Looking for the best places to eat in Brisbane but unsure where to go? Look no further!
One of the best parts of travelling is discovering the best hidden local gems. If you thought Brisbane is not a culinary destination, well think again!
Brisbane local, Kat McTaggart, is here to put the city on the foodie map and tell us her favourite secret cafes and restaurants in Brisbane, so you can eat like a local!
Kat is just an Aussie girl who loves to be guided by her taste buds around the world. She has had the pleasure of travelling to 33 countries and counting. Follow her foodie adventures on Instagram at @katttventures for more tips on secret restaurants in Brisbane and further afield!
1. Devour an authentic French pastry at Christian Jacques Bakery
Say bonjour to this perpetual favourite, Christian Jacques Bakery – a crisp, flakey, light and delicate croissant that takes you straight to France on the first bite. Using the best quality French butter, and the traditional method of baking, certainly makes all the difference.
Go for the raspberry danish, kouign-amann, classic ham and cheese croissant, or goat’s cheese, bacon and honey croissant. On weekends, the line can look daunting but moves quickly. Take your delicious goodies down the street to Captain Burke Park, and enjoy a quintessential sunny Brisbane day relaxing by the river under the Story Bridge.
Christian Jacques Bakery: 8 Baildon St, Kangaroo Point QLD 4101
2. Gasp “OH MY GOD” with the perfect burger at Barbecue Mafia
There is literally no wrong choice on this menu and definitely one of the best restaurants on the Brisbane dining scene. My top picks at Barbecue Mafia are the classic double smash cheese burger or the Texas BBQ Box straight from the grill – both of which have drawn gasps of “OH MY GOD” on my visits.
Located at the Coorparoo Kings AFL Club, this Texan-inspired smokehouse is the perfect spot to bring the whole family (fur babies included). With plenty of room to sit, run, play (on the jumping castle) and relax (to live music), you can feast and make it a leisurely afternoon here.
You can also pre-order your BBQ plate of food for takeaway with their house sauces and eat these bad boys anywhere!
Barbecue Mafia: 33 Birubi Street, Coorparoo QLD 4151
3. Tuck into a fresh Cheeky Poke Bar
Take your pick of the five locations at Cheeky Poke Bar, including the heart of the city, to grab super tasty, fresh and healthy cheap eats. Depending on what you’re craving, go for the shichimi edamame, nori tacos, coconut lemongrass and chilli miso bone broth (my favourite is with the grilled salmon), or build your own poke bowl.
Their portion sizes are filling so you’ll leave feeling extremely satisfied, yet also pleased you have eaten healthy food. If you’re somehow not yet full, grab one of their butter bing cookie sandwiches filled with a choice of delicious flavours for dessert.
Cheeky Poke Bar: Newstead, West End, Greenslopes, Upper Mount Gravatt, or Ulster Lane in Brisbane City.
4. Sip bottomless mimosas at Blockhouse
Chicken and waffles and bottomless mimosas, need I say more? This local café, Blockhouse, is loved by the community and known to deliver dishes that are as tasty as they are creative.
Book your visit online, bring your dog, and set yourself up for a delightful time in this pocket of Nundah. While they do have an ever-changing menu, you can never go wrong with classics like potato hash cakes or baked eggs.
Blockhouse Eat + Drink: 130 Ryans Road, Nundah QLD 4012
5. Feel joyous at Joy
You’ll have a truly joyous experience at this intimate 10-seater restaurant, Joy. With front-row seats at the bar overlooking the kitchen, head chef Sarah will chat to you about her flavour creations while you see it all unfold.
Expect only a degustation-style menu that changes daily depending on the food they have stocked that day, with optional paired wines. While you’ll need to book months in advance for one of their two evening sittings, keep an eye on their Instagram for last-minute cancellations – it is an occasion to remember. Their dishes are exquisite, it’s no wonder they are on the list of Brisbane’s best restaurants.
Joy Restaurant: Bakery Lane, 694 Ann St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
6. Dig in to a two-tired breakfast at Dandelion and Driftwood
The only thing better than an all-you-can-eat dinner is a breakfast platter at Dandelion and Driftwood! Go for the two-tiered sweet and savoury dishes for you and your mate (if you’re into sharing).
It has just about everything you could want for your first (and maybe only?) meal of the day: think corn fritters, potato rosti, eggs, bacon, waffles, vanilla ice cream and caramel fudge. Plus coffee or tea.
Luckily for locals, D&D expanded their premises in Hendra and now there’s a large range of seating indoors, outdoors (dog friendly), and even a private room for special occasions. Make your booking online before you go, and don’t forget to pick up a box of French mint drinking chocolate from their front shop as a souvenir, or more food, no judgements.
Dandelion and Driftwood: 20 Doncaster St, Hendra QLD 4011
7. Have an Argentinean feast at Evita
Decadent Argentinean fare in a beautiful heritage building space in Fortitude Valley. At Evita, you’ll find ceviche, empanadas, all kinds of meats, and lashings of chimichurri on the menu – good luck trying to decide what to order.
If you’ve got a group, go for the Asado or sharing menu. Don’t forgo dessert because you’re “too full” from your main food – the tres leches sponge and caramel flan are outstanding. Afterwards, the Valley has hundreds of wine or cocktails bars to choose from – I recommend Savile Row (no sign, just an orange door).
Evita: 365 St Pauls Terrace, Fortitude Valley QLD 4005
8. Visit the epic Lady Marmalade cafe
Australia does brunch food really well but at Lady Marmalade, you’ll find the definition of an epic weekend brunch menu. Their seasonal menu will please even the pickiest of eaters, making it one of the most awesome restaurants in Brisbane.
Go for a drink of one of their freshly squeezed juices paired with the crowd-favourite eggs benedict or go all out and get the confit duck on chilli cornbread waffle. Either way, you’ll have enough sustenance to explore the local eclectic shops for a day.
Lady Marmalade: 269 Logan Road, Stones Corner QLD 4120
9. Could Lisboa Caffe be serving the best Portuguese tarts in Australia?
Walking away from the river and city views at South Bank isn’t possibly what most visitors would do, but just a couple of blocks back will land you at Lisboa Caffe. Watch their team serve flakey Portuguese custard tarts fresh out of the oven. Once you’re sugared up, head to Fish Lane for laneway vibes and more gluttonous options. At night, check out the hidden bar serving incredible cocktails, Next Episode – entry code is on their Instagram.
Lisboa Caffe: 58 Hope St, South Brisbane QLD 4101
10. Have a favourite steak at Red Brick Hotel
At over 130 years old, the cosy and unpretentious Queensland pub called the Red Brick Hotel has my favourite steak in Brisbane at an excellent price point. If you’re lucky, there’s a daily special – such as calamari steak toppers for $3!
Location-wise, free parking is nearby and while it may seem like it’s a quiet part of town in Woolloongabba serving wine, beer and cocktails. It is just a five-minute walk on the main road to the newly reopened Princess Theatre and a great selection of other venues (I recommend C’est Bon rooftop bar).
Red Brick Hotel: 83 Annerley Road, Woolloongabba QLD 4102
11. Build your own dishes at Rabbit & Co
This blink-and-you’ll-miss-it breakfast and lunch cafe is in suburban Brisbane, though you wouldn’t know as soon as you step inside Rabbit & Co. Greeted by gorgeous white tiling and wafts of coffee, there’s plenty on the menu including pancakes, green breakfast bowls, brekkie bao buns – or “build your own” to get a bit of everything. There’s plentiful outdoor undercover seating so bring your dog and enjoy a cookie and cream or green smoothie.
Rabbit & Co: 148 Chatsworth Road, Coorparoo QLD 4151
12. Stock up on fresh picnic food at Pennisi Cuisine
If you want a totally location-flexible option, head to Pennisi Cuisine, a Mediterranean and Latin American shop in Woolloongabba and make a beeline to the fridges. Pick up all your food provisions here to takeaway, like cheese, pasta, seafood, salads, sushi, cold meats and breads, and San Pellegrino soft drinks.
Brisbane is not short on country picnic spots so pack up the car with your feast and choose a stunning free area– suggestions nearby include Mowbray Park, Highgate Hill Park or Kangaroo Point Cliffs.
Pennisi Cuisine: 17 Balaclava Street, Woolloongabba QLD 4102
Looking for more things to do in Brisbane?
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