopping, medical needs etc.
41 locals raden deze aan
The Barracks
61 Petrie TerraceI've flagged some cool spots to eat and drink at The Barracks (a redeveloped police barracks), but use for groceries, fish and chips, pizza, Japanese, fine dining, gift shopping, medical needs etc.
Take a stroll across the William Jolly bridge on a Saturday between 6am - 2pm to see our farmer's markets in all of their harem pants/organically sourced glory. Gets busier the later you go.
95 locals raden deze aan
De Davies Park Markt
Jane StreetTake a stroll across the William Jolly bridge on a Saturday between 6am - 2pm to see our farmer's markets in all of their harem pants/organically sourced glory. Gets busier the later you go.
Shopping
Antique shopping and great coffee. Stroll along this cool street and buy gifts for friends at 1000 island dressing.
15 locals raden deze aan
Latrobe Terrace
Latrobe TerraceAntique shopping and great coffee. Stroll along this cool street and buy gifts for friends at 1000 island dressing.
Do some damage on James Street. Check out Scanlan and Theodore - my favourite Australian label for quality.
41 locals raden deze aan
James Street
James StreetDo some damage on James Street. Check out Scanlan and Theodore - my favourite Australian label for quality.
Sightseeing
Catch a game with a meat pie and beer in each hand and feel like a local bogan (we all actually do it!). Experience Caxton Street afterwards to be shocked and awed by Australian drinking culture.
192 locals raden deze aan
Suncorp Stadyumu
40 Castlemaine StCatch a game with a meat pie and beer in each hand and feel like a local bogan (we all actually do it!). Experience Caxton Street afterwards to be shocked and awed by Australian drinking culture.
Explore Brisbane by water. Not the fastest form of transport (painfully slow for local office workers who often opt for faster transport). But enjoy the view and get to the heart of the hot spots.
North Quay station
Explore Brisbane by water. Not the fastest form of transport (painfully slow for local office workers who often opt for faster transport). But enjoy the view and get to the heart of the hot spots.
Go for your morning run along this stretch of bikepath which will guide you through our botanical gardens and beyond. Warning: Queenslanders exercise heavily and this is a fitness superhighway.
Bicentennial Bikeway
Bicentennial BikewayGo for your morning run along this stretch of bikepath which will guide you through our botanical gardens and beyond. Warning: Queenslanders exercise heavily and this is a fitness superhighway.
You will forget the eccentricity of a man made beach after spending a day eating, drinking and taking in our city's tourist epicentre. Do take your togs and towel - the water is surprisingly inviting!
865 locals raden deze aan
South Bank Parklands
Stanley Street PlazaYou will forget the eccentricity of a man made beach after spending a day eating, drinking and taking in our city's tourist epicentre. Do take your togs and towel - the water is surprisingly inviting!
Everything Else
An eyesore of our city but your most practical necessity is a 5 min walk away. A bit creepy at nighttime. And daytime if I'm honest. GoCards are essential.
80 locals raden deze aan
Roma Street Station
An eyesore of our city but your most practical necessity is a 5 min walk away. A bit creepy at nighttime. And daytime if I'm honest. GoCards are essential.