Bar Alto

At the arts-pumping Brisbane Powerhouse, this snappy upstairs bar-restaurant draws culture vultures and general bon vivants with its enormous balcony, at the ready with gorgeous river view. Local ingredients sing in Italian-inspired dishes, such as spanner-crab gnocchi, while the solid wine list includes a good number of interesting Italian drops. Book ahead if dining Friday to Sunday (Sunday lunch can book out weeks in advance in summer).