Must-see restaurants in Brisbane

  • King Arthur Cafe

    Fortitude Valley

    In a barrel-vaulted former warehouse off James St, this neighbourhood favourite serves gorgeous coffee (including batch brew), just-baked goods and…

  • Greenglass

    Brisbane

    Up a flight of stairs wedged between a discount chemist and a topless bar is this pared-back, loft-style favourite. Here, produce is king, translating…

  • Pablo

    Brisbane

    An idiosyncratic mix of midcentury design, antiques and Australian-themed street art, affable, homely Pablo is a brunch favourite among New Farmers. Local…

  • Bacchus

    Brisbane

    Indulge in a little afternoon delight at Bacchus, a plush, gold-accented restaurant well-known for its afternoon high teas. Nibble elegantly from three…

  • Banoi

    Fortitude Valley

    Located in the up-and-coming King St precinct, casual, contemporary Banoi stands out for its family-style Vietnamese cooking, from pillow-soft bao buns…

  • Greenhouse Canteen

    Brisbane

    It's cool to be kind at this plant-based, gluten-free eatery, a modern, light-filled space within walking distance of South Bank. The menu is seasonal,…

  • Pearl Cafe

    Brisbane

    Euro-spirited Pearl is one of Brisbane's best-loved weekend brunch spots, with freshly baked cakes on the counter and beautiful cafe fare on the menu…

  • Sea Fuel

    Brisbane

    The only thing missing is a beach at Sea Fuel, one of Brisbane's best fish-and-chip pedlars. It's a polished, modern spot, with distressed timber…

  • Les Bubbles exterior

    Les Bubbles

    Fortitude Valley

    From the red-neon declaration – 'Quality meat has been served here since 1982' – to the photos of crooks and cops, this sassy steakhouse relishes its…

  • Kettle & Tin interior

    Kettle & Tin

    Brisbane

    Behind its picket fence, homey Kettle & Tin serves up tasty cafe grub. Breakfast standards like smashed avo share the spotlight with less ubiquitous…

  • x-default

    Strauss

    Brisbane

    Strauss shrugs off its corporate surrounds with low-key, Brooklyn-esque cool and a neighbourly vibe. Head in for quick-fix banana bread, or settle in for…

  • Watt riverview

    Mary Mae's

    Brisbane

    Squint and the Brisbane River becomes the Mississippi at this airy waterfront eatery. Pine for NOLA over lighter versions of buttermilk fried chicken,…

  • x-default

    Super Bowl

    Fortitude Valley

    Not only is Super Bowl a Valley institution, it's a retro paradise, a place where wood panels, televised sports and the odd Lazy Susan conjure a Gen-X…

  • Ben's Burgers exterior

    Ben's Burgers

    Fortitude Valley

    Top-notch ingredients drive Ben's, a tiny bolthole in a laneway off Ann St. The menu is an uncomplicated affair: three brioche-bun burgers, among them a…

  • Little Loco interior

    Little Loco

    Brisbane

    This little New Farm local keeps peeps healthy with dishes such as the Green Bowl, a tasty, feel-great combo of kale, spinach, broccolini, feta,…

  • x-default

    Miel Container

    Brisbane

    Miel flips delicious, rustic burgers from its red shipping-container locale. Options span the globe, with everything from tandoori-chicken and mozzarella…

  • The Smoke BBQ patio

    Smoke BBQ

    Brisbane

    The smell of hickory hangs heavy in the air at this US-style BBQ joint. Lust over tender short ribs, pulled pork, brisket, chicken and lamb, all smoked…

  • Chouquette exterior

    Chouquette

    Brisbane

    The best patisserie this side of Toulouse? Something to think about as you grab a coffee and a bag of the namesake chouquettes (small choux pastries…

  • Beach Burrito exterior

    Beach Burrito Company

    Fortitude Valley

    An open-fronted, shack-style Mexican chain pumping out all the street-food standards, from tacos, chimichangas and quesadillas, to burritos and churros…

  • Siam Square Thai exterior

    Siam Square Thai

    Brisbane

    Straight-up Thai classics in a prominent corner location in New Farm. Watch the eclectic local parade of gay guys, shuffling winos and the odd Italian…

  • Vue exterior

    Vue

    Brisbane

    Equal parts cafe, bistro and burger joint, Vue covers a lot of bases well. Start the day on a tropical note with mango and coconut chia pudding, live a…

  • Tinderbox

    Fortitude Valley

    Straddling a leafy laneway by the Palace Centro cinemas, this smart-casual bistro puts its wood-fired oven to good use, charring pizzas with a style…

  • La Macelleria

    Brisbane

    After opening their first gelateria in an old butcher's shop in Bologna (La Macelleria means 'The Butchery'), Italians Matteo Zini and Matteo Casone…

  • E'cco

    Brisbane

    Years on, E’cco remains one of the state's gastronomic highlights. Polished yet personable staff deliver beautifully balanced, visually arresting dishes,…

  • Il Posto

    Brisbane

    Plot your next Italian adventure at this neighbourhood stalwart, known for its soulful pasta dishes and thin-crust pizzas. Pizzas come either rosse or…

  • Byblós

    Brisbane

    A slice of contemporary Beirut by the Brisbane River, Byblós specialises in Lebanese and Mediterranean edibles. While service can be a little hit-and-miss…

  • Felix for Goodness

    Brisbane

    Spruced-up Felix channels Melbourne with its laneway locale, industrial fit-out and effortlessly cool vibe. Produce-driven, all-day-brunch dishes might…

  • Double Shot

    Brisbane

    With its button-cute porch and manicured hedge, laid-back Double Shot is a hit with the locals. Join the New Farm crew for good coffee, homemade coconut…

  • Lefkas Taverna

    Brisbane

    Sage Brisbanites snub Brisbane's hipper, pricier Greek hotspots for this suburban stalwart. Light-filled and refreshingly unpretentious, its classic…

  • Bahn Mi Now

    Brisbane

    Vietnamese-born Ashleigh Ng heads this hole-in-the-wall takeaway, pumping out affordable, mouth-watering Vietnamese-style sandwiches under a neon-pink…

  • Fundies Wholefood Market

    Brisbane

    An organic food store and holistic cafe combined, this is the place to stock up on wholesome groceries before tucking into feel-good grub like scrambled…

  • Anouk

    Brisbane

    What was once an apothecary is now a casually chic Paddington cafe, adorned with bay windows, oh-so-French bentwood chairs and spinning ceiling fans…

  • Gelateria Cremona

    Brisbane

    Cremona peddles authentic, preservative-free gelato famous across the city. Flavours are fresh and real, ranging from Dutch chocolate and cappuccino, to…

  • Betty's Burgers

    Brisbane

    Noosa's boutique burger chain is now flipping patties in hot, hip Newstead. Sporting Betty's trademark beach-shack look, its coveted, juicy burgers…

  • Wilde Kitchen

    Brisbane

    Chow guilt-free at this lean, low-key cafe, where everything on the menu is paleo, vegetarian, gluten-free or dairy-free. Kickstart the AM with warm…

  • Himalayan Cafe

    Brisbane

    Awash with prayer flags, this highly atmospheric neighbourhood stalwart pulls in the punters with its authentic Tibetan and Nepalese dishes, from phali …

  • Kiss the Berry

    Brisbane

    Overlooking South Bank Parklands is this upbeat açaí bar, serving fresh, tasty bowls of the organic super-food in various combinations. Our favourite is…

  • Remy's

    Brisbane

    Peeps across the city love Remy's for its neighbourhood vibe, outdoor deck and great-value burger deals: two-for-one burgers (Sundays from 3.30pm to 6…

  • Ramen Danbo

    Brisbane

    Japanese pop and a chorus of 'Irasshaimase!' greet punters at this casual, upbeat Japanese import. The cult-status pork-bone tonkotsu is lifted by a house…

  • Billykart West End

    Brisbane

    Brisbane-based celeb chef Ben O'Donoghue heads Billykart, a slick yet casual eatery where billykart blueprints and faux Queenslander veneers salute local…