Holiday like a local with these top Brissie tips
A long weekend in Brisbane, hitting up all the local faves? Yes, please! All you need are these insider tips on what to eat, drink, see, and do. Read on… and thank us later 😉
Eat
Brisbane has earned some serious foodie cred in recent years – and it’s well-deserved. Top of your hit list has to be Agnes, Gourmet Traveller’s 2023 Restaurant of the Year. An exquisite celebration of woodfire cooking in a gorgeously moody setting, it’s definitely worth the hype. Just make sure you book well in advance!
But that’s just the start. For even more fine-dining goodness, check out Hôntô for incredible modern Japanese (including rare Japanese whiskies and sakes); Hellenika for classic (read: delicious!) Greek that’s perfect for sharing; Joy for a truly intimate and creative dining experience where everyone sits at the chef’s table; and 1889 Enoteca for timeless Italian cuisine and a killer wine list.
Want something more casual? Brissie is also home to some fantastic cafés and gastro pubs. We love Farmhouse Kedron for a hearty brunch; Felons Brewing Co. for woodfired pizzas and delish fish ‘n’ chips served up with some of the best beer (and views) in town; The Green for mouthwatering Lebanese brekkie, lunch and dinner; Morning After for healthy AND indulgent brekkies and lunches (and a little hair of the dog if you need it 😉); Eat Street Northshore for a never-ending carnival of food trucks and live entertainment; and Botanica for the best salads and wholesome treats you’ll ever eat.
Got room left in your dessert stomach? Grab a scoop of gourmet homemade ice-cream (with extras like gummy bears, pistachios, mini marshmallows, and Turkish delight) at Bennie Adam Ice Cream, or treat yourself to an unreal vegan, gluten-free galaxy brownie from Veganyumm.
Drink
Cocktails, mocktails, beer, bubbles, coffee – what’s a good holiday without something to sip?
Brissie has an amazing cocktail scene, with some excellent non-alcoholic options. Death and Taxes is a top pick for its signature cocktails, robust wine list, and cool underground aesthetic, while Cobbler is a must-visit for whisky lovers, with tipples from Scotland, Ireland, Japan, Australia and Canada. For something different, we love Maker – a little hole-in-the-wall that’s famous for its unique ingredients (think cocktails with miso butter, white chocolate, and rhubarb custard verjus) – and Mrs J Rabbits – a jazzy speakeasy hidden inside an antique wardrobe.
Want to quench your thirst without the booze? You’ll love Mecca Bah for their fabulous mocktails and Middle Eastern cuisine, Covent Garden for their awesome No-groni, and The Zero Club for non-alcoholic goodies to take home.
Beer lovers are in for a treat too, with plenty of awesome breweries and pubs to choose from. Check out BrewDog for a full range of beers on tap (including ginger beer and some great non-alcoholic and low-alcohol options), $15 lunch specials, and loads of veggie and gluten-free meals; The Triffid for a top-notch beer garden, fantastic burgers and even better live music; or Netherworld for craft beer, homemade sodas, old-school video games, and vegan pub grub. Prefer a wine? You can’t go past the City Winery for its cellar door vibes in the heart of Brissie; The Old Seven for the most extensive Rosé range in Australia (not to mention some seriously droolworthy cheeses); and Wineology for almost 100 wines to self-serve and try by the glass, along with excellent tapas.
Phew! Need a pick-me-up after all that? Luckly you’ll find brilliant coffee in Brisbane too. We love Bellissimo (Australia’s highest-awarded coffee roaster); Death Before Decaf for 24/7 coffee with a side of tunes; Coffee Head Co. for organic and fairtrade brews including tea; and The Woolshed for all your usual faves, as well as cold brew soft serve 😮
See
Get your walking shoes on and your camera ready, ‘cause there’s plenty to see in Bris-Vegas.
If it’s been a while since your last visit, a walk around the city is a great place to start. The QLD capital has changed a lot in recent years, with new precincts like James Street, Fish Lane, Howard Smith Wharves, and Queen’s Wharf (opening August 2024) to explore. There are some wonderful river walks too, offering some of the best views in town. The Brisbane to New Farm Walk is one of the most popular, but the Mangrove Walk, Kangaroo Point City Walk, and Kangaroo Point River Walk are great as well.
At some point your strolling will probably take you to South Bank – aka Brisbane’s Cultural Precinct, the home of some of the Sunshine State’s finest museums, galleries and arts venues. Must-visits include the Queensland Museum Kurilpa, the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, the State Library of Queensland, and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (remember to book ahead if you want to see a show). Further afield, you’ll find awesome small and indie arts hubs as well, such as the Institute of Modern Art, the Woolloongabba Art Gallery, Metro Arts, and the Powerhouse.
Feel like a day trip? Nothing beats a hike up Mt Coot-tha. The views from the top are incredible and Bluey fans might find the lookout a tad familiar. Or for a serious adventure, catch a ferry to Tangalooma to see shipwrecks and wild dolphins all in the same day.
While you’re in and around the CBD, keep an eye out for Brisbane’s famous (and adorable) secret tiny doors. You’ll find them in laneways, on trees, and even in the Queensland Art Gallery.
Do
What can do you in Brisbane? Oh, just about anything you can think of 😉
With that awesome Queensland sunshine and more natural beauty than you can shake a walking pole at, Brisbane is a treat for fans of the great outdoors. Hike, bike and more at gorgeous parks and reserves like Enoggera Reservoir and Walkabout Creek, Boondall Wetlands, and Cedar Creek. Closer to town, check out the City Botanic Gardens – 49 acres of lush greenery and dazzling flower beds that are literally made for strolling – and New Farm Park – the perfect spot for a picnic.
More into fauna that flora? Brisbane’s got you covered there too. Head to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary to hang out with all your favourite Aussie animal friends (including koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, and dingoes), as well as a crew of farm animals, working dogs, and even some freshwater crocs. Or for something a bit different, make a daytrip to Bribie Island to visit the charming Bribie Island Butterfly House.
Looking for a little – or big – something to take home? Brissie offers some fantastic shopping as well. Head to the Queen St Mall for department stores and all the big brands, James Street for luxury fashion and artisan homewares, the West End for amazing op shopping, and Paddington for gorgeous boutiques and vintage treasures. There are some brilliant markets to trawl through too – some of the best include the West End Markets, Jan Powers Farmers Markets, the Brisbane Suitcase Rummage, Superordinary’s Supermarkets, and Vend Marketplace.
Finally, we’ve got to address the elephant in the room… or should that be the little blue cartoon dog? Yep, a trip to Brisbane means you and the kids can spend a few days living like Bluey, Bingo, Chilli and Bandit – for real life. It won’t take long for you to spot some of the sights that have inspired the show’s backdrops: South Bank, the Wheel of Brisbane, New Farm Park, and the Glasshouse Mountains are just a few examples. But if you really want to walk in Bluey’s pawprints, make sure you visit between 7 November 2024 and 27 April 2025 so you can check out Bluey’s World – a one-of-a-kind immersive experience that will take you into the Heeler family’s home, backyard and life. Wackadoo!
Stay
Brisbane is full of amazing stays. Some of our faves include The Calile Hotel for its retro California luxury; The Constance for its cool boutique style and awesome location; Ovolo the Valley Brisbane for its vintage decadence and an unreal veggie restaurant on site; Meriton Suites Adelaide Street Brisbane for super stylish and spacious apartments; and Crystalbrook Vincent for its bold design and sustainable, responsible luxury.
PLAN YOUR BRISBANE GETAWAY
